forrolls- roycE & BENtlEy ENthU siasts · before it, so successful. A full report will appear...

f o r r o l l s - r oy c E & B E N t l E y E N t h U s i a s t s

N o rt h o f E N g l a N d r a l ly • a B E N t l E y c o m E s h o m E • s i lv E r s P i r i t & d E r i vat i v E s • s Pa r E s c o r N E r

N o v E m B E r • d E c E m B E r 2 0 0 8 issUE B291

PRESIDENTPRESIDENTllt t ccol Eric Barrass ol Eric Barrass ooBE, BE, llittle ittle cclose, lose, sschool chool llane, Puttenham, ane, Puttenham, gguildford, uildford, ssurrey urrey ggU3 1U3 1asas. . ttel: 01483 810141el: 01483 810141

CHAIRMANCHAIRMANssuzanne uzanne ffinch, 7 Kingsmill, inch, 7 Kingsmill, sstoke Bishop, Bristol Btoke Bishop, Bristol Bss9 1BZ. 9 1BZ. ttel: 0117 968 3082. E-mail: [email protected]: 0117 968 3082. E-mail: [email protected]

DEPUTY CHAIRMANDEPUTY CHAIRMANttony James, Bengal ony James, Bengal ffarmhouse, armhouse, ggreens Norton, near reens Norton, near ttowcester, owcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8BNorthamptonshire NN12 8Bgg. . ttel: 01327 350145. el: 01327 350145. ffax: 01327 350175. E-mail: [email protected]: 01327 350175. E-mail: [email protected]

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEEMANAGEMENT COMMITTEEggerwald erwald aanderlenderle ............................................ Brucker, Bundestrasse 100, Brucker, Bundestrasse 100, aa-5700 Zell am -5700 Zell am

ssee, ee, aaustria. ustria. ttel/el/ffax: +43 6642002028. ax: +43 6642002028. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ttrevor Baldwinrevor Baldwin.................................................... tthe Brook, he Brook, sstamford tamford rroad, oad, mmarholm, arholm, Peterborough PE6 7Peterborough PE6 7hhX. X. ttel: 01733 el: 01733 262680. 262680. ffax: 01733 262530. ax: 01733 262530. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

dduncan uncan ffeethameetham.............................................. 154 154 mmagdalen agdalen llane, ane, hhedon, edon, hhull, North ull, North hhumberside umberside hhU12 8U12 8llB. B. ttel: 01482 890040.el: 01482 890040.

Jim Jim fflemingleming .............................................................. tthe Brew he Brew hhouse, ouse, cchurch End, hurch End, ssherington, herington, Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire mmK16 9PK16 9Pdd. . ttel: 01908 el: 01908 618160. 618160. ffax: 01908 618170. E-mail: ax: 01908 618170. E-mail: james@[email protected]

Philip Philip hhallall.................................................................... 10 10 llodge Park, Whittlebury, odge Park, Whittlebury, ttowcester, owcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8XNorthamptonshire NN12 8Xgg. . ttel: 01327 857600el: 01327 857600

rrolf Kuhnkeolf Kuhnke ............................................................ PPoo Box 160, Box 160, dd-23710 -23710 mmalente, alente, hholstein, olstein, ggermany. ermany. ttel: 0049 (0)173 6273055. el: 0049 (0)173 6273055. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ssteve teve llovattovatt ............................................................ Earl of Earl of cchesterfield hesterfield aarms, rms, mmanor anor llane, ane, sshelford, Nottingham Nhelford, Nottingham Ngg12 1EQ. 12 1EQ. ttel: 0115 9335447. el: 0115 9335447. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Benno Benno tth h mmüllerüller.............................................. ssunnmatt 4, unnmatt 4, chch-8126 Zumikon, -8126 Zumikon, sswitzerland. witzerland. ttel: +41 44 918 14 30. el: +41 44 918 14 30. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Jane PedlerJane Pedler................................................................ Barn Barn hhouse, ouse, cchurch hurch sstreet, Ewell treet, Ewell vvillage, illage, ssurrey Kurrey Ktt17 217 2aaQ. Q. ttel: (home) 020 8394 el: (home) 020 8394 0511; (work) 020 8785 1488. 0511; (work) 020 8785 1488. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

mmalcolm alcolm ttuckerucker.................................................. Butlers Butlers ffarm, arm, ggangbridge angbridge llane, ane, sst t mmary ary Bourne, Bourne, hhampshire ampshire ssP11 6EP. P11 6EP. ttel: 01264 el: 01264 738173. E-mail:[email protected]. E-mail:[email protected]

CLUB HEADQUARTERSCLUB HEADQUARTERSggeneral eneral ssecretaryecretary .......................................... Wg Wg ccdr Julian dr Julian sspencer, c/o pencer, c/o tthe he hhunt unt hhouseouseffinance inance ddirectorirector .............................................. Jane Pedler (see Jane Pedler (see mmanagement anagement ccommittee)ommittee)ccompany ompany ssecretaryecretary .................................... Keith Keith llanchbury, c/o anchbury, c/o tthe he hhunt unt hhouseousellibrarianibrarian ...................................................................... Philip Philip hhall, c/o all, c/o tthe he hhunt unt hhouseouse

CLUB SERVICESCLUB SERVICESBulletin EditorBulletin Editor ...................................................... Wg Wg ccdr Julian dr Julian sspencer, c/o pencer, c/o tthe he hhunt unt hhouseousecclub lub sshop hop mmanageranager .................................... llinda inda hhousden, c/o ousden, c/o tthe he hhunt unt hhouse. ouse. ttel: el:

01327 811489. E-mail: [email protected] 811489. E-mail: [email protected].............................................................. aailsa Plain, c/o ilsa Plain, c/o tthe he hhunt unt hhouse. ouse.

ttel: 01327 811788.el: 01327 811788.cchassis hassis ccards & ards & ccar Build ar Build hhistoriesistories.................................................................................................. rring Barbara Westlake at ing Barbara Westlake at tthe he hhunt unt

hhouse, quoting chassis number or E-mail ouse, quoting chassis number or E-mail [email protected]. [email protected]. ccost varies with model.ost varies with model.

vvaluationsaluations....................................................................ccar valuation forms are available from ar valuation forms are available from tthe he hhunt unt hhouse on receipt of £40. ouse on receipt of £40. ccompleted ompleted forms are to be sent to the forms are to be sent to the vvaluation aluation oofficer with photographs of the car. fficer with photographs of the car. ffor or cars insured on an agreed-value basis, cars insured on an agreed-value basis, rrichardson ichardson hhosken requires a revaluation osken requires a revaluation every three years.every three years.

vvaluation aluation oofficersfficers ............................................ aallan llan ffogg and Bill ogg and Bill mmedcalf. edcalf. ccontact ontact aallan at llan at 43 43 ccyncoed yncoed rroad, oad, ccardiff ardiff cfcf23 523 5ssB. B. ttel/el/ffax: ax: 02920 485331. E-mail: [email protected] 485331. E-mail: [email protected]

cchief hief iinstructor, nstructor, sseminarseminars.................... ssteve teve llovatt, ovatt, ttel: 0115 933 5447el: 0115 933 5447Seminar BookingsSeminar Bookings .............................................. Penny Penny tthorburn, c/o horburn, c/o tthe he hhunt unt hhouse. ouse.

ttel: 01327 811788.el: 01327 811788.sspecial pecial ttool ool hhireire.............................................. ttony James (see ony James (see mmanagement anagement ccommittee).ommittee).ffilms and Photographyilms and Photography ............................ ccolin olin hhughes, 6 ughes, 6 tthe Birches, Boxmoor, he Birches, Boxmoor,

hhemel emel hhempstead, empstead, hhertfordshire ertfordshire hhP3 0P3 0llJ. J. ttel: 01442 269306el: 01442 269306

aannual nnual rrallyallyChairmanChairman .................................................................... ttrevor Baldwin (see revor Baldwin (see mmanagement anagement

ccommittee)ommittee)Chief MarshalChief Marshal ........................................................ Jane Pedler (see Jane Pedler (see mmanagement anagement ccommittee)ommittee)Trophy MasterTrophy Master........................................................ Jim Jim ffleming (see leming (see mmanagement anagement ccommittee)ommittee)Trade Co-Trade Co-ordinatorordinator .......................................... Patsy Baldwin (address as Patsy Baldwin (address as ttrevor Baldwin, revor Baldwin,

above). above). ttel: 01733 262680. el: 01733 262680. ffax: 01733 262530ax: 01733 262530

CONSULTANTSCONSULTANTSiinsurancensurance .................................................................... ffor quotations apply to or quotations apply to rrichardson ichardson hhosken, osken,

llibrary ibrary hhouse, New ouse, New rroad, Brentwood, oad, Brentwood, Essex Essex cmcm14 414 4gdgd. . ttel: 01277 206911. el: 01277 206911. ffax: 0870 420 4622ax: 0870 420 4622

dvladvla registration enquiries registration enquiries .............. Please contact Please contact tthe he hhunt unt hhouseouseEuropean European lliaisoniaison.............................................. ggerwald erwald aanderle nderle

(see (see mmanagement anagement ccommittee)ommittee)rrolf Kuhnke (see olf Kuhnke (see mmanagement anagement ccommittee)ommittee)Benno Benno tth h mmüller üller (see (see mmanagement anagement ccommittee)ommittee)

sspares pares ssecretaryecretary .............................................. ttony James. ony James. ttel: 01327 350145 (between el: 01327 350145 (between 6pm and 10pm please). 6pm and 10pm please). aadvice on spares dvice on spares new and used. new and used. sasaE with letters please.E with letters please.

sshadow hadow hhelp-lineelp-line .......................................... mmike ike hhall: 6pm-7pm weekdays and all: 6pm-7pm weekdays and 1pm-2pm 1pm-2pm ttuesday and uesday and tthursday, hursday, ttel: 07722 823447 or el: 07722 823447 or E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

SIR HENRY ROYCE MEMORIAL FOUNDATIONSIR HENRY ROYCE MEMORIAL FOUNDATIONcchairmanhairman....................................................................ccharles harles ttabor, abor, ssutton utton hhall, all, rrochford, Essex, ochford, Essex,

ssss4 14 1llQ. Q. ttel: 01702 545730. el: 01702 545730. ffax 01702 541927ax 01702 541927

ggeneral eneral mmanageranager ............................................mmichael Peters, ichael Peters, tthe he hhunt unt hhouse, ouse, ttel: 01327 811048el: 01327 811048

ccurator and urator and aarchivistrchivist ................................ Philip Philip hhall, all, tthe he hhunt unt hhouse. ouse. ttel: 01327 811048el: 01327 811048

R O L L S - R O Y C E E N T H U S I A S T S ’ C L U BTHE HUNT HOUSE, HIGH STREET, PAULERSPURY, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN12 7NA

Telephone: (01327) 811788 • Facsimile: (01327) 811797 • Shop: (01327) 811489E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.rrec.org.ukOffice and Shop open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

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C H A I R M A N ’ SC H A I R M A N ’ S

After having enjoyed a Bentley Arnage, courtesy of Bentley Motors, for the Euro Rally during 2007, I was keen to take up their offer to try out a Continental

GTC. Hoping for some roof-down motoring weather, the August North of England Rally weekend seemed the ideal opportunity. Unfortunately the roof only came down briefly for demonstration purposes but, despite that, we were most impressed with the car’s quality and responsiveness. It was as delightful to drive on the motorway as it was over the windy, rain-soaked Yorkshire Dales.

Another of the pleasurable duties of a Chairman is to keep in touch with the sections, both UK and overseas. Ireland Section comes under the “overseas” heading and it was with great excitement that we made our first ever trip to Ireland to join their Connemara Rally at the end of August. The warmth of the welcome we received quite bowled us over, as did the beauty of the landscape. We shall definitely return.

More and more sections are reaching milestone anniversaries and I was pleased to be present, together with our President, at the 40th anniversary lunch of the Essex Section, held during August at Essex County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford. In 2009, France will be the first of our overseas sections to clock up forty years and suitable celebrations are being planned as I write.

The first Euro Rally was organised by Eri Heilijgers in 1987 and took place in Luxembourg. In September, I was privileged to attend the twentieth Euro Rally based at St Moritz in the beautiful Swiss Engadine Valley. The original aim for these events to provide an opportunity for closer liaison between our continental and UK based members has been admirably achieved. With 250 participants from sixteen countries, the 2008 rally embodied the true international spirit of the Club. Amongst the 120 Club cars, most models were represented including two pre-war Ghosts and five 20hps driven from the UK. The most modern was a 2008 Bentley Azure. The friendship and fun, as well as the exhilarating experience of navigating the alpine passes in gloriously clear, sunny weather, will remain long in the memories of those taking part. Thanks are due to Eri and all involved in making this rally, as well as the nineteen that went before it, so successful. A full report will appear elsewhere.

The arrangements for our return visit to the NEC Classic Car Show in the middle of November are well under way and I am looking forward to being on the stand once again, chatting to visiting members and encouraging non-members to join up. We should not expect to achieve the great success of 2007, but our organising team are giving it their very best shot, so look out for the post-show report on the Club website.

Front Cover:Front Cover: 2008 Bentley GTC (55061) at Coverdale in the Yorkshire Dales. Car kindly loaned by Bentley Motors to Chairman Suzanne Finch for the North of England Rally. Back Cover:Back Cover: Prize winners at Harewood House, North of England Rally 2008. Centrefold:Centrefold: Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Derby Bentley (see the Derby Bentley Register news in this Bulletin) - Bruce and Carol Read’s 1934 3½ litre (B108AH) Park Ward saloon in the foreground with Colin Hughes’ 1938 4¼ litre (B60MR) H J Mulliner sports saloon beyond on the Brecon Beacons above Llanthony.

Number 291November/December 2008

Deadline for material for the next Bulletin: 8 December 2008. Deadline for material for the next Bulletin: 8 December 2008.

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F R O M T H E E D I T O RThe comments contained in this editorial are strictly those of the Editor and do not represent those of R.R.E.C Ltd, the Club or its officers.

In August 2008, Tony Stephens was chatting about cars with friend and neighbour, Lionel

Towersey. In the course of the conversation, Lionel mentioned that his grandfather, Arthur George Towersey, had been the chauffeur to Baron Alfred de Rothschild at Halton House in Buckinghamshire. Tony asked Lionel if he had any family photographs of the cars owned by Baron Rothschild and Lionel uncovered a fine picture (1) of this Silver Ghost. The chauffeur in the picture is Arthur Towersey. The car is 1910 Silver Ghost (1381) Barker ¾ landaulette which was the Barker show car in 1910. Baron Rothschild was the first owner of the car and so it may have been the case that he bought the car from Barker direct off their show stand. Does anyone know if 1910 Silver Ghost (1381) still exists? Alfred Rothschild died in 1918. He had no legitimate children and so Halton House passed to his nephew Lionel de Rothschild. However,

Lionel did not like the property and he immediately sold the contents of the house and then the estate itself. The Government purchased the empty house and estate for £115,000 for use by the RAF. The house is currently the Officers’ Mess of RAF Halton. Picture (2) shows Halton House today.

John Peirson informed me that three Rolls-Royce cars participated in a rally across British Columbia during August. Picture (3) shows the three cars (l to r): David and Adele Cohen’s 1912 Silver Ghost (1950E) London to Edinburgh tourer; John and Marny Peirson’s 1911 Silver Ghost (1645) Hooper limousine; and, David Waters’s 1930 Springfield Phantom I (S156PR) Brewster regent convertible. The rally was part of the Vintage Car Club of Canada’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, and was open to cars built before 1942. About forty five cars drove the whole distance from Fernie to Victoria - about 850 miles.

John informed me that all three Rolls-Royce cars completed the whole tour faultlessly without requiring any roadside assistance.

Will Morrison was in the coastal town of Aldeburgh in Suffolk early one Sunday morning in the summer of 2008 and took the picture (4) of a Phantom drophead coupé that he saw parked in the high street. Will informed me that there was a large number of yachting folk in Aldeburgh that day so it was quite apt that the Phantom had the wooden rear decking.

In B283, I challenged members to take a photograph of the Bulletin in obscure, far-flung and unusual places. The response has been impressive and the Bulletin has been pictured at the extremes of the northern and southern hemispheres, below sea level and at high altitude, and in several obscure geographical locations. Thank you to all who have contributed to this

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1 1910 Silver Ghost (1381) Barker ¾ landaulette

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2 Halton House

3 1912 Silver Ghost (1950E), 1911 Silver Ghost (1645) and 1930 Springfield Phantom I (S156PR)

challenge. The competition closes at the end of this year so please do not send in any more. Prizes will be sent to the contributors who, in the editor’s opinion, provided the most unusual pictures! Winners will be listed in this column in B292. In the meantime, the following contributions were received this autumn.

Picture (5) shows Kelvin Goldsmith and his Bentley turbo R taken on the Karnische Dolomitenstrasse (Carnic Dolomites road) just outside the village of Maria Luggau in Austria. Unfortunately, the otherwise splendid views were obscured by low clouds and so Kelvin chose to have the photograph taken with a copy of the Bulletin next to a historic water wheel that he discovered along the route. Michael Thackery sent in a picture (6) of him holding the Bulletin in front of the Chilean Scientific base camp building in Antarctica in February 2008 and Alan Milbank sent in a picture (7) of him holding the Bulletin at the Olden Fjord, Norway in August 2008. Finally, on this challenge, John and Marny Pierson sent in a picture (8) taken in September 2008 of them holding a copy of the Bulletin next to their 1965 Silver Cloud III (LSJR517) at Seton Lake Reservoir (about 120 miles north of Vancouver, Canada).

The old adage that as one door closes, another opens is certainly true for

this publication. The Club is about having fun so to replace the ‘Bulletin-in-obscure-places’ challenge, 2009 will be the year of ‘caption competitions’. Please send in your humorous (Club related) photographs that would be suitable for a caption challenge. Selected pictures will be published in this column and the most amusing captions will be rewarded with a splendid prize from the Club Shop.

Ian Johnstone sent in two interesting pictures of 20hps that were given to him by Rebecca and Lance Sheldrick. The pictures were found in a photograph album that had

belonged to Rebecca’s father. It is not known when the photographs were taken. However, the first picture was taken in Italy and the car (9) has been identified as 1923 20hp (53S5) Windovers limousine. The first owner of 53S5 was Mrs G F Cook. The Club’s archives reveal that 53S5 was purchased in the 1950s by Sub Lt L T Lord of HMS Phoenix, Portsmouth. Could this be the man in the picture? The car is believed to still be in existence but the current owner and location of the car is not known to the Club. Rebecca has the original handbook for 53S5 and would be willing to pass it on to the current

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7 Alan Milbank and Bulletin at the Olden Fjord,

Norway6 Michael Thackery and Bulletin at the Chilean Scientific base camp

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owner. If any reader has the current details of 53S5 please let me know. The second picture (10) was taken on a picnic excursion to a rural area near Salisbury. The car is 20hp (GKM52) Thrupp & Maberly sedanca which was first owned by James Preston. Interestingly, the car was purchased in the 1930s by The Rt Hon The Earl Spencer of Althorp Park. GKM52 is not on the Club’s database so can anyone provide current information on the car?

Bryan Househam wrote in to in form members tha t a new museum dedicated to Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars opened in Japan, near Tokyo, on 9 August 2008. The museum is privately owned by Kiyoharu Wakui who is a good friend of Bryan. Kiyoharu has been an active and enthusiastic collector of both marques for many years. There are currently fourteen cars on display in the museum. Mr Wakui owns a business in Japan dealing in the repair of classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars. The cars in the museum are all in full working order and are used for appropriate events. The collection includes: 1919 Silver Ghost (71CW) Alpine Eagle; 1925 Silver Ghost (S222PK); 1937 Phantom III Hooper (3PC) sedanca de ville; 1953 Bentley R Type (B82SR) Graber dhc; 1954 Bentley R Type Continental by H J Mulliner; and, 1967 Rolls-Royce

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4 Phantom drophead coupé in Aldeburgh

5 Kelvin Goldsmith and Bulletin with his Bentley turbo R in Austria

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10 20hp (GKM52) Thrupp & Maberly sedanca

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8 John and Marny Pierson and Bulletin at Seton Lake Reservoir

9 1923 20hp (53S5) Windovers limousine

their historical merit. Picture (11) is of a Derby Bentley 4¼ four door saloon. It is believed the registration number was FLX 800. If that is the case, then the car is B114MR with coachwork by Mann Egerton. The first owner was the Hon Andrew Weir, son of Baron Inverforth of Southgate. The Club’s database lists B114MR as now bearing the registration number EMF 722. Does anyone know the car’s current location? Picture (12) shows an early 30s Rolls-Royce with an indistinct registration number that could be NV 3589. I have not been able to trace that number so can anyone identify the car and say where

it is today? Picture (13) shows a 25/30 with registration number DLN 461. The car is 1937 25/30 (GWN70) H J Mulliner four door sports saloon. Again, the car is not on the Club’s database so does anyone know the current location of the car? Picture (14) shows an unidentified Silver Dawn with registration number SNG 111. The prefix ‘SNG’ was issued in 1955 so the car is likely to be one of the last Silver Dawns to be built. Can anyone identify the car? The final picture (15) that Michael sent in is the most intriguing. This car is clearly a Bentley S1 or S2 as it has single headlights. However, the last

Phantom V (PV23) touring limousine by James Young. Bryan informs me that the museum is open every Sunday from 1100hrs to 16000hrs. Admission is free. Further details of the museum can be viewed at www.wakuimuseum.com.

Michael Sapsford was recently sent some photographs of Club cars by the widow of their former owner. The cars belonged to Andy Kinnison of Bathurst Farm, Rushlake Green, Hailsham, East Sussex. The pictures were taken in the 1960s and early 1970s. The pictures are low resolution but are worth publishing here for

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of the S2s were built in 1962 and this car carries the registration number LPX 5D. The puzzle is that the ‘D’ registration suffix was not issued until 1966 and it is my understanding that it has been illegal in the UK to affix a registration number to a car where the number is newer than the car itself. Could this car have been first registered in 1966? I am sure a reader will be able to identify the car and solve the mystery of the dates.

Steve Plimmer recently acquired an interesting plaque (16) which was originally fitted to the interior of 1938 Wraith (WXA95) Hooper four door, six light limousine. The image of the plaque is not clear so the words are reproduced here: “This vehicle has during its service throughout the war

carried our employees to and from their work and in doing so helped considerably with our contribution to the national effort. ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. DERBY”. The first owner of WXA95 was P H Riley of Esher in Surrey. However, the car was clearly used by Rolls-Royce during at least some of the war years. Was the car requisitioned? Does anyone know any details of the car during the war? In the early 1960s, C W Lyons and Son Ltd acquired WXA95 and the company kept the car for several years before it was sold on to a German buyer. Picture (17) shows WXA95 outside the offices of C W Lyons and Son Ltd in the 1960s.

In this editorial in B290, there was a contemporary picture of 1924

Silver Ghost (134EM) that was once owned by Earl Mountbatten and which is now in the Sandringham Motor Museum. Colin Hughes rummaged through his amazing collection of photographs and sent in the delightful picture (18) of 134EM taken at Blenheim in 1971 with Ralph Symmons in the driver’s seat and Ian Hallows as passenger.

At the beginning of this year, Stephan Harlacher sent in some interesting pictures that he had discovered. The pictures are of the ‘SAGFRAM’ stand at the Salon de L‘auto taken in 1956. Picture (19) shows a general view of the stand. ‘SAGFRAM’ manufactured locking mechanisms for car doors, including Rolls-Royce. Pictures (20 & 21) show the Rolls-Royce display

11 Derby Bentley 4¼ (B114MR) four door saloon? 12 Unidentified Rolls-Royce

13 1937 25/30 (GWN70) H J Mulliner four door sports saloon. 14 Unidentified Silver Dawn

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19 General view of the ‘SAGFRAM’ stand at the Salon de L’auto in 1956

15 Unidentified Bentley 16 Plaque fitted to 1938 Wraith (WXA95)

17 1938 Wraith (WXA95)

18 1924 Silver Ghost (134EM)

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car on the ‘SAGFRAM’ stand in 1956 to showcase the mechanisms. Can anyone identify the chassis? Is the car still in existence?

The successful 2008 season of technical seminars at The Hunt House has now drawn to a close. Picture (22) shows some of the cars that participated in the Derby Bentley technical seminar that was held at the end of September. Readers will find elsewhere in this Bulletin a report by Chief Instructor, Steve Lovatt, on the 2008 seminars. The Club is most grateful to all the instructors who give up their time and knowledge freely for the benefit of members.

The North of England Rally took place on Sunday 10 August at Harewood House in Yorkshire. As ever, this impeccably organised and enjoyable annual event attracted s e v e r a l h u n d r e d C l u b c a r s . Congratulations to all the prize winners, especially Peter Shaw who was awarded the Harewood Trophy, for the Best Car in Show, for his 1925 Phantom I (88MC). Members work hard to prepare their cars as exemplified by Graeme Calvert-Thomson who was seen (23) cleaning his car, 1938 Phantom III (3DL34) H J Mulliner sedanca de ville, at daybreak outside the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate. A report on the North of England Rally can be found in this Bulletin.

David Baines sent in two pictures of fine Rolls-Royce motor cars that have recently come under the hammer of RM Auctions and I am grateful for the following information that David provided. The first picture (24) is 1933 Phantom II (218AMS) Brewster four door Brougham de ville which was sold at Monterey in August for $2,310,000. This is probably a record price for a Phantom II. The design of this delightful town car, with its low razor edged roofline and dramatic raked back V-shaped split windscreen, was specifically commissioned by the first owner as a gift for his wife. The specification included silver fittings, canework paint and a sumptuous interior that included lambswool carpets, vanity cases, indirect lighting and gold plated fittings. The cost of this car new was an incredible

$31,000 making it the most expensive car in 1933 to be built anywhere in the world. The second picture from David (25) is of 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (2AU) Million-Guiet Torpedo. The chassis was completed at the end of July 1924 and then shipped to Boulogne on the SS Volga. It was delivered to W Lamberjack, the Bugatti agent in Paris and was fitted with a torpedo body by Million-Guiet of Levallois-Perret, Seine. This car was the 1924 Rolls-Royce Paris Show car and afterwards it was sold

to its first owner, Monsieur Dutasta, who lived in Paris. Throughout its subsequent life, 2AU had many high profile owners, particularly those involved in motor racing. In 1926, 2AU was bought by Ettore Bugatti so that he could learn about the suspension and springing of a heavy car. The knowledge gained led to the production of the Type 41 Bugatti prototype in 1927 and full car production from 1931. In the early 30s, the Type 41 became known as the Royale. Ettore Bugatti

20 Rolls-Royce on the ‘SAGFRAM’ stand

21 Rolls-Royce on the ‘SAGFRAM’ stand

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22 Derby Bentleys at The Hunt House

23 Graeme Calvert-Thomson and his 1938 Phantom III (3DL34) H J Mulliner sedanca de ville

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and his family owned 2AU from 1926 until 1963 when it was bought by the Grand Prix winning racing driver, Maurice Trintignant. After a few more owners, 2AU was bought in 2003 by former Formula 1 racing driver, Jean Alesi. David informs me that Alesi fell in love with Rolls-Royce motor cars after riding in the back of a Silver Ghost during the 1997

24 1933 Phantom II (218AMS)

25 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (2AU)

British Grand Prix driver’s parade at Silverstone when all of the F1 drivers did a lap of the circuit in the back of early Rolls-Royce cars. 2AU is scheduled to be auctioned in London towards the end of this year with an estimate of £300,000 to £400,000.

Finally, many thanks to all of you who have contributed to the Bulletin

this year. Without your valuable inputs this publication would be about as stimulating as the 2001 EU Directive on the labelling of marmalades and sweetened chestnut purees. I wish all readers a happy and content Chr i s tmas and a prosperous New Year.

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C A R s - Corrigenda, Addenda & Responses

(SXC637) H J Mulliner drop head coupé. The registration number CX 6099 was issued in London in the 1920s. The female passenger in the picture was the owner of the car, Miss Mary Wentworth Kelly of Sloane Avenue Mansions, London SW3. Some members may remember her as a f lamboyant character who attended the Goodwood and Blenheim rallies in the 1960s with a uniformed chauffeur who dispensed cocktails. Miss Kelly was listed as

a Club member in 1972 but not in 1974. It is believed she either donated or bequeathed the car to the Science Museum. Kelvin took a picture (reproduced here) of the car in 1989 at the Science Museum’s premises at Wroughton in Wiltshire.Colin Hughes provided the picture (reproduced here) that he took of Miss Kelly and SXC637 at Blenheim in 1967. Can anyone recognize the other people in the picture?

1961 Silver Cloud II (SXC637) at the Science Museum’s premises at Wroughton in 1989

1961 Silver Cloud II (SXC637) and Miss Kelly at Blenheim in 1967

B289, p5, picture 3Mark Yuasa provided some further information on this Experimental New Phantom (10EX) and the Japanese booklet discovered by John McGlynn. The booklet was written by Shotaro Kobayashi who is a well known motoring journalist and good friend of Mark. The title of the booklet is Automobiles of the World Vol. 21 - Rolls-Royce – Prewar, produced for the Car Graphic Library and published by Nigensha on 11 June 1971. Shotaro Kobayashi is the current President of the Classic Car Club of Japan.

B289, p5, picture 4Shotaro Kobayashi provided the following further information on Springfield Phantom I (S297RM) shown in the picture. “The car was brought to Japan immediately after the end of WWII by a US naval officer who had come direct from Guam, an island in the western Pacific Ocean. Soon after the car arrived in Japan it was purchased by Helmuth Ketel, a German citizen who had a successful delicatessen on fashionable Ginza Street in Tokyo. Herr Ketel was a great car enthusiast and he used Phantom I (S297RM) as his daily hack, for instance to carry freshly baked bread every morning to his shop. Around 1955 the car was pensioned off and the next custodian was Yukio Kuno of Kuno Motor Co. Ltd (as written on the number plate in the picture). Yukio Kuno painted the car a smart pale green from the original black. Regarding the ‘strange tyre tread pattern’, this is probably a re-tread using a truck type pattern. In those days new rubber was a dream of dreams and we used to re-tread tyres several times.”

B289, p9, picture 15Mike van Ginkel identified the Silver Shadow as that belonging to his friend David Rawdon who actually owns the small town of Majiesfontein, 300kms north of Cape Town. David has owned the Silver Shadow for many years.

B290, p8, picture 12 Kelvin Price and Colin Hughes identified the car crossing the Severn Bridge as 1961 Silver Cloud II

14

50th Annual Concours and Rally1 2 - 1 4 J U N E 2 0 0 9 , K E L M A R S H H A L L

The rally team, ably helped by the staff at The Hunt House is now progressing with

arrangements for this special event. It is planned to provide more activities and this will include the Friday making it effectively a three day event. The Club Shop will be open on all three days and Steve Lovatt and his team will be running seminars on routine maintenance and answering any specific queries you may have.

There will be two seminars each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each seminar will last approximately one hour. So as not to forget our ladies, Patsy is arranging demonstrations and workshops covering such topics as flowers and flower arranging, hat making, manicure and hopefully more. The times of all seminars and demonstrations will be displayed in the Club Services area and announced over the PA system. A slip to apply for your booking pack will be included in the January/February 2009 Club Bulletin.

One thing that you will notice is an increase in security presence both in the Club Shop and Members’ Spares . Unfortunate ly we are

having to implement this due to the regrettable high value of “not paid for” items disappearing from these marquees during the 2008 Annual Rally. It would seem that the CCTV in operation was not able to offer adequate protection. Please be vigilant and if you see anything suspicious please report to those on duty in that marquee. Remember it is your money (subs) that replaces missing items.

This coming year, 2009, will be the Club’s last Annual Rally to be held at Kelmarsh Hall. Over the five years we have held this event at Kelmarsh Hall the location has proved to be an exceptionally good site in all respects such as access, levelness of the ground and, above all, excellent staff to work with.

We must now look to the future and I am very pleased to announce the following:

ANNUAL CONCOURS AND RALLY18-20 June 2010, Rockingham Castle, Corby, NorthamptonshirePatsy has put in considerable effort and time looking for a suitable location where we can hold the Annual Rally

in 2010. This has not been easy and several locations that members have suggested proved unable to meet our requirements, as in excess of 1,000 Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars together with the trade and marquees take up a lot of area and on the Sunday these cars need to gain access and be parked in just two hours!

The good news is this site has been found and Jane Pedler, Duncan Feetham, Patsy and myself have walked the 130 acre site and agree that it will meet our needs. Rockingham Castle event field has been booked for 2010. This is located off the A6003 Kettering - Oakham road just north-west of Corby, Northamptonshire. Their website www.rockinghamcastle.com illustrates the facilities available together with the history of the Castle.

JUDGING AT THE ANNUAL RALLYIn the last Bulletin you no doubt studied the write up and photographic coverage of the prize winning cars at the Club’s Annual Concours and Rally held last June at Kelmarsh Hall. As can be seen there are many trophies and awards that are presented each

15

year. Members put in a great deal of time and often considerable expense to prepare their cars to a standard that they hope will win the class and trophy in which they have entered their car(s) and the winning cars certainly proved this.

Being a judge is very rewarding as it gives you the opportunity to look at and compare cars of the same model at close quarters with other judges and between you award points and select the winner and runner up car in that class.

For a winner to be selected all cars entered for judging for each trophy and prize has to be judged as set out

in the Club’s “Judging Procedures and Rules”. This is achieved by a hardworking core of judges, the majority of whom are Club members that give their services voluntarily on the Sunday morning. For class prizes, judges operate in groups of four, each judge being assigned to a specific aspect of each car entered in that class – Engine, Chassis, Interior, Exterior. Given there are eighteen judged classes, that means seventy two judges are required if each is to judge one class. On top of this there are the other classes and prizes that require to be judged so we really do need a strong core of judges to ensure all classes can be covered. Last year several judges

had to judge more than one class to ensure all cars entered were judged which extended their tour of duty. To save this happening again next year we really do need to increase the number of judges available on the day.

Having read this, would you consider the honorary role of becoming a judge at this prestigious Club event? For more information or to offer your services please contact me on 01733 262680, e-mail [email protected]. If you would like a copy of the current Notes on Judging and Judging Procedures and Rules please contact me and I will send you a copy.

JUDGES’ SEMINARJUDGES’ SEMINAR

N

2009 ANNUAL 2009 ANNUAL DINNER DINNER

AND DANCEAND DANCESaturday 13 JuneSaturday 13 June

Barcelo Daventry HotelBarcelo Daventry Hotel

16

Editor’s Note – A report on the Euro Rally itself will appear in the next Bulletin.

PRE-EURO RALLY16-18 August 2008

Members outside the Rolls-Royce Museum in Dornbirn

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RREC LTDSunday 5 April 2009, 2.30pm

By the order of the Board, Keith Lanchbury,

Company Secretary.

NB: Election to the Board involves automatic membership to the Management Committee.

17

S P A R E S C O R N E R

The verdant rolling meadows of Oxfordshire, lined by arboreal splendour are interspersed

by villages of limestone walls peeking under bonnets of tiles. Typical of these characteristics is the village of Clanfield which lies a few miles southwest of the dreaming towers of Oxford. Mill Lane, in Clanfield is marked by a signpost to Little Clanfield, a hamlet so small it does not appear in atlases of the United Kingdom.

Mill Lane ploughs a straight furrow through a housing estate owned by the local council and across fields for a couple of miles, turns a right-angle past a farm after which it terminates suddenly at a water mill.

Clustered around the water mill is a group of wooden framed and clad buildings which were built in Canada during the 1939-1945 war and shipped to England for use as airfield buildings.

The owner of Clanfield Mill acquired the buildings at auction and erected them around the mill pond. Security is provided by a flock of geese. In this rural idyll can be found various restoration companies including Fiennes Restoration, Tel: +44 (0)1367 810438 who reside in a rambling building which, like a Tardis, is apparently much larger inside than outside.

On the ground floor is a very well equipped machine shop including, as well as all the usual lathes and milling machines, medium size and very large CNC machines which are capable of machining anything to very close tolerances. In a corner of the workshop is a purpose built line boring rig for main bearings. Fiennes manufacture and hold in stock chassis spring leaves and also have a special rig for testing and checking spring poundage. Nowadays, this device is extremely rare and even spring specialists do not have one.

During my visit, both Derby Bentley

S PA R E S C O R N E R

Clanfield Mill

Security Guards

18


Driving Dog Extractor (R2831) for 20/25,

25/30, Phantom II & III (A) and 3½, 4¼

Bentley and Wraith (B). (The bolts (A)

2½” 5/16 BSF and (B) 2½” ¼ BSF are not

supplied)*. £40.00

Castellated Spanner for Retaining Ring

C52664 20/25 and 25/30. £50.00

Axle Tube Nut Spanner R2828 20/25, 25/30.

£36.00

Hub Withdrawal Tool 20/25, 25/30.

This also holds the lot in place while you

wiggle the circlip off. £90.00

Spring leaves in stock

Derby Bentley and Wraith exhaust manifolds and Ghost blocks

19


The prices are shown, far left, which include postage and packing within the UK (and a small donation to the 20/25 Register for use of their drawings). Please note that this is done on a purely private and personal basis to help fellow members and is in no way connected with any RREC initiative.

These are practical tools and are unplated (the original finish was cadmium plate). The photos to the left give the idea.

If you are interested please let Peter know. Cheques to be made out to Peter Edwards and sent to: 55 Beverley Road, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6PW.

*Suitable nuts & bolts are obtainable from Namrick Ltd, Tel: +44 (0)1273 779864, Fax: +44 (0)1273 726708.

HIGH TORQUE STARTER MOTORSPowerlite offer starter motors which are about twice as powerful, run faster and draw about half the current of the original Lucas starters fitted to post-war cars.

For Silver Cloud II, III/S Type and S2/S3, Powerlite starter ref RAC 427 is a suitable replacement. For Silver Shadow, Spirit, Mulsanne etc. with the splendid V8 engine and 3-speed gearbox, the suitable replacement is ref RAC 421.

HIGH OUTPUT GENERATORS Powerlite also make the Dynalite. It looks like a dynamo but is actually a lightweight alternator. It is machined from a solid block of aluminium, looks like a Lucas dynamo but offers about 80% more power while reducing

Trunk lock

Trunk lock open

and 25/30 Wraith exhaust manifolds were being machined.

Fiennes Restoration carry out the machining and assembly of 20/25 cylinder heads for W H Alden Tel: +44 (0)20 8531 3358. Therefore, it was no surprise to find several 20/25 cylinder heads arrayed on shelves. They were accompanied by 25/30 and Derby Bentley cylinder heads awaiting delivery to customers.

Some years ago, Fiennes Restoration Ltd acquired the stock of Coldwell Engineering. As a result, Fiennes now provide a comprehensive range of parts for all pre-war models from 1907 to 1939. Also, the company now publishes a range of hard copy parts lists which are specific to each model. In addition, an illustrated parts list is available on the company website www.fiennes.co.uk. The hard copy parts list can be ordered by telephone +44 (0)1367 810532.

Among the more unusual items which caught my eye was a range of spare wheel covers for Derby Bentleys and Small hp Rolls-Royces and newly manufactured trunk locks such as those fitted to the trunk of Gurney Nutting 3-position drop heads.

There was also a selection of special tools such as those for wheel hubs. It is worthwhile enquiring if Fiennes can either supply or specially manufacture a part or tool to meet your needs.

HUB MATTERSI have mentioned on more than one occasion the hub tools provided in a solid mahogany box by Charles Tobin, River Carriage Shop, 21188 Maplewood Avenue, Rocky river, OH 44116, USA. Tel +1440 333 0561.

Charles supplies sets of hub tools which are exactly as originals for Ghosts, Phantoms and Small hp pre-war cars. However, a relatively inexpensive set is available:

Peter Edwards Tel: (01926) 334212, Email: [email protected], has had some copies of these tools made up to drawings supplied by Tony James during his talk at the last 25 Register AGM and it was felt that they may be useful to others as well.

20


Relay cover panel

Engine management relay

Essential spare for glove box

weight by 40% when compared with the original. The dynamo control box is not needed and can be by-passed. The Dynalite is available with or without a rear take-off for a tachometer. Thus, if you wish to increase the electric power in your pre-1965 car, use the appropriate Dynalite to achieve this while retaining the original under bonnet appearance. Powerlite is accessible via www.powerlite-units.com.

For post-1965 units, an up-rated replacement for the original 28 amp alternator made by Lucas. A 45 amp replacement costs £65.80 and an 80 amp alternator are available from Ratsport at telephone +44 (0) 208 854 4777 or www.ratsport.co.uk. Alternatively, the above are avai lable from Holdens Tel: +44 (0)1885 488000 or www.holdenco.uk from which you can download a new illustrated catalogue.

ESSENTIAL SPAREDo you own a Crewe built car built from 1996 onwards and with the classic V8 engine? This includes Spirit/Spur, Turbo R, Brooklands, Azure and Continental R S&T. These cars are blessed with electronic control units and have the benefit of data storage which can be accessed by diagnostic machines which will inform a garage technician what is wrong in the event of a fault or failure.

However, it is possible in these models to suffer a sudden failure to proceed. The engine stops and will not restart and the diagnostic machines report that no fault can be found.

To deal with this problem, at all times keep a spare relay, part number UD74345 in the glove box. Open the bonnet and locate (on the right hand side of the engine compartment) the panel held in place with cross-head screws. Remove the screws and lift up the panel. Under the panel is a description of the relays beneath the panel. Locate and replace the engine management relay with the spare in the glove box.

I am grateful to Hillier Hill for allowing me to photograph the relay and its location. As a matter of course Hillier Hill replace this relay during a 24,000 mile service.

21

Rain and wind seem to be the order of the day at Harewood nowadays and this year was

no exception. A total of seventy five members decided to make a full weekend of the rally and had booked into The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate on the Friday afternoon. It was a pleasant summer’s day and most members arrived early and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon looking around Harrogate. At one time in the afternoon there were so many in the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms that it looked like a Club meeting! Guests were possibly lulled by this pleasant aura and, after the complimentary tea/coffee, etc., adjourned to unpack with a reasonably bright outlook from their windows - albeit possibly only with a view of the rear of the nearby Conference Centre.

Anyone taking the trouble to watch/hear the weather forecast on Saturday morning would most certainly have packed the sou’wester and galoshes in the boot before lining up ready for the customary tour. Undeterred, our intrepid enthusiasts collected their instructions and set out on an eighty mile drive, planned by David Towers and John Newton, passing through some of Yorkshire’s finest scenery. The weather was pretty abysmal so, instead of tarrying awhile in Grassington, Kettlewell, or Leyburn as the Dales basked in sunshine, drivers pressed on, peering out of fogged windscreens at the mist covered hillsides. Most members found various country inns and cafés along the route, admired the scarecrows on display in Kettlewell, and enjoyed a relaxing saunter around some of Yorkshire’s best.

After a short period of relaxation and recuperation, with newspaper stuffed into soaked shoes, members headed for the room set aside for them to partake of a sumptuous repast and

then sit back and listen to a little of the repertoire of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Band. With solos from a number of the band members, including a superb duet on the xylophone by two ‘Chimps’ (playing The Two Imps), and a second half with plenty of participation, the audience was very well served and responded with loud applause and shouts of “more, more”. Everyone agreed that the evening had been a social success and truly entertaining. Jeff Dennis’s organisation was once again spot on.

Sunday saw patches of blue in an otherwise cloudy sky as the layout of the rally site at Harewood was completed. However, the damage done by the previous day’s rain was compounded as a rather stiff breeze (gale?) began to arrive on the scene, causing havoc amongst the numbered lines. The marshals coped magnificently though and cars were soon being slotted into place. There seemed to be quite a few new members arriving, some with and some without ‘proper’ cars, all eager to find out more about this Club and to learn as much as possible about their cars. It had been suggested that members dress in clothes appropriate to the year of their car but very few seemed to have taken to this idea - with one very notable exception.

The Yorkshire Section Secretary, Liz Brown, her husband and friends, really went to town (well they looked as though that’s where they’d been) with top hat, feather boas, and a superb selection of clobber. Well done!

There were fewer stalls than usual and the absence of Bonhams and the Club Shop left a noticeable gap. This did not appear to detract from the proceedings as the Old Silkstone Brass Band provided pleasing background music as people wandered to and fro. A short sharp shower of rain failed to dampen the proceedings and, after a languid lunch (in some cases) Duncan Feetham, and his team of helpers started to collect the cars that had been selected to pass through the Parade Ring. Roy Brooks was on top form and rattled off a stream of interesting facts as Keith Duke fed him the details of each car passing before them. With “ooohs” and “aaahs”, and the odd ripple of applause emanating from the crowd, the cars processed steadily by and it was interesting to hear some of the comments being made in the audience. “My grandfather drove one of these when he was a chauffeur.” “I could have bought as many of those as I wanted for £50 each you know.” “Now that lady has really got the “Queen’s wave” off hasn’t she!” “I’m going to buy a car like that one day - when I win the lottery.”

Club Chairman Suzanne Finch in 2008 Bentley Continental GTC (55061) (see also Bulletin front cover)

R A L L I E S

22

1980 Silver Shadow II (SRH40501) saloon arriving at Harewood House 1988 Silver Spirit (JCH23664) saloon arriving at Harewood House

1954 R Type (B3ZX) James Young saloon 1939 25/30 Wraith (WHC31) James Young three position drop head coupé

in front of Harewood House

1938 4¼ litre (B20MR) Vanden Plas sports tourer Members enjoying a well-earned lunch break

1947 Bentley Mk VI (B203BG) saloon 2000 Bentley Arnage (YCH04200) saloon

23

Appleyard Rippon Trophy - 1935 Bentley 3½ (B171EJ) Park Ward sports saloon

Harewood Trophy for Best in Show - 1925 New Phantom (88MC) open tourer

24

All too soon the Parade drew to an end and the task of presenting the trophies, judged by our totally independent adjudicators, was passed to Club Chairman, Suzanne Finch, together with Margaret Wiggins and Helen Pearce. The trophies awarded were:

THE HAREWOOD TROPHY

1925 Phantom 1 (88MC)Peter Shaw, Sheffield

THE APPLEYARD RIPPON TROPHY

1935 Bentley 3½ (B171EJ)Alan Ingham, Warley

THE LANCASTER TROPHY

2001 Corniche IV (ICH68608) Kenneth Jackson, Little Aston

THE BENTLEY MOTORS TROPHY

1999 Azure (XCH61836)Eric Lawrence, Exeter

THE MARGARET WIGGINS TROPHY

1967 Phantom V (5VF157)Peter Nightingale, Royston

THE JCT600 TROPHY

1957 Bentley Continental (BC45BG) John & Shelley Royce, Barnsley

THE GRAHAM PEARCE TROPHY

1979 Silver Shadow II (SRH38296) Tricia Mayers, Kingkerswell 304 miles

Twenty nine North of England Rallies have now been all held at Harewood House and the event continues to draw well in excess of 300 ‘proper’ cars and numerous members in non-Club cars. That can’t be bad!!

Margaret Wiggins Trophy – 1967 Phantom V (5VF157) James Young limousine

Lancaster Trophy – 2001 Rolls-Royce Corniche IV (1CH68608) convertible

Bentley Motors Trophy - 1999 Bentley Azure (XCH61836) convertible

25

In 1936 William C Adams was twenty five, in London, and looking for a handsome new car.

His father W J Adams had set the tone by buying two Silver Ghosts (2142 & 10AD) before 1915.

What would some present day Derby enthusiasts give to go back in time and walk with William Adams into the showroom of Pass and Joyce and give the ‘once over’ to a delightful Bentley drop head coupé by James Young. Actually, William had had his eyes on a glamorous open Mercedes, but in view of what we would like to hope was William’s superior taste, he decided to acquire the Bentley (B112EF) which was delivered to him in January 1936. Pass and Joyce had bought the car new, in two-tone beige with cherry red upholstery, for stock in June 1935. Australians buying Bentleys in the mid-thirties were very far and few between. The Australian economy had been very badly hit by the great depression and was in much worse shape than that of Britain, but it is interesting that the car had sat in the showroom for months without selling.

The fortunate new owner promptly set off to tour Europe for some eighteen months – of course, one would! The tour was interrupted by a bit of bad luck in Italy when a youngster on his bicycle hit the side of the car. The car was impounded for months but after much diplomatic pressure it was finally released. The car then came to the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, but soon went to Wahroonga where it was garaged until the early ’50s. This is where the recent photographs, accompanying this article, were taken of the restored car.

William used the car often and Bentley Motors used a handsome photograph of it for “On The Road” (OTR-14) at Kosciusko in the New South Wales (NSW) snow country. This must have been in 1938. (It is interesting to note that the chassis cards show that the car was fitted with new o/s pistons and connecting rods in 1939.)

B112EFA B E N T L E Y C O M E S H O M E

B112EF in front of the the Wahroonga house (still owned by the family) where the car spent most of its

early life

B112EF - note the smooth finish where the hood meets the body. The number plate was originally

under the spare wheel

B112EF today

26

B 1 1 2 E F A B E N T L E Y C O M E S H O M E

In the 1940s, the car was often lent as a Vice Regal open car to the Governor of NSW, Lord Wakehurst, and also to the Governor General, The Duke of Gloucester. Lord Louis Mountbatten and his wife Edwina also used it as can be seen in the photograph taken in 1945 at Royal Randwick Racecourse.

This lovely car had its moments of fame in the public eye with several ticker tape parades in Sydney and with the crowds cheering its important occupants.

The Vice Regal usage of the car led to an amusing incident. When

the Governor was using the car, the number plate would be removed and substituted with the Vice Regal Crown. On one occasion, the car was returned to the Adams family, but the crown had not been removed. William was delighted to drive around with every policeman on point duty stopping the other traffic, whilst saluting and waving him on! This, of course, was in the days well before traffic lights. Indeed, William delighted in telling the tale about a ‘crown’ day, when the toll collector on the Sydney Harbour Bridge insisted on saluting and waving him on when he stopped to pay the toll! (I can’t help telling another story, which happened in more recent times and just might be apocryphal, of a policeman pulling over the Vice Regal car with the NSW Governor inside and demanding to know where the number plate was! Of course the car was a very boring modern one and one would hope that such an incident could never have happened to a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley.)

William must have been quite a lad. He raced a WO Bentley and had something of a racing career. He ended up owning seven Bentleys between ’33 and ’95, the last being a Turbo R.

So what happened to the James Young? It was sold in the early 1950s, probably upon the acquisition of an R Type, to a Mat Carroll, a grazier. The car then disappeared from view until the estate of the widow of the well-known racing car driver ‘Puss’ Catlin came up for sale in the 1980s. Catlin had been killed racing his Bugatti type 51, a car subsequently restored by Lance Dixson. So disgusted was his widow that she had pushed the Bugatti and the Bentley (which ‘Puss’ had acquired probably in the late 1950s) under a camphor laurel tree, where they stayed for about twenty years. Not a good thing to do to a drop head! A Mr Griffith then bought the car, dismantled the body and several years later it was acquired by Robert McDermott who roughly re-assembled the body to find a potentially handsome car. Miraculously, although many items had gone from the car, the original handbook, inscribed with the name

B112EF - the burr walnut dash handsomely restored. The cigar lighter is a replacement from a ’50s car

B112EF - Excitement at Royal Randwick in 1945 as Lord Mountbatten steps out

27

of William Adams, was found in fair order in the glove box.

The latter part of this interesting tale is that in due course William G B Adams, the son of William C Adams, acquired the car in 1998 and had it restored, not without quite a few frustrating problems, over the next several years. Thus the charming end to the story is that the original owner had the pleasure of riding once more in the car he purchased in 1936 before dying at the grand age of ninety six in 2007. His son, by the way, is not letting the side down; he drives a Bentley Continental GT.

Footnote on the James Young coachwork:This very elegant and stylish four-light drop head coupé is distinguished by a severely raked windscreen and the ‘sweep panel’ design, also employed by

B 1 1 2 E F A B E N T L E Y C O M E S H O M E

Gurney Nutting, which so lends itself to two-tone colours. Note the delightful way the rear wing follows the curve of the panel, is joined to the running board and completes the ‘line’ right through to the front wing. The swages on the edges of the wings are typical James Young, but this particular car also has pleasing centre creases on the front wings. A feature of the design is the rear side windows, which, being quarter circles, wind down into the rear quarters. Thus, with all windows down, the line from the top of the door to the hood is perfectly level. The hood, if folded properly, does not sit too high above the back of the car – see again the ‘Mountbatten’ photograph. A typical James Young feature is the very neat rear enclosure for the spare wheel with the shape integrated into the design of the boot. All these compound curves enhance the sense that one is

seeing a total sculpture. There are nine cars with similar styling and at least one, B24EF, appears to be the same design. However, James Young specialised in individual features for their coachwork and an interesting one for the Adams car could be the fitting of the hood to the back of the car. There is no seal and the water is designed to drain internally. This results in a lovely smooth finish, but would have been an added disaster for the body after twenty years under a tree!

The present handsome two-tone green colours on B112EF are a very successful attempt to reproduce the colours that W C Adams painted the car - probably in the early 1940s. I wish to thank William G B Adams for his kind cooperation in writing this article.

Letter from the Duke of Gloucester to William Adams Letter to William Adams from Lord Wakehurst, Governor of New South

Wales, Australia

28

GLB7 at Logis St Martin Hotel at St Maixent L’Ecole

On a sunny morning at the end of June 2008 we set off for our cross-channel trip,

the third in six years in our 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Park Ward saloon (GLB7). GLB7 had undergone extensive engineering work over the winter, including the installation of a new cylinder head, repairs to a non-functional, rusted front leaf spring and re-installation of the original dynamo, which had been rewound some time ago. We were delighted to be able to sail grandly down the

CARS & THEIR OWNERS No. 143

J U N E - J U LY 2 0 0 8

M6, round Birmingham and on to the M40, taking the A34 to Portsmouth for the ferry to St Malo.

We were surprised to be greeted by a reception party of thirty ‘proper’ cars on the quayside for, unbeknownst to us, 20hp Register cars were on their way to a rally around Brittany on the same sailing.

After disembarking we headed south at a steady pace towards the Loire. We negotiated Nantes with some difficulty

due to misleading road signs. Once, following a lorry, we ended up in a dead end rather than on the signalled autoroute exiting the town. Having passed through the Muscadet at lunchtime (sadly everything was closed) we dropped in on some friends in the Vendée for some light refreshment. As we headed a few kilometres down the road to our hotel we found ourselves in a deluge which proved that my attempts to seal the roof to the windscreen had failed. The headlining absorbed all it could and

29

GLB7 at the Manoir de Cufelle The view across the gorge to Rocamadour

the rest of the rain descended onto my knees. The joys of vintage motoring!

After the obligatory photos with the proprietor next morning in front of the hotel, the Logis St Martin at St Maixent L’Ecole, we set off once again, this time on routes départementales. Cognac provided an ideal opportunity to enjoy a few samples of local produce and to replenish our stocks. After an alfresco lunch by the roadside we headed on to Bergerac where we were able to console ourselves for the lack of Muscadet by stopping at Chateau Les Planques for further samples and the opportunity to purchase some good dry sauvignon for our cellar in the Quercy Blanc. We feel obliged to follow the old French tradition of providing custom for the vignerons en route. We arrived at our French home in the early evening, having driven a grand total of 641 miles over three days at an average fuel consumption of 20.5mpg, the best GBL7 had yet done in our ownership.

A few days later we joined the annual Sortie a Rocamadour des Amateurs Quercynois de Vehicules Anciens (les AQVA), our local vintage car club. Accompanied by a couple of friends we set out at 0830 for Cahors before driving off up the Lot towards Labastide Marnhac and le petit déjeuner. An hour later we reassembled and we progressed though ever narrower and steeper country lanes to the Chateau de la Pannonie where la chatelaine, Mme Dabadie (variously

addressed by members of the club as Madame la Duchesse, la Marquise or la Baronne) invited us to enjoy “l’aperitif ” consisting of copious bonnes bouches of local produce washed down with large quantities of wine. After considerable consumption of these we were persuaded to drive into the central courtyard of the Chateau. Mme la Chatelaine made a beeline for the proper car, was comfortably installed within and driven on to the Manoir de Cufelle for lunch, a distance of a mere ten kilometres. The high spot of the afternoon was a relaxed amble across a few hundred metres of typical local stony scrubland to stand on the cliff edge looking across the gorge to Rocamadour, the most-visited site in France.

A fortnight later we set off on a trip further south, past Toulouse and on towards Carcassonne, unfortunately in heavy holiday traffic. Because of this we left the autoroute and headed towards Limoux, stopping for a picnic just before the town. A passing motorist stopped to admire the car, told us he was the local doctor on his way to visit a patient, and then explained in detail how the whole appellation has been transformed by replanting with better vines.

We continued through Cathare country past the Chateau de Queribus and on to Rivesaltes where Kath was to sing for a week with the North West Chorale in the Latour de France festival. The morning

rehearsals gave me plenty of time to sample the delights of the appellation, one of the largest in France. Once the choral tour was over we headed south by way of the coastal corniche towards Figueres and the Dali museum for an overnight stop. GLB7 had decided to stop charging during the day so it was necessary to borrow an extension lead from the hotel and recharge overnight. We had a long hot drive back to our French house where I was able consult Fred (a retired mechanic from Amersham and now living in our neighbourhood in France) who helps me out from time to time with the car. He diagnosed a sticky voltage regulator and showed me how to get it back in order and the following day I set out northwards.

The journey home was smooth save for the recurrence of intermittent charging, mostly in the afternoons, subsequently diagnosed as due to the erroneous replacement of the original voltage regulator by a more modern variety during a rewiring exercise some five years ago; the ‘modern’ item just could not cope with the dynamo’s output and was overheating on long runs.

After stops in Vierzon and Blagny sur Bresle, GLB7 was safely repatriated via Dover and returned home to Cheshire a day later. It had completed 2241 miles at around 45-50mph with the consumption of a quart of oil and a very little water at an average of 21.9mpg.

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There were many changes to the models during the eighteen year production period from

1980 to 1998 – the longest for any standard Rolls-Royce or Bentley model. Also, there were many different models within the range. The range comprised the Silver Spirit (1980-89), Silver Spirit II (1990-93), Silver Spirit III (1994-95) and Silver Spirit (1996-98). However, within each of these periods there were significant changes. The aim of this article is to explain these changes.

The discussion is limited to the four door saloons. The years quoted are model years, rather than the calendar year in which the car was produced. Usually, the model year started after the August holiday in the year before the model year. So, 1994 model year started in August 1993. However, some model years started late, while others were early.

The chassis number is found on a plate in the driver’s door jamb. The most important part is the last three letters followed by five numbers. The first letter is the model year, with:

A 1980B 1981C 1982D 1983E 1984F 1985G 1986

H 1987J 1988K 1989L 1990M 1991N 1992P 1993

R 1994S 1995T 1996V 1997W 1998

The second letter is ‘C’ for Crewe, where the car was made. For the third letter ‘H’ means right hand drive, while ‘X’ is left hand drive. (The first Silver Spirit had a chassis number ACH01001. The cars went down the production line in approximately sequential chassis number order, Bentleys mixed with Rolls-Royces and also with two door cars. Sometimes there were breaks in the sequence, with a new model year starting at a thousand (and one). For instance, the first 1996 model year car was TCX57001, and the 1997 model year cars started at VCH59001.

1.1 SILVER SPIRIT/SPURThe Si lver Spirit and Bentley Mulsanne were unveiled in October 1980 as replacements of the Silver Shadow II and Bentley T2. The main changes were the new body and a new rear suspension. The long wheelbase Silver Spirit (4 inches longer), replacing the Silver Wraith II, was called the Silver Spur. The long wheelbase Bentley Mulsanne was called the Mulsanne L.

The body looked more modern than the Silver Shadow, and the rear suspension improved handling and reduced road noise. Otherwise, the car was very similar to the earlier Silver Shadow II. There was no change to the engine, which did not include fuel injection. Interior styling was changed with the wooden door cappings only on top of the doors (no side part with walnut and cross-banding.) The electronic display in the middle of the fascia used digital instrumentation. The suspension was still very soft, more for comfort than effective cornering.

From 1980 until 1986 there were a number of improvements, including firming up the suspension and having conventional wood on the doors with walnut and crossbanding, like the Silver Shadow II.

For the 1988 model year the Mulsanne was renamed Mulsanne S.

1.11 BENTLEY MULSANNE TURBOIn 1982 the Bentley Mulsanne Turbo was introduced, with a turbocharger and a Solex 4A1 four choke carburettor in a sealed box (after the turbo). This increased the engine’s power from 200bhp to 300bhp and reduced the 0-60mph time from over 10 seconds to only 7 (very quick at the time). The Solex carburettor had suffered tuning problems in the (unturbocharged) two door Corniche and Camargue models. The (carburettor) Mulsanne Turbo was not without its problems. The Bentley Eight was introduced

in 1984 as a lower priced version of the Bentley Mulsanne. The Eight cost just below £50,000 and had a wire mesh front grille, simpler wood-work and no mirrors in the rear quarter panels. To appeal to the younger buyer, it had firmer front suspension.

In March 1985, there was an improvement to the Turbo’s handling with the introduction of the Turbo R, which had stiffened suspension and wider wheels and tyres. Although this improved the cornering and handling, it resulted in a much firmer ride.

A recogni t ion fea ture o f the carburettor cars is the two exhausts on either side of the rear of the car. The turbos always have twin exhausts on the offside. Fuel injected Silver Spirit/Spur and Silver Spirit/Spur II’s have a single exhaust on the offside, and Silver Spirit/Spur III (’s) and later models have twin outlets on the offside (like the Turbo R).

1.2 SILVER SPIRIT/SPUR – 1987 MODEL YEAR - FUEL INJECTIONFor the 1997 model year fuel injection and anti-lock brakes were introduced, and the front seats gained electrically reclining backrests. The suspension of the cars was made stiffer (except for the Turbo R, which was very stiff already). Cars for North America and Japan had been fitted with fuel injection from 1980.

With the introduction of fuel injection, the cars were more economical, more powerful and better behaved while warming up. The fuel injected cars have 30mph/1000rpm in top compared with 26.5mph for the carburettor cars (the Turbo cars changed from 30mph/1000rpm to 35.5/1000rpm).

The higher gearing and fuel injection improved economy (typically 16mpg compared with 14mpg for the carburettor car), but the performance remained the same (with the increased power being offset by the higher

Silver Spirit and Derivatives1 9 8 0 - 1 9 9 8

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S I L V E R S P I R I T A N D D E R I V AT I V E S

gearing). The top speed increased from just under 120mph to about 127mph. From 1989 model year, the Bentleys gained four headlamps, rather than the single headlamps of the earlier cars (and all Silver Spirits/Spurs).

There were no changes of model designation and these cars were still called Silver Spirits/Spurs (or similar Bentley name), but it can be seen that there are two distinct models – the carburettor cars and the fuel injected ones.

2.1 SILVER SPIRIT/SPUR II – 1990 MODEL YEAR - ADAPTIVE DAMPINGThe Silver Spirit/Spur II were introduced for the 1990 model year. The main change was the introduction of ‘adaptive damping’, whereby the dampers (shock absorbers) could be changed between ‘soft’, ‘normal’ and ‘hard’ within 1/100th of a second. The settings were controlled by a computer, which checked a number of factors including speed, throttle position, braking, longitudinal and lateral acceleration. In the Silver Spirit/Spur, the adaptive dampers give a very soft ride, which firms up as speed increases and if you start to go round corners. It can even detect brows of hills and dips, when it stiffens the dampers and prevents bottoming of the suspension. It transforms the ride of the Turbo R, as the soft setting

gives a smooth ride, while the harder settings give firm control during cornering (ie. the ride was like the ‘old’ Turbo R when cornering, but softer and smooth when cruising).

The Silver Spirit/Spur II had a neater fascia with boxwood inlays between the walnut and the crossbanding on the fascia and side rails. There are now four eyeball air vents in the fascia compared with two in the earlier models, and they gained ‘organ stops’ to control the airflow. The audio was much improved with ten loudspeakers – the sound is excellent. Silver Spirits/Spurs gained alloy wheels (Bentleys had had them for a number of years). The parking brake releases when you engage drive. The Silver Spur gained electrically adjustable rear seats.

2.2 SILVER SPIRIT /SPUR II – 1992 MODEL YEAR – 4 SPEED GEARBOXWhen General Motors discontinued the 3 speed automatic, Rolls-Royce introduced the 4 speed overdrive automatic gearbox for the 1992 model year. For the Silver Spirit/Spur II this gave 35mph/1000rpm in 4th and 26.5mph/1000rpm in the direct drive 3rd (like the carburettor cars). The Turbo R’s gearing became 40mph/1000rpm in 4th compared with 35.5mph/1000rpm in 3rd in the earlier 3 speed cars. In 4th gear there is a clutch which locks out the torque

convertor and further improves the efficiency of the gearbox.

The Bentley Brooklands appeared for the 1993 model year. This replaced the Bentley Mulsanne S and Eight. The Brooklands introduced the central gearchange, to replace the previous one to the right of the steering column – the new position looks sportier. The central gearchange was introduced on the Turbo R at the same time.

3.1 SILVER SPIRIT/SPUR III – 1994 MODEL YEAR - AIRBAGSThe Silver Spirit III was introduced as the 1994 model. This was a significant improvement over the earlier models. The engine had electronic fuel injection with a new inlet manifold, which increased the power to 240bhp (the earlier cars had mechanical fuel injection). The engines have covers, which make them look much tidier, but require time to remove when servicing. They also have a catalytic convertor for better emissions (previously, this was optional but had been fitted as standard for a number of years on cars for N. America, Japan and Australia). Airbags became standard, with the driver’s in the steering wheel and the passenger’s in the (previous) locker in front of the passenger (the replacement is the drop down locker in front of the passenger’s legs, which used to contain the fuses). The seats were re-styled for greater comfort.

In May 1994 a turbocharged version of the Silver Spur was produced, called the Flying Spur. Essentially, it is a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur with a Bentley Turbo engine. 134 of these cars were produced. In the 1995 model year, the more powerful Turbo S was produced with a higher powered engine. A long-wheelbase version of the Silver Spirit, known as the Silver Dawn, became available. Rolls-Royce transferred production of the 6.75 litre engines to Cosworth. Later, production was transferred back to Rolls-Royce at Crewe.

4.1 SILVER SPIRIT/SPUR – 1996 MODEL YEAR – PLASTIC BUMPERSFor the 1996 model year the numeric portion of the model name was dropped since the designation IV is

1994 Rolls-Royce Flying Spur

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unacceptable in certain Far-Eastern markets.

These cars had wrap-round bumpers front and rear extending into the wheel arches, to make them look more modern. The tops of these bumpers were placed above the level of the earlier cars, thus reducing the height of the radiator. To maintain the balance, the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot’s height was reduced by 20%. There are more stylish alloy wheels. The external rear view mirrors were moved from the door to the quarter-light (which was deleted). There was a change in the centre console, which extended back to the armrest between the front seats. The gearing of these cars was raised to 40mph/1000rpm (with no change to the Turbo R’s gearing).

The standard wheelbase Silver Spirit was deleted during the 1997 model year. However the long wheelbase Silver Spur continued, and was joined by the long wheelbase Silver Dawn. The Silver Spur had a higher trim level than the Silver Dawn (and earlier Silver Spirit) with picnic tables in the

S I L V E R S P I R I T A N D D E R I V AT I V E S

backs of the front seats and electrically adjustable rear seats.

For the first time, the steering column was electrically adjustable, and the spare tyre was inside the boot, rather than being hung underneath (when it was subject to road dirt and corrosion). The air conditioning has additional outlets in the rear compartment.

For the 1997 model year the ‘light pressure turbo’ was introduced in the Silver Spur and Bentley Brooklands. It produced 300bhp, similar to the first Mulsanne Turbo, and 60bhp more than the standard unturbocharged engine (which was now only used on the Silver Dawn). By that time, the Turbo R engine was producing 385bhp.

Finally, in mid to late 1997 a special Turbo RT was introduced with a 400bhp engine (the same power as the Bentley Continental T cars).

The last Silver Spirit derivative models were produced in Spring 1998, just before the introduction of the Rolls-

Royce Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage. Apparently, a few Silver Spurs were produced for the USA later in 1998, using some ‘spare’ bodies.

It can be seen that the 1998 cars are very different from the first cars produced in 1980. Fue l injection replaced carburettors, the 4 speed overdrive gearbox gives 40mph/1000rpm in top compared with 26.5mph/1000rpm, giving more relaxed cruising and better economy. The seats are more comfortable with electrically reclining backrests, heating, lumbar support and memory. The woodwork is improved and in the Bentleys a rev counter is fitted with a more sporting central gearchange. The suspension is firmer and the handling/ride balance is improved with the adaptive damping and there’s attractive alloy wheels. The cars are faster, particularly the turbocharged Turbo R’s – which can even be called ‘Sporting’. During the period, the market changed from almost 100% Rolls-Royce cars in 1980 to 80% sporting Bentleys and only 20% Rolls-Royces at the end.

B O O K R E V I E WIIPY by Edward Evans – The story of a Rolls-Royce Phantom II

We have all seen it at least a dozen times, at cinemas and on our televisions: the heroine is at

risk. She slowly pushes open the creaking door and timidly enters the house wherein lurks the ghost/monster/attacker. If it were you or me, we would turn around and run away or at the very least put on the lights. Our heroine against all natural desire for self-preservation will of course grope about in the near darkness until her untimely demise. We forgive her, for without this act of foolishness there would be no story and no scary excitement for us voyeurs to vicariously enjoy.

When it comes to a book, the equivalent of leaving off the light becomes an irritant. The reader shouts at the pages, for the obvious to be done, and wonders how the hero can be so daft. RREC member Edward Evans’ IIPY (a chassis number, not a geometric equation) has a similar repeated lack of commonsense for the protagonist Robert Conway, but of course had he done the obvious thing, the story would be told. Evans is a tyro author and it shows. His plot development could be better,

and he misses a few chances to move the story forward at a better pace. He should also do better research (surely he knows the RREC annual Concours d’Elegance is on Sunday, not Saturday) and he really must find a substitute adjective for ‘lovely’.

Criticism aside, the author tells a story of interest to any Rolls-Royce enthusiast, and shows a mastery of the chase, when the villains make their repeated efforts to gain possession of IIPY. I liked our hero enough to want to know more of him and his family, which is always a good sign that pages should be turned; not to mention what will happen to the Phantom II itself. If Edward Evans keeps at his writing and

finds a good editor, we shall see more of him. Meanwhile, should you buy this book? Yes!

Not Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler yet, but Evans is one of our own and so is IIPY.

302 pages. Available from the Club Shop for £17.99 plus p&p.

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Small Horsepower Seminar – Steve Lovatt

lecturing in the classroom

Small Horsepower Seminar – Will Fiennes

lecturing in the workshop

Small Horsepower Seminar - cars in The Hunt House courtyard

SEMINARSSEMINARSat The Hunt House 2008at The Hunt House 2008

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AUSTRIA SECTION

Annual Summer RallyThe Austria Section is fortunate in that it has a very active and knowledgeable Management Committee who always organise their events to the very highest standards. The highlight of their social calendar must surely be their Annual Summer Rally.

This year was the fifth time that the six-day event has been staged and Marion and I were very pleased to be able to attend again. It was limited to fifty cars and based once again at the See-Hotel Europa at Velden on Lake Worthersee in Carinthia. It was very ably organised by Hermann and Nora Tratnik who, with the help of various sponsors and members of the Committee, ensured that everything ran without problems. (Well, almost without problems!)

The main body of the participants arrived on 2 July 2008. After receiving our ‘road book’ and ‘goodies’ bag we were able to settle in and renew old friendships. In the evening we were welcomed to a champagne reception by the Wrann family who own and actively run the Hotel. This was followed by a dinner on the terrace with the magnificent backdrop of the lake and the mountains.

The fo l lowing morning new participants arrived, having chosen to start one day later. Among these were a British group of around six cars some of which had brought their cars on the overnight train from Germany. Most of the new arrivals chose not to do the route set out for the day as they wanted some recovery time following their lengthy journey

After a leisurely breakfast and using our ‘road book’ we made our way out of Velden heading for the village of Paternion. We had not gone far before we found that Hermann’s carefully orchestrated route was thrown into chaos because the road we needed to use had been closed for repairs. However, Section Chairman Helmut, ably directed by Gertie, very quickly devised a new route. We all progressed in convoy to our coffee break at Paternion having travelled through some of the prettiest countryside

imaginable. We were greeted at the village by lines of cheering children and were directed to the village centre where the local Police Chief and his officers saw us safely parked.

Outside the ‘William Tell’ hotel, girls in traditional costume served drinks and snacks, and we were also entertained by a local quartet singing songs that are peculiar to the Carinthia region. Hermann demonstrated his seemingly endless talent by joining in with the quartet for some of their numbers. He looked an authentic part of the scene dressed as he was in Lederhosen!

We then drove on to L ake Weissensee. Following a boat trip on the lake, which gave us magnificent views of the mountains and during which some brave souls went for a swim, we had lunch at a lakeside restaurant and then had a leisurely drive back to the hotel.

Our route ne xt day took us through some magnificent scenery. We travelled through three countries crossing the borders of Austria, Italy and Slovenia. The Predil Pass, which saw some of the fiercest fighting in WWII, was particularly impressive and we had to really exercise our minds trying to figure out the pronunciation of the names of the Slovenian villages we passed through. By late morning we arrived at Cividale del Friuli, which is a very interesting historic town, where the cars were drawn up in the town square which is normally a pedestrianised area. Refreshments were provided and after an address from the Deputy Mayor we were taken on a short tour of the town. This included a visit to the Langobard Temple, which was built into the City wall. The temple is very old and is in remarkably original condition.

Following lunch at the renowned Al Castello restaurant perched high on the mountainside with beautiful views across the hills we made our way back to Velden at our own pace. After dinner we were to have been principal guests at a laser light and sound show at the lake’s edge but unfortunately inclement weather caused it to be cancelled. There

are some things that even the most careful planning cannot control!

A late start on Saturday morning and a leisurely drive brought us to Faakersee where lunch had been arranged at the Karnerhof. Just when you think that Herman must be running out of ideas for superb places to stay he comes up with another ‘gem’. The sun was shining, the lake and mountains looked superb and the food was delicious.

By late afternoon we had returned to Velden where we found that the main street had been closed to traffic in preparation for a presentation of our cars to the public. There was a cavalcade of the motors through the town and some of the cars, representing the oldest through to the newest, had been displayed in front of the Casino. As the cars passed by, Hermann gave the crowd a running commentary and when they were parked up, completely filling the town centre, Helmut told everyone about the history of the cars and the Austrian Section. This was followed by yet another Champagne reception courtesy of the Casino. The day was brought to a close by a Gala Dinner on the terrace of the hotel followed by entertainment by a Dance group.

Following a late breakfast, goodbyes were said and many were already saying they were looking forward to next year’s event. We certainly enjoyed it all, being made welcome not only by the Austrian Section members but by local people wherever we went.

The whole rally ran like clockwork with the pace being geared so that all cars, old and new, were able to participate comfortably. Only one car ‘failed to proceed’ with a minor electrical problem which was quickly sorted out by Gerhard Pressl who had been on hand throughout as official ‘troubleshooter’.

I am told that Hermann already has much of next year’s event organised and has taken some advance bookings. So, if you think you would like to participate in one of the Club’s best-run events in the most beautiful of settings, you should be asking for details now.

S E C T I O N N E W S

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CENTRAL SOUTHERN SECTION

Four meetings have taken place since I last put pen to paper for our Section News. Twenty seven Club cars and Lord Montagu’s Roi de Belge Silver Ghost were on display at the Beaulieu Motor museum. A Goodwood Phantom should have added to the collection but it was cancelled at the last minute. Thanks to Simon Buck and Andrew Honour for organising this event. They also organised around forty Club cars, from three Sections to attend a workshop at Royce Engineering, Betchworth, Surrey. Donations for this event raised almost £400 for the Sussex Air Ambulance service.

The annual Section Rally was labelled ‘Vienna 24’ by the two organisers, Ted Meachem and Fred Fruth. The ‘24’ was added because it took less than 24 hours from leaving Dunkerque, after a sea crossing from Dover, to arriving in Vienna using both road and rail - some 750 miles. Fred lives in Baden which is twenty miles from Vienna and arranged for our Rally to stay in the Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf in Baden.

Most of the participants crossed the Channel from Dover arriving in Dunkerque at around 1300hrs and then drove with the Friday afternoon traffic for about 230 miles to arrive at the railway terminal where the cars were loaded onto open two tier carriages. There was a party atmosphere on the train which departed at about 2000hrs for Vienna.

Arriving in Vienna in the morning we were met by Fred and some of his

friends from the Austrian Section who divided our thirty cars into groups of five or six and led us out of the city and on to Baden. A separate programme had been organised for the ladies with a tour of the town while the men attended to their cars. Dinner in the evening was taken in a winery. One of the highlights of the whole Rally was a visit to the very famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna to see ‘Morning Exercise’. It was amazing how these thoroughbred stallions have been trained to do the unusual steps with the rider controlling the horse with his fingers lightly on the reins. The rest of the day was spent sightseeing in the city before our coach journey back to Baden - it was thoughtful of our organisers for us not to use our cars that day. In the evening we went to see an operetta by Franz Lehar followed by a late buffet meal at the hotel.

On Monday we were on the road again with a visit to a small town called Rust where we were welcomed by the Burgermeister in the garden of the Kunsthaus and enjoyed a Champagne reception and an opportunity to view the gallery owned by Catherine Sica. Rust is notable for its storks nesting on the chimney stacks. After a further drive of some thirty minutes, we had lunch followed by a trip on Lake Neusiedl. In the evening Baden Casino Management invited us to dinner at the Casino.

The ‘Wachau Tour’ was the following day with a round trip of over 150 miles. The drive to Melk Abbey was partly on motorway where we arrived about 1030hrs for a conducted tour of this most wonderful building -

being allowed to park in the inner courtyard. In order to arrive for the picnic lunch that had been organised at the Grafenegg Palace, we had the pleasure of driving some twenty miles alongside the Danube River. The weather was hot and members were seeking the shade under the trees for their lunch. Wednesday was designated a free day with many people going by tram from Baden to Vienna for sightseeing.

Thursday was a visit to the famous Schoenbrunn Palace where we were guided by Fred’s friends in small groups and parked in the Palace grounds on one of the tree lined avenues. After private conducted tours our cars were then led out of the grounds, where the police had stopped the traffic, for a short trip to Schloss Wilhiminenberg to join many members of the Austrian Section for lunch - kindly provided by the Rolls-Royce dealer Messers Karner & Grossegger who had also sponsored our rally plaques. Following lunch the British Ambassador unveiled the new Roll-Royce Phantom coupé.

The last day of our visit was a le isurely drive through the countryside called the ‘Vienna Woods Tour’. This was very pleasant driving with little or no traffic and picture-book scenery in the Helenental Valley. Special parking in the courtyard of the Holy Cross Abbey had been arranged for us along with a light lunch in a restaurant nearby.

The final evening was sponsored by the City of Baden and the guest of honour was the Bergermeisterin Erica Adensamer. This took the form of a drinks reception followed by the Gala

Central Southern Section: Members’ cars specially on display at the Casino

in Baden

Central Southern Section: Special parking in the Rathus Platz in Rust

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Dinner. It was then my turn to make a short speech of thanks to our host, followed by gifts to Ted and Fred for producing such a splendid rally and tokens of our appreciation to Kate and Monica, their long suffering other halves! The ladies were, as usual, looking pulchritudinous in their finery and each received a generous gift from Mavala (cosmetics). Finally, I must emphasise the amount of work both Ted and Fred put in to make this rally run smoothly should not be underestimated, in particular the sponsorship which Fred had obtained on our behalf.

EAST ANGLIAN SECTION

The Farmer’s Club, Bury St Edmunds, 10 August 2008With parking space to spare in the middle of this thriving market town, the twenty five Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars lined up in all their glory. Sixty members and guests enjoyed a traditional lunch after our tour guides had shown us some of the most historic parts of the town. Our hosts were asked to choose the Rolls-Royce and Bentley car they would most like to take home. What a difficult choice they had. After a lot of thought, Mr and Mrs J Clarke’s 1930 Phantom Vanden Plas sedanca and Mr and Mrs Olorenshaw’s very

unusual and rare Bentley H J Mulliner two door saloon were chosen, thanks to Mr and Mrs Buckingham.

Wyken Hall, Gardens & Vineyard,17 August 2008Despite the rain in the morning, the sun appeared by lunchtime and seven Rolls-Royce and five Bentley cars attended this event. After lunch we explored the gardens, vineyard and woodlands which we enjoyed very much, especially as our members were given free entry. The ancient estate of Wyken was once occupied by the Romans and recorded in the Doomsday Book. The four hundred year old barn is now home to the Leaping Hare Restaurant and country store. The current vineyard was planted in 1988. Sir Kenneth and Lady Carla Carlisle chose the best cars of the meeting: John and Jean Bennett’s Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Simon and Jo Anne Lunken’s very nice Rolls-Royce 20/25 tourer.

Church Farm, Stow Bardolph, Rare Breeds Centre, 28 September 2008This was a very successful and sunny day with sixteen Rolls-Royce and six Bentley cars ranging from a 20/25 to a Bentley Eight. A very nice restaurant, tractor and trailer rides, a guided walk with the gamekeeper, a country shop plus the very many rare breeds made it an interesting day (see full report in our Section Newsletter).

If you are holidaying or travelling within our geographical area please contact us; we will make you more than welcome. If another Section or Register is thinking of coming East for a venture please contact me as our committee will do all it can to assist you to make it a trip to remember.

Our monthly pub meetings are very well supported and are held at the venues listed below:1st Tuesday:

2nd Tuesday:

3rd Tuesday:

4th Tuesday:

4th Thursday:

EAST MIDLANDS SECTION

Our first event in this period was the North of England Rally at Harewood House on Sunday 10 August 2008 – a joint event with three other Sections. From our Section, Jeff Dennis organised the weekend at the Majestic Hotel. The impressive Gala Dinner on Saturday was attended by ninety four members who were entertained by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Band. The Saturday drive was planned by David Towers and John Newton. The weather was very poor, with mist-covered hillsides and rain – quite a challenge, particularly with the older cars. The Sunday rally at Harewood House attracted about 300 cars, somewhat less than in previous years. It was relatively dry, but with a strong cross wind.

The next week we went to Edwin Tipper’s Classic Vehicles Gathering at Lupin Farm, near Alrewas (between Burton-on-Trent and Lichfield). There was a good presence of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars. Most of the cars at the show were English classic cars dating to about 1970. A very friendly event, with good weather.

On the following Thursday, 21 August 2008, we had our Annual Visit to the Griffin Inn at Swithland (be tween L oughborough and Leicester) for traditional skittles. The

East Anglian Section: 1931 Phantom II (8GX)

39

first round was between the Guys and Gals, with nineteen on each side. The Guys won by a substantial margin. In the second round the Guys won by a much smaller margin of one. Debbie Howard won the knock-out and Les Barker got the highest score in the first round. They were each presented with a bottle of wine by the organisers, Rob and Jo Bell.

On Sunday 24 August 2008 our Secretary, John Newton organised the Chairman’s picnic at Hardwick Hall, a few miles south east of Chesterfield. Hardwick Hall was built in the Elizabethan era by ‘Bess of Hardwick’, and the Hall is said to be ‘more glass than wall’. At the event, the Tom Telfer Trophy is awarded to the best post-1965 car. There were about twenty of these cars. Les Barker and Rob Bell had the difficult task of selecting the best car. After careful inspection of the cars, it was decided that Ian Beatson’s 1996 Bentley Brooklands (TCH58266) should be awarded the trophy, which was presented by the Section Chairman, David Towers. Tom Telfer was a former Secretary and Chairman of the Section, who sadly died in 2001. His wife, Pam is President of our Section. Many thanks to John Newton for organising the event and to Rob Bell and Les Barker for judging the cars.

On 7 September 2008 we planned to visit a WWII Victory Show at Cosby, south-west of Leicester. However, the previous week was extremely wet, and the event had to be cancelled as the site was water-logged.

On Saturday 13 September 2008 we were invited by the Rolls-Royce

Heritage Trust at Derby to visit the museum at Wilmore Road and their display of aero engines at Osmaston Road. A good number of members attended in their Club cars. The oldest was 20154, the 1904 Rolls-Royce 10hp. The Trust is restoring a Bentley Mk V, of which only twenty were made prior to WWII. A RRHT member from Yorkshire brought his 1/3 scale W O Bentley 3 litre engine, which took eight years to build – and it works – amazing!

The next day, George Milburn organised a picnic at the site of the Battle of Bosworth, near Market Bosworth. The weather was much improved, and we parked our cars on top of a field overlooking the exhibition. The Battle of Bosworth (1485) was the last ‘battle of the Roses’, when King Richard III was killed, and the victor, Henry VII, became King. There was a very impressive display of the battle, which included a table, with a map and the movement of the armies being projected from underneath. The museum was funded by the Heritage Lottery fund. Neville Daniel brought his recently acquired 1999 Bentley Arnage Red Label (YCH04154). Neville was involved in the design of the throttle body for the engine (he worked for SU, who designed the throttle body, and previously Rolls-Royce at Crewe). His Red Label is one of the first made. Bill Williams came from Leamington Spa in his impressive 1927 Springfield Rolls-Royce Phantom I (S342FM) with a Murphy body – in a very Great Gatsby style. Many thanks to George for organising this interesting event.

On 18 September 2008 we had our last pub meet at the Plough, Normanton-on-Soar. From October the monthly meetings (on the 3rd Thursday of the month) will be at Rolls-Royce at Hucknall (near Nottingham).

A Visit to the Lakes, Monday 1 June to Wednesday 3 June 2009The East Midlands Section are again organising their very popular and successful late spring break. You are invited to join them for another event full of fun, enjoyment and relaxation.

This year we will be staying at the Beech Hill Hotel [www.beechhillhotel.co.uk], located just four miles from the centre of Windermere in a stunning position on the eastern bank with spectacular views of Lake Windermere. It is a luxury three star hotel with heated indoor swimming pool and solarium. We will be allocated our own reserved car park at the rear of the hotel.

Arriving on the Monday afternoon you will be welcomed with free tea/coffee and a selection of Kendal mint cakes, Grasmere ginger bread and biscuits. In the evening we will meet for a welcome drinks reception followed by our evening meal. We will then have the privilege of a speaker who was involved in the raising of Donald Campbell’s boat ‘Bluebird’ from the bottom of Coniston Lake and the subsequent restoration project.

O n Tu e s d a y t h e p l a n n e d programme will commence with a specially arranged trip on Coniston Lake, including commentary on the speed record attempts, with the cruise

East Midlands Section: Ian Beatson being presented with the Tom Telfer

Trophy by David Towers with Les Barker and John Newton on the leftEast Midlands Section: John Newton’s 1949 Bentley Mk VI (B398EY)

40

following the route of the heroic Campbell’s, concentrating on Donald’s last, fatal, bid to exceed 300mph on water. The remainder of the day will be left free for members to follow their own interests.

Our Gala evening will commence with a Champagne and canapés reception followed by a five course mea l . Some surpr i se mys tery entertainment followed by cabaret has been arranged. The dress code for the evening will be “Anything connected with the lakes or the Laurel and Hardy era”.

On the Wednesday we start with a picturesque twenty six mile drive to Keswick, where we visit the Pencil Museum. We then commence a fifty three mile drive through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery to include Derwent Water, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Whinlatter Pass, Thirlmere and Grasmere. We will make a stop at the Honister Slate Mine and enjoy a buffet snack before taking a trip into the only working slate mine in England. The evening meal will again commence with a drinks reception followed by a three course meal.

On Thursday, the day of departure, we have arranged a special visit to the Steam Boat Museum in Windermere.

Members are at liberty to decide which parts of the programme they wish to participate in and book accordingly. A three night stay at the Hotel will cost

£214 per person. Admin costs will be £25 per person and visit costs, if you participate in all the planned visits, will cost £29.25 per person.

This event is open to all sections and everyone is welcome. Anyone interested should, in the f irs t instance, contact the organiser Jeff Dennis on 07966 492333 or e-mail [email protected]. Jeff organises these spring breaks and they always prove very popular and successful. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Future EventsSunday 7 December 2008:

Sunday 18 January 2009:

Sunday 29 March 2009:

Monday 1 to Wednesday 3 June 2009: a

492 333Sunday 19 July 2009:

18 December 2008, 15 January, 19 February, 19 March 2009:

ESSEX SECTION

Our visit to Hever Castle attracted twenty cars. I was the lead car travelling across the QE2 bridge and, looking in the rear view mirror, it was quite a sight seeing the convoy moving in one lane spanning a good length of the bridge. I am sure the controllers watching on the cameras must have thought so too. At Hever Castle we were joined by South Eastern Section members including Mike North who recently purchased our late member Douglas Catt’s 20/25 (GMD30) that was used by Douglas for forty years attending events. Mike has certainly put a considerable amount of ‘tlc’ back into the car.

Our annual concours was held at Audley End which forty years ago saw the first event our Section organized. It was fitting to return to this beautiful venue in our anniversary year. We were joined by the BDC Eastern Region who arrived in a fine assortment of WOs, Derbys and Crewe cars. A couple of Aston Martins also joined us and a total of eighty cars made for a fine display for our judges to choose from. Kingsley Sleep won the pre-war 1st prize with his beautiful 20hp doctor’s coupé. The post-war prize was awarded to Derek Wilson’s Silver Shadow II. Roger Jenkins’ Silver Cloud I was first in the 1966 to 1981 category and Phil Hennessey’s Bentley Turbo R was first in the 1981 onwards category.

Our 40th Anniversary held at the Chelmsford County Cricket Ground was celebrated by 120 members and guests who arrived in thirty seven proper cars. Club Chairman Suzanne Finch with Nicholas joined us as did our President Lt Col Eric Barrass who, in his address, stated how our Section played a vital part enabling the Club to purchase The Hunt House. Also reminding us that we cleaned and restored the drains as well as painting the Royce crane. I would like to thank the contingent of 40-year members that attended and contributed to the event but the highlight for me was a speech made by our youngest member, nine year old Craig Hall. Craig gave us a recollection of how he has learnt the location of every lay-by throughout Europe and a compilation of his father’s expletive language whilst under the bonnet when failing

East Midlands Section: 1927 Springfield Rolls-Royce Phantom I (S342FM)

41

to proceed. This proved to be true when leaving the event when the Phantom II failed to start and was last seen being pushed out of the cricket ground by seven members. Since then Garry Hall has parted company with his second set of fan blades exiting through the side of the bonnet on the Euro Rally in St Moritz! But as always with many ingenious adaptations, Garry and his family always manage to return home with the car. I am sure that all who attended this anniversary event would like to thank June and Mike Wright and Trudy Copsey for this memorable day of which we can be proud.

Sixteen Essex Section members attended the last scheduled Euro Rally which was held in St Moritz, Switzerland. Essex has been the most supportive section of this event over the years and I would like on behalf of all our Section members to thank Eri Heilijgers and Heinz Gunter Schuhl for the wonderful times they have arranged.


Thursday 1 January 2009:

Sunday 8 February 2009:

Saturday 14 February 2009:

Friday 22/Sunday 24 May 2009:

GREAT WESTERN SECTION

Visit to Stroud Valley Mills, Nailsworth, Saturday 9 August 2008Valerie Smallwood organised a fascinating day for the Section in Nailsworth in the Stroud valley on 9 August 2008. It is Laurie Lee country and where merino wool was turned into the finest West of England cloth for Guardsmen’s uniforms, champion billiard tables and Saville Row suits.

First we went to one of Britain’s most successful high tech companies – Renishaw plc. From humble beginnings over thirty five years ago, the firm now exports precision measuring equipment all over the world. Their instruments are capable of measuring in nanometres (one millionth of a metre) and can help machine tools to cut to tolerances of half a micron (a typical human hair is 200 microns thick). They have applications in many fields including neurosurgery and dentistry as well as the manufacture of cars, aeroplanes and practically everything else. The factory was most impressive in every way and gave us a glimpse of how British industry really can beat the world. No wonder Sir David McMurtry (joint founder and previously of Rol ls -Royce plc) is regarded as one of our most innovative engineers today.

After that we were in the hands of the Stroudwater Textile Trust and saw machinery that wove and finished high quality cloth for centuries past.

At Dunkirk Mill they started up for us one of the huge water wheels that powered the vast mills in the 19th Century and showed us historic ‘fulling’, ‘teasle raising’ and ‘cross cutting’ machines – all working. Then we went to Gigg Mill and were shown working weaving looms of every vintage right up to an impressive 19th Century power loom of ferocious aspect with a cast iron frame. We learnt from experts how they all worked. Cloth will never be just cloth again. It was a great day out for those interested in successful engineering past and present.

Clevedon Flower Show, 23 and 24 August 2008The Clevedon Flower Show is now a firm favourite in the Section’s calendar and is only part of a splendid weekend. Saturday saw Richard Welch at the wheel of 1935 Phantom II (l44TA) Barker sedanca de ville hosting the chief guests and Lady Elton as they led the civic procession ahead of the Dagenham Girl Pipers through the town to the showground in brilliant sunshine. Sunday was another matter and following a heavy storm overnight, it was mud, mud, and not very glorious mud! Nevertheless, the Section provided fourteen cars for the classic car display until mid afternoon when, with clear skies, our cavalcade left the ground. To cheers and waves of happy residents and visitors alike, we drove to the village of Kenn where, in the grounds of John and Margaret

Essex Section: Kingsley Sleep’s 1928 20hp (GBM65) doctor’s coupé Essex Section: Guy Rackham’s 1936 25/30 (GUL17)

42

Ball’s home, everyone enjoyed the local fete, cream teas, croquet, and as the dusk of evening descended, a rousing barbecue.

Great Western Section committee wishes all its members a Happy Christmas and successful motoring in 2009.

Future EventsJanuary 2009:


IRELAND SECTION

Since the last Bulletin many of the Ireland Section members have enjoyed a ‘get together’ at Connemara and Roscommon. The weather, such a vital component of any rally, was not so kind when we were at Connemara, but more than made up

for its shortcomings when we were in Roscommon. A brief report on each event follows.

The rally in Connemara was based at the Renvyle House Hotel in Renvyle, probably the most westerly part of Ireland and in a truly scenic part. Sixteen cars attended the event, including a very special guest, Chairman Suzanne Finch and her husband Nicholas. We appreciated that they drove to Renvyle from Bristol, in a superb Silver Spur, which we understand is on loan to the RREC by Rolls-Royce for the Chairman’s use. Suzanne’s visit was greatly appreciated by all present – she really is a great Ambassador for our Club. We hope she enjoyed her first visit to Ireland and would assure her (and Nicholas) that they are more than welcome to return as soon as they can find the time. We will be disappointed if they do not come soon.

During this event the organiser had arranged a very clever ‘reversing test’ which almost all entrants failed! As he was leading the convoy of cars as they departed the hotel on Saturday morning, he rather skilfully led all sixteen cars plus a modern SUV (which was following to see what was happening) along a narrow twisting boreen. You can imagine the horror of all the drivers when the road came to a ‘sudden and complete end’, at the Atlantic Ocean! It was then that

Steward Skilbeck of Bonhams fame, took over, on behalf of the event organiser, and in blinding storm driven rain, he put each driver through a test to ascertain, with some exactitude, their reversing skills. The object was to reverse into a small entrance, drive out, and to head in the correct direction. Stewart did a great job and got everybody facing the right way. We since learnt that Suzanne thought it was all a huge mistake by the organiser (she really should have known that he does not admit to mistakes). We then headed for Kylemore Abbey for a much needed cup of coffee followed by what, if the weather had been good, would have been a most scenic drive to Ballyconneely Golf Club for lunch. On our way home via Clifden we stopped to see the Monument which commemorates the flight in 1909 by Alcock & Brown from Newfoundland to Ireland in a Vickers Vimy Aircraft powered, of course, by two Rolls-Royce engines.

Dinner that evening was superb and after we had all eaten, Suzanne told us of events and developments at The Hunt House. We then took the opportunity to present her with a Donegal Crystal decanter and glasses with a suitable engraving in recognition of her first ever visit to Ireland. Despite the rather inclement weather we all enjoyed the weekend.

Almost a month later, eighteen cars and thirty seven people gathered at Kilronan Castle in Ballyfarnon Co Roscommon for our penultimate event of 2008 - our Autumn Rally. This time, I think it was because we had been so let down at Renvyle, the weather was spectacular for the entire weekend. Kilronan Castle, a recently opened hotel, has undergone a restoration expenditure of fifty five million Euros having been derelict for almost fifty years. On Saturday we called to see Parke’s Castle on our way to Drumcliffe Church to see the burial place of W B Yeats, the composer of ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree’. Parke’s Castle is a wonderful restoration by the Irish Board of Works, and especially noteworthy is the most complicated roof, which has been renewed in Irish oak. It is great to see such skilful work still being carried out today. On our return journey we called, at the special invitation of the

Great Western Section: Richard Welch at the wheel of 1935 Phantom II (l44TA) Barker sedanca de

ville leading the Dagenham Girl Pipers

43

Sligo Folk Park (our rally covered three counties – Sligo, Roscommon and Leitrim), to see Michael Budd, an Artistic Blacksmith, at work in his forge. Michael has a huge talent, and has been the recipient of many awards at craft fairs, etc. over the years, for his “forging” skills. He spent two hours explaining to our group, the many intricacies of a Blacksmith’s life, and all for no recompense, except as he put it, “the pleasure of talking to owners of such wonderful motor cars.” Thank you Michael.

Dinner at Kilronan was a most interesting occasion which afforded us the extra opportunity to discuss the day’s events. On Sunday many of our group decided to avail of an offer from the hotel to stay, for a modest fee, for an extra night. The day was spent in diverse ways but the majority decided to visit King House, the home to the Connaught Rangers Museum as well as being a most interesting example of life in earlier days. Lough Rynn Castle (we seem to have a liking for castles) was our luncheon stop – and very good it was. Possibly a venue for a future event. The following day we departed for home and brought to a conclusion a season during which we had seven ‘get togethers’. We now look forward to the final event of our Section’s year, our AGM and Christmas Party at Carlton House Hotel in Kinsale, Co Cork on Saturday 29 November. We are hoping for a huge turnout, as there are many things to be discussed before we party!

MIDDLESEX SECTION

Christmas and the New Year will soon be upon us when we will have time to reflect on the enjoyable Club rallies and meetings of 2008.

My memory of the year was being asked to go with my Phantom III (3CM119) to the Furka Pass in Switzerland to help recreate the famous scenes from Goldfinger. I j o ined a wh i t e conver t ib l e Mustang, and Aston Martin DB5 plus the ubiquitous film crew, stills photographers and presenter. We were also joined by Tania Mallet, the actress who played Tilly Marsterson

in the film who was killed by a deadly hat thrown by Oddjob. Our efforts should have been seen on the television and in the press by the time this is published with a full version appearing in the Section Newsletter.

Chiltern Open Air MuseumWe visited the Chiltern Open Air Museum near Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire which is unique with thirty buildings and forty five acres containing rare breeds and an owl and hawk conservation trust. Over 100 classic cars and motor bikes filled the main green including a fire engine, track-driven tractor and of course our contingent of Club cars. The split between pre-war and post-war Club cars was equal which always helps to attract interest from the public. The museum’s policy is to rescue typical buildings which are not required or being demolished and rebuild them where they can be seen and enjoyed. A walk through the village green takes you past cottages, barns, a forge and a chapel before arriving at the Stone Age settlement.

The site is a cross between a history lesson and a walk down memory lane which was greatly enhanced by the courtesy and enthusiasm of all who worked there. Our thanks go to Brian Packman for arranging such a unique day out.

The Road RunThe Road Run, as usual, attracted a good turnout of Club cars when we met at The Falcon in the picturesque village of Denham in Buckinghamshire. An enjoyable stirrup cup was taken before we mounted our steeds ready for the unknown of who knows where. We travelled out past the Chalfonts, Amersham through Great Missendon and beyond. Our original destination was going to be Quainton Railway Centre, but unfortunately they decided at the last moment that it wasn’t practical to have us. Therefore, we finished a great Road Run at Waddesdon Manor and were able to enjoy the grounds, the house and Stables Restaurant. Our thanks go to our intrepid explorers Rob and Jane Pedler for arranging what can only be described as a super day out.

Future Events11 January 2009:

14 February 2009:

NORTH EASTERN SECTION

Twenty f ive members attended the barbeque at Lucy and Dennis Wheatley’s house and it only rained once. There was an interesting mix of cars from Roger and Janice Hall’s pink Phantom II (185RY) (see p38 in B289) to Derek Moss’s 2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur (6C035137) and many models in between. This year there was no need to invade the house and although the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster did not put in an appearance a pleasant time was had by all with much discussion about products emanating from Derby, Crewe and other important matters of current interest.

There was a good turnout of both members and cars at the North of England Rally at Harewood House in August. The Club Shop was missed and we look forward to its return next year which will, incidentally, be the 30th anniversary of the rally at Harewood House and it is hoped to plan something special for 2009.

It was unfortunate that the tour of Newcastle upon Tyne by open-top bus did not take place and had to be cancelled. Maybe if there is enough interest it can be re-arranged for next year. Also next year we look forward to a visit to a restored, but not flying, Lancaster bomber. Three members travelled to Lincolnshire in September but a formal visit is planned for some time in May 2009.

Forty members and friends, and twelve cars of the marque, found a fine day to visit the Weardale Railway at the end of September. After coffee, members were taken on a short journey from Stanhope to

44

Wolsingham by a ‘rail bus’ built by Leyland Motors in 1984. It is unique in the UK though there are several still running around in Iran.

The cars were mainly products from Crewe including John Harrison’s 1956 Silver Cloud (SYB106). Following the visit, we repaired to a local hostelry for lunch and further discussion!

Future Events7 December 2008:

NORTHERN SECTION

During August the Section enjoyed a number of very successful events in addition to those described in B290. On 9 August 2008 we attended a rally held at Astle Park near to Chelford in Cheshire. Unfortunately the weather was against us all day but did not spoil the enjoyment of the sixteen members who attended along with their cars. The event was mainly for steam and traction engines but the inclement weather proved difficult for these vehicles to display their talents but nevertheless there was plenty to see. The George Norbury Trophy was presented to Bryan Fitton for his 1929 Hooper bodied 20/25.

We attended a weekend event held at Tatton Park near Knutsford on Saturday and Sunday 16 and 17 August 2008. Together with many other car clubs, eighteen of our cars attended on the Saturday and thirty

three on the Sunday. It was great to see John Smith win the prize for the ladies’ choice of car for his 1949 Silver Wraith and Jack Anderson win the prize for the gentlemen’s choice with his 1939 Wraith.

On August Bank Holiday Monday our Section attended the Oulton Park Gold Cup event. Twenty three Club cars attended and were all lined up in front of the main hospitality buildings. Many cars took place in nostalgic racing such as Lotus Elans, Jaguar E Types, Cortinas and Minis to name but a few.

It was great to see a 1937 special Van Vooren bodied Derby Bentley that had originally been completely specified and owned by the French racing driver Pierre Louis-Dreyfus who came second in the 1935 Le Mans driving an Alfa Romeo 8C. Pierre was a soldier, shipping magnate, banker

and enthusiastic and impish driver. The story goes that in 1931, he took part in the race for the first of his eleven entries in a very discrete manner under the pseudonym, Ano and his co-driver, Antoine Schumann, wrote the pseudonym Nime on the entry form. Ano/Nime was born! (Ano/Nime is pronounced ‘anonyme’ which means ‘anonymous’ in English). The Van Vooren Bent ley was commandeered by the Nazis during the war as a staff car and later totally restored by Stanley Barraclough to his exacting standards. This car was being driven for its owner by Michael Edge who used to drive AX201 all over the world for the factory.

In early September 2008 we visited the very picturesque Holker Hall and Motor Museum near Grange over Sands - a very successful event.

The Section weekend was held this

North Eastern Section: John Harrison’s 1956 Silver Cloud (SYB106) North Eastern Section: Derek Moss’s 2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

(6C035137)

Steve Beer’s Silver Spirit II, Neil Dyson’s

Camargue and John Harrison’s Silver Spirit

tackle a ford during the Northern Section’s

White Peaks weekend

Northern Section: Ron Monks’ Silver Cloud II,

John Beecroft’s 25/30, Bernard Walker’s Derby

Bentley and Adrian Hughes 20/25 at Crich

Tramway Village during the White Peaks weekend

45

year in the southern Peak District – The White Peaks, named because of the colour of the limestone rock. John Beecroft with his usual aplomb had organised an excellent Rally centred at the Izaak Walton Hotel of both The Compleat Angler fame, but more importantly for us, Rolls-Royce fame. It was used by Eric Platford and his team of test drivers from 1910 onwards as one of the key stopping points during vehicle testing. Twenty three Club cars with forty seven people spent a delightful long weekend touring the area and visiting many of the local sites including the Sir Richard Arkwright’s textile Masson Mill, Crich Tramway Village, Haddon Hall and the Wedgwood visitor centre. We were very pleased to have six members from Kent, London and Christchurch and also six members from the Yorkshire Section amongst our party. Thank you John and Sue

for such an enjoyable time and for organising such super weather.

Our Noggin and Natters are held on a monthly basis and are located throughout the Section. The details are published in our Northern Section Newsletter and members from all sections of the Club are very welcome to join us.



Fri/Sat/Sun 16-18 January 2009:



Fri/Sat/Sunday 27-28 Feb & 1 March 2009:

Fri/Sat/Sun 5-7 June 2009:

OXFORD SECTION

10 August 2008, Founders Day PicnicEssentially, this was a repeat of last year’s Wheels on Road event. In conjunction with City Barge we again held a Venetian Picnic at Wotton House near Aylesbury. City Barge brought along eight boats of various sizes with an Italian theme and rowed them on the lake. Unfortunately this year the wind was too strong for them to safely give rides to our members. However, over 200 members from both clubs enjoyed their picnic, a tour of part of the house, the pleasant sunshine and of course, each other’s company. For added interest we were pleased to welcome a selection of Lancia cars from the local club and a De Havilland Gypsy Moth flown in by one of the City Barge members. Throughout the day we were entertained by a strolling jazz band and an artist tried valiantly to paint David Knowles’ 20/25 but eventually had to succumb to the wind. There was a good turnout of over thirty members’ cars of all models ranging from 20/25s right through to a Bentley Continental GT. Our arrangements were a little late this year and we thank all those members who supported us.

14 September 2008, At Home with Alan and Sally SmithAlan and Sally welcomed us to their lovely Georgian former farmhouse with a delicious buffet and wine

Oxford Section: Derby Bentleys and the 20hp at the home of Alan and Sally

Smith

Oxford Section: Members enjoying the polishing demonstration at the

home of Alan and Sally Smith

Oxford Section: Gerry Garratt’s Silver Shadow (SRH10273), Rodney Lewis’s Silver Seraph

(XCH01897), Ian Ross’s Silver Shadow II (SRH30333), Michael Underwood’s Silver Wraith (WRB10)

and David Knowles’ 20/25 (GWE27) at Wotton House

46

supposedly to supplement our picnics but almost sufficient in themselves for the twenty two members present. The cars were parked in similar model groups with two fine Derby Bentleys belonging to Barry and Dorothy Brown (B8MR) and Tom and Debbie Fenton (B149JY) supplemented by an unexpected but very welcome 20hp (GCK3) belonging to Richard and Tina Pascoe in one of the groups. We were very pleased to welcome Rita and David Fell who had travelled all the way from Essex in their Silver Spur (VCH59117). They had joined us particularly to watch and listen to Marc Lineker who runs a company called Krystal Kleen which specialises in all aspects of car detailing. On this occasion Marc talked about and demonstrated (on my car!) how to wash, clean and polish the paintwork to obtain a glass like finish. I believe all members learned something from the demonstration even if it was just how to avoid putting all those fine scratch swirls into the paint surface by adopting the correct washing procedure. This was a particularly enjoyable day and many thanks go to Alan and Sally for their kind hospitality.


25 January 2009:

22 February 2009:

29 March 2009:

26 April 2009:

PAULERSPURY SECTION

Stowe School, 3 August 2008Following the resounding success of the Club’s return to Stowe School in 2007 we felt we had to continue this meet for the 50th anniversary celebrations. Once again there was a fine collection of automobiles on show, parked in front of the grand portico and the champagne flowed on arrival as the jazz band played. There are many reasons why Stowe is evocative. Not only is it the first venue for the

Club’s annual rally all those years ago, it is also a stoic building with a sympathetic façade which has faced glory and demise through its history. Right after the obligatory picnic, members were invited to take tours around the house to learn about its creation, life and transformation into the well-renowned school.

Orient Express, 8 August 2008This was a journey, for once, without our cars! I suppose if we are not in our motors then the only allowable alternative is the Venice-Simplon (or Orient) Express. This proved to be a most popular trip and the Section filled a carriage on this trip to Hove. Only the equipment of the period Orient Express and their excellent staff can make you feel like the age of elegance still exists. It sounds too dull to say a trip to Hove, but it was the full Pullman experience with the catering staff going overboard on stoking the members’ engines! Upon arrival in Hove everyone was taken on a tour of the Brighton Pavilion before a sumptuous meal on the return leg. Oh, and there was a murder to solve too!

Knebworth Classic Motor Show, 24 August 2008This was a return to this classic car show by our Section. One of the largest shows in this part of the country, the Knebworth Classic attracts a large number of clubs and individual enthusiasts as well as a large audience of the

general public. The overriding theme is, of course, cars! It has an atmosphere of enthusiasm and the necessary accompanying sympathy as participants talk and exchange stories about the woes of classic car ownership. It is also an interest to find out the differing pitfalls of ownership of differing models. It is also a good place to advertise the Club and I know for a fact we have recruited members from our presence there. The presence of Colin and Joan Laybourne’s 1923 20hp (74A6) Hooper bodied doctor’s coupé certainly impressed members and, I am sure, visitors alike.

Coventry Festival of Motoring,6-7 September 2008As Coventry’s premier event of the year, this is a large affair so we were all devastated and saddened to be advised that it was cancelled due to the rain and flooding of the venue. We have usually been fortunate to avoid attempts to spoil our fun with the inclement British weather but this event was just impossible to hold in the midst of torrential rain. Our sympathies go out to the organisers who tirelessly were calling all 800 participants. Refunds were offered and, like us, many people preferred to donate their entry fees to the Coventry Motor Museum who need the income.

Meguiars, 20 September 2008This was a return visit to Meguiars for the Section, with priority given

Paulerspury Section: David and Raylene Morgan’s 1951 Silver Wraith (WOF36) Park Ward attending

the Paulerspury Section visit to Stowe School

47

to members who had not been able to attend last year. A group of twenty members were hosted by the management and staff of Meguiars in their Daventry headquarters. After a presentation there was a practical demonstration on a car so members understood the best practices and techniques for bringing the most out of the bodywork. There is no excuse for dull paint now!

Harwich Weekend, 26-28 September 2008Chris and Linda Ball organised yet another successful trip for the Section. This time the destination was Harwich and it was a weekend combining our fine motorcars and driving with all things afloat. A trip to the Harbour Control in Harwich and a visit to the RNLI establishment were all found to be very interesting. A donation was made by Chris to the RNLI on behalf of the Section in thanks for the visit and the outstanding work they do in saving lives around the coastline of Britain.

Future Events

14 December 2008:11 January 2009: 8 February 2009:

SCOTTISH SECTION

Such is the power of advertising that, having commented in Bulletin 290 about recruitment, the Scottish Section almost immediately had four new members. What is even more encouraging is that one has already produced copy for the Section newsletter.

It is amazing to realise that by the time this is published we will have had the last outing of our 2008 programme, a visit to Pollok House and the world famous Burrell Collection. Plans are now well ahead for next year including the second part of our tour round the coast of Scotland. Having visited the most westerly part of the UK mainland this year, 2009 will include the most northerly point, Easter Head, and include the fantastic scenic drive from

Cape Wrath to Thurso – early booking is recommended.

Our next event will be the AGM and Annual Dinner on 7 December 2008. With the excitement of so many applications for the committee we may have to hold a ballot!

Our picture this month is of Alex Watson with the one previous owner Silver Cloud he purchased at the Annual Rally this year.

SOUTH EASTERN SECTION

Along with the autumn leaves, memories are fast fading of the fleeting moments of sunshine experienced over the summer of 2008! But despite the downpours and drenchings, the last few weeks in August provided an interesting culmination of our outdoor activities.

What a fabulously loyal band of members we have in the South Eastern Section. Those who arrived at Bewl Water on Sunday 3 August 2008 braved extraordinary conditions. Noel Coward was right when he said “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun”. If only we had been so lucky! As the rain came down, the full British spirit came to the fore and picnics were soon underway with sun umbrellas keeping the rain from soaking members and their friends! Notwithstanding the inclement weather, Bewl Water, near Lamberhurst in Kent, is a wonderful

day out for adults and children with its seventeen miles of shoreline offering interesting walks, a cruise aboard the passenger vessel ‘Swallow’, cycle rides and a wide range of water sports. Despite the rain, the Section turned up in a surprisingly good selection of cars, providing an extra attraction for the visitors to Bewl Water.

Long time Club members, Robin and Jackie Taft, kindly hosted a fantastic hog roast at Ash near Canterbury on Sunday 10 August 2008. It certainly proved a popular venue with twenty eight cars involved. The hog arrived filling the air with a great aroma and soon a line of hungry people were eagerly awaiting the chance to sample the beast! It was really delicious.

A visit to Royce Service Engineering in Surrey on 17 August 2008 was a chance for members of the South Eastern Section to meet up with old friends from Central Southern and Surrey Sections. The event was well supported by forty three Club cars and there was the opportunity to have cars inspected during the afternoon. It proved a proud afternoon for the South Eastern Section as Peter Seamer was awarded his 40-year badge. Congratulations Peter! The Section looks forward to welcoming you and Mary at many more events in the future. Thanks to the generosity of those attending this event a figure of £390 was raised for the Air Ambulance.

The Section’s annual Continental tour took place over six days in early

Scottish Section: Alex Watson’s 1956 Silver Cloud (SBC108)

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September 2008 and was based in the Champagne Region. Seventy four of us in thirty two cars boarded the P & O Ferry on Monday 8 September. From Calais we drove 180 miles south towards Reims and enjoyed a hotel where every balconied room overlooked the 400 acre lake. On Tuesday we visited the first of three champagne houses, J D Telmont on Thursday and G H Mumm with twenty five million bottles stored in three kilometres of cellars on Saturday. We were entertained at the 5-star Chateau Du Fere on Wednesday and ate a lunch prepared by their two Michelin star chef before walking around the grounds, which included the ruins of the older moated Chateau. On Friday we travelled down the river, sipping Champagne, enjoyed two Champagne receptions and visited the Reims Motor Museum where we presented the owner with a Rally Plaque and a South Eastern Section Badge, now displayed in the museum for all future visitors to see. The rally cars comprised of ten pre-war cars, the oldest was John Watkins’ 1926 20hp and the newest was John Bevan’s 1998 Bentley Continental S. No ‘failures to proceed’, good food and much Champagne made it a wonderful week. Sedan Castle in the French Ardennes next year!

The Section made a return visit to the Isle of Sheppey towards the end of September for our first autumn lunch held at The Ferry House Inn at Harty, a 16th Century Inn situated on the edge of the Swale estuary. Once off the main road it took around ten minutes of driving along winding, narrow roads before arriving at the Ferry. It is an area well known for its bird sanctuaries and raptor viewing centre. Although the Ferry House is set in an isolated position, there was a hive of activity upon arrival with a clay pigeon shoot, a round the island charity walk (the pub being the halfway stage) and our South Eastern Section lunch meeting. Twenty Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars slowly navigated their way down to the Ferry House, parking on the grass in front of the Inn where we had magnificent views across the estuary. After our lunch and with the weather in our favour, there was plenty of time to watch the weekend sailors in their dinghies, as well as catch a glimpse of history as a couple of renovated Thames Barges made their way down the estuary towards the coast.

Finally, twelve Club cars drove to the Ashford International Hotel on 28 September 2008; a gloriously sunny day, giving thirty seven members and

friends the opportunity to enjoy a superb Sunday lunch at a venue we know well. Our secretary Stephen Fabman-Beker arrived in his latest acquisition, a James Young bodied Silver Cloud that was much admired.

Future EventSunday 4 January 2009:

SOUTH WESTERN SECTION

Christmas LunchThere is still just time to reserve your place at our Christmas lunch on Sunday 14 December 2008 at the Livermead Hotel, Torquay. The price is £18.50 per person, so please contact Beryl Stone if you have not already reserved your place.

The hotel is situated on the promenade and has excellent parking. As an optional extra, they are also offering a very attractive package for the Saturday night: dinner, bed and breakfast for only £53 per person. Please book direct with the hotel for the overnight accommodation, 01803 294363, and have a winter weekend break on the Devon Riviera!

South Eastern Section at Sellindge on 27 July 2008

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SURREY SECTION

Annual Trophy Show, 24 August 2008Surrey Section’s Annual Trophy Show was held at the Royal Egham Show on Sunday 24 August 2008. The weather remained dry throughout the day, which has been a problem for many this summer. Attendance was good and the judges had to work hard to pick the worthy winners of the four trophies: Best post-war - John Dexter; Best pre-war - Andy Courtney; Hoppy Hopkins Trophy - John Clark; and, Most Elegant - Robert Harvey.

Mercedes-Benz World, 28 September 2008This was an excellent event and recommended to anyone who hasn’t visited this extensive complex. Mercedes-Benz World caters for those who are looking to buy a new Mercedes or those wishing to have just a day out with the family. It is a very good museum with some early classic Mercedes cars on display, plenty to see and do on the test tracks and a reasonably priced restaurant for lunch.

With the Brooklands Museum within walking distance it gave our members the chance to make a full day visiting both museums and the bygone years of motoring. Brooklands now has the newly acquired Concorde and for just a few pounds you can take a closer look at a beautiful aeroplane.

(Editor’s Note: The Concorde at Brooklands is G-BBDG that first flew in February 1974 and was in commercial service between 1976 and 2003. G-BBDG was the first aircraft ever to carry 100 people at twice the speed of sound.)

Our 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner has been well supported with all tickets being sold quickly. A full report will follow in a future Bulletin.

Our AGM will be at the Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey. If members wish to dine afterwards please contact Nick Stow. Details will be in the winter edition of the Surrey Section Newsletter.

Future Events

1 December 2008:

25 January 2009:

THAMES VALLEY SECTION

Our visit and picnic to Englefield House at the beginning of September had to be cancelled simply because of the torrential rain that morning. By the time you read this we will have completed our Autumn Leaves rally to Cornwall and will be looking forward to festivities over Christmas and the New Year.

Our Christmas event will be a boat trip from Waterloo Pier in London. This will be an opportunity to see the Christmas lights of London from a different perspective and as someone that has done this previously I can say this is a spectacular journey.

Our New Year Lunch will take place, as usual, at the Springs Hotel near Wallingford. This is, essentially, reunion time and we look forward to meeting many old friends on that occasion. The Springs Hotel is a splendid location for a winter lunch with a magnificent outlook over a lake. There is ample safe parking for cars and we hope as many members as possible will attend.

Our AGM takes place on 8 February 2009 at the Great House Hotel in Sonning. The meeting will commence at 1100hrs and will be followed by a Section lunch. The Secretary would be pleased to hear of enthusiasts who would be prepared to serve on the Section committee. Volunteers to help organise events would also be most welcome.

It is with great sadness that the Section learned of the passing of Russell Jones. He was a great supporter of the Section over the years and could be relied upon to attend our musical and theatre evenings. He had a quiet sense of humour which tended to infect those around him. We shall miss him.

The Section committee takes this opportunity of wishing section members and enthusiasts everywhere a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.


11 January 2009:

8 February 2009:

15 March 2009:

WELSH SECTION

Coytrahen House Summer Garden PartyDespi te ra in r ight up to the penultimate day we were thankfully blessed with fine if rather dull weather for our midsummer garden party last July at Coytrahen House near Bridgend, the origins of which date back to 1776. This was the coming of age for this event as our host Rose Beynon has kindly invited us no less than twenty one times to such a gathering at her home. There were many of the familiar faces as well as personal friends and invited members of the VSCC which added variety to the cars on display. The variety of pre-war and newer cars included Rose Beynon’s Brough Superior 8 cylinder drophead coupé which George Brough owned and in which he covered an enormous mileage. A relaxed environment and excellent company in which to enjoy a very pleasant afternoon passed all too quickly but leaves us with memories aplenty.

Lunch at Halfway Inn, NantgaredigBy contrast the weather on 2 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 8 c o u l d o n l y be described as hostile for our lunchtime meeting at this well known establishment in the Towy Valley in Carmarthenshire. Needless to say, Club cars were thin on the ground and only one pre-war car was on parade namely a 25/30 owned by Mike Evans of Ferryside. The hospitality of Simon Griffiths and Natalie was much kinder than the weather and they and their staff produced excellent lunches for some twenty seven brave souls who attended. Huw and Jean Voyle Williams’ 1964 Silver Cloud III was rewarded for being judged by the staff as the car they most liked. Afterwards we inspected the motor house containing, amongst a variety of vehicles, Simon’s 1934 20/25 (GMD80)

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Thrupp and Maberly sports saloon epitomising the stylish design of the period together with a Rolls-Royce V12 Meteor tank engine that Simon has ideas about installing in some form of special!

Brecon Beacons Scenic Tour, Sunday 21 September 2008 Sadly the organisers of the Tredegar House Rally had to cancel the event at short notice due to conditions on the site. Consequently, Harry Jones, our Section Chairman and John Fox laid on an alternative for members in the form of a motoring tour of the Brecon Beacons stopping for coffee at Peterstone Court near Brecon and at The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell for lunch. On the day the weather turned out superb and those participating enjoyed the scenic tour around this beautiful part of South Wales.

Welsh Weekend 17-20 April 2009 – booking detailsI am please to confirm that next year we shall be returning to The Cliff Hotel, Gwbert on Sea, Cardigan. The location at the tip of a peninsula has stunning views across the mouth of the Teifi Estuary on the shores of Cardigan Bay. We used it as a base for successful weekends in 1978, 1982 and 1991 but the hotel suffered for the following fifteen years from a lack of necessary capital investment. On a recent visit we were delighted to find the new owners had addressed the shortcomings and transformed it back to a top quality 3 star hotel. The buildings at the rear were demolished and rebuilt from ground level.

COST: £170 per person for three nights dinner, bed and breakfast. For those who can only stay two nights, the tariff is £125 per person. Price

includes VAT, service and rally registration, use of spa facilities and a special evening on Saturday.

RESERVATIONS: Book direct with The Cliff Hotel, Gwbert on Sea, Cardigan SA43 1PP Tel: 01239 613241 Fax: 01239 615391 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cl i f fhotel .com. Introduce yourself as a Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club member or you may be told the hotel is full as we have block booked all rooms for the weekend. Do please book early so we retain the whole hotel for our exclusive use.

Once you have booked, please advise Kelvin Price Tel: 01446 781688 of the names of those in your party and tell him details of the car you intend to bring ie. year, model, chassis number, registration number. Members’ families and friends are all welcome to what has become the UK rally season opener.

This being the last Section news before Christmas, the Welsh Section Committee wishes many friends throughout the Club a happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

Future EventsTuesday 2 December 2008:

Sunday 14 December 2008:

17-20 April 2009:

WESSEX SECTION

Hampshire Pageant of Motoring, Romsey, Sunday 24 August and Monday 25 August 2008We were lucky with the weather

for the first day of this classic car event where a total of seven Club cars were displayed on our stand, comprising a Phantom I, 20/25, Wraith, Continental R, Silver Spirit and two Silver Shadows. All enjoyed seeing the vast cross-section of vehicles on display together with the arena events. The stars of the day were the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft with the wonderful roar of those Merlin engines. The weather started dull and drizzly on the second day but improved later. This time we displayed nine cars, adding a Silver Ghost and Mulsanne to the line-up. Unlike last year, when we experienced problems with the organisation, we were allocated a good-sized stand close to everything we needed and everyone seemed to enjoy the day.

Barbecue and Picnic, Anderwood Inclosure, New Forest, Sunday 31 August 2008It was with some trepidation that the weather forecast was consulted prior to the event, in view of our luck this summer. Notwithstanding the outlook, eighteen brave souls in eleven Rolls-Royce and three Bentleys ventured forth. There was an interesting selection of cars to view, from 20/25 to Silver Shadows, Bentley Eight to Continentals, the latter (1955 R Type and 2002 Continental R) being a particularly interesting pair of cars as they fulfilled their respective roles nearly fifty years apart.

The venue, let out by the Forestry Commission, is in an amphitheatre opened out within the forest, perfect for an intimate Club gathering of a maximum of twenty five cars and eighty people. The barbecue was lit at

Welsh Section: Mike Evans from Ferryside with his 1936 25/30 (GGM25)

Rippon limousine

Welsh Section: A pair of Silver Dawns (SPG3 and SUJ120) at Coytrahen

House Garden Party

51

noon when the first intrepid members arrived and by 1300hrs cooking had commenced. The consensus of opinion seemed to be that this was an event/location worthy of a future booking and this may yet prove, hopefully, to be the case.

Agusta Westland Helicopters, Yeovil,Wednesday 3 September 2008Following our very enjoyable visit to the Agusta Westland helicopter factory at Yeovil two years ago, Wessex member Mike Norman invited us to make one more visit before his retirement in November. Twenty nine Wessex members and eleven Rolls-Royce and Bentleys assembled mid-morning on a fine day with a forecast of just occasional showers. After a welcoming cup of coffee, we were provided with comprehensive details of the day’s programme, which started with an interesting illustrated talk on the company’s history.

We were then d iv ided in to three groups and taken on a tour of the manufacturing facil it ies, where we were able to see several EH101 he l i copters in var ious stages of assembly, bringing home the extreme complexity of the mechanical and electrical systems. All the components are outsourced

except for the rotor blades, which are made at Yeovil to an advanced design using composite materials. An area of the factory was fenced off with strict security applying to entry and exit, and we were told that this was where a number of helicopters were being manufactured for use by the US President.

After lunch in the canteen, we were shown the customer training school where e xtensive use is made of computer simulation to familiarise buyers with servicing and operating procedures. We were then able to climb over a static cut-away helicopter with much of the body cut away to reveal the mechanical systems for maintenance training purposes. The extreme complexity and attention to detail were clearly evident. Unfortunately, although the first group were able to see the flight simulator in operation, it subsequently developed a fault and the final groups were disappointed.

We finally assembled by the cars for a group photograph, all agreeing that the day had been a great success – we even missed the only shower of the day during our tour of the factory. Many thanks to Mike Norman and John Schofield for organising this interesting event.

Salisbury Area Tour and Picnic,Sunday 7 September 2008We assembled in Salisbury’s Central Car Park just as the Commercial Vehicle Run from Bournemouth to Bath arrived. The weather forecast was not good, but we were lucky in that it remained dry with an occasional glimpse of the sun, and temperatures were quite pleasant throughout the day.

We drove off in a loose convoy through the Woodford Valley towards our first stop at Amesbury Abbey, passing through some very pretty villages and wonderful countryside with several points of interest marked on our rally maps and direction sheets. Our host, David Cornelius Reid, together with his young son, greeted us in the drive and later inspected the cars. The Abbey is now run as a retirement home. After coffee and biscuits we were able to see the State Room which was very grand. We then walked through the gardens down to the river.

After saying our farewells, we were directed by our route maps back to Salisbury past Stonehenge and down to our picnic stop at Breamore House, where we set up camp under a spreading cedar tree. Our host, Michael Hulse, came to look at the cars and have a chat. Years ago, his grandfather’s Silver Shadow was looked after by Wessex member Richard Parsons, so

Wessex Section: Paul Skilleter’s 1955 R Type Continental (BC71D) and Simon Hellberg’s 2002 Continental R (CH01785)

52

there was much delving into the past.After lunch, we were off again to

the other side of the Avon valley to Hale Park House and afternoon tea on the veranda with our hosts, Patrick Hickman and his wife. They took a tour of the cars parked around the drive, with Patrick’s own Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible as the centre piece. Patrick gave us a brief history of the house as we admired the views across the Avon valley below. Patrick is eighty seven years old and still cuts his own lawns using a ride-on mower, taking two hours a day for five days a week to complete. He told us that when the house needed new windows, the job took twenty years and 108 hand made windows to complete to the required standard. A big thanks to Graham and Jane Fry for organising a fantastic day, to Janet Newman for the wonderful assortment of cakes, and to all our members who joined in to make the day so enjoyable.


18 January 2009:

YORKSHIRE SECTION

Over eighty members and friends enjoyed glorious blue skies and all day sunshine at our last picnic event of the season on 21 September 2008

when we visited Wortley Top Forge, a 17th Century Industrial Museum, set in the oldest surviving water-powered iron forge in the world. Situated on the River Don in South Yorkshire, the site boasts an amazing collection of machinery operated by the three remaining (out of the original five) water wheels. Our tour guide opened the sluices of each water wheel in turn, allowing the tranquil waters of the nearby millpond to flow onto the wheels causing them to roll and groan into action. The mighty power of water was demonstrated as the machinery driven by each wheel was coaxed into movement, two performing the task of hammering iron and one operating giant bellows used for the furnace. The Forge rolled its last axle for railway carriages in 1929 and the site became derelict. Scrap was removed from the forge during the 1940s but the hammers and water wheels were spared from the wartime scrap drive as the war came to an end. In 1952 the Forge became an Ancient Monument site and was opened as a Museum in 1958. A good turn out of thirty six Club cars and the unfamiliar pleasure of picnicking al fresco with not an umbrella in sight made for a super day out for everyone.

The North of England Ral ly at Harewood House, Leeds was not so lucky with the weather but attendances were slightly up on last year’s numbers. Once again

the ground condit ions (soggy) dictated the layout of the field with the parade ring and the older cars being placed towards the rear of the display rather than nearer to the house. 2009 will see the 30th North of England Rally at Harewood so plans are afoot to make this event extra special and endeavours are being made to ensure that many of the original line up from the first N of E Rally will be in attendance at the thirtieth.

In addition to our two established Pub Nights, member Justin Joyce has very kindly taken the trouble to arrange a third informal ‘Noggin and Natter’ evening at Ye Olde Punch Bowl which is at Marton cum Grafton (YO5 1QY). This venue is well situated for members residing in those parts of our Section who consider the existing two venues too far away for them to attend. The next two evening meetings are scheduled for 27 November and 18 December. Provided that the venue proves successful, evening meetings wi l l take place on the second Thursday evening of each month thereafter. If you are interested in a get together and a chat about the joys and tribulations of motoring with like-minded people, do check out the Punch Bowl or indeed The Royal and Ancient at Colne Bridge, Huddersfield on the first Wednesday evening of each month and the Percy Arms at Airmyn near Goole on the third Wednesday evening of every month.

We are pleased to announce that three of our Section members have received 20-year badges recently. Congratulations to Tony and Ann Steel and to Dennis Gower. We wish them many more years of continued interest and enjoyment as valued members.


8 February 2009: 14 June 2009:

12 July 2009: 26 July 2009: 9 August 2009:

20 September 2009:

Wessex Section members and their cars at Agusta Westland

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R E G I S T E R S

20hp REGISTER

Overheating Problems - feedbackDerrick Price phoned to point out a discrepancy in advice offered in the Bulletin concerning the correct coolant for our engines. Last month I wrote “… correct formulation is a 40%-50% mixture of concentrate …with clean deionised or distilled water”. In B289 page 23 Tony James wrote “use 50% distilled (not deionised) water and 50% antifreeze”. In fact there is nothing wrong with deionised water, provided it is specified for use in car batteries and purchased from a reputable source such as an auto factor. It is quite expensive to buy in bottles but if you or a friend work in a laboratory, deionised water is available on tap at almost negligible cost. It is very difficult to buy distilled water these days so, as Tony says, you can collect your own from a dehumidifier. Clean rain water is by definition distilled and can also be used. Any slight acidity in the rainwater is negligible and, anyway, is completely neutralised by the inhibitors; just check that the rain is not contaminated by Sahara dust! The important thing is to use about 50% blue coloured antifreeze, plus clean water with low mineral content – and not to worry too much about the exact source of the water. In fact I have always used tap water because our local tap water is very low in dissolved minerals, and the latter are neutralised by the inhibitors in the antifreeze. It is also important

to renew the coolant every two years, to preserve the effectiveness of the inhibitors.

Paul Lucas phoned to agree with the warning about yellow/green antifreeze. He used this modern coolant in his 20hp after it had been fitted with a new head gasket. The engine had an aluminium head and a recently-skimmed block. Within a few miles coolant was pouring from the head gasket, and from other locations. So, Paul added Radweld to temporarily cure the problem, but this had another potentially disastrous effect. The Radweld blocked a water strainer which was located in his radiator feed pipe and this caused rapid overheating. So be careful when using a leak repair material if you have a water strainer!

20hp Weekend in Criccieth, North Wales, 5-8 September 2008This was immaculately organised by David and Jane Else. They reserved the whole Bron Eifon Hotel (nineteen bedrooms), which had recently been refurbished, and they managed to negotiate a truly bargain price for such luxury and gastronomy.

Sadly, a few days before the weekend David Mitchell was suddenly taken ill so he and Sheila had to cancel. David and Sheila have owned their 20hp since 1957 and been members of the RREC since 1964. As I write this David is in hospital: we all wish him a rapid recovery. Stephen and Liz Miller who live near Criccieth

and own a 20/25 stepped in to take their place at the last minute.

The weather was laughable. Friday, arriving over Snowdonia was like driving along a river bed. Saturday was drier but we had a howling gale. Sunday was quite pleasant, and Monday was brilliant as we drove home down the A470 through central Wales - a lovely road. David and Jane had suggested scenic tours and provided detailed route maps for the Saturday and Sunday. Even in the mist, Snowdonia is breathtaking. Some of us crossed to Anglesey using the Britannia Bridge or (better) the lovely old Menai Bridge to view Plas Newydd. This stately home was built in the 18th Century and was home to the first Marquess of Anglesey who commanded the Cavalry during the 1815 Battle of Waterloo. He was richly rewarded by Wellington, but although the two men depended on each other absolutely, from a personal point of view they shared a mutual hatred. There is a fascinating military museum containing the first Marquess’ relics. There is also an extensive permanent collection of Rex Whistler, an English artist and designer who achieved great fame during his short lifetime. Unfortunately, he was killed on active service during the D-Day operations.

Criccieth is famous for its castle, and also for a shop which sells the best ice cream in the UK (Cornish people might beg to disagree) and nearby is Pennarth Fawr, a medieval hall house

20hp Register: 20hp Register at the Bron Eifon Hotel 20hp Register: Suvretta House Hotel

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built around 1450. Amazingly you just walk up to it, enter and wander around. There are no wardens, guides or ticket offices. Criccieth being in the middle of wonderful coastal scenery, there are ample opportunities for walking, strenuous or otherwise.

Back at the hotel in the evenings, we relaxed and socialised in the comfortable atrium-style lounge before a big log fire, and then had three lovely dinners. On Sunday night we were serenaded by piano during cocktails, and then the same lady gave a virtuoso harp accompaniment during dinner. After dinner a vote of thanks to David and Jane was proposed, and the assembled throng then stood to sing “We’ll meet again”, but the outcome was definitely in the key of ‘flat’. Our poor harpist must have thought: “Please stick with what you know best - magnetos and carburettors.” Everyone agreed that it was a memorable and enjoyable few days in North Wales, thanks to all the hard and conscientious work by David and Jane.

Euro Rally, St MoritzSix 20hps attended this 20th Euro Rally, so well organised by Eri Heilijgers. For most of us it was a round trip of more than 2,000 miles and I’m glad to say all the 20hps behaved impeccably.

Future Events12-14 June 2009:

6-13 July 2009:

11-13 September 2009:

25 REGISTER

Register AGMBy popular demand the 25 Register will be returning to The Hunt House for the Annual General Meeting during the weekend from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 March 2009 inclusive. We will be staying at the Mercure Parkside Hotel , Woughton-on-the-Green, Milton Keynes and the weekend will include visits to places of interest, technical workshops and, for the ladies, an opportunity for retail therapy. If you would like to join us for this enjoyable weekend or would like a particular item to be discussed or agreed at the AGM, please contact the Registrar, Tony James at [email protected] or by telephone on +44 (0) 1327 350145.

Register Rhine RallyMichael and Joanna Bridges Webb have become legendary Ral ly organisers and their Rallies are attended by happy participants who appreciate the nice balance between activity and relaxation. Every other day is free for the participants to do as they wish. A combination of scenic journeys, fine wine, good food and joyful company make every Bridges Webb rally a treasured memory.

A feature of each 25 Register rally is a splendid compendium compiled by Rodney Marples. The Compendium conta ins maps , route deta i l s , information on places of interest and photographs of every participant and their cars combined with a potted history of cars and owners.

The Rally to the Rhine, based in Hotel Belair, Boppard, was a classic example of the result of the application of Bridges Webb expertise.

Every Rally has its incidents. Peter Price’s car suffered a sticking cylinder valve, swiftly fixed by a blow of a hammer wielded by Malcolm Law. Philip Baron parked his 20/25 on a sloping car park overlooking a precipice. As a result of an incorrectly applied handbrake, the car began slowly rolling towards the edge. Bravely, Michael Bridges Webb positioned his car, attached a tow rope to Philip’s front bumper and sat with hand and foot brake applied and in gear until Joanne could bring Philip to drive his car to safety. Heroes all!

A hilarious time was enjoyed by all when the hotel patron, Doris, organised a Roman evening. All the men were required to wear togas and forego their shoes and socks.

Joanna is multi-talented. As indicated by her name, she is an excellent pianist. She is also the 25 Register poet laureate, producing an evocative poem which graphically describes each Register event. Her musing that follows on the rally on the Rhine is an example to savour.

20hp Register: 20hps on top of the Stelvio Pass, (l to r) GWL16, GCK46,

GKM30 and GXL39

20hp Register: A change in the weather

25 Register: 25 Register Roman evening

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Boppard RallyA line of cars on Dover docks in wind and pouring rainCan only mean the Twenty Fives are rallying again. Then one limped in with sticky valve, it wasn’t long beforeThe Price’s engine met the force and hammer of the Law.From Calais, crowded roads and mist, to Orchies on to meetThe remainder of the party. Then Luxembourg so neatWith shuttered houses painted fresh and fields of standing maizeAnd wooded hills with gentle streams where creamy cattle graze.A steep descent, a hairpin bend, the river running clear‘Neath still life trees, no hint of breeze, embraced Hotel Belair.

Achtung, achtung, an umleitung, whatever shall we do?Nicht güte Fahrt, consult the chart, search for Hotel BellevueIn Boppard; Doris is proprietor extraordinaire.The home of Michael Thonet, he who made the Bentwood chair.

O mighty Rhine of ancient line with barges laden deep,With Gothic towers and brilliant flowers and riverside so steep.

Then off to Marksburg Castle which is where we learnt to fence,And stood where the Moselle meets Father Rhine at old Coblenz.Machinery of a bygone age and wooden tables bareAt Fondels Mill, a Grecian meal served by Rhinemaidens fair.

Its calendar is famous for two Wednesdays in the week.

O River Rhine, you fast Fraulein, your beauties quite belieYour teasing Maidens guarding gold and scheming Loreley.

Farewell Boppard, Bourscheid again, foul weather could not marThe lunch at Grevenmacher and champagne Bernard Massard.The sun shone on the fields of France as journey’s ending nears,We’ll drink a last libation now at Les Trois Mousquetaires.So, ave Grande Bretagne, vale quinque et vigintiEt ante tempus fugit, see you soon, Deo Volente.

DERBY BENTLEY REGISTER

Hamish Orr-Ewing spent a day with David Goodbun of Classic CarsDouglas Reece e-mailed me to say that Classic Car deputy editor David Goodbun was planning an illustrated article on the 75th anniversary of the Derby Bentley linked to the recent Westonbirt celebrations and needed a car for photographic purposes. Living not far from Westonbirt, I volunteered to have a go.

The weather on the chosen day was overcast and rather cold so we agreed to use the Bentley 4¼ (B201MX) Park Ward saloon (which has a heater!), and not the more immaculate but Spartan 3½ (B164AH) Vanden Plas tourer. It turned out to be a full day’s

Brünnhilde, Siegfried, Valkyrie and Wotan, King Divine -They fought their feuds and loved and lost upon the River Rhine.

In second gear to Rheinfelt where Christine drew cheers from allAs Peabody was neatly parked beneath the castle wall.At Castle Eltz, adjust seat belts, behold - an awful scene:Philip slipped up, his car slipped down, we nearly were thirteen.

O River Rhine, O River Rhine, how steep your bank inclines.How do you build your castles strong and harvest in your vines?

Soon Boppard’s cobbled streets were filled, the annual Onion FairSold everything but onions so we didn’t shed a tear.A tour of Bodrobica then within the castle wall;Spiced wine was served, a minstrel sang and held us in his thrall.

A Roman banquet followed, our authenticated sourceWas Doris who advised us on each fascinating course.The men were dressed in tunics; as for Consul Michael he’sRelieved he wore a toga and could cover up his knees.

Salutamus Rodniensum per suum Compendium,We know that he is human when we spot an erratum.So why not come to Boppard, for it really is unique?

25 Register: 20/25 (GLR61) 25 Register: 20/25 (GDP36)

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work with repeated drive pasts on Minchinhampton Common, high above Stroud. The photographic work was most impressive. When David Goodbun decided to drive the car, he chose one of the most daunting roads in the area, descending from Minchinhampton Common to the bottom of the Golden Valley - long, steep, narrow and winding. We returned to my place for further detailed photographs and on the way David completed his notes. It was an enjoyable day out with likeable and professional people which showed off the qualities of these finest of pre-war cars and will I hope further enhance the respect for the Rolls built Bentleys of whatever age.

The Derby Bentley 75th Anniversary Celebrations Many of those who attended wrote to say how much they enjoyed the fun, frolics and ambience of the gathering at Westonbirt House and all thanks and congratulations go to Neil Fraser for organising such a marvellous event. Even the rather poor weather on the Sunday did not dampen the spirits of determined Derby Bentley owners. The anniversary celebrations are remembered here from three different viewpoints:

Friday dawned bright and sunny, obviously a good sign of things to come, making the journey to the grounds of Prescott Hill all the more pleasurable. We were welcomed by Richard Day, the curator of the Bugatti Owners’ Club museum situated at the foot of the famous cl imb, who directed us to the members’ club house for coffee before giving us a most interesting potted

history of the Bugatti family and of the fascinating range of cars produced from 1910 to the 1950s. Shortly after mid-day we split into two groups, one batch venturing into deepest Wales towards Hay on Wye, while the rest of us made our way to a lunch stop at Tewkesbury Abbey, which was followed by a most informative guided tour of this impressive 12th Century building. By mid afternoon, we were on our way again crossing to the western bank of the river Severn, meandering through the Forest of Dean, then back over the river, this time using the Second Severn Crossing and on to an eminently suitable establishment for our weekend stay, the Tortworth Court Hotel.

Leaving Prescott Hillclimb we had been given a choice of two routes for the rest of the day to take us to Tortworth Court, our hotel for the weekend. The wimps’ route was a run to Tewkesbury for a tour of the Abbey. The rest of us pointed towards Tewkesbury, turned onto the M5 for one junction and then ran along the M50 past Ross on Wye, aimed a bit towards Hereford and then on a B road to our lunch stop at the Bell at Skenfrith. Our route then went through the Golden Valley round to Hay on Wye and then up an unclassified lane onto the Black Mountains where we stopped for photographs. We continued through Llanthony to join the A40 near Abergavenny and then from Raglan a delightful back road brought us down to the outskirts of Chepstow to lead us to the old Severn Bridge. A good route, both to allow cruising at 70mph and explore one’s gear-changing

abilities! A quick bit of M4 and M5 ran us close to the hotel at Tortworth, where the main hazard was speed bumps on the drive.

Westonbirt House, a private girls’ school was our location for the Jazz Age Garden Party. The main snag or attraction was the need to dress in period costume, something that I have always felt was the habit of owners of lesser cars, like Austin Sevens (though I did own one in 1960).

A glorious sunny Saturday at Westonbirt House; the scene is set for the 1930s; the Derby Bentleys lined up with their proud owners. Ladies dressed in silver fox and mink stoles, wonderful flowing frocks, perky little hats, some holding lacy parasols. The men wore loud blazers, boaters, tweeds and even plus fours. Music to fit the mood came from the ‘Charleston Chasers’ and their expert dancers making you want to jump up and join in. The Art Deco exhibition in the house was full of stylish artefacts to complete the 1930s look. Picnics in the park surrounded by exotic pre-war cars – what fun!

Technical SeminarSteve Lovatt and Tony James excelled at the Technical Seminar held for twenty six keen Derby owning participants in September. On the Friday afternoon we were treated to a tour of The Hunt House by Julian Spencer. It was a first visit for several and they were amazed by the facilities and archives. Over the weekend we enjoyed a series of lectures and demonstrations. The expert advice and wise tips will be put to good use

Derby Bentley Register: Bentleys at Westonbirt Derby Bentley Register: Entertainment at Westonbirt

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during the winter months. Tony James spent three hours appraising participant’s cars; a particularly popular aspect of the weekend. Very many thanks Steve and Tony.

2009 Dates for your Diary A weekend on the Isle of Wight beckons seasoned travellers between 24 & 26 April 2009. This weekend, organised by Julian Paul, will offer a marvellous island experience with some lovely gentle driving around a very scenic area together with a sea trip there and back.

Bentleys through Burgundy offers a grand tour across France with great driving supplemented by outstanding food and wine and some fascinating visits and excursions. One of these will be to the amazing collection of vehicles and motoring trivia at the Chateau de Sauvigny - hopefully accompanied by a picnic. Mike Spence is arranging this epic trip which will start in France on 3 September 2009 and finish in France on 13 September 2009 - so think 1-15 September to allow for travelling to and from home.

The full details and booking forms for these events will be included with your newsletter and appear in the next Bulletin. Inevitably numbers will be limited by hotel space for both gatherings so book early to avoid disappointment.

Technical - check your wheel nutsAt the technical seminar we were alarmed to hear from Tony James of several reports of the wheels on pre-war cars loosening and of one coming completely off and passing the car in front! The problem is caused by

transposition of the hubs when they are removed from the car. The wheel nut threads are ‘handed’ and designed so that they naturally tighten when the car is being driven. The nearside nuts have a right hand thread and the offside nuts a left hand thread. Remember Kerbside Klockwise to Tighten.

RamblingsAfter seventy five years of existence, Derby Bentleys command a loyal and devoted following from a very fine group of motor enthusiasts, to whom driving, and in particular driving in style and elegance, gives a feeling of pleasure and joy rarely equalled in other vehicles. Exactly what creates this euphoria is hard to define but it is probably the sum of many things. First and foremost must be those early memories gathered from a mixture of motor shows, rallies, races, publications, chance sightings, and enthusiastic spell binding mentors. These create that romantic rose coloured view one takes without really any appreciation as to why and is a hugely important part of the attachment.

Then there is the actual look of the automobile which, in our case, starts with the overpowering grandeur of the chromed and sparkling radiator set off by either huge P100s or, the more subtle, P80s. For this majestic appearance of all Derby Bentleys we can be particularly thankful to Mr Cowen who, just as the car was about to be released to the world in 1933, came up with the comment “We need to change the radiator from that cheap and undistinguished wire stone

screen”. The huge variety of offerings from the many coach builders can create greater torment. Does one prefer the incredibly low, and racy Vanden Plas tourer lines; or the stream lined Thrupp and Maberly or Park Ward offering; an H J Mulliner High Vision; or a Freestone & Webb Razor Edge or their majestic, upright, Top Hat saloon? Two door cabriolet, sporty tourer, sedanca coupé, four door saloon coupled with numerous coach builders and body styles - the combinations seem infinite, albeit these days limited by what is available for sale.

The history of the coach work fascinates, with such interesting developments as the 1936 Park Ward steel body, the nature of which eventually superseded the traditional wood framed, aluminium panelled body by virtue of both rigidity and weight. The approach to forming curves in box section ribs was invented by the Meltz brothers, consultants to Park Ward, and this one step advanced the ability to create rounded rigid body work from steel rather than wood. Lined hoods were easy to put up and down, some with magic as with H J Mulliner making the ir concea led hood vanish totally into the bodywork. Interior layout and design is just as appealing with leather predominant but variations appearing of cloth entering into the equation and all either pleated or fluted and set off with piping. Matching veneers highlight the quality of workmanship and contribute to the joy. Add to the numerous published body styles the involvement of the initial owners in

Derby Bentley Register: 1936 (B159HM) Park Ward Derby Bentley Register: Derby Bentley Register gathering

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requesting specific variations such as black rather than chrome headlights, or specific bespoke door or gear handles, the result has been a vast number of unique cars, each with its own specific history and anecdotes.

Another equa l l y impor tan t part of the equation is that of the antecedents and especially the magic of the name. The association of W O Bentley; the Hon C S Rolls and Henry Royce gives a cachet and an ethos that is almost impossible to beat, even if in fact the association with our own Derby Bentleys is considerably more remote than the contribution to their own earlier creations. W O at least was ‘hands on’ in that he actually test drove the Derby Bentley and commented favourably. But we can all recognise that it was their creative inventiveness, outstanding engineering skills and driving prowess that brought so much to the development of the motor car. Add to this the fact that they stood like colossus alongside their contemporaries, it leaves their indelible imprint on our cars and adds immeasurably to their attraction.

Finally and certainly not least is the very being of the car, in our case the chassis and engine as supplied by Rolls-Royce. Enormous thanks must be given to E W Hives and A F Sidgreaves who pushed ahead with an approach that used various pieces from ongoing research projects together with already proven technology. The

original aim was to use the Peregrine project chassis development with a two and a half litre engine thus giving a lower overall manufacturing cost base and a reduced motor tax band for the owners. However the eventual decision to use the larger three and a half litre engine was quite brilliant and a far better solution than super charging a smaller motor which had been considered as the means to provide the necessary power while staying within a lower motor tax band. The chassis by the standards of the day was exceedingly light with just six tube and two box cross members and, unusually, no diagonal bracing. The 3669cc cast iron and aluminium engine was relatively conventional and well proven but had a new cross flow design of head giving a much improved compression ratio and was fitted with twin SU carburettors. Eighteen inch wheels, hydraulic shock absorbers, chassis lubrication system, servo assisted brakes and a Rolls-Royce gear box with synchromesh on just third and top complemented the chassis and were all improvements and modifications to existing designs. All this may seem like anorak stuff but when you add in the silly things such as the Rolls-Royce name forged into the front axle and then partially chiselled away so that it could reappear as a ‘Bentley’ it adds the human side to temper the brilliant design and engineering. As always it is the little details each giving

another insight into the history and development which add to the overall charm.

The end result of this hybrid car was quite remarkable and a tribute to the brilliance of the engineers involved. All who tested the vehicle were impressed by the handling, performance and ‘silence’. One has to remember that Rolls-Royce engineers, well trained by Henry Royce, were convinced that noise was not a requisite for speed and was in fact totally against their belief or tradition. The Derby built Bentley was a grand touring car built to the Rolls-Royce tradition of exacting standards and reliability – The Silent Sports Car. Specifically, in line with Mr Hives’ succinct specification, it was not a racing car but could be driven fast with safety and without fuss and noise, adeptly answering the moods of the driver, with controls, steering and brakes light to operate and braking adequate for a fast car, giving pleasure and comfort to driver and passengers and was capable of being looked after and maintained by the owner/driver. Indeed it is these things which make driving and ownership of the car so appealing today.

FinallyA very Happy Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year to all the Derby Bentley Register members and, indeed, all Club members. Thank you all for your support during 2008 and we look forward to some great driving and marvellous gatherings during 2009.

MARK VI & SILVER WRAITH REGISTER

Recently there have been a couple of enquiries about tyres for our cars with the long running question of whether to use cross-plys or radials. Members are pointed to the recent article in the Spares Corner by Tony James (B287, p17) which might answer some questions. You are also reminded that our Register sub-section of the Club website contains all sixteen of our newsletters. There is also another section on the website,

Derby Bentley Register: Derby Bentley Register at the Chateau de Sauvigny

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‘Technical Articles’, into which our technical adviser Mike Kendrick has placed a large composite file of all the articles contained in newsletters one to fourteen as written by Register technical advisers. This deals with many of the problems common to cars in our Register model range in both mechanical and bodywork areas. We also have a Maintenance and Technical section to which has recently been added an article kindly supplied by Norman (‘Axle’) Geeson on the subject of rebuilding the front brakes (late models) in great detail and is well worth a read.

The annual Register event took place over a long weekend 11 to 14 September 2008 based at the Falcondale Mansion Hotel near Lampeter, mid Wales and an excellent time was had by all who attended. The weather held good for the whole time and thanks go to Robin and Jane Wayne for their organisation and attention to detail. Having arrived and settled in on the Thursday, Friday saw the group drive a short distance to the Coracle Centre at Cenarth Falls. After an excellent talk by the owner of the Centre, we were able to tour the museum and surrounding site and it made for a fascinating visit. At that time of the year the Falls are normally a trickle but owing to recent rains we were able to see them in full flow. After dinner we had the usual presentation of a cup to the member who had driven the longest distance to the event in a Register car. This was won for the second year in a row by David and Yvonne Hall who completed 303 miles in their Silver Wraith (FLW52) H J Mulliner. The runners up (gaining a bottle of wine) were Dick

and Sally Lees who completed 230 miles from the south coast just beating Ian and Wendy Hick from Yorkshire by one mile. On the Saturday, some members opted to visit St David’s Cathedral City whilst others visited different places of interest. At 1800hrs nineteen of us gathered for what has become the focus of these annual weekends namely, an hour of technical discussion led by Mike Kendrick. Topics covered briefly this year included flasher units/indicators, the lube oil system, steering box leakages, demisting the windows, problems with coils and dirty fuel (filters and seals). The hour was far too short but we then went down for a champagne reception prior to the gala dinner. After dinner cups were presented for Members’ and Ladies’ Choice of Best Car at the event. Members chose the Silver Dawn (SOG2) owned by John and Liz Field from Somerset. The usual problem then occurred of three members obtaining two votes apiece - Trevor Lewis with his Radford R Type (B268WH), Sid and Doreen Hicks with their Radford Silver Dawn (STH29) and Neil Brierley with his Mark VI (B218NZ). Jane Wayne then selected the winner of a bottle of wine which was presented to Trevor Lewis. The Ladies’ Choice cup went to David and Yvonne Hall with their Silver Wraith and the same problem occurred for the runner up. Two votes each went to Robin and Jane Wayne for their Silver Dawn (SPG3), to Trevor Lewis, and to Sid and Doreen Hicks; the selected winner was Robin Wayne. One other bottle of wine was presented to Dick and Sally Lees who correctly identified the fun competition where members were asked to name the five pictures

of Register events in recent years which Robin had created as the first page to the weekend brochure. On the Sunday, the group visited the National Trust property at Llanerchaeron House just off the A482. It had been arranged that all ‘proper cars’ would line up in front of the house and, after touring the main house, we were able to enjoy the extensive grounds and restored large walled gardens. After another excellent dinner the group departed for home on the Monday.

During the weekend I again raised the request for an organiser to run the September 2009 event. Ian Hick kindly rose to the challenge (thank you Ian) and we hope that we can travel to somewhere in Yorkshire next year.

At this point may I mention that Laurence Nobes, our newsletter editor, is still hoping to hear from members with some articles. The closing date for copy to Laurence is 24 December so would anyone with an interesting story to tell please e-mail or write to Laurence direct at [email protected] or PO Box 1116, Stirling, South Australia 5152 - or via your Registrar.

News from members:- ‘Flying the Flag in Texas’ - Matthew van Grutten is a keen enthusiast of the Mark VI marque (having owned B193LH and B196PV) and was last heard of in November 2004 when he moved to Kuwait. He mailed again in early September (now from Texas) to say that he now runs B160LJ as a daily driver and has also acquired B433FU which he has “rescued”. Matthew wrote “I have kept my great enthusiasm for Bentley Mk VIs going and currently own a daily driver here

Mark VI and Silver Wraith Register: Mk VI (B128NZ) Mark VI and Silver Wraith Register: Matthew van Grutten’s cars 2008 Texas

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(B160LJ). I am the only Brit amongst literally tens of 1000s of US troops. The Bentley just gets the balance right: not ostentatious but stylish, nicely alternative but not eccentric, in fact precisely the sort of car a British Cavalry officer ought to drive! My commute is twenty one miles each way either down an Interstate along the Mexican border or over the ‘transmountain pass’ which reaches altitudes of some 7000 feet and from which, with the winged ‘B’ leading the way, the views are sensational - often up to 100 miles on a clear day. The car performs remarkably well even with temperatures in the 100°F bracket. I have to take care on really hot days and I am contemplating an electric fan just to ensure the passage of air through the radiator. The cooling system works really very well but simply wasn’t designed for 65mph at 100 degrees + at 7000 feet! I also have another Mk VI here which I have rescued (B433FU). The engine is unknown due to the fact that it has a very substantial A/C compressor mounted over the engine number and I simply cannot get to it. I am uncertain as to its fate. It has the most spectacular A/C system from a company called ARCTIC KAR which includes the aforementioned compressor and a huge tank in the boot which blows air from the rear parcel shelf forward. I am told this was a Rolls-Royce retrofit in the 1960s and certainly the quality of fitting and

workmanship would support that.In short, Bentley Mk VIs still

continue to give me the most enormous pleasure; surely they are one of the most undervalued of all Bentleys, not just financially, but on the grounds of pure competence in everything that is asked of them! I thoroughly enjoy steaming along the Mexican/US border at six in the morning, past the railway sidings and copper smelting works, the Rio Grande on one side and the Franklin Mountains on the other all gauges steady, business-like exhaust note and that most excellent of driving positions! The car is almost completely original and rot free and performs exactly as it was designed to. I attach a poor photograph of my garage and contents - the mascot on the car on the right is from a 1930s Packard I’m told!”

Thank you Matthew for putting this on record and I am pleased to hear no reports of failure to start under such extreme conditions.

Also Peter Jordan-Hill, one of our members in Victoria, Australia mailed in August to say that he had acquired a second Register car B128NZ in addition to B190HR.

And lastly, the Register has risen to 977 cars on the active side of the database. Our newsletter e-list is also growing quietly and now stands at 289 members.

Best wishes for the festive season.

SILVER CLOUD & S TYPE REGISTER

In my personal archive I have an interesting collection of about eighty different brochures related to the Silver Cloud and S Type models, published by the factory or independently by the Coachbuilders. From this issue of the Bulletin and in the next months I will reproduce part of the text and the drawings in these brochures. I think they could be of help and interest for the enthusiasts of these marvellous cars!

James Young Design no CV150:Body: Two-door saloon coupé on Bentley S2 Continental chassis.Construction: James Young special composite system in light alloy with steel reinforcements. Panelled in heavy gauge aluminium. Construction incorporates heat and sound insulation with continuous draught sealing.Windscreen: Laminated curved panel.Windows: Both door windows to drop, electrically operated. Quarter glasses to hinge.Seating: James Young bucket type front seat, incorporates centre armrest with independent fore and aft adjustments for driver and passenger. There are armrests to the front doors. The rear seat accommodates three passengers in comfort and is fitted with a folding centre armrest.

Silver Cloud Register: James Young Design no CV150 drawing

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Safety glass: “Triplex” laminated to screen and backlight. “Triplex” toughened to all other windows.Wings: High swept wing line with swaged mouldings and chromium plated bottom motifs. The rear wings are deeply valenced to avoid the use of detachable wheel covers.Boot: The rear luggage boot is shaped to allow full use of space and has spring assisted hinges. The lock is a positive press button type, with private lock incorporated. The floor and sides of the boot interior are covered with carpet to match the general colour scheme. The spare wheel is carried under boot floor, to give maximum boot space.Exterior finish: Cellulosed in colour of client’s choice.Upholstery: Interior trimmed is pleated and bolster style. The floor is completely covered with carpet which is underlined with felt. The doors house capacious lockers with sliding shutter doors. There are slip pockets to the trimming of both doors. Spring loaded return armpulls to rear seat. Wool rug to rear floor. Rear seat cushion to form luggage space.Instrument panel: Special James Young styled design in polished walnut veneer, in which are mounted the chassis instruments, heater, demister, defroster, switches and personal equipment such as ashtrays, etc. There is a lockable cubby hole to nearside.Cabinetwork: All interior woodwork is veneered with walnut and has a durable polished finish. The screen

facia carries the control for the parking and flashing indicators and chromium plated grab handle. Cigar lighters and ashtrays are fitted to the instrument panel and rear compartment. Interior lights: Two electric lamps are fitted to the rear compartment, and there is an extra lamp over the front seat. There is also a lamp in the boot with an independent switch.Driving mirror: One interior fitted top of screen.Sun visors: These are a flap type with a mirror for the passenger. Can be positioned to the side windows.Tool accommodation: Road and small tools are carried in the spare wheel compartment.

In total, just five S2 Continental w i th Des ign no CV150 were produced: BC27AR, BC45LAR, BC53AR, BC110AR, BC95BY. The first car made, chassis BC27AR, had a modified design of the headlamps and is referred as CV150M in the James Young files, but I do not have a photo of it. Of course, I would be pleased to receive a photo from the present owner!

SILVER GHOST REGISTER

At the time of writing we are just days away from the start of the Silver Ghost Register West Country Tour and it looks from the forecast that we shall have typical English summer weather – for the week – heavy uninterrupted

rain! Rather a shame as the majority of the cars are open tourers, but I am told that Silver Ghost owners are a hardy lot. We have in total sixteen couples from as far a field as the Isle of Man, Canada and Germany in a total of thirteen cars, ten of which are Silver Ghosts (three pre-WWI) and the rest later models. We will also be joined for a couple of days in Penzance by another Silver Ghost – a 1923 Piccadilly Roadster understood to be the only Silver Ghost to have completed three Alpine rallies from Britain.

The tour, despite the gloomy weather predictions, offers to be interesting in several ways. On the first full day we sail over to the Isle of Wight for lunch at the very exclusive Castle of the Royal Yacht Squadron on the seafront of Cowes. My worries over the time it would take to get all the cars out to the island, drive across it, and return by a different ferry route to reach our hotel in the heart of the New Forest for our evening meal, were further perplexed by the news that I should have allowed around three hours for a normal RYS luncheon!

After our overnight stay in the delightful Rhinefield House in Brockenhurst in the New Forest our next stopover is at a seafront hotel in Torquay where the General Manager and RREC member Tim Rew has almost as many Rolls-Royce motor cars as we have on the tour. We shall be joined for the evening meal by the South Western Secretary, Beryl Stone, and other members of her Section and Tim has assured us that he will make it a very special occasion.

The Queen’s Hotel in Penzance is right on the seafront with all our rooms overlooking Mount’s Bay, with views of St Michael’s Mount, the historic fishing village of Newlyn and the Lizard peninsula. The hotel, used in 1907 by Claude Johnson during his holiday with friends in AX201, is a Victorian family-run establishment with a very warm and welcoming atmosphere, so it should prove a pleasant refuge (as I expect will be needed) from the elements.

Our tour ends after seven days with our final night at a hotel in Exeter city centre, close to the Quayside.

Silver Cloud Register: Bentley S2 Continental BC45LAR with Design no CV150

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DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN SPARES CORNER?I have been fortunate to be a member of the RROC of Australia for over thirty years and the RREC for somewhat shorter. I am an avid enthusiast of both Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars and in that capacity, spares is an essential element of maintaining our cars to the superb standards we all expect. In the Spares Corner column Tony James brings that special insight into where we can find genuine spares, who makes them, alternatives if you are in a fix, with just a vast extent of knowledge that I find invaluable. Tony compiles all this data, and makes it available to all of us in his Bulletin column. His efforts are unique by any car club standard and he is unstinting in his sourcing and description of those hard-to-find parts. Thank you Tony for the wonderful effort you put into this valuable and critical part of the RREC.

WATER RETENTIONI am having difficulty with my 1996 Bentley Azure regarding water ingress. All four foot wells seem to collect water. I am unable to find any evidence of water ingress upwards through the floor and it also does not seem to be getting through the windows. I have also had the air conditioning drain flushed through, so that is not the problem. Under the carpets there are heavy mates with the sponge facing down. The sponge regularly becomes sodden. I believe the problem may be condensation entrapment and I am considering replacing the heavy backed sponge with a more breathable material. Has anyone had similar experience of water ingress with this model and is there a known cause and remedy? I would be grateful for any suggestions or comments.

A ROLLS-ROYCE SERVICEDuring a 3000 mile tour of France and Spain during July 2008 in my 1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II (157,000 miles on the clock) the car failed to proceed at 0930hrs at Benalmadina on the south coast of Spain on Saturday 12 July. Having been assisted by three recovery vehicles the car was taken to the local Rolls-Royce agent, Car Privilege Services SA at Estapona on Monday afternoon at 1630hrs.

Although fully booked until August the service manager, Emilio Navarro and his delightful assistant Rosario accepted the car and by lunchtime on Tuesday diagnosed the fault as being the starter motor. Emilio advised that the replacement could be with us by the following Monday.

A telephone call to my UK service agent Dennis Haynes at Rochford, Essex revealed an answering service. After close of business I tried his mobile number only to find that he himself was on holiday in Estapona! Dennis advised that the car could be fitted with a Silver Spirit starter rather than a Silver Shadow one, this being not only more reliable but less expensive. After a couple of phone calls to the UK, he was able to advise that a starter motor was available and

could be shipped that day and be in Estapona on Thursday.

By Friday lunch time, thanks to Dennis, Emilio and Rosario, we were on the road again with a courtesy follow-up phone call from Dennis to make sure that we were.

Although this put a damper on the touring holiday, this type of service minimised what could have been a total disaster.

SCALDED CATI wonder if anyone remembers the Scalded Cat. I believe this was an experimental car that used what was originally the straight eight military engine developed for the Phantom IV. They then developed it further for high performance and installed it experimentally in (I think) an R Type and called it informally the

Scalded Cat.I knew of this by rumour but believe

it to be true and I am wondering if there is anyone around still who might know more about it. It would have been an interesting car but I believe it certainly lived up to its name and its performance was too powerful for a normal customer as the size and weight of the engine would have been difficult to cope with.

I am wondering if Ian Rimmer knows anything about it as I think he might have been about then and no doubt it would have been very secret then but its existence would not matter now.

SILK PURSE OR SOW’S EAR? (2) I read with interest the letter from Pieter Burke (Silk Purse or Sow’s Ear?) on page 64 of B289. Undeniably, many people would agree with Pieter. But my own view is that the article on John Blatchley (B288, p62) was the right way around.

Some RREC members will wearily recognise me as the number one apologist for the Vanden Plas Princess 4 Litre R. Foolishly, I sold my 1965 Sherwood green example last year to pay for major works on my Mk VI (all things being well I’ll be buying her back towards the end of this year, as I simply can’t live without her). Without doubt the majority of these cars nowadays are complete dogs, dilapidated and tired, with an engine sounding like a bag of spanners. This is because, rightfully, people see it as not commercially worthwhile bringing them up to brand new showroom standard when a concours example only fetches £7500. But mine was re-upholstered and re-carpeted, lambswool overrugs, engine and gearbox completely re-built by Mick Dearing, the 4 Litre R specialist in Bourne, Lincolnshire.

One o f the be s t e xample s remaining, she was a beauty. As a re-bui l t spec imen, I got to experience the Rolls-Royce F60 engine as it was new; silent, smooth, ‘torquey’, completely bullet proof, and utterly reliable (if a little thirsty

C O R R E S P O N D E N C E

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GIVE ME LIGHTI would be most grateful i f anyone can tell me anything of the provenance of the keyholder

and cigarette lighter shown in the pictures. If they were indeed issued by Rolls-Royce, then were they for internal use or were they issued to

customers? The cigarette lighter was presumably for presentation, but for what occasion(s)?

Rolls-Royce keyholder Rolls-Royce cigarette lighter

at speed). The engine’s designer, Reg Spencer, without doubt created a l itt le-loved masterpiece here. Contrary to popular belief, spares are relatively easy to come by. And, unlike my Mk VI, the car was cheap to run.

Why was the car much maligned in the 1960s and why didn’t it sell? For its time and for the price it really wasn’t a bad car at all. But by the time of its introduction the world was changing; the Beatles, the baby boom and a desire to throw out the old and usher in the new. The car was staid and very old-world British. For that kind of money, everyone

wanted a Jaguar.The grace and pace of the engine

and gearbox is undeniably let down by the BMC Cowley bodywork, which is frankly water-soluble. But this is nothing that can’t be fixed by a decent specialist at way less than a fifth of the price that the owner of a Silver Cloud would shell out. Drive a perfect example, as I used to do, in its natural surroundings around Westminster, Mayfair and St James’ on a sunny Saturday afternoon and I defy anyone not to pick up the 4 Litre R bug.

Incidentally, I also have a 1968 4 Litre R with division, currently off the

road and completely dead, bought off eBay a couple of years ago for £400. But, to my knowledge, there are only two remaining examples with division left in the world. In the next few years the plan is to have her totally rebuilt, painted in the same colour scheme as the Royal Phantom Vs and VI – Rolls-Royce Royal claret, black roof, black leather to the front, light blue woolcloth to the rear.

For anyone looking for a useable everyday cheap-to-maintain stablemate to their Rolls-Royce or Bentley and with an interest in all things Rolls-Royce, take my recommendation.

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O B I T U A R I E SPETER JOHN BONEHAM1921-2008It is with sadness that I report the death of a fellow member and long-time supporter of the Club. Peter Boneham fought for seven years against leukaemia and later other cancers. At the age of eighty seven, his struggle came to an end on 20 July 2008.

Peter, born and raised in Mansfield, was a long-retired managing director of the family precision engineering works in that town. After leaving grammar school he entered the family business as an apprenticed engineer and was later accepted on to an engineering course at Sheffield University where he met his wife, Margaret, a student of geology. World War II had commenced and at the end of his first year of studies he decided to leave and return to work to assist the factory in its contribution to the war effort, making, among other things, tools and engine components for the RAF. When the war was over, the company continued to supply Rolls-Royce not with parts and tools for the aero engines but also for the cars.

Peter lived life to the full almost to the end. His love for flying his glider was a dominant affair and he was known to tow it behind the Bentley even on to the continent. However, we must not forget his love for Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars and his devout interest in high quality antique clocks. In the three decades I have known him he has, as I recall, owned two post-1965 Bentleys and a 1984 Corniche.

His collection of superb clocks, many of them by London makers and covering a wide spectrum of styles is to be admired, not forgetting the incredible turret clock he rescued from a bank many years ago and which cost him years of time in restoration and construction work to install it over his garage and workshops. His skills extended to the making of high quality clocks of unusual and sophisticated designs. As such, he was a member of the British Horological Institute and was appointed to the Clockmakers Guild in London.

As a good friend, I will remember him as a most sincere character, as honest as they come, caring and always willing to assist with any job involving engineering. Clock repair was routine for him. In terms of the RREC, I remember vividly my discussions with him early in 1999 about a long-term desire to buy a good quality, early series Jaguar ‘E’ type roadster. I had been to look at one or two and he then asked me if I had ever thought of owning an old Rolls-Royce. He loaned me his collection of Club Bulletins and Advertisers which I browsed repeatedly over a period of several weeks. I became hooked and Peter took Christine and me to the very wet Annual Rally at Cottesbrooke Hall that year. It was an awe-inspiring experience which resulted in me buying GAU15, my 1932 20/25 Hooper special touring saloon. Then began another obsession and a highly satisfying but frustrating, stressful,

back breaking, money consuming affair with proper motor cars!

Thank you Peter. You will be sadly missed.

ANTHONY MAURICE RANDALL KEMSLEYAnthony, or Tony, was born in Witham, Essex and after schooling went on to gain an Engineering Science Degree at Oxford where he was also in the rowing team.

He started technical research and development work for what is now British Aerospace and his engineering and scientific knowledge went into aspects of the famous Lightning fighter, TSR2, Canberra, Concorde and the Tornado during his working life at Warton. He was an expert in proving theories of vibration, stresses and strain, electronics and hydraulics in aircraft, often going it alone to find a successful conclusion. He was a very

STEVE STRAW1952 - 2008It is difficult to comprehend that Steve is no longer with us as he was always so full of life. Sadly, he died on the 14 June after being ill for less than a month.

Steve’s working life was much involved with the servicing and sales of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars. Most of his career was at Mann Eggerton, Nottingham. When they lost the franchise in 1997 he moved to Michael Powles in Leicester and finally moved to Ristes of Nottingham 18 months ago.

S t e v e l i v e d i n A r n o l d , Nottingham with his wife Chris and daughter, Leanne to whom he was devoted. Most weekends during the summer you would find them at their caravan, where Steve enjoyed his hobby of fishing and, of course, an occasional Pint! He was very outgoing and always had a large circle of friends.

The funeral at Bramcote

Crematorium was very unusual; he entered to the sounds of Mr Blue Sky by ELO. Recollections of Steve were shared with everyone by Bob Disney, a colleague and friend of thirty years, who recounted his special memories most of which made everyone smile. This was followed by memories from his sister-in-law, Dawn, on his trip to Australia to visit his brother-in-law, Bernie. Bernie felt the Aussie life was perfect for Steve’s “Beer and a Smoke” extrovert lifestyle. The ceremony was led by Andy Fisher and Steve left us to the sound of Another One Bites The Dust by Queen.

The chapel was full of his family, friends, customers and colleagues.

I will remember Steve as very outgoing and sometimes overwhelming; he was always very friendly, with most people being “his Mate”. I, like everyone, will miss Steve and the light and humour he brought to our lives.

“Goodbye, Our Mate!”

65

clever man, somewhat eccentric but a true boffin.

Once settled in Lytham, he started sailing his dinghy called ‘Cobo’ after a childhood holiday place in the Channel Isles, from the Skippool Yacht Club. In the Fifties he then bought a yacht called ‘Progress’ sailing in Morecambe Bay and Scotland. He moved on to complete the building of a new wooden sailing cruiser/racer named ‘Tocobo’. With various friends he successfully won many racing cups, sailing the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man and Scotland. He earned a good reputation for being an excellent navigator and yachtsman whilst sailing with the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club in the Sixties and Seventies.

During this time Tony also took up photography and gliding at Salmesbury and Chipping.

His home engineering workshop enabled him to restore numerous, famous vintage motorcycles which he would ride to various rallies, winning several cups.

In the Fifties Tony bought a scrap Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost for £20 for a restoration project, exchanging it thirty years later for a newer 1926 Rolls-Royce. He attended many Club rallies and events with this 20hp saloon.

When h i s hea l th began to deteriorate ‘Tocobo’ and some of his motorbikes were sold but he continued to tow the caravan to events making attachments for his electric wheelchair to be carried behind the car. Tony always adapted to his health problems and would not be beaten. He was awarded a 30-year membership badge by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club.

As Tony became more disabled, indoor hobbies were taken up,

especially his Radio Ham making friends far and wide. The computer opened up a new ‘career’ for Tony – letter-writing, expressing his forthright opinions to all and sundry. He did do that well and in this age not always politically correctly! MPs, Tax Inspectors and indeed all in authority would vouch for that.

Tony earned the respect of many people as he was a perfectionist in all technical aspects. Indeed, many of his friends will have heard his howl of disdain as woe betide you if you

KEN DUNN 1942-2008Ken Dunn, a most popular member of the Northern Section, died on Tuesday 23 September 2008. Ken was a big man in every way and his generosity knew no bounds. An all-round sportsman, he aspired in his early days to be a professional footballer but his mother decreed that he had to get a proper job and was apprenticed as a plumber. It was whilst still an apprentice that he sowed the seeds of the first of several most successful businesses. On his retirement some forty years later, the accolades showered upon him by the local business community were testament to his achievements and personality.

Ken loved his beautiful Club cars which he maintained to the highest standard with the help of many Club members. Ken’s participation in Club events led him to many rallies at home, in

Europe and Asia. His popularity sprung from his wonderful e xuberant charac ter which was most contagious. Those members who met him will never forget the hilarious tales of a struggling Liverpool apprentice with references to handcarts, forty foot ladders and lavatory pans! His presence in a room was illuminating and, to those of us who were privileged to know him, a light has gone out in all our lives.

Ken and his wife Vera were always present as a team and their favourite song Wind Beneath My Wings, illustrated their relationship beautifully. Messages of support for Vera, their daughter Philippa and son Christopher by Club members have been flooding in and the vast turnout of members and their cars for Ken’s funeral was the final testament of the love and affection felt by all who knew this most wonderful man.

had over-tightened that bolt or put one extra ounce of weight in your bag before a yacht race, or just touched something which was in an exact position! You could be called new names as well – but that was Tony. He may have lost an odd friend but his true ones knew him well and stuck with him.

Tony was a caring, honest, decent and reliable chap with high moral values and standard and had a good sense of humour. We shall miss him.

66

DECEMBER 2008

7 Traditional President’s Chlaus Höck, Sunnmatt Lodge, Zumikon. Switzerland Section

7 Christmas Lunch, Scalford Hall, nr Melton Mowbray. East Midlands Section

7 Christmas Lunch, Aston Hall, Sheffield. Yorkshire Section

7 Christmas Lunch, Stockbrook Manor Golf Club. Essex Section

7 AGM, Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington. North Eastern Section

7 Christmas Lunch, The Beckford, near Evesham. West Midlands Section

7 AGM and Christmas Lunch. Scottish Section

7 AGM and Christmas Lunch. Central Southern Section

14 AGM and Christmas Lunch. Paulerspury Section

14 AGM and Christmas Lunch, Wyck Hill House Hotel, Stow-on-the-Wold. Oxford Section

14 Christmas Supper and Boat Trip on the River Thames. Thames Valley Section

14 Christmas Lunch, The Holiday Inn, Wrotham. South Eastern Section

14 AGM, Folkes Arms, Hillington, Kings Lynn. East Anglian Section

14 Christmas Lunch, Livermead House Hotel, Torquay. South Western Section

14 Christmas Lunch, Ty Newydd Country Hotel, Hirwaun. Welsh Section

14 Christmas Lunch, The Hunting Lodge, Adlington Hall, Macclesfield. Northern Section

14 Christmas Lunch, Springfield Country Hotel, Wareham. Wessex Section

JANUARY 2009

4 New Members’ Lunch, The Wealden Hall, Larkfield. South Eastern Section

16-18 Winter Weekend Break, Plas Maenan Country House Hotel, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Northern Section

18 AGM, Dudsbury Golf Club, Ferndown. Wessex Section

18 AGM and New Year’s Dinner. Holland Section

25 Cosford RAF Museum and New Year Lunch at Houghton Hall, Shifnal. West Midlands Section

25 AGM, Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, Warrington. Northern Section

25 AGM, Venue TBA. Surrey Section

FEBRUARY 2009

8 AGM and Lunch, Rogerthorpe Manor, Badsworth nr Pontefract. Yorkshire Section

8 AGM and Lunch, Three Rivers GC. Essex Section

8 AGM, Sonning Great House Hotel. Thames Valley Section

14 Frank Dale & Stepsons Showroom. Middlesex Section

22 AGM, Morley Hayes. East Midlands Section

27 Feb – 1 Mar Winter Weekend Break, Plas Maenan Country House Hotel, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Northern Section

MARCH 2009

6-8 AGM Weekend, Mercure Parkside Hotel, Woughton-on-the-Green. 25 Register

8 AGM, 25 Register, The Hunt House15 AGM, Hundred House, Great Witley.

West Midlands Section15 Driving Day with Lunch. Thames

Valley Section22 Technical Meeting, Groenouwe

Garage. Holland Section

APRIL 2009

3-5 CLUB CONFERENCE and AGM24-26 Weekend on the Isle of Wight.

Derby Bentley Register25-26 Spring Rally. Holland Section26 River and Boating Museum, Henley

on Thames and lunch at Leander Club. Oxford Section

MAY 2009

17-23 Cotswold Rally. Derby Phantom Register

22-24 Weekend in Sussex. Essex Section

JUNE 2009

1-3 Visit to the Lakes. East Midlands Section

5-7 Section Weekend, the Waterloo Hotel, Betws y Coed, Snowdonia. Northern Section

7-12 Lake District Rally. 25 Register13-14 ANNUAL RALLY at Kelmarsh Hall14 Fathers Day Picnic, Harewood

House. Yorkshire Section

JULY 2009

5 President’s Picknick. Holland Section

6-13 Rally to Bouillon, Belgian Ardennes. 20hp Register

12 Picnic, Duncombe Park. Yorkshire Section

19 40th Anniversary of the Section, Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray. East Midlands Section

26 Picnic, Cannon Hall. Yorkshire Section

26 Arundel Castle. Central Southern Section

AUGUST 2009

9 30th North of England Rally, Harewood House, Leeds

SEPTEMBER 2009

3-12 Rally to Cognac. South Western Section

3-13 Burgundy Tour. Derby Bentley Register

11-12 Weekend near Cambridge. 20hp Register

20 Picnic, Eden Camp. Yorkshire Section

27 Autum Rally. Holland Section

NOVEMBER 2009

7 Technical Meeting, Daatselaar Garage. Holland Section

JANUARY 2010

17 AGM and New Year’s Dinner. Holland Section

E V E N T S L I S T

All new members are invited to contact their nearest Section Secretaries for information of local activities. All new members are invited to contact their nearest Section Secretaries for information of local activities. You will be sure of a warm welcome among people of like interests!You will be sure of a warm welcome among people of like interests!

tthe opinions expressed and advice offered in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the he opinions expressed and advice offered in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the ddirectors. irectors. rr.rr.E..E.cc. lltd accepts no responsibility for the results of following contributors’ advicetd accepts no responsibility for the results of following contributors’ advice

SSECTIONECTION S SECRETARIESECRETARIESINTERNATIONALINTERNATIONALaaUUstria stria cchairman: hairman: Mag. Helmut Goigner, Mag. Helmut Goigner, sstaatsbahnstrataatsbahnstraßeße. 58, . 58,

2136 2136 llaa an der aa an der tthaya, haya, ttel/el/ffax: +43 2522 2603. ax: +43 2522 2603. E-mail: E-mail: [email protected]. [email protected]. Johann Vondra,Johann Vondra, mmillergasse illergasse 1111, 1060 , 1060 Wien. Wien. ttel: +43 699 10 815 300. E-mail: [email protected]: +43 699 10 815 300. E-mail: [email protected]

BEBElgilgiUUmm ( (fflemish)lemish) c chairman: hairman: Mar Van de Kreeke,Mar Van de Kreeke, hhet et ssteedie 44, 3530 teedie 44, 3530 hhouthalen-outhalen-hhelchteren. elchteren. ttel: 0032 1181 3590. el: 0032 1181 3590. Guy Rousseau,Guy Rousseau, ooosthoevestraat 127, 2950 Kapellen, osthoevestraat 127, 2950 Kapellen, Belgium. Belgium. ttel/el/ffax: +32 3315 0515. E-mail: [email protected]: +32 3315 0515. E-mail: [email protected]

BEBElgilgiUUmm--llUXEUXEmmBBooUUrg crg chairman: hairman: Baron M. t’Kint de Roodenbeke,Baron M. t’Kint de Roodenbeke,lla a fferme du erme du vvicaire, icaire, hhédenge, B-1367 édenge, B-1367 aautre-Eglise, Belgium. utre-Eglise, Belgium. ttel: +32.81.87.88.50. el: +32.81.87.88.50. ffax: +32.81.87.88.51. ax: +32.81.87.88.51. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ddENENmarmarKK cchairman: hairman: Jens KjJens Kjæærulff.rulff. ssecretary: ecretary: Preben Pederson,Preben Pederson,llindeengen 16, indeengen 16, ddK 2740 K 2740 sskovlunde, kovlunde, ddenmark. enmark. ttel: 0045 el: 0045 44916242. E-mail: [email protected]. E-mail: [email protected]

fifiNNlalaNNd d cchairman:hairman: John Häggström, John Häggström, Uittamontie 5, Uittamontie 5, fifiN 00940, N 00940, hhelsinki, elsinki, ffinland. inland. ttel: +358 40 900 9150. el: +358 40 900 9150. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

frafraNNccEE Antoine-Pierre Blondet,Antoine-Pierre Blondet, 2 rue 2 rue rrossini, Paris 75009. ossini, Paris 75009. ttel: (33) 01 48 01 95 65 direct. el: (33) 01 48 01 95 65 direct. ffax: (33) 01 48 01 95 59 ax: (33) 01 48 01 95 59 secretary. E-mail: [email protected]. E-mail: [email protected]

ggEErmarmaNNy y cchairman: hairman: Hans-Rudolf Koch,Hans-Rudolf Koch, Bergrade 16, 23898 Bergrade 16, 23898 dduvensee, uvensee, ggermany. ermany. ttel: 00 49 4543 808667. el: 00 49 4543 808667. mmobile: 00 49 172 3255463. obile: 00 49 172 3255463. ffax: 00 49 4543 1249. ax: 00 49 4543 1249. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]: ecretary: JJöörg Zeig,rg Zeig, iim Bm Büühlsgarten 3, 57223 Kreutzal, hlsgarten 3, 57223 Kreutzal, ggermany. ermany. ttel: 00 49 2732 892491. el: 00 49 2732 892491. ffax: 00 49 2732 892479. E-mail: [email protected]: 00 49 2732 892479. E-mail: [email protected]

HOLLANDHOLLAND K Staal,K Staal, hh J Kniggekade 69, 9503 J Kniggekade 69, 9503 rrJ J sstadskanaal, tadskanaal, Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]. E-mail: [email protected]

hohoNNgg K KooNNg g VacantVacantirirEElalaNNd d cchairman: hairman: Pat McSweeney,Pat McSweeney, “Woodlands”. “Woodlands”. mmanch, anch,

Ballineen, Ballineen, ccork, ork, iireland. reland. dday ay ttel: 023 55000. el: 023 55000. Evening Evening ttel: 023 47359. el: 023 47359. mmobile: 087 9163804. obile: 087 9163804. E-mail: [email protected]. netE-mail: [email protected]. netCarol Plunkett,Carol Plunkett, 2 2 ffortfield ortfield tterrace, errace, rrathmines, athmines, ddublin 6, ublin 6, iireland. reland. ttel: 00353 14975118el: 00353 14975118

islislE E ofof mamaNN Chrissie Parkes,Chrissie Parkes, tthe he rround ound hhouse, ouse, llonan, onan, iisle of sle of mman an imim4 4 7PP. 7PP. ttel/el/ffax: 01624 861920. E-mail: [email protected]: 01624 861920. E-mail: [email protected]

italy italy Davide Bassoli,Davide Bassoli, vviale iale rrisorgimento 54/B, 46015 isorgimento 54/B, 46015 ccicognara icognara ((mmN), N), iitaly. taly. ttel: +39 0375 88536. el: +39 0375 88536. mmobile +39 3490770183. obile +39 3490770183. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

JJaaPPaaNN Keizo (Mark) Yuasa,Keizo (Mark) Yuasa, oomori Pmori Po o Box 14, Box 14, ttokyo 143-8691, okyo 143-8691, Japan. Japan. ttel/el/ffax: 813-5746-1520. E-mail: [email protected]: 813-5746-1520. E-mail: [email protected]

NNororWWay ay J. E. Ronneberg,J. E. Ronneberg, Neils Juels gt 14, 0272 Neils Juels gt 14, 0272 ooslo, Norwayslo, NorwayPPortortUUgal gal Elvio Santos,Elvio Santos, ccentro entro ccomercial, omercial, mmarina arina vvilamoura, ilamoura, lloja 23, oja 23,

8125 8125 vvilamoura, Portugal. ilamoura, Portugal. ttel: 3519 1781 0024. el: 3519 1781 0024. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

sosoUUthth africa cafrica cape ape ttown – own – cchairman: hairman: Stuart Halsall,Stuart Halsall, 3 3 ssleigh leigh ccrescent, rescent, ssomerset West 7130, omerset West 7130, ssouth outh aafrica. frica. ttel: 021 852 7570 el: 021 852 7570 Trevor KomaromyTrevor Komaromy 13 Uitsig 13 Uitsig cclose, lose, cconstantia, onstantia, ccape ape ttown own 7806, 7806, ssouth outh aafrica. frica. ttel: 021 794 2869el: 021 794 2869

ssPPaiaiNN cchairman: hairman: Roger Fry, Roger Fry, ccBE, BE, aavda Pvda Píío Xo Xiiii 92, 28036 92, 28036 mmadrid, adrid, sspain. pain. Mario J. Hernáez,Mario J. Hernáez, mmaestro aestro llasalle 46, 28016 asalle 46, 28016 mmadrid, adrid, sspain. pain. ttel: 0034 91359 8800. el: 0034 91359 8800. ffax: 0034 91369 2767ax: 0034 91369 2767

ssWEWEddENEN Göran Berg,Göran Berg, rrönntunet 2, önntunet 2, ss-181 48 -181 48 llidingö. idingö. ttel: (el: (ssweden) weden) 0708 108 118. 0708 108 118. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ssWWiss iss cchairman: hairman: Arthur G. Sutsch, Arthur G. Sutsch, oober ber ggeriwil 41, eriwil 41, chch-1715 -1715 aalterswil, lterswil, sswitzerland. witzerland. ttel: 0041 264 94 18 89. el: 0041 264 94 18 89. ffax: 0041 264 94 31 07. E-mail: [email protected]: 0041 264 94 31 07. E-mail: [email protected]ürg M. Bihn, Jürg M. Bihn, Jonastrasse 17c, PJonastrasse 17c, Po o Box 406, Box 406, chch-8636-8636 Wald Wald ZZhh, , sswitzerland. witzerland. ttel: 0041 792 93 52 74. el: 0041 792 93 52 74. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

UPPEUPPErr cacaNNada cada chairman: hairman: Peter Neilson,Peter Neilson, 34 Kings 34 Kings ggarden arden rroad, oad, ttoronto, oronto, mm8X 18X 1ss6. 6. Roger and Eleanor Hadfield,Roger and Eleanor Hadfield, mmazemoor, azemoor, rrrr11, , mmilton, ilton, oontario, ntario, ccanada anada ll99tt 2X5. 2X5. ttel: 905 878 6864.el: 905 878 6864.

WEWEststEErrN N cacaNNada ada Gwen Page,Gwen Page, 7954 7954 llarkvale arkvale rroad, oad, ssaanichton, British aanichton, British ccolumbia, olumbia, vv88mm 11K6, K6, ccanada. anada. ttel: 001 250 5441786. el: 001 250 5441786. ffax: 001 250 5441796. E-mail: [email protected]: 001 250 5441796. E-mail: [email protected]

UK UK ccENENtraltral sosoUUththEErrNN Ted Meachem,Ted Meachem, llittle ittle sstammerham tammerham ffarm, arm, ttwo wo mmile ile aash, sh,

hhorsham orsham rhrh13 0P13 0Pgg. ttel: 01403 731451. el: 01403 731451. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

EEastast aaNNgliagliaNN Terry Wright,Terry Wright, Engine Engine ccottage, ottage, ffordham, ordham, ddownham ownham mmarket, arket, Norfolk PE38 0Norfolk PE38 0llW. W. ttel: 01366 385534. el: 01366 385534. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

EEastast midlamidlaNNds ds John DJohn D Newton, Newton, 64 Breach 64 Breach rroad, oad, hheanor, eanor, dderbyshire erbyshire ddE75 7NJ. E75 7NJ. ttel: 01773 768883.el: 01773 768883.E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

EEssssEXEX Glen AGlen A Grindrod,Grindrod, tthe he fforest, Wood orest, Wood rrow, ow, hhatfield Broad atfield Broad ooak, Bishops ak, Bishops sstortford, tortford, hhertfordshire ertfordshire cmcm22 7BX. 22 7BX. ttel: 01279 718858. E-mail: [email protected]: 01279 718858. E-mail: [email protected]

grgrEEatat WE WEststEErrNN Pat Smith,Pat Smith, 11 11 mmansel ansel cclose, lose, ssaltford, Bristol Baltford, Bristol Bss31 331 3llE. E. ttel/el/ffax. 01225 872005. ax. 01225 872005. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

middlmiddlEEssEXEX David Oxford, David Oxford, ‘Brantwood’, 11 ‘Brantwood’, 11 ccourt Way, ourt Way, ccolindale, olindale, llondon NW9 6Jondon NW9 6Jgg. ttel: 020 8200 1255. el: 020 8200 1255. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

NNorthorth E EastastEErrNN Martin Vinson,Martin Vinson, sswale wale rreach, each, ccatton, atton, tthirsk, hirsk, yyorkshire, orkshire, yoyo7 7 44ssQ. Q. ttel: 01845 595084. el: 01845 595084. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

NORTHERNNORTHERN Tony Flood,Tony Flood, Northern Northern ssection ection ssecretary. 97 Ernest ecretary. 97 Ernest sstreet, treet, ccrewe, rewe, ccheshire, heshire, ccW2 6JZ. W2 6JZ. ttel: 01270 215057.el: 01270 215057.E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ooXXford ford Gerald Garratt,Gerald Garratt, ssycamore ycamore hhouse, ouse, ttacks acks llane, ane, tthame hame rroad, oad, hhaddenham, Buckinghamshire addenham, Buckinghamshire hhP17 8EW. P17 8EW. ttel: 01844 292481.el: 01844 292481.E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

PPaaUUllEErsrsPUPUry ry Mia Murray, Mia Murray, ttattenhoe attenhoe ffarm, arm, ttattenhoe, attenhoe, mmilton Keynes, ilton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire mmK4 3K4 3aaaa. ttel: 01908 504606. el: 01908 504606. E-mail: mia_murray@ampthillE-mail: [email protected]

scottish scottish Andrew Green, Andrew Green, ddal al gghorm horm hhouse, ouse, aardtoe, rdtoe, aacharacle, characle, aargyll, rgyll, PPhh36 436 4ldld. ttel: 01967 431446. el: 01967 431446. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

sosoUUthth E EastastEErrNN Stephen Fabman-Beker,Stephen Fabman-Beker, 7 7 rroseacre oseacre llane, Bearsted, Kent ane, Bearsted, Kent mmE14 4E14 4hyhy. ttel: 07749 626720. el: 07749 626720. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

sosoUUthth WE WEststEErrNN Mrs Beryl Stone,Mrs Beryl Stone, sstewart tewart hheights, 2 Petroc eights, 2 Petroc ddrive, Newton rive, Newton aabbot, bbot, ddevon evon ttQ12 2Q12 2ltlt. ttel: 01626 363722. el: 01626 363722. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ssUUrrrrEEy y Nick Stow, Nick Stow, ooak ak ccottage, ottage, sst Nicolas t Nicolas aavenue, venue, ccranleigh, ranleigh, ssurrey urrey ggU6 7U6 7aaQ. Q. ttel: 01483 274479. el: 01483 274479. E-mail: n_stowxf6E-mail: [email protected]@hotmail.com

thamthamEEss vallvallEEy y David Evans,David Evans, mmore Place, Betchworth, ore Place, Betchworth, ssurrey urrey rhrh3 73 7adad. ttel: 01737 843794. E-mail: moreplace@Bel: 01737 843794. E-mail: [email protected]

WEWElsh lsh Kelvin Price,Kelvin Price, tthe he hhendre, 45 endre, 45 vvillage illage ffarm, Bonvilston, arm, Bonvilston, ccardiff ardiff cfcf5 65 6tyty. ttel: 01446 781688.el: 01446 781688.

WEWEssssEXEX John Schofield,John Schofield, Barn End, Barn End, cchurch hurch llane, ane, sseavington eavington sst t mmary, ary, ssomerset omerset tata19 0QP. 19 0QP. ttel: 01460 240805. el: 01460 240805. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

WEWEstst midlamidlaNNds ds Brian Bremer,Brian Bremer, cchylowen, 9 Beechcombe hylowen, 9 Beechcombe cclose, Pershore, lose, Pershore, Worcestershire, WWorcestershire, Wrr10 1PW. 10 1PW. ttel: 01386 556945el: 01386 556945E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

yoryorKKshirshirEE Liz Brown,Liz Brown, 52 52 hhigh igh sstreet, Norton, treet, Norton, ddoncaster, oncaster, ssouth outh yyorkshire orkshire ddN6 9EU. N6 9EU. ttel: 01302 700830. el: 01302 700830. E-mail: E-mail: [email protected]@yahoo.co.uk

RREGISTEREGISTER R REGISTRAEGISTRARRSSssilver ilver gghosthost Andy Courtney, Andy Courtney, 25 Upper 25 Upper tteddington eddington rroad, oad, hhampton ampton

Wick, Kingston-upon-Wick, Kingston-upon-tthames, Khames, Ktt1 41 4dldl. ttel/el/ffax. 0208 977 5369. ax. 0208 977 5369. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

20hp20hp Tom Jones, Tom Jones, 11 North 11 North hhill Park, ill Park, sst t aaustell, ustell, ccornwall, Pornwall, Pll25 25 4BJ. 4BJ. ttel: 01726 61180. E-mail: el: 01726 61180. E-mail: [email protected]@chez-jones.demon.co.uk

20/25, 25/30, Wraith20/25, 25/30, Wraith Tony James,Tony James, Bengal Bengal ffarmhouse, armhouse, ggreens Norton, near reens Norton, near ttowcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8Bowcester, Northamptonshire NN12 8Bgg. ttel: 01327 350145. el: 01327 350145. ffax: 01327 350175. ax: 01327 350175. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

dderby Bentleyerby Bentley Douglas Reece, Douglas Reece, Polcouta Polcouta ffarmhouse, armhouse, vveryan, eryan, ttruro, ruro, ccornwall, ornwall, trtr2 5QQ. 2 5QQ. ttel: 01872 501203. el: 01872 501203. E-mail: E-mail: [email protected]@tiscali.co.uk

dderby Phantomerby Phantom Malcolm Law, Malcolm Law, 18 18 hherbert erbert rroad, Emerson oad, Emerson Park,Park, h hornchurch,ornchurch, Essex Essex rmrm11 311 3ldld. ttel: 01708 442394. el: 01708 442394. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

mmk. k. vivi and and ssilver Wraithilver Wraith Tony Jenkin,Tony Jenkin, ffair air aacres, Bampton, cres, Bampton, ooxfordshire xfordshire ooX18 2X18 2aaaa. ttel: 01993 850801 (evenings). el: 01993 850801 (evenings). E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ssilver ilver cclouds and louds and ss ttypesypes Davide Bassoli,Davide Bassoli, vviale iale rrisorgimento 54/B, 46015 isorgimento 54/B, 46015 ccicognara icognara ((mmN), N), iitaly. taly. ttel: +39 0375 88536. el: +39 0375 88536. mmobile +39 3490770183. obile +39 3490770183. E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

ssilver ilver sshadow, hadow, tt series, series, Terence Quinn, Terence Quinn, ssintra, intra, vvicarage icarage llane, East ane, East ffarleigh,arleigh,ccorniche and orniche and ccamargue amargue m maidstone, Kent. aidstone, Kent. ttel: 01622 726003. el: 01622 726003.

E-mail: terence.quinnE-mail: [email protected]@btinternet.com

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