Julian follows in his grandfather's tyre treads
AN OVERWHELMING welcome was given to Julian Bennett on Wednesday as he re-enacted the 1,000-mile reliability run completed by his grandfather a century before.
Town Mayor Cllr Deirdre Williams was at the Bexhill boundary at Lunsford's Cross as Julian chugged over the line on the same 6hp Cadillac that his grandfather, Frederick, completed the Bexhill leg of the run in September 1903 - repeating the feat in 1913 and again at the age of 79 in 1953.
Cheering crowds packed the promenade lawn opposite the Sackville, scene of the 1902 and 1903 motor trials as the cavalcade arrived. The Jazz Caverners were providing the music and Bexhill's Indian Summer provided blue sky, warm sunshine and a mirror-like sea.
His re-enactment is raising money for the motor industry charity Ben, of which his grandfather was a past chairman.