ORGANISERS of a Braintree car show are over the moon after raising £6,500 for a town charity.

Braintree was host to the Annual Classic Car Show 2021 last week with the event being held at the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens.

More than 2,000 people are said to have attended the event which boasted more than 100 cars, 15 bikes and military vehicles.

The weather on the day was also great and organisers say it contributed to a fantastic overall atmosphere.

Stalls were dotted around the gardens selling a variety of items and music was offer throughout with Double Trouble member Ian Jordan playing all day with some live jazz from singer Lisa Day.

On the day, organisers were proud to have raised a whopping £6,500 for the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Trust.

The car show also saw the inaugural Les Ely Memorial Trophy awarded to the best car at the show.

Les was a popular local businessman and support of the towns gardens, raising thousands of pounds for the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Trust.

He was also instrumental in the organisation of the previous classic car show’s.

Suzanne Blackburn and Darren Ely said: "As his children, we feel honoured that his memory will live on and he will be remembered each year at the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Classic Car show, something that we know he was extremely proud of and passionate about.

"All the cars were remarkable, it was very difficult to judge 'Best Car in Show' for Dad’s memorial trophy, as there was such a vast choice, but we are really pleased with our decision, as we hope the owners are, and we are sure Dad would have agreed."

The Les Ely Memorial Trophy was awarded by Amanda Rollings, Les’s partner, on behalf of the Ely family.

The winner of this years event were Steve and Chrissy Adams, with their stunning red Classic, Jaguar Mk2.

Steve and Chrissy Adams said: "It was such a surprise to be awarded the cup,

"I have owned this ex-race Jaguar Mk2 for nearly 30 years. She has led an interesting life, racing both at home and abroad, including a Win at Brands Hatch.

"Now being middle aged, she has led a quieter life in more recent times but has still been a regular visitor to race tracks and has now recently awoken from a 20 year hibernation.

Following the event, organisers are looking forward to holding it next year/

Lead organiser Georgie Butler said:"We organised Sunday's Classic Car Show with the objective of welcoming people back to the gardens and to encourage a new generation to discover this beautiful space, a hidden gem in the centre of Braintree and Bocking

"Seeing the gardens full of smiling faces and watching people picnicking in then sun and enjoying the cars and the live music; the event was clearly a success.

"We had the added benefit of raising, £6,500 - some much needed funds to help maintain the gardens.

"The Trustees would like to thank everyone who attended and who helped to make the event such a success

"We are so looking forward to more wonderful event in the gardens."

The trust will also be holding a Les Ely Memorial Ball on December 3, at The Fennes Estate.

Organisers are asking businesses to donate auction prizes or raffle prizes for the event.

Proceeds of the event, will be split 50/50 between us and Farleigh Hospice.