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Past Events in 2018.

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Spring Opener

 

When: Sunday 15th April 

 

Where: East Hendred 

 

What a wonderful day we had! A total of 30 members and friends met at the Eyston Arms in East Hendred for coffee and delicious home-made biscuits. There was a good turn-out of ‘old’ cars – and we were especially pleased to meet new member Kevin Cook and his friend, who had driven up from Blandford Forum in the ex-Automobile’s ‘oily rag’!

After refreshments, we moved on a few hundred yards (some walking, some driving) to Hendred House (not normally open to the public), which contains some of George Eyston’s motoring memorabilia. The owners of the house were so welcoming, and spent time giving us a history of the area, the house and George’s life. After parking up again in the pub car park, we walked across the road to the Champs Chapel museum, housed in a building built in 1453 by Carthusian monks. The museum had been opened especially for us, and contained more George Eyston information as well as local artefacts.

Luncheon was served from 1.30 p.m. onwards – the food was delicious and the staff very friendly and efficient. Paul, (our President), made a small speech at the end, and presented Peter Nunn, a stalwart member of the Club, with some Hotchkiss champagne in anticipation of his 80thbirthday celebrations. After a successful (and noisy!) raffle which raised £140 for Club funds, it was time to say our farewells. Our thanks go to Helen and Michael Scott for arranging such an enjoyable and interesting day.

 

June Run

 

When:  6th -12th June

 

Where: Ploemel, France

 

An international group of Hotchkiss owners gathered for the 28thBHS Drive based at Ploemel in France:   British, French, Belgian, Brazilian and Australian.   Based in a good hotel, our organisers Jean-Claude and Nicole Serrieres planned a picturesque and varied program for us.   Visits included guided tours of the Citadelle at Port Louis, a museum of fishing, and a visit to the Submarine Base at Lorient established by the Germans at the beginning of the Second World War, and then taken over by the French Navy.

The ambience between everyone was excellent, and was very visible when Tony Curtis experienced problems with the clutch on his 1938 Vichy and many heads and bodies disappeared into the interior of the car (for several hours) to assist Tony in resolving the problem successfully.   Our traditional Gala dinner ended the event on Sunday evening with the giving of gifts and trophies as usual.  Our thanks go to Jean-Claude and Nicole for all their hard work.

Sandra Stapleton.

Summer Saunter

 

When: Sunday 19th August

 

Where: The Beetle and Wedge at Moulsford

 

 

A delightful new lunch venue!  The Beetle and Wedge at Moulsford, on the banks of Old Father Thames, had been chosen by organisers David and Erica Tipton as our meeting point for this year's August event. About 25 hungry souls devoured coffee and biscuits by the river, chatting to old friends and new. An interloper amongst our Hotchkiss cars parked outside - Tony Curtis had arrived in an immaculate Jaguar XK140! Great to see Christopher Balfour, on good form after an illness. Soon it was lunch, served in a characterful dining room reserved especially for us - and an excellent lunch it was too, thanks to owner Stephanie and her enthusiastic team.

 

But this was a "moveable feast" day! Back on the road, we drove the twelve miles along leafy lanes to "Two Hoots" - David and Erica's country estate. On arrival, we inspected David's 1938 Biarritz cabriolet, which continues to make good progress. The Chef de cuisine and her team tempted us with a mouth-watering array of puddings and cakes, all served in Erica's lovely garden whilst, overhead, the sun shone in blue skies. Our grateful thanks to "Team Two Hoots" - Erica, Margaret, Kate (a former owner of the "Beetle and Wedge") and our own Julia for looking after us so well. 

 

Time flew by. All too soon we were making our way home, after what proved to be another memorable Hotchkiss Motoring day.

 

SS15

Autumn Closer

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When: 14 October 2018

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Where: Ampney Crucis

 

Following a collapsed roof at our planned coffee venue only 2 days before we were due to meet and thanks to the Herculean efforts of Alan Newbery and Michael Scott, 33 of us met up on an extremely wet day at The Crown of Crucis at Ampney Crucis for coffee. It was especially nice to welcome Erik Ulrix, Roger Muirhead and our new members from Lincoln, Rod and Connie, and also to see Tony’s car, the 1929 AM80 Riviera. The rain had subsided a little by the time we drove through what would have been beautiful countryside to our luncheon venue, the Weighbridge Inn at Avening. The cosy room upstairs allowed for plenty of talking during a delicious lunch. A successful raffle produced £135.00 for Club funds. Very many thanks go to Alan & Shirley and Michael & Helen for arranging such a successful day.

AC16
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