Bangers & Cash

The concept of following a car auction house is interesting to us car lovers, but I bet it is unbearable for anyone else. Overall, a decent enough effort, but with a few serious flaws.

1. Derek talks way too much, usually stating the obvious, repeating himself.

2. I miss Sarah, she added a bit of cool contrast and comic relief.

3. Whoever does the colour grading should seriously consider a completely different career (plainly speaking: should be fired). 90% of the footage is grossly over-exposed, and the colours are all over the place. Bright red looks like pale coral, blue looks like turquoise, yellow looks like custard, et cetera, no consistency from scene to scene (apart from all colours always being wrong, just in different ways). I have never seen a show with worse image quality...

I rarely give anything 10 out of 10 but Bangers & Cash definitely deserves it. At the time of writing it is rightly in its 10th series and has generated a spinoff restoration show. What distinguishes it from other series is that it comes across as 100% genuine - not scripted, no irritating characters or background heavy rock music. It is a family show - all the Mathewsons have a wry sense of humour, are real characters and know what they are talking about. The show is handled with both humour and empathy - sometimes people have to sell vehicles as age catches up with them - and often we find out what happened to them once taken by their new owners. Highly recommended.

I live in Pickering, a mile or so from Thornton Le Dale. Matthewsons have now moved the auction cars to the Pickering trading estate. This is a good thing as a classic vehicle owner myself I like to walk my dogs past their (now 2) large units full of cars to see what is around. The other day I saw Paul with a huge truck tractor unit that he owns, polishing away at it up a ladder. He's a great guy and always open to chat, even with annoying dog walkers like me. Often the TV film crew can also be seen filming yet another classic vehicle. Dave is often around, usually trying to sort out cars coming and going and Derek often turns up in one of his amazing classics, last time I saw him he was in a stunning Alvis. People turn up all the time to view lots or just to get a photo of themselves by the sign. The show portrays it just as it is, a fantastic place of genuine people featuring a never ending stream of classic vehicles and memorabilia narrated by comedian Toby Foster who is a perfect fit for this feel-good show of North Yorkshire classic vehicles and the people frequently obsessed with them.

Without a doubt the best ever car programme and it will never be bettered. Essential viewing for those with an interest in classic cars and very interesting for anyone with even a slight interest in cars. I have visited Mathewsons' museum twice before they became TV stars and it's well worth a visit. There's a very good ice cream shop and a very good bakery in the village so that should keep the non car mad members of any family happy. There's also ducks in the village pond for the very young. If in the area pop in for a great day out.

It is undeniably a great show, but to call Toby Foster the star is a bit off the mark. And I am Toby Foster, so I should know.