The Kennet Valley Group meeting on 6th May saw members gather for one of the most enjoyable and talked-about evenings on the Group calendar the ever-popular Pride & Joy competition.

Unlike a traditional concours event focused purely on immaculate paintwork, polished chrome and spotless engine bays, the KVG Pride & Joy competition celebrated something rather different. This was all about the stories behind the cars, the enjoyment they bring, and the passion of the owners who keep them on the road and actively use them.

The line-up reflected exactly what classic Triumph ownership is all about. From beautifully preserved examples to well-used and much-loved TRs proudly wearing the signs of tours, road trips and years of enthusiastic motoring, every car had its own personality and history to share.

Entrants were marked out of 20 points, split across two categories. The first, “Points of Interest,” encouraged judges to look beyond simple presentation and cleanliness. Cars scored highly for interesting ownership histories, restoration stories, provenance, evidence of real use on rallies and tours, unique features, period details and personal touches that reflected the owner’s journey with the car.

The second category focused on the “Pride Shown by the Owner.” Judges spent a few minutes talking with each entrant, looking for enthusiasm, knowledge, humour and genuine enjoyment of the car rather than perfection alone. The result was a relaxed, friendly and entertaining evening where stories flowed just as freely as the scoring sheets.

What quickly became clear was just how difficult the judging would be. Every car had something special about it and the standard of entries made separating the scores incredibly difficult. Despite the light-hearted atmosphere, competition proved remarkably fierce, with only the narrowest of margins deciding the final positions.

In the end, Denis Carter (on the left) claimed the coveted Pride & Joy cup by a whisker, a fitting reward in what proved to be one of the closest-fought competitions the Group has held.

Most importantly, the evening perfectly captured the spirit of the Group, celebrating not just the cars themselves, but the enjoyment, friendships and memories that come with owning and driving them.