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Revving up at Bicester Motion

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This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 19 May 2020. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.


For the Revd Adam Gompertz, becoming Chaplain at Bicester Motion - a centre of excellence for classic automobiles - is like giving a child free rein in a toy shop.

In a feature written before lockdown, Pathways Live explores Adam's exciting role.

Life-long petrol head Adam freely admits that the classic motoring experts, the cars, the community ethos and the atmosphere on the former RAF base is a place of healing for him.

Unusually for a car enthusiast, Adam asked for a lift when he first visited because he didn't trust himself behind the wheel. "I'd had a breakdown when I first phoned up to see if I could come here and sketch the cars," says Adam.

"I began to find any excuse to come here, sketch and have a peek around. "Adam, who started drawing cars before he was five, worked for an Aston Martin restoration company and as a designer for companies including MG Rover and Rolls-Royce, before ordination.

The pioneer minister hails from Shropshire, where he has set up Revs - an informal Fresh Expression for people who are passionate about cars.

"It's a safe space were people, mainly blokes, can talk carburetters.

But it's also a space where, if they want to talk, there will be someone willing to listen to things they are wrestling with.

There are three groups up and running.

We don't hold huge events, but they are inspired by what I experienced here, that acceptance, welcome and safe space, and that's massive. "So why does a centre of excellence for classic cars want a chaplain? Tiggy Atkinson, Brand Ambassador for Bicester Motion, had seen an article where Adam had said becoming a chaplain for the organisation was his dream. "There was a chapel here in World War Two, that had previously been a parachute store.

That got us thinking," says Tiggy.

"We aren't pushing religion on-site, we are much more about cultivating a culture of looking after people.

"We are very comfortable with Adam being on-site and he's engaged himself with so many of the businesses. "

Like many industries, technological advances are leaving motoring in a state of flux, creating uncertainty for those whose livelihoods depend on it. Adam says: "It's about being aware of those things and how they may affect people and thinking about how we support and protect that community ethos.

It's about being visible and being available for pastoral care for people, showing every-day concern, asking how people are getting on, how's the business going?"The aesthetics of the red brick buildings, tree-lined avenues and the site of the classic vehicles makes the site an exciting place to work and visit.

Part of the ethos is enabling classic car enthusiasts to access more than one specialist in the same location. "We were lucky we had the space and time and support of our shareholders and could take our time selecting complementary rather than competing specialists," says Tiggy.

"That's been instrumental in creating the ethos and environment on-site.

We have all got the same aspirations for our businesses and the site as a whole. " There are upholsterers, magneto (electrical charge) specialists, classic oils and much more.

There is also a small cafe and a micro-brewery. "We've set up the first classic vehicle apprenticeship scheme," says Tiggy.

Apprentices from across the UK who might not have a classic car option at their local college attend the courses at the Heritage Skills Academy.

There they gain specialist skills that are now dying out. Adam helped set up Carols by Car Light after running a similar event for Revs in Shropshire.

It involved a stage, mince pies, mulled wine and a fish and chip supper.

Cars were decorated for Christmas, and the son of one of the specialists even sang a solo of the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. "It was a special event for our specialists at Christmas and was made that much more special by having Adam here to officiate.

We opened it up to friends and families too," says Tiggy. Adam enjoys the special Scramble events that attract classic cars from all over the UK and beyond.

Last year he was delighted to join the Monte Carlo Rally with one of the specialists.

"Coming here feels like coming home.

If I can help it be the same for others than brilliant," Adam added.

 

Page last updated: Monday 24th January 2022 4:34 PM
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