Our first birthday party and show was a huge success, even though many of the clubs who had promised to attend found the draw of Santa Pod too strong to ignore. The weather was perfect, even too hot! Visitors turned up from as far afield as Clevedon and Bournemouth. We had deliberately kept our party low-key and open to Capri club members and enthusiasts only. The general public were not invited. Thus our show remained a private gathering and we were able to enjoy ourselves without being fettered by unnecessary bureaucracy. Even so a complete risk assessment was undertaken, two qualified first-aiders were on site and other safeguards taken.

Most of Friday afternoon and Saturday was spent setting up the site, and then waiting with fingers crossed for people to turn up. Visitors and campers started arriving, the barbecue was lit and the DJ primed with beer. A party atmosphere soon developed. Those children attending with their parents and a few "borrowed from next door" soon set to painting the Capri that had been prepared for the purpose. Poster paints and old shirts flying the car was soon transformed with a miriad of slogans and graffiti. Later that night the adults added their own style to the car, ensuring that a censor was appointed first thing on Sunday morning to restore its former decency.

Sunday dawned bright and cloudless, smells of cooking drifted in the air. Several campers took advantage of an early start to explore the countryside and Tavistock before throwing themselves into the day's events with an enthusiasm that had to be seen to be believed. An area of the field had been set aside well away from the main show area, and a slalom course set up. The Capri of many colours was unmasked and a series of timed runs held with the driver blindfolded and the navigator giving verbal instructions. Penalties were awarded for cones and barriers touched, Club members were able to enjoy some highly amusing low-speed driving antics, from a respectable distance.

Most of the cars present were judged during the afternoon by a willing band of ladies, who were meticulous in their duties and supplied one or two surprise results. Some cars were marked down because the owners hadn’t cleaned interiors to the girls’ own high standards.

A draw and a presentation of beautifully hand-crafted trophies completed the day, and even though England were playing that night, several of the visitors chose to remain afterwards to join TACO for a farewell drink at the Chipshop Inn afterwards.