There’s no arguing that, for many young people, a love of classic and historic motors is passed down through generations. “Mum used to drive this…” or “Grandad has one in the garage…” are phrases we often hear when we meet students who possess what we call ‘the spark’ – a deep-seated interest in the Internal Combustion Engine and classic cars more generally.

I’m a case in point. My summer holidays were often spent in fields at car shows, talking to owners and immersing myself in the community (much to the frustration of a younger me, who occasionally swapped birthday parties for motoring spectacles). Little did I know the lasting impact this would have on my future career. So, I suppose all those missed parties were worth it after all.

This Father’s Day, we joined the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Oxfordshire Region, who are supporters of the Charity, at their annual gathering at Chiltern Open Air Museum. In April, we were grateful recipients of a charitable donation from the Club, celebrated with a visit to Bicester Motion and a cheque handover.

The event at the Chilton Open Air Museum was a true family affair – a chance to celebrate all fathers and grandfathers in enchanting surroundings and joined by the welcoming and friendly car club community.

We shared a gazebo (thankfully providing some welcome shelter from the sun) with our friends at the Under 17 Car Club and together met many enthusiastic young people. Throughout the day, we helped them join the dots between their passion for these vehicles and the possibility of turning it into a career within the industry.

Our relationship with the JEC began through our work with Jaguar Land Rover Classic, who introduced us to Wayne Scott, Peter Leake and the wider management team. A more local connection followed through Steve Daniels, Regional Chairman and part-time member of the facilities team at our home, Bicester Motion.

Through the connection to Wayne, we were invited to take over editorial responsibility for the ‘Young Guns’ section of the Club’s monthly magazine.  This section is ours to shape, and we’ve used it as a platform to highlight younger marque enthusiasts’ personal stories and real-life experiences with the brand. Since March, we’ve shared Rebecca’s story of growing up with her family’s E-Type, Morgan’s journey through the Heritage Skills Academy into his role at William Heynes Limited, and in July we’ll be featuring Dan Lawson from Eagle E-Types, with many more engaging stories to come.

We’re proud to have the support of such a well-established and highly regarded club. With a global reach, the JEC continues to engage both long-standing Jaguar owners and new, younger enthusiasts alike, thanks to its forward-thinking approach and ongoing commitment to the marque’s rich heritage. A huge thank you to Steve Daniels and the Oxfordshire Region team for your continued support.