A bid to put the brakes on changing the venue for Clacton's popular and successful classic car show has failed to get off the starting grid.
Tendring councillor Clive Baker is all revved up after a decision was taken to move the rally to Walton
He feels that Clacton's tourist trade would suffer from the switch and believes Walton should put on its own event if it wants to stage one.
Mr Baker (Lab, Rush Green) said the show had been held at the same venue in the town for 11 years and had become an important date on the calender.
"I cannot understand why this Liberal Democrat-Tory-led council is taking the vintage car and cycle rally away from Clacton," he said.
"If Walton and Frinton want to stage an event like this, why don't they? It all helps to boost the tourist trade."
Mr Baker put a written question before a full meeting of Tendring Council.
Portfolio holder Mick Page was told to send a reply in writing as Mr Baker could not attend.
But after the meeting, he told the Evening Gazette why the decision had been taken to move the event nine miles down the road.
Mr Page said having held the show at the same venue for so long it had now reached a plateau in terms of the number for people who turned up and those interested in exhibiting their vehicles.
He said that the number of events of this type staged around the region was growing all the time.
"We felt that there was a great need to revitalise the show and after we had held talks with the Walton Forum, it was agreed that we should take it to Walton," he said.
Published Monday, February 24, 2003
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