:: [ SVVS Lunchtime Meeting - The Surrey Oaks, Newdigate - July 2002 ] ::

The following text is based on the SVVS Magazine report by Chris Cuss 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 have been prepared for speed of loading, and the page has been sized to be viewed at 800 x 600. 

     

After one of the coolest dampest Julys that I can remember, the sun burst though on Sunday 14th for our meeting in Newdigate. Driving through the lanes from Betchworth in the Riley Tourer made one realise how fortunate we are to live in such a pleasant part of the country. The Surrey Oaks is one of the best kinds of pub with an olde worlde interior, a large car park and an extensive garden. Add to this a cheerful landlord, real ale and good food and one could not want for a better place to enjoy a Sunday lunchtime, although Hon Editor Julian looks doubtful about his beverage. 

     

As we were dining in the garden I did not spent too much time in the car park so some cars and members may have been missed from this report. Early arrivals were John Sheldrake in his Austin Seven Special, Messrs Picnic Organisers in their Morris 8 tourer, Harry and Barbara Scott in their Lancia Lambda and Bozi in the V12 Jaguar accompanied by the Lingfield Oakes who was taking an opportunity to visit another branch of the family.

     

In between courses I managed to note Tony and Janet Russell in the never-dropped-head Ford, Tony Tester in his Chrysler Imperial and Frank Hayter in his Morris Oxford. Mike Fay was wandering around searching for a missing grandchild whilst Clive Bracey was a late arrival in his white XK120 with the much fluted bonnet. Alan Benewith was driving his Jowett Jason whilst Desmond Peacock brought one of his more modern Amilcars in the shape of the 1927 Grand Sport. At some stage a light wagon went by drawn by four small horses. Back in the car park we noted Julian and Thelma Alderton with their Y type M.G. as well as the TC owned by Colin Dawson. 

     

The sunshine was reflected in all directions by the well polished curves of Terry Mistry’s triumph Roadster. Roger Horstman was in his Triumph TR2 and a couple of cars that I have not seen for a little while were the 1911 Model T Ford Pickup of David Smart and the Crossley Regis owned by Alan Pratt. Unidentified as to owners were a late model big Healey, an MGB roadster owned by a friend of Mike Fay and a cream MG T? . Finally as we were leaving a Citroen Light 15 Decapotable drove past heading for the A24, a very rare car in seemingly excellent condition. All in all an excellent lunchtime get together. By the time that you read this the rains may well have returned so Sunday 14th July may well be the day that summer occurred.

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