:: [ SVVS Evening Meeting - The Six Bells, Horley - June 2006 ] ::

The following text is based on the SVVS Magazine report by Chris Cuss and the photos are 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).  Being evening, photos were taken with very little light so have been  lightened for easier viewing.

 

This turned out to be one of the stranger meetings. On arrival we found that the pub was closed due, it was said, to the tills being out of order. We all stood around cursing this modern electronic age. Some members drove off to find refreshment at the Black Horse a mile or so away on the A217. Most returned later in the evening although Gordon Tapping with a full complement of passengers in his 1929 Humber was not seen again after the most fleeting of visits. Luckily Mike Erroll ventured off to Tesco and returned with some cans of beer and cola to quench the thirst of those who chose to stop. Rumours then went around the car park that the true cause of the pub being closed was there having been a massive police presence earlier in the day. Even later in the evening it became known that the police had indeed arrested the chef as he was suspected of murdering an 18 year old model Sally Ann Bowman in Purley at the end of last year. The pub had been sealed whilst they continued their search for forensic evidence.

     

Despite this upset a large number of members turned up and enjoyed the warm dry evening. Indeed with the pub closed the public had no reason to remain so we were able to have a large venue almost to ourselves. The M.G owners were out in force with no less than 10 models from Abingdon present. Oldest car present was Mike Gooch's 1931 Montlehry Midget followed by Tim Ralph's 1938 TA. 

     

Tim was one of those who had gone to the Black Horse but returned to the fold later in the evening. The rest of the M.G.s were all post-war; Thelma Alderton's 1948 Y type saloon, Dave Kilner's 1952 TD Midget, Colin Mulford's 1954 TF, Derek Bashford's 1956 Magnette saloon together with a similar visiting car plus two visiting late model Midgets and the B roadster of Alan Rothwell and the BGT of Alan Pratt. 

     

All four Morrises were pre-war; Malcolm Bailey's 1934 Minor Tourer, Frank Hayter's Oxford Six and Mike Gorman's 10/4 both of similar vintage plus Chas Moody's 1928 flat nosed Cowley saloon. The Riley brigade also managed four pre-war motors. We had the complete 1935 12 hp model range in the shapes of my Kestrel, John Manvers' Falcon and Brian Lloyd Jacob's Lynx, the latter suffering from a flat tyre on arrival. Bryan Shepherd brought his 1936 model Lynx. Our two members who share the same name of Peter Clark were both present. Both have rare cars, one has a 1967 N.G. TD and the other a 1962 Ford Consul convertible.

     

Leo Smith brought his Outwood Flier based on a 1917 La France chassis whilst his son Julian was at the wheel of his 1923 Willys Knight. Linda Malings and Fraser Clayton came in their 1938 Wolseley 14/56 saloon whilst the other Wolseley present does not appear on my list but I think it was the Hornet with a Trinity body by Meredith Coachworks that we have seen before. Desmond Peacock exercised the 1927 Grand Sport from his trio of Amilcars. The only Austin to put in an appearance was the 1932 Seven Special owned by Alan Reid. David Smart brought the sole Bentley of the evening, a nicely original 1924 3 Litre model. 

     

Tony Tester was driving his 1929 Chrysler 75 Phaeton that has just a hint of a hot rod about it. Nicholas Wollett came with his 1950 Dellow Mark 1, one of the best of the 1950's trials cars. Oakes the Auditor was in the larger of his two Humbers, the one with the well rubbed radiator mascot, Nigel Walder was driving his 1934 M45 Lagonda tourer and Will How brought his 1956 Lancia Appia. 

     

We enjoyed seeing two immaculate Triumph Roadsters, the 1947 model owned by Dr Terry Mistry and the 1949 one belonging to Jon Quiney. The only other Triumph that I noted was Bruce Glover's TR6. There was some confusion as to whether Simon Bishop was early for the June meeting or very late for May's. As he was at the right venue for June he must have been early for once. He was driving his 1935 Singer Special Speed model. Raymond Hobbs brought his 1972 Rover 2000TC and Michael Harvey the 1980 Morgan 4/4.

     

Three Jaguars appeared. Peter Sandeman was in his 1971 E Type coupe, Dave Keen brought the 1949 Mark IV saloon and Ron Smith left the M.G. at home and exercised his 1968 Mark 2 saloon. As I was leaving I think I noticed the Daimlar SP250 owned by Michael Brown. 

     

I also noted an anonymous Austin Healey Sprite, a World War 2 Jeep and Clive Bracey's Cobra-like creation. Finally a mention for Eric Hall who despite tragically losing his sight in an accident a couple of years ago continues to enjoy our meetings and his cars. This time a friend was driving Eric's Healey Silverstone.

     

What is deeply hurtful about the above report is that despite the Rolls-Royce Site Hut/Ice Cream Van being probably the largest un-missable car there, and everybody using it this time as the Mobile Pub from which to serve Tesco's beer, Hon. Scribe Chris Cuss managed to miss its presence and that of the gallant driver one Bozi Mohacek. No mention of either was made in the report, although mention was made of the Hon Auditor Oakes though he was not even there !  Deeply hurt !

     

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