Allonsfield House care home resident realises dream of classic car outing

Malcolm Gooch’s bucket list wish was granted when he was taken for a spin through the Suffolk countryside and along the coast in a magnificent open top classic car.

The 76-year-old resident at Allonsfield House nursing home, in Campsea Ashe, was eagerly waiting in his Sunday best when tax advisor Robin Beadle drove up in his 1979 Beauford touring car.

Kieran Broadhurst, team leader at the Kingsley Healthcare home, said: “Malcolm is a retired driving instructor and has had a lifelong passion for cars.

“He told us he had driven Porsches and Ferraris but he had never been out in an open top classic car.

“Carol McGilloway, one of our senior support workers, put out a request on the Woodbridge Facebook forum and Robin got in touch. He kindly offered his time for free to take Malcom out for a drive on Sunday morning.”

Mr Beadle, who lives in nearby Rendlesham, said: “Malcolm was very impressed. We discussed quite a few things about the car and, as a former driving instructor, he was reassured to know I am a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists.”

Malcolm, who has lived at Allonsfield House since April last year, was accompanied by Mrs McGilloway on the journey to Aldeburgh and back, parking up at Thorpeness to look out over the sea.

Mr Beadle said owning a Beauford was a long-held ambition and, through the internet, he finally tracked one down in Wales three years ago.

He said: “It had been bought and stored in a barn by the landowner and only had 250 miles on the clock from when it was built in 1979. The engine had regularly been turned over so I was able to drive it back to Suffolk straightaway.”

Mr Broadhurst said:  “Malcolm really enjoyed the trip, he was tired and a little disorientated when he got back; we printed a photograph which he keeps with him and smiles every time he sees it.” 

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