LYDIARD House shimmered in the reflection of dozens of classic bumpers, bonnets and mirrors as retro cars from across the globe parked in the grounds for the second annual Auto and Retro Festival.

Four times the number of cars seen last year descended on the grounds as the skies cleared for the infant event, which is already coming on leaps and bounds.

The day also boasted dance lessons, vintage hair salons, an emporium and a host of stalls and stands with a 1950s tinge.

Organiser Kat Dixon said she was thrilled with the response, as the event is just getting off the ground, with the help of Ross Topham of RMJ Top Events.

“The first year was just me on my own and about 26 cars,” she said.

“This time around we have around 130 cars, which is a huge improvement.

“We have got entertainment, traders, a vintage hair salon, a vintage emporium, and lots of outlets doing their own thing.

“Considering this is technically the first one that has been properly organised, This has the makings of being a really big event for Lydiard.”

Retro is making a fashionable resurgence, but Kat said her interest in all things retro had been sparked when she was little.

“When I was 11 I got an Austin 7 Special that I used to sit in while it was parked up and pretend to drive it. My dad and I fixed it up and I learned to drive it when I was about 12 just on empty farm tracks.

“Ever since then I have been into classic cars , and when I started working at STEAM, the first thing I said is I was going to do a car show.

“I’m thrilled we’ve also got an Austin 7 here, although it doesn’t work, but they are beautiful. We have also got a Cobra and plenty of Jags and Chevies. We’ve also got the camper vans for the retro hippies set up at the back of the field. They are all just really stunning examples of cars.

“A lot of work has gone in to today, and we have been working together since January and doing this solidly for the last two months.”

Eric Gardner, from Stroud, brought his TVR Tuscan as he tours car shows across the region.

“I go all around the South West to these shows during the summer, and have been to Gloucester, Bristol and Cheltenham,” the 50-year-old said.

“This one seems very well organised for the new event, and it is very handy for me because I am currently working in Swindon. There is certainly a good vibe here, and it is very relaxed.

“I love this stuff because it is all English heritage, and I am a bit of a stickler for that.

"There are only a few hundred of these models left in the world, so I’m very lucky to have it and might as well show it off.”

On top of the European models were some stunning models of classic American cars, including a Chevrolet Camero brought by 67-year-old Brian Perrin, of Warminster.

“I sort of fell into this scene by accident,” he said.

“When I retired we were looking for something to do, and we couldn’t go dancing because my knees were shot, but we needed something for a bit of recreation.

“We bought an MGV and took it to an American car show and just got hooked. We then started looking for American cars and when this one came up for sale we couldn’t resist.

“The set-up here is brilliant and its a really beautiful location. As it’s the first year you would expect not to get too many cars, but it has really taken off. I have only been doing this around three years but there has been a huge growth in interest.”

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  • Jan and Bryan Cupples and a stylish vintage vehicle. Picture by Dave Cox