:: [ SVVS Lunchtime - The Black Horse, Hookwood  - May 2005 ] ::

The following text is based on the SVVS Magazine report by Julian Alderton and the photos are by Tony Oakes. 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.

     

About a couple of dozen members came along to the lunchtime meeting at the Black Horse on Sunday, to enjoy the first of our Summer season outside meetings and they were not disappointed. S.V.V.S. weather prevailed and the sun shone brightly upon us and on our cars. Chris Geary brought his Alvis TA 21 and Bryan Goodman came in the only Amilcar on parade. Edward Lake's Austin Healey 3000 attracted much attention as did Bozi's 1921 Citroen Cabriolet. (I suppose that the modern, (and ugly?) black Cabriolet B.M.W. convertibles just might be classified with such an accolade but when compared with Bozi's most attractive example the title, `Cabriolet' seems to lose some dignity).

     

Fords were represented by John Hollingdale's Mk 1 Cortina G.T. and by the late arrival of Tony Russell's Anglia Special which still attracts some justified attention. Tony Oakes arrived in style, as usual, in his magnificent I930 Humber Snipe and, for a change, it was not towing 1'Escargot. Jaguars were represented by the XK 140s of Richard Clark and Don Wescott and there were three Jowetts, (one member insists that there were 2 ½), James Fisher's I 934 Curlew and, as always, Alan Benewith's 1936 Jason, the third being Bill Ray's special built on a Jupiter chassis. 

     

Half a dozen MGs turned up including Alan Rothwell's B, Richard Clark's C GT, Karen McBride's B, Brian Daley's 1933 Magna, the ex-Editorial YA and Derek Wright's TC, this latter arriving in spite of the fact that he and Jacquie were not sent directions to the pub.Roy Welch came in a well presented Morris Traveler and John Sheldrake brought his NG TA Special, based on a model E and, to complete the list, Stuart Owen came in his Riley Kestrel, Roger Horstman brought his Triumph TR 2, and non-member, Howard Palmer who was handed an application form on arrival, came in a very attractive, and quite rare, Lagonda Rapier Tourer. 

     

There was much exchange of gossip and a little imbibing as well; altogether it was a very enjoyable and successful start to the SVVS season. Later on, Ray Hobbs was seen to drive past the pub while we were enjoying a natter on his way home from his customary visit to the 'Three Horseshoes. Perhaps he felt that the Rover 2000 would lower the tone of the SVVS gathering, or was he sound asleep, or so well oiled that he did not notice us in the garden. On the other hand, perhaps he had to concentrate all his attention on the formidable task of keeping the Rover going in the right direction - or just keeping it going, in any b***** direction!

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