Motorcycle owners and scores of enthusiasts gathered in the sunshine to raise funds for Holt United Reformed Church at the village's annual Classic Bike Show.

The show has become a firm favourite among motorcyclists with classic machines on displays in the church car park for the event to raise funds for the former village school.

The church was built in 1799 and has been in continuous use in Holt for the last 224 years.

Organiser Steve Morris brought along a Vincent 500cc HRD comet to Saturday's event, one of the main attractions to the show now in its fourth year.

Wiltshire Times: Holt Classic Bike Show coordinator Steve Morris with the rare Vincent HRD Comet motorcycle. Photo: Trevor Porter 69946-2Holt Classic Bike Show coordinator Steve Morris with the rare Vincent HRD Comet motorcycle. Photo: Trevor Porter 69946-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The gleaming example of the 1938 machine has been donated to the Vincent Owners Club by lifelong member Nigel Seymour-Smith for the enjoyment of its members, with club member Steve this year’s custody officer. 

URC Vicar, Reverend Tracy Lewis, said: "I think it is a lovely show. It is such a wonderful gathering of people with a common interest."

This event has raised funds for the United Reformed Church Hall maintenance fund for the renovation of the former school, which is now a valuable community asset.

Wiltshire Times: Engineering enthusiast David Clarke with some of his model engines: Photo: Trevor Porter 69946-4 Engineering enthusiast David Clarke with some of his model engines: Photo: Trevor Porter 69946-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Helping raise funds was David Clarke with several items on display.

David said: “My late father Des was a former pupil here, so I wanted to bring some examples of steam engines to the show to help generate interest and funds for the church.”

The oldest bike in the show was a 1914 Auto Wheel belonging to classic bike enthusiast Alan Hibberd.

Wiltshire Times: Alan Hibberd with his 1914 Auto Wheel machine left in a garden for years until it was rescued and renovated. Photo: Trevor Porter 69946-3Alan Hibberd with his 1914 Auto Wheel machine left in a garden for years until it was rescued and renovated. Photo: Trevor Porter 69946-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Alan, of Trowbridge, is well known at classis shows with his Dot motorised milk float but this time he was putting on show his four-stroke Auto wheel now fully restored.

He said: “This unusual machine was left in a garden since the mid-50s until it was rescued. It has been fully restored and along with advertising material is now out on show.”

Other vehicles on show included a Raleigh Chopper bike, several Royal Enfields, and Triumphs, and motorcycles made by Yamaha, Suzuki, Ariel, BMW, Vincent and Norton.

Viewing of the vehicles was by donation and refreshments were available.

All proceeds from the show are split between Cancer Research UK and the United Reformed Church Hall maintenance fund.