The Bromyard Speed Festival returned with a new format over the weekend of the 26th/27th July. Run over two days the event included a scenic car tour on the Saturday afternoon and on Sunday a non-competitive hill climb was run on a closed section of the B4203. 

The hill climb was held in the memory of Jeremy Holden, who sadly passed away a year ago and never saw the event he conceived come to fruition. The event was particularly poignant having known Jeremy since 2007 after a rather hasty trip to Le Mans where my husband and I met Jeremy for the first time on a bit of a racing blind date as guests of Aston Martin. 

An entry of well over 200 assorted cars and bikes from all eras took to the hill. A strong class of vintage cars kicked off the event and we progressed through the decades with a range of classic and modern machinery taking part. Whilst the event was non-competitive a few regular hill climb competitors took part and took full advantage of a fast and flowing course which featured two chicanes; however these obstacles did not cause too much disruption to the enjoyment of those who wanted to push their car or bike a little harder than the national speed limit. 

The highlight of the event was seeing a handful of Lotus single seaters from the Paul Matty Hill Climb Championship take to the public roads. More regularly seen at Shelsely Walsh all of 6 miles up the road, these cars on the public road made me think of seeing these cars in period at a road circuit such a Spa, an evocative sight. Everyone appeared to enjoy the event and hopefully this format of the Bromyard Speed Festival will continue and form a suitable memorial for Jeremy who was one of the original driving forces behind celebrating the motoring history of Bromyard. 

Report and Images: Joy Richings 01/08/25.