Andrews Woods own Gipsy Moth was flown to kick things off with Captain Stewart Luck waving and shouting to the crowds. Customers, suppliers and friends of the Wood brothers travelled from all over the world to join the Wood family and their team for this celebration, even more poignant with the passing of one of the brothers, Paul Wood, earlier this year. Guests included some of the foremost collectors in automotive industry.

There was so much to see, from entering via a trip down ‘Memory Lane’ seeing sets that had been made showing how it all began with their first rented dirt floor premises, right through to present day, a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost hanging from the ceiling in the main workshop, a Spitfire model sitting outside, rides in Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars old and new and much more.

A minute’s silence was held in honour of Her Majesty the Queen as the entire team, with Andrew and all of the guests watching on, began a presentation bringing the story of this remarkable business to life with cars coming through that they had worked on since the beginning. Narrated by Andrews daughter Louise, the first car in the parade was an Austin 7 Ruby driven by Pauls eldest daughter, Gillian. Team members drove others, including the most famous Rolls-Royce of them all, the original Silver Ghost AX201, and the Bentley 8 Litre that won Best in Show at the Pebble Beach concours in 2019. Paul’s youngest daughter Georgina drove the world famous 24-Litre Napier Railton as one of her father’s wishes had been. Finished with speeches and an emotional tribute to Paul, this polished performance showed just what they are capable of with a strong emphasis on the future.

Following the parade it wasn’t long before announcements were made that the fly pasts were due to start and guests could sit and enjoy afternoon tea whilst watching as a beautiful array of planes flew overhead. The final moments of a Spitfire waggling its wings to wave goodbye signified the end of a very ‘best of British’ day celebrating the achievements of two very special people.

The Story of P & A Wood – written by David Burgess-Wise can be purchased from P & A Wood directly.