The 18th Cottenham Yesteryear Road Run may possibly have been the last, according to a farewell note accompanying the exhibitors’ welcome pack, as the volunteer organisers have decided to give up the reins. It appears that the time required to organise and arrange all the necessary administration has just become too much, so unless other interested parties or the benefiting charity themselves step forward, this popular event may become a thing of the past. That would be a great shame as 2010 saw another record donation of £14,000 to MAGPAS.

As usual, we watched the vehicles arrive and depart from Cottenham Green and although the entry numbers stopped at 300 in the programme, there appeared to be at least another 60-70 later entries as the smallest commercial vehicle in the run, a Lambretta truck carried entry number 366. However, the commercial vehicle section was itself smaller this year and if the Bannold and Gowler entries (4-5 each) had not been there on the day, it would have been a very small contingent.

That could not be said for the scooters, motorbikes and cars as they were out in force. The massed ranks of the motorcycles leaving meant a point and snap mode of photography with pot-luck of what you got in the frame. Thanks to the steep slope of the Green, the cars and light commercials leaving was a more sedate affair, but still a very small minority see the need to act like juvenile boy racers as they set off between pedestrian-lined village streets as if there is no tomorrow.

As usual the tractor boys showed all sort of invention as to what type of seating you can (in theory) fit to a trailer, and indeed what size of trailer is suitable for such purposes, but at the relatively slow speed of travel and the fact they run last with an escort vehicle bringing up the rear, means the risks are relatively small. That said, there were many solo tractors drivers just out for a fun run.

Back on the Green, the usual contingent of stationary engines and a number of local showmen had set up for the day and there was a steady stream of people about from lunchtime onwards showing an interest in what was on display. Whether we will be back in 2012 for another year is doubtful but if not, we’ll end this report on the assumption that 2011’s proceeds should see the total amount of donations made in the event’s 18-year history top £150,000. Well done to all involved over the years.