Lino Buckingham

It’s all-too easy to get bogged down in the never-ending list of reasons that owning a car in the UK is a hellish endeavour. Whether it’s the soaring fuel prices or the mass emergence of potholes, I empathise. However, I am happy to report that, after attending a classic meet hosted by the newly started Cobham Car Club, an appreciation of car culture is very much back at the wheel. Down in Surrey one April weekend, crammed into the car park of Leatherhead Golf Club, were more than 140 cars and dozens of motoring enthusiasts. Gathered together were a mix of old classics, such as a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 in a beautiful burnt almond or the 1981 Porsche 924 Turbo in a bright red.

Westminster is filled not just with politicians, journalists and unemployed protestors, but with tourists. The data would suggest they are mainly Americans, French and Italians who come to see the monuments of central London, visit friends and family, and see how we’re faring after Brexit. They’re probably pretty worried when they see Westminster Bridge.   The amount of foot traffic on the bridge can be overwhelming; sometimes it’s impossible to cross it uninterrupted. People block your path and get in the way of each other, distracted by their phones. They wander blindly into the bike lanes, trying to carry out impromptu Instagram photoshoots, while aiming for the best angle of the famous clock tower.