Going Topless at Pendennis Castle

Pendennis Castle was the setting for the MX5 car owners Spring Rally 2012 the first ever to be held in Falmouth. With members arriving from all over the country and as far afield as Belgium and Holland cars continued to arrive well into the early afternoon. The English Heritage has staged many events at the castle over the years including, vintage car rallies and the now famous medieval joust but this was their first large scale MX5 event.

Just a handful of MX5 models in attendance. Images:- Ian Cocklin Photography

Tim Aldridge the ‘Cornish Fives’, out-going PR & Press officer was delighted with the day that saw many more members joining up. When asked what makes Falmouth and Cornwall suited to this event he said, ‘we see more MX5’s in Cornwall than anywhere else in the country. This is because aside from the car being stunning its size and handling is perfect for the Cornish roads. We would love to hold more events here in Falmouth and ultimately increase business to the area’.

Tim Aldridge the Cornish Fives Out-Going PR & Press Officer- Image Ian Cocklin Photography

Visitors were treated to an array of events including music from, ‘The Great Western Jazz Company’, Scalextric and arcade game tournaments plus sporadic choruses from members of the, ‘Aberfal Oggeymen’.

: The Great Western Jazz Band

The backdrop of the castle, Falmouth Bay, Mylor Harbour and the iconic St Anthony’s lighthouse lent itself to the relaxed feeling as visitors and members passed among the cars. ‘It’s like meeting with one big family’, commented Pat from Salisbury. ‘It’s our first time in Falmouth we would come again’.

Two cars that gathered much attention during the day were owned by brother and sister Wendy and Barry. Both had travelled from Essex and Bournemouth the previous day and were delighted with winning 1^st and 2^nd place in the Cornish Fives Mrk3 class. Wendy admitted there was a healthy degree of sibling rivalry between the two. ‘We never tell the other one what we are going to do to our cars next. Because we live so far apart it’s fairly easy to keep it quiet. We don’t show one another until we meet up at a rally’. Over the last twelve months the pair has invested greatly to bring their cars up to a jaw- dropping and award winning standard. When asked if it had been worth the long trip Wendy said, ‘It has been an enjoyable experience and yes we would come back again’.