Christmas comes early as huge Volkswagen festival returns to Shropshire this weekend

Christmas is coming early to a venue on the Shropshire/Worcestershire border as hundreds of Volkswagen enthusiasts prepare to descend on the region for a packed three-day festival.

V-Dubs In The Valley returns from Friday to Sunday (September 18 to 20) to the festival site at Lion Lane, near Bewdley, with organisers promising live music, classic cars, food and drink, children's entertainment and plenty of fundraising.

This year's festival has a Twelve Days of Christmas theme, with fancy dress and entertainment planned across the weekend.

The event, held just off the A442 between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, opens to campers on Friday afternoon before the main show gets under way over the weekend. More than 50 traders are also expected to attend.

Lee Southerton, boss of Oldbury-based Volkswagen specialists VolksMagic, said: "Everyone that comes to VDubs in the Valley is going to be in for such a delight.

“There’s going to be so much going on there it’s unreal: a full three-day festival with live music, food stalls, a rave, beers, entertainment for kids and our Santa’s A Gangster charity.

“You can buy raffle tickets to potentially win the Beetle, a Raleigh Chopper, a mystery bag, just give a donation and help us however you can to support young people this Christmas.

“On Sunday we’re taking a cruise up into Bridgnorth with all the Beetles to celebrate 80 years of the Volkswagen Beetle. Just imagine being in Bridgnorth watching all these cool Volkswagen Beetles drive past.

“We’ll be having awards and charity auctions; why would you not come to VDubs in the Valley and join in the fun?”

The entertainment starts on Friday evening for campers, with the Birmingham Blues Brothers and Sounds of Ska among those taking to the stage.

Saturday's programme includes music, children's entertainment and a charity auction, alongside performances from acts including Marblehead Johnson, Madonna tribute Tasha Leaper and ‘90s dance tribute Sham Radio.

There will also be a funfair and children's characters across the weekend, while Saturday's charity auction will raise money for the Santa's A Gangster campaign.

At the heart of the fundraising will be a very special Volkswagen Beetle which has already captured hearts following an emotional restoration.

The Volkswagen 1303S belonged to Joseph William ‘Joe’ Clay, who spent years working on the car but died before he was able to complete its restoration.

His widow, Jan Clay, was left speechless recently when the VolksMagic team surprised her by unveiling the finished car, having secretly carried out months of painstaking work to bring Joe's pride and joy back to life.

The Beetle had deteriorated to such an extent that it was initially believed to be little more than a source of spare parts.

"We thought it was a parts car, didn't we," Lee said during the unveiling. "But it's definitely not a parts car. We opened that logbook and it's gold and it's a 1303S – and we have built Joe's car."

The discovery of the original logbook proved crucial. It revealed the Beetle's rare specification and original gold colour, while a VolksMagic postcard which Joe had kept inside provided another connection between the car and the team which would eventually finish his work.

The Beetle was restored to its factory specification and named "Joe" in his memory.

During the emotional reveal, Jan said: "It’s totally unbelievable. I’m so pleased that it's finally been done because that's all he ever wanted... I never thought you could."

Now the car has another purpose.

Visitors to V-Dubs In The Valley will be able to buy £5 tickets for the chance to win the fully restored Beetle, with money raised going towards the Santa's A Gangster campaign, which helps provide Christmas presents for children.

A Raleigh Chopper donated by Wheeler Dealers presenter Mike Brewer is also among the prizes helping the fundraising effort.

Sunday will then turn the attention firmly back to the vehicles, with the festival's Show & Shine competition welcoming everything from air-cooled and water-cooled Volkswagens to custom builds, daily drivers and themed vehicles.

Gates open at 9am on Saturday and Sunday, with the Show & Shine results due to be announced on Sunday afternoon.

Day tickets cost £12 for adults and £6 for children and teenagers aged under 18, while weekend camping passes are also available.

The event takes place at Lion Lane, off the A442, near Bewdley, DY12 1SU.

For more information and tickets, visit the V-Dubs In The Valley website.