Pictures: Mini run returns to North Devon in memory of Terry

North Devon was filled with tooting, beeping and people lining the roads as the ‘small cars with big hearts’ returned to the region for the annual Mini run to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West.

This year the August bank holiday event was especially poignant as it was being held in memory of the founder of The Legendary Grand Tour, Terry Baker, who passed away in April.

In the 25-plus years since the event was founded by Terry and his wife Linda, the Mini run has grown to include some 250 cars and raised more than £600,000 for the charity.

Above: The LGT founder, Terry Baker. Credit: Baker family

Most of the crews taking part – and their cars – are decked out in fancy dress, as are the volunteer motorcycle outriders who help out as the convoy visits a variety of communities around North Devon and Torridge.

A celebration of Terry’s life was held at the Grand Tour’s campsite near Bideford on Friday evening (August 23) and then on Saturday evening the first convoy of the weekend saw the cars drive out from Northam for a Saturday night cruise around the village, Westward Ho! and Appledore.

Above: The Saturday night cruise at Northam Burrows. Credit: AW Photographic

On Sunday the Minis were at Westward Ho! in the morning before heading to Hartland Quay and then on to Dartington Crystal in Great Torrington.

Bank holiday Monday is often seen as the main day of the event, with an extended convoy route taking in many of the region’s communities, starting at Bideford in the morning, going on to visit Little Bridge House at Fremington, home of Children’s Hospice South West, before heading out towards Exmoor, taking in Bratton Fleming, Lynton, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe and then heading ‘home’ to the campsite.

Above: The Minis cross Bideford's Long Bridge on Monday. Credit: Graham Hobbs

*** Check out our gallery above, which runs through the weekend's tour in order ***

**** Special thanks to photographers AW Photographic, Graham Hobbs and Nigel Worth Images ****

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