Every week we speak to a different reader of the South Bucks Star and ask about their motoring experience. 

This time we stopped off in Beaconsfield and spoke to Cllr Alan Walters, who has represented the South Bucks District for 14 years and was re-elected last week.

He drives a Hyundai i20 and can still remember the car he first bought for £30.

How long have you had your current car? 

Over four years now.

What do you look for when buying a car?

I look for comfort, fuel economy and it has to be a family car. I’ve never been one to look for a fast car, never.

I remember my first car was a Ford Anglia 100e, in 1967. I bought it for £30 and I sold it for £50 – and I learnt to drive in it.

The first brand new car I got was in 1968, a Morris 1000 and it cost me £750. So really it’s always been a good, economical, family car that I look for.

What do you use the car for?

Basically running around, I get something like 42 to 43 [miles] to the gallon running around, back and forth to the school, to the town.

And, going back to my family in Wales I can get 50 miles to the gallon out of it, so between me and my home it takes me just a few gallons and that’s it.

Do you own another vehicle?

Yes, it’s another Hyundai, an i10. That’s used by my daughters, Julia and Alice. Alice is learning to drive, Julia passed her test in the i20 and they’ve got that one now when she comes back from university.

If you could have any passenger who would it be?

One guy I would love to meet is Gareth Edwards. I thought he was one of the best scrum-halves ever.

I could have Phil Bennett or anyone of those, but I would say him. I played rugby for many years until I was injured and then I refereed for many years.

1996 was my last game up at Beaconsfield. I used to do a lot in London and I was on the intermediate panel of the London Referee Society.

I was quite fast back then. I loved playing, but refereeing was good, I really enjoyed it. On a Saturday afternoon to get out there it was good fun.

So there is plenty of room in this car to get your rugby equipment in?

Yes. It’s got an amazing boot in it. In a couple of week’s time I will be going up to Leeds to pick up my daughter from university and she will be emptying her room. I will just put the back seats down and it’s like a van.

Do you have a dream car?

Not really. As I say, I’m not really into cars in that way. Ferrari's are quite nice, but with my size I couldn’t get into one.

  • Do you want to feature in our ‘Me and My Motor’ section? Get in touch by emailing andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 07824 530126.