However, the appeal of this wonderfully casual get-together meant it was still well supported and this small Kentish village became the destination yet again for motorcycle clubs and individual riders to form part of a cavalcade of vintage and classic transport.

Almost without exception, the villagers welcome this invasion, when almost every available space on and around the village green is taken for parking. There are refreshments at the village hall, one enterprising family organised a barbecue, the pub offered a hog roast. At least one option was welcome after a damp ride in.

The main business of the day was nothing more serious than to wander round and see who else had turned up and what they were riding. There is no competitive element to Offham, it’s purely for fun. Outside the pub, ‘Endeavour’ a 1920 Fowler Road Locomotive steamed gently, a solitary reminder of the roots of this event.