THE heritage vehicle club, Craven Old Wheels, which has reached early middle age - it was formed in 1975 - is looking for new young blood. Reporter, Clive White speaks to new chairman Chris Bryant and some members.

WHEN Chris Bryant was a lad in his early 20s, unlike other car-mad contemporaries, drooling over the Ford Escort Mark 1 and the Mini Cooper, his passion was for £50 jalopies.

So when he joined Craven Old Wheels he was nothing but a greenhorn - most of the other members were mature bods with enough spare cash to spend on restoring a beat up banger. Younger members were conspicuous by their scarcity.

Today, 63 and retired - he spends much of his other spare time as a guide at Skipton castle - he owns a 1954 model Sunbeam Alpine which he bought in 1986 and has undergone much restoration. And staying with his love of classics, his every day get-about is a 43-year-old Citroen 2CV.

Now that he has percolated in the age ranks finding himself ensconced as C.O.W.S chairman he has a mission to encourage more young enthusiasts to join, both men and women, owners or just lovers of old vehicles.

Chris said: “As a lad, I ran around in what would today be called classic cars though in those days they were £50.00 bangers. Gradually, as they became rarer, they were treated with a bit more respect.

“I joined the Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Register in 1975 when I was 21 and bought the Alpine in 1986,

“I joined C.O.W.S to attend local events and runs with like-minded people. I admired the old folk who were so dedicated to their cars and who ran the club. Now I’m one of those old blokes myself.

“In January this year I was persuaded to add my name to the list of people to be considered for the post as chairman - can it be called a list with only one name on it? Anyhow, here I am in the driving seat.

“I guess there may be new people in the area with an interest in historic vehicles who are not aware of the existence of C.O.W.S. I’d like them to come and join us.”

They would meet people like John Johnson, from Silsden, whose passion is for the attention-grabbing Bond, a three wheeler popular in the 1950s and early 1960s as an economical run-about which did 100 miles to the gallon.

John has just finished restoring his 1958 model affectionately known as ‘Dizzy’ and in his family for more than 40 years. He has a second Bond dubbed “Scarlet”.

The three-wheeler will be taking part in a four day Easter Bond Minicar Rally based in Cononley . “The event has attracted entries from all over the UK and we’ll be tackling a number of runs including to Hawes creamery, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, to Skipton Castle and to Settle. With some engines less than 200cc it’ll be a challenging adventure,” said John.

A Rover enthusiast since he was ten, Dave Perrins is a member from as far away as Bradford who has fully restored a 1946 Rover P2 and has a newly purchased 1966 Rover P5 which he uses as a running restoration.

“I got hooked on Rovers as a regular visitor to the local banger racing circuit in Halifax and was impressed that the winners were nearly always driving a Rover P4.” he said.

“ I bought the P2 in 2001 where it had been hiding in a barn for about 20 years. In 2009 it had a complete strip down and rebuild and the interior restored in 2013.”

Allan Haspell is the proud owner of a 1974 Triumph Stag which he has treasured for 17 years and generally runs just through the summer as most owners of classic cars.

“I enjoy the club very much, attending the events and particularly listening to the speakers we get,” said Allan, who drives for Keighley SCAD and for Craven College as well as volunteering at Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway,

C.O.W.S meet on the third Tuesday of every month, except December, at 7.30 for 8pm at Steeton Hall.