Wigton Motor Club welcomed a guest of honour to the grand opening of their new headquarters this week.
Copeland MP Trudy Harrison cut the ribbon to officially open the Motor House, watched by members of the popular club.
It’s taken two years of hard work by a team of volunteers to get the new premises ready, with the project delayed more than a year by the pandemic.
The Motor House will provide storage for all the club’s equipment and caravan, a multi-use space for meetings and events with a core kitchen and an office and committee room. There is also a maintenance section for members to work on their cars.
The building has four toilets including a disabled unit – and fittingly it also has plenty of parking.
The Motor House will mean considerable savings for the club in terms of storage and room hire while the equipment will be kept clean and sorted. There will be training sessions and a place where more youngsters can be encouraged to get involved.
Mrs Harrison said: “It’s fabulous to see all the meticulously maintained classic cars on show, and I congratulate everyone involved in the building of this excellent facility.
“I know it will allow the club to continue to grow and thrive, with a focus on encouraging new and younger members to come through, and I wish the club all the very best for the future.”
Wigton Motor Club, founded in 1923, has 800 members from all corners of Cumbria and as far afield as Scotland and the North East. It organises a range of events including autotests, rallies and tours; the highlight of which is the popular Cumbria Classic and Motorsport Show held in Dalemain every August which welcomes over 800 display vehicles.
The club is a not-for-profit organisation and proceeds of its events are donated to local charities.
Club secretary Graeme Forrester said: “For a motor club to have facilities like this is unique in this country, and it’s a fantastic achievement for our club.
“It provides a base for all our activities and provides the opportunity for people with a shared interest to come together.”
