Lyn Valley Classic

18/10/2026

A very special occasion for our RNLI heroes!
It was a real privilege to be invited to Saturday’s naming ceremony and service of dedication for the lifeboat Patrick & Dianne O’Connor.
Living in a coastal community, we know just how much we depend on the incredible people who keep us safe at sea. The RNLI’s lifeboat crews give their time, courage and skills to help others, often in the most challenging conditions. Their dedication, alongside the work of our Coastguard teams, is something we should never take for granted.
We are exceptionally fortunate to have these amazing volunteers and such vital lifesaving resources on our doorstep. Two members of the Lyn Valley Classic team are also Coastguards, so we have a particular appreciation of the close working relationship between these teams and the importance of having them here when they are needed.
For us, one of the real privileges of fundraising through the Lyn Valley Classic is being able to see where the money you help us raise actually goes — and to meet the people whose work makes such a difference to our community.
We are incredibly proud to support the RNLI and the vital work they do. A huge thank you to everyone who supports the LVC and helps make contributions like this possible.
These photographs taken by our Chair Rob capture a very special day, celebrating a lifeboat, the people behind it and the lifesaving work they do.
From the Lyn Valley to the coast, together we make a difference.

07/10/2026

Meet the Team- Ric
Following on from our Entries Wizard, Jo, we move on to her dad, Ric— one of the Lyn Valley Classic Founding members who helped set the whole show in motion

In Classic Condition
Richard “Ric” Goodman!
If our committee were a car show, Ric would be the dependable classic that never lets you down — slightly oily, beautifully engineered, and still winning gold.

Born on a Cornish farm, Ric’s early life involved livestock, long days and proper hard graft. After running a 650-sow pig unit in Hampshire and later a South Hams Farm producing pigs, beef and deer for direct sale, a serious accident forced a change of direction.

With wife Lesley, Ric changed gear around 15 years ago, moving to Barbrook to run what has become far more than just a petrol station, followed by the local garage and MOT testing station in Lynton — both now vital parts of the community.

A lifelong lover of machinery, Ric has competed in MCC long-distance reliability trials since the late 1970s. After a break, he returned to trialling here in the Lyn Valley with his beloved MGB, rebuilt through sheer determination and tea.

In 2025, Ric achieved something extraordinary:
🏅 The MCC Gold “Triple” — gold medals on the Exeter, Lands End and Edinburgh Trials, consecutively.
💥 The first time EVER achieved in an MGB.
We are ridiculously proud.

🔧 THE STATS BOX
Model: Richard “Ric” Goodman
Origin: Cornwall
Occupation: Farmer ➡️ Community Garage Hero
Engine: Runs on Assam tea ☕
Fuel: Biscuits (local preferred)
Favourite Vehicle: MGB (rebuilt, reborn, unbeatable character )
Motorsport Highlights: MCC Gold Triple Winner 🏆
Special Skills: Mechanical rescues, calm problem-solving
Weakness: Computers 💻❌
Usually Found: Barbrook, Lynton… or rescuing a stranded motorist
LVC Role: Founder member & lynchpin on show day

A true classic. Still in daily use.
And a huge part of what makes the Lyn Valley Classic what it is ❤️🚗

06/10/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Exmoor Search & Rescue! ❤️
What an absolutely fascinating evening with this amazing team of volunteers — and what an eye-opener!
We learned so much about what they do, the huge area they cover, the different types of rescues they undertake, and just how much skill, training, equipment and dedication goes into every call-out. From ropes and water rescue to searching, drones and other specialist equipment — there was so much to take in!
We also got a real insight into how searches are planned and adapted depending on who they are looking for. A missing child, for example, requires a very different approach to someone living with dementia.
And yes… we had a go at packaging up our casualty, Dave. Good news — Dave survived! 😂
We even learned how the dogs work and how they search. Fascinating stuff!
Most importantly, we came away with a much better understanding of where the money we help raise actually goes — and why fundraising for this incredible team is so important. The kit is impressive… and VERY heavy! 😳
And a massive thank you for the mountains of excellent cake, tea and coffee too! ☕🍰
We are incredibly fortunate to have this inspiring team of volunteers ready to head out when people are in trouble. They should never be taken for granted.
If you get the opportunity to support Exmoor Search & Rescue, please do. They really do make a difference when it matters most. ❤️

06/10/2026

As Proud supporters of Exmoor Search & Rescue Team — tonight, we’re going to see where your money goes! A team from the Lyn Valley Classic will find out exactly what these amazing volunteers do, how they do it and what it takes to be part of this incredible team.
Apparently we get to try our hand at “packaging” a casualty and throwing lines… what could possibly go wrong?! 😂 Good job we’ve got a couple of Coastguards with us to help! 🚨😂
Come and join us —it could be a night to remember… for all the wrong reasons! 😆

ESRT Autumn Open Evening is THIS TUESDAY (6th)

It’ll be great to see you all there to show you what the team get up to

18/09/2026

🚂 LVC CLASSIC CAR OWNERS — FANCY A WEEKEND OUT WITH YOUR CAR? 🚗
Our lovely friends at the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway are holding their fabulous steam Gala Weekend at Woody Bay on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September — and they’d love to welcome up to 10 local classic cars to come along and display their cherished vehicles.

If you’re a local classic car owner and fancy giving your pride and joy a weekend out, this could be just the ticket!

📅 Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September�⏰ From 9.30am�
📍 Woody Bay Station https://maps.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x486c2b609495b039:0x42530ab7907a474b?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwievtDF7vOWAxU_U0EAHdQuD4YQ4kB6BAgEEAA�
🚂 Free tickets to ride the railway all day�☕ Free lunch and coffee for those displaying�🚗 Up to 10 cars

If you’d like to take part, please email Martin Harvey asap at this address [email protected] so they know how many cars to expect.

A great excuse to get the car out, enjoy a steam railway Gala and spend a weekend with some fellow enthusiasts. What’s not to like? 😎

Come on LVC —they always support us with our Park and Ride let’s give them a good display!

04/09/2026

🚗 MEET THE TEAM: JO GOODMAN� Entries Wizard. Gatekeeper. The woman who holds the keys to the kingdom. 😂
Some of you met Jo at the last Lyn Valley Classic. Others will get to know her as the months roll on. And if you’re entering a car in the LVC… you WILL communicate with her. 😂

Jo is the woman standing between you and an LVC entry. She is firm, fair and says she is completely resistant to bribery — although we suspect a decent slice of cake may improve your chances. 🤣😉 …And while there may be rumours about Jo’s appreciation of a certain Grey Goose, we shall say absolutely nothing about that because Jo is far too sensible to mix it with driving. 🍸😇

Daughter of founding member Ric, Jo was born in Cornwall and grew up around farming before heading into the equestrian world. At 16, she moved into a competition horse yard, competing at national level, before moving to the Cotswolds at 20, where she spent several years as a high-goal polo and hunter groom.

She came to Barbrook Filling Station in 2013 to work alongside Ric and mum Lesley. More than a decade on, the business is still very much a family affair, with Jo, her son and her partner Bob all firmly part of the team.

And then there are the cars…She’s inherited Ric’s love of trialling, competing her MX5 and Ric’s MGB in the Motor Cycling Club’s Long Distance Trials, where she has collected plenty of medals. Her partner Bob has also been successfully dragged into the trials family.
Her driving credentials? 😂 Frankly, the first photograph below tells you everything you need to know about Jo’s driving style. 😳😂
Her own motorsport highlight? Getting the MX5 onto two wheels while climbing Simms Hill on the Exeter Trial.

But don’t be fooled by the mud, sideways driving and general lack of mechanical sympathy… put Jo on a horse and she scrubs up rather well. 🐴 Because despite all the cars and motorsport, Jo’s real love is “the original horsepower.”

📋 JO GOODMAN — THE STATS
Runs on: Tea, Diet Coke & cake�Favourite car: TVR — “They sound amazing”�Special skill: Finding chocolate cake�LVC role: Entries Wizard & Ric’s IT translator!�Secret weapon: Making sure nobody sneaks past the entry rules
Weakness: Cake Friday
Usually found: Barbrook Filling Station or with the horses

And yes, she’s also young volunteer Blake’s mum — so the LVC family really does run deep.

Just remember:
If Jo says no… it’s no. 😎�If Jo says you’re on the list… you’re on the list.�And absolutely nobody knows how to keep chocolate cake safe from Jo. 😂🏁

04/09/2026

MEET THE CHARACTERS BEHIND THE LYN VALLEY CLASSIC
You know the cars. You know the locations. But do you know the people who make it all happen? Some of them are pictured here🤣
Over the coming weeks, we’re introducing some of the characters behind the LVC — from committee members and marshals to web wizards and the people quietly beavering away behind the scenes. Without them, there’d be no LVC! 😳

And we’ll be throwing in a few familiar faces from the show too. Some you’ll know, some you’ll recognise… and some you’ll wonder what on earth they do! 😂

They’re all part of what makes the LVC more than just a car show.

So, see our next post to meet the woman who stands between you and an LVC entry… Jo Goodman! 😈

03/09/2026

A LITTLE HEADS-UP FOR OUR LOVELY LVC CREW! 🏍️🚗
Coming to Lynton & lynmouth from the 1st -5th October 27 then please arrive fully fuelled!
Our local petrol station is going to be closed for four days at the beginning of October so please don’t leave filling up until you’re nearly on empty! ( we will remind you again closer to the date)
Make sure your tank is topped up before you head our way — because once you’re here, you’ll want to spend your time enjoying the drive, views, food, drink and everything else the Lyn Valley has to offer… not hunting for fuel! 😉
So remember:
Fuel up. Head for the valley. Enjoy the drive. ❤️
And as always…
Come for the drive, stay for everything else. 🚗🏍️🍻🌊

Please can everyone share this!
We do have paper copies in the shop

02/09/2026

❤️ THIS IS WHY WE DO IT.
At the Lyn Valley Classic, we love the cars. We love the atmosphere. We love seeing the valley absolutely buzzing.
But most of all, we love being able to support the local charities, groups and organisations that this community depends on.
And Exmoor Search & Rescue Team is a brilliant example.
Their volunteers are out there when people need them most, often in some of the toughest conditions Exmoor can throw at them. Supporting organisations like this is exactly where we want the money raised by the LVC to go.
So seeing their team collecting their £2,000 cheque and meeting the people who came out to support them makes all the hard work, planning, spreadsheets, early mornings and occasional chaos completely worthwhile! 😂
The cars might bring everyone together… but the difference we can make together is the really important bit.
Thank you to everyone who entered a car, made a donation, volunteered, sponsored us, came along or simply helped make the LVC what it is.
£120,000+ raised and counting. ❤️
And yes… we’re already thinking about how we can have even more fun raising even more! 🚗💨❤️

27/08/2026

🚗✨ WE KEPT OUR PROMISE! ✨🚗
We know some of you were disappointed when you couldn’t get a place at the 2026 Lyn Valley Classic — so we promised THOSE ON OUR RESERVE LIST that we’d give you first chance for next year.
And we’ve kept our word! 🙌
📩 Check your inboxes — invitations for the 2027 show have now gone out!
If you’ve received one, we’re really looking forward to hearing from you and hopefully welcoming you to the Lyn Valley Classic in 2027. 🏁
A little reminder: GENERAL ENTRIES for the 2027 show are NOT open yet. They won’t open until later this year.
Keep an eye on this page for the latest information — we’ll have more details for everyone in November.
Lyn Valley Classic 2027 — here we come! 🏁❤️