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[ New Year's Day Meeting - The
Beehive, Woodhatch -
January 2005 ] ::
The Beehive used to be as regular summer evening venue
but the car park became too small to house us all. We returned last year
for New Year's Day, which normally has a lower turnout, and got a nice
welcome. Also there was no problems in getting a cooked lunch. Judging
by the turnout this year the grub must have been good because most
members were tucking in and the car park was full. It is now again an 'official' event.
The following text is based on the SVVS Magazine report by Chris Cuss and the photos by Bozi Mohacek. Please click on any thumbnail picture below to
see the full size picture. To return to the thumbnails please click the Explorer
"Back" arrow (top left of screen). Pictures are sized to be
viewed at 800 x 600.
Once again our meeting at the Beehive in Woodhatch, just south of
Reigate, on the A217, attracted a good number of proper motorcars as
quite a few of our members started the New Year as they intend to go on
by getting the old motor on the road. As often happens with lunchtime
gatherings some members had to leave early and others arrived later. The
onset of steady but light drizzle meant that those with open cars also
left earlier than perhaps they would have done had the weather stayed
dry. Quite a few members had opted for the comfort of a modern and
whilst there were at least 20 proper cars outside there were more than
60 of our members crowded into the end of the bar reserved for us.
It was interesting to see several cars that do not often make our
evening events. I made several trips to the car park armed with my tape
recorder and noted two Bentleys; the delightfully original 1929 4½
litre tourer owned by Ian Maclennan and the 1949 Mark 6 saloon belonging
to Robert Pedler. Close to the pub entrance was the aluminium bodied
1950 Dellow Mark 1 driven by Nicholas Wollett alongside which was the
red Ferrariesque device of Graham Capel. This latter vehicle caused some
little head scratching of the 'is it or isn't it' variety and caused the
Hon. Tres. to have to discretely tap the body, whereupon he pronounced
it plastic. No problems identifying the 1952 Tickford bodied Healey
owned by Chris Geary nor was there any trouble with the V12 Jaguar of
Mr. Mohacek .Only one Morris put in an appearance, Bob Drew's white,
somewhat modified, 1971 Minor 1000 saloon. Ian Todd had brought his 1929
works Aston Martin whilst Desmond Peacock chose the 1923 CS Petit Sport
from his selection of three Amilcars.
John Curtis brought his 1934 Alvis Speed 20 with Cross & Ellis
coachwork. Bryan Goodman's 1913 12/16 sporting Sunbeam is always worth
closer inspection although it was his 1900 Benz that made it into the
December edition of Automobile. John Sheldrake was an early arrival in
his NG four seater; Derek and Jacqui Wright opted for the comfort of
their 'auntie' Rover 100 saloon. Both the M.G. owners and the Riley mob
managed to produce three cars apiece. The former make was represented by
Alan Rothwell's much travelled but always immaculate drophead B, the
former editor Julian Alderton brought his Y type saloon and there was an
early two-seater sports model that I believe to be Brian Daley's L type.
The Coventry crew, all in 1½-litre cars were Michael Brown in a 1937
Adelphi, John Manvers in a 1934 Falcon and the writer in a 1935 Kestrel.
Bruce Glover arrived in his Triumph Stag, Harry and Barbara Scott in
their 1924 Lancia Lambda and Will How in his post-war Lancia Appia
saloon.
Looking around the crowded end of the bar we noticed our president Mike
Erroll, Tony and Janet Russell together with their daughter, Bryan and
Jennie Shepherd with Tony and Doreen Simmonds as well as Richard Clark
and Don Bingham. Doubtless many more have been left out but until the
government force us all to have to wear i.d. cards I have to rely on a
failing memory. Thankfully cars have registration plates.
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