Vive la radio! Wey Valley Radio live from a packed Alton Lions Classic Car Show 2026

23 August 2026 1

Wey Valley Radio was in the thick of the action on Saturday as thousands of people filled Alton High Street for the Alton Lions Classic Car Show 2026 — this year with a distinctly French flavour.

Presenters Paul Smy, Brian Player, Pippa Head and Mel Montagnon took listeners through the show as it happened from the station’s studio, just off the High Street, broadcasting live between 10am and 3pm. Out in the crowd, the station’s gazebo — pitched on the High Street outside Boots — served as the station’s shop window, with volunteers chatting to visitors, finding guests and walking them round to the studio to go on air.

Between the music, the team spoke to the people who make the day what it is. Car owners talked listeners through their pride and joy, David Slade of Alton Lions explained what goes into staging a show of this size, and Ian Squires came in from the Keith Gotts stand on the High Street — the firm sponsors Wey Valley Radio, and its sister company, The Workshop, was among the show’s sponsors.

Karen Murrell from Dementia Friendly Alton dropped by to talk about everything happening at the Alton Assembly Rooms in support of the day, and there was a visit from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, whose flight simulator proved one of the most popular attractions on the High Street.

There was a very French surprise in the studio, too: members of the Medstead Players — performing in the High Street all day in keeping with this year’s theme — came in to deliver a live ‘Allo ‘Allo sketch on air, and had everyone in stitches. Listen very carefully, they shall say this only once.

Rock Choir, whose voices had been lifting the crowd out on the High Street, came in for an interview between numbers, and there was a steady stream of proud car owners sharing the stories behind their much-loved motors.

The 2026 show’s special feature, The French Connection, brought together around twenty French classics — Citroëns, Peugeots and Renaults among them — alongside the usual line-up of vehicles displayed throughout the town centre. High Street businesses joined in with French-themed food and drink, and there was plenty for families as well as car enthusiasts — including the chance for children to have their photograph taken in the Noddy car, or in the model Spitfire outside the Assembly Rooms.

Julie Cottrell, director and presenter at Wey Valley Radio, said:

“What a day. The sun was out, the High Street was buzzing, and everywhere you looked there was something going on — it was a proper family event. Having a steady stream of car owners, organisers and local groups coming through the studio door all day is exactly what a community station should be doing. Our thanks to everyone who stopped by the gazebo to say hello, and to all those who also went into the studio for an on air chat.”

Manning the gazebo, welcoming visitors and lining up the day’s interviews were Mike Sanders, Lizzy Ryan, David Blower, Tom Horwood and Julie Cottrell.

The Alton Classic Car Show supports St Michael’s Hospice — Hospice at Home, which provides care and support to patients and their families across the local community.

Wey Valley Radio broadcasts on 101.1 FM, on DAB+, online at www.weyvalleyradio.uk — or just ask your smart speaker to play Wey Valley Radio.