:: [ SVVS Summer Picnic, Horne - August 2004 ] ::

The Great SVVS Summer Picnic was held this year on a pleasant day at Church Farm beside the rather lovely St Mary's Church in Horne. The following text is based on the SVVS Magazine report by Chris Cuss and the photos 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 have been prepared for speed of loading, and the page viewed at 800 x 600. 



Our hosts for this year's picnic were Bozi and Julie Mohacek who kindly welcomed members to Church Farm in Horne near Outwood. For many years the farm, which has its origins in the late 16th century, was the home of Julie's parents. Since their passing several years ago Bozi and Julie have taken on the mammoth task of restoring and renovating the house and outbuildings. 

     

Much of this work could have been undone by allowing the hungry hordes of SVVS members to invade but Derek Wright kept order helped by a fierce Alsatian dog aptly named Growler. The hard work that Bozi and Julie had put into arranging the day was rewarded when over 30 proper cars turned up plus some moderns, which meant by my reckoning we must have had an attendance of 80 or 90 people in all. The weather was kind although a brief shower in the middle of the day did cause a rush of hood raising and tonneau covering and the scurrying clouds undoubtedly caused some to leave earlier than perhaps they might have done.

     

On arrival we were greeted with a glass of wine and a hot dog straight from the barbecue and directed to park in a large newly mown field. We were then free to wander around and look at the various barns containing all manner of elderly agricultural equipment. Soon the picnic tables came out followed by the wasps, the curse of al fresco eating in August. 

     

Once lunch was over Mike Erroll formally thanked Bozi for all his efforts and Julie was presented with a bouquet. Then just when we thought that it was time to relax, the fiendish Tony Oakes announced that driving tests would take place at the far end of the field. A course had been set out with straw bales to swerve around and park between. Points were awarded or deducted for the time taken, the bales hit and the neatness of parking. Tony had even gone as far as to provide a suitable car in the shape of the Riley Elf that I believe used to belong to his daughter. 

     

Bill Boddy, the doyen of motoring writers, has always averred that it is impossible to report on driving tests so I shall not attempt to, particularly as we had to leave early to attend a Prom at the Albert Hall. Suffice to say that the antics of some of our members caused a degree of merriment and the vagrancies of the marking system allowed a vintage car to win. Sadly the winner, (Chris Cuss) having left early, was not able to receive his prize from Old Earhole but last place man, Graham Martin, did receive a brace of ripe courgettes.

     

Playing back my tape recorder reminds me that I noted the following cars and drivers: Chris Geary, 1953 Alvis TA 21; Ian Maclennan, 1929 4½ litre Bentley; Alan Pratt, 1935 Crossley Regis; Tony Oakes, 1930 Humber Snipe; Gordon Tapping, 1929 Humber tourer; Clive Bracey, 1950 Jaguar XK120 roadster; Peter Smithson 1954 XK120 roadster; Don Westcott 1956 XK140 fixed-head; Mike Erroll, XJS; Bill Ray, 1953 Jowett Jupiter special and Javelin; Julian Alderton, 1947 M.G. Y type saloon; John Hill, 1947 TC; an untraced MGB.

     

Michael Harvey came in a 1980 Morgan 4/4; R.C. Drew in a 1971 Morris Minor; Roger Bishop, 1925 Morris Cowley travellers' van; Chas Moody, 1928 Cowley saloon; John Sheldrake NG; Bryan Shepherd, 1937 Riley Lynx; Tony Simmons, 1952 Riley RME; Brian Lloyd Jacob, 1935 Lynx; Chris Cuss, 1930 9 hp tourer; Derek Wright, Rover 110 now bearing its new registration number; Don Bingham, 1933 Singer Le Mans;Graham Martin, Standard 8; Jon Quiney, 1940 Triumph Dolomite and Linda and Fraser with their 1938 Wolseley 14/56. 

     

In addition to the aforementioned there were the various cars of the Mohacek fleet although the Citroen was absent no doubt waiting for a new elastic band after its outing to the Plough last month. Finally at about 4 o/clock Bryan Goodman arrived in his 1913 Sunbeam12/16. The last picnickers left at about 6 p.m. As darkness fell a search of the grounds failed to find any sign of Simon Bishop.

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