Tributes to North Devon Mini run creator Terry Baker

Tributes have poured in for Terry Baker - ‘the man with the biggest heart of all’ who brought hundreds of Minis to the roads of North Devon every summer.

Terry sadly passed away on April 11 aged 71 but leaves an incredible legacy after bringing the Legendary Grand Tour to North Devon every August bank holiday weekend for 25 years and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Children’s Hospice South West.

The sight of the ‘small cars with big hearts’ beeping their way along the streets and lanes has become a much-loved event as communities turn out to wave to cars and their crews.

Above: Terry and Linda Baker lead the Mini convoy through Valley of Rocks at Lynton. Credit: AW Photographic

It sees some 250 Minis and their owners from around the country and even overseas at various drive outs and social events over the weekend, with a convoy through most of the area’s communities on August bank holiday Monday.

A tribute from Terry’s family said: “He was a loving father to his twin daughters Leigh and Nicola and was the greatest grandfather to his grandchildren Jasmine, Amelia and Joshua as well as the most loving and caring husband to his wife Linda.”

Above: Terry and Linda Baker on board their trusty steed. Credit: AW Photographic

Linda is very much the co-creator of the Legendary Grand Tour, which will still be returning to North Devon this August and will be held in Terry’s memory.

He and Linda married in Hertfordshire on August 9, 1975 – they moved to Bideford in 1988, where Terry started Mainly Minis, rebuilding classic Mini carburettors and helping owners restore and maintain their Minis.

Regular Sunday cruises around North Devon became a popular pastime for the couple, joined by others with a love of the classics.

The seeds of a future ‘Mini run’ were planted when Children’s Hospice South West asked Terry if he could bring a Mini to Little Bridge House in Fremington for a young patient called Charlie, who was mad about Minis.

Above: Terry and Linda Baker on the 1999 Mini run, pictured in Ilfracombe. 

Terry went much further and brought several friends from the newly-formed North Devon Mini Register – the visit was a great success and they wanted to do more, so in 1996 a charity Mini convoy was put together for the August bank holiday.

Terry worked tirelessly to grow the event, as he wanted a nationally recognised get together for Mini owners – in its 25 years, the LGT has raised more than £600,000 for the hospice.

Above: Presenting a cheque for more than £28,000 to Children’s Hospice South West following the 2022 Legendary Grand Tour. Credit: AW Photographic

Participants have come from as far afield as Scotland, France and even America, with the event growing to include some 250 Minis and crews in fancy dress, plus 60 volunteer motorcycle marshals.

In 2018 Terry won the Pride of Britain regional fundraiser award for the South West and was ‘blown away’ by it, as his aim had only ever been to raise as much as he could for the hospice.

Above: Terry with his Pride of Britain Award in 2018. 

Eddie Farwell, chief executive and co-founder of CSHW said everyone at the hospice was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Terry.

He added: “Terry inspired so many, evident by the hundreds of people who travelled from all over the country and beyond, to take part, volunteer and donate during what has become an iconic August bank holiday event.

“Over the years, money raised from the Legendary Grand Tours has helped us to buy three mini buses, provide messy play areas at all three of our hospices and most importantly, has helped to enrich the lives of many children and young people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

“The world will be a poorer place for his loss, but his memory and all that he achieved will live on and our thoughts are with his family at this most difficult of times.”

Above: Terry Baker is presented with a glass bowl by (left) Eddie Farwell, chief executive of CHSW. Credit: AW Photographic

Emma Perry, head of fundraising, also paid tribute. She said: “I have very fond memories of the first bank holiday weekend I was in North Devon, where I was greeted with this incredible sight of hundreds of elaborately decorated minis, all beeping their horns and people waving and thinking ‘WOW that is just phenomenal’.

“Not realising that three years later I would have the privilege of working for CHSW and would be a part of this fantastic spectacle.

“Meeting Terry, experiencing his passion, motivation and dedication to Minis, the Grand Tour and the hospice, was absolutely inspirational and I feel hugely privileged to have known him.”

Above: An aerial shot of the Minis at Hartland Quay shows the scope of the convoy. Credit: AW Photographic

Terry’s funeral is on Friday, May 17 at Taunton Crematorium. Capacity is limited and the family has asked those who wish to attend to email lgtjazmin@gmail.com.

There is also a GoFundMe page to raise money towards the funeral. If anyone would like to donate, please go to www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-terry-baker-to-help-towards-his-funeral.

All are welcome to attend a celebration of Terry’s life at this year’s Legendary Grand Tour campsite in North Devon, with more details in due course at www.smallcarsbighearts.co.uk or the Small Cars Big Hearts The LGT Facebook page.

Above: Terry will be much missed by many across North Devon and far beyond. Credit: AW Photographic