Volvo Enthusiasts Club ‘National Gathering’ at the Wythall Transport Museum by Kevin Price, Club Chairman

What a fantastic day and the weather was kind to us almost to the end of the day!

The Volvo Enthusiasts Club’s National Gathering was held the first Sunday in June at the Wythall Transport Museum, Chapel Lane, Wythall, situated just off Junction 3 of the M42 in the West Midlands. 

Once again, the Museum proved to be a great choice as a venue. It contains a large collection of preserved Buses and Coaches from West Midland and other Operators, the largest collection of Battery Powered Vehicles E.g. Milk Floats etc, once common sight in our towns, plus a miniature steam railway and other vehicles. There was even the chance to ride on some of the preserved vehicles during our visit and guided tours behind the scenes in the workshops where vehicles are being restored and undergoing routine maintenance.

Attendance at the Event was fantastic, particularly considering this year the Sunday formed the end of the Whit School Holidays, plus clashes with other pre-booked events.      

Despite this, there was a great attendance of Classic Volvos and Club Members in other vehicles, which included a 1956 Ford Zephyr, the oldest example in the UK, a Wolseley 1500 and a Frogeye Sprite, who’s driver arrived in this rather than his PV or 120 Estate.

As usual event practice, Club Members received complimentary refreshments, of a drink and piece of homemade cake, which was well received judging by the many compliments received both on the day and since on social media.

Awards on the Day:             

Judging of the attending Volvo’s was as usual undertaken by Club Members, with additional awards being judged by a team selected from the Club’s Co-ordinators –  with the ‘Best Volvo 2024’ – “The Christina Stadden Memorial Trophy” being won by Tony & Jill Malkin – Volvo 960 Exec Royal, 1996, Reg: No: A26 HRH. Our Congratulations to all the Award Winners.

Our thanks once again to Lancaster Insurance for their continued support by sponsoring awards presented on the day.

Many thanks to all those Members who came along and supported the event, plus particular thanks to those Members who arrived early and helped with setting up and those who helped at the end of the day with the packing up. 

Many thanks to all the volunteer staff, at the Wythall Transport Museum for making us so very welcome plus providing Tours for Club Members and rides on their preserved Midland Red D9 bus.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s National Gathering, which has already been booked, for the 7th of June 2026.

In the meantime, we hope to see you all at our many other events already booked for the rest of 2025 – see Forthcoming Events in this Club Magazine, our website or our all new, Facebook Page – Volvo Enthusiasts Club Est. 1989.