British Hotchkiss Society
Past Events in 2024.
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June Run
When: 18th - 20th - June - Bletchley Park
Where: Buckinghamshire
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Good weather, good company, good visits – what more could we ask for! It all started at The Akeman Inn, Kingswood, where we met up with friends as we had coffee in the garden. A visit to the pub’s kitchen garden was a real bonus. After a tasty lunch we had a short drive to Quainton Windmill – such a beautiful sight – where we were given an interesting talk by the volunteers. Another pretty drive brought us to The Bell Hotel in Winslow, our base for 2 nights.
Wednesday morning dawned bright and sunny, so we enjoyed our drive to Bletchley Park. Upon arrival, we were given an introductory talk by Dr David Kenyon, Research Historian, before he took us to various notable places on the site. There was then plenty of free time to explore in detail the different buildings and the Mansion. Back at the hotel it was Gala Dinner night when we enjoyed fizz and a speech from our President Paul before enjoying a delicious meal. Needless to say, there was a lot of chatting going on, and the raffle proved to be exciting!
Our last morning included an optional visit to Marstonfields Farm to see a large collection of Model T Fords at the kind invitation of Neil Tuckett – which almost everyone accepted. After having coffee and a look around the farm, it was off to the Old Thatched Inn, Adstock, for our final lunch together.
29 of us, including new members, had a wonderful time together. Thank you to Tony Curtis for suggesting Bletchley Park and a big thank you to Michael and Helen Scott for all their hard work in arranging such a successful Drive.
Spring Opener
When: Sunday 18th April
Where: Cotswolds
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Cool, dry sunny weather greeted the two dozen members and friends who decided to "Visit the Cotswolds". Five Hotchkiss were joined by the lovely vintage Lagonda of Richard and Jean Jones, all parked in sunshine at the "Cotswold Outpost" near Burford, while our group enjoyed coffee and cake inside this characterful wayside cafe.
Then a short but beautiful drive via Barrington and Great Rissington - soon we found ourselves in Bourton-on-the-Water, where we squeezed our cars alongside the Old New Inn, parking as tidily as we could. Next, into the exquisite Model Village, built in the 1930s by local craftsmen to encourage tourists to visit the pub - an exact replica of the village of Bourton at that time. Even the mature trees are maintained at the one ninth scale used for the miniature cottages and shops we all admired.
By now, we'd worked up an appetite! So into the pub we went, where a convivial meal was enjoyed in an area set aside for us. Very many thanks to organisers Clive and Toddy for arranging such a good day. And great to see their Cabourg motoring well once more.
August Pub Meet
When: Sunday 18th August
Where: Stanford Dingley
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David and Erica have done it again – arranged lovely summer weather for our get-together! A record number of members and friends (31) met during the morning at The Bull in Stanford Dingley and did plenty of catching up while having coffee and biscuits. We were very pleased to see some of our new members and mention must be made of Rod Renfrew and his wife who had travelled all the way from Lincolnshire in their 1936 680 Cabourg while overcoming many road closures and diversions. After a tasty lunch we all made the short journey to Two Hoots to partake of tea and delicious cakes and crumbles in the garden.
All too soon it was time to say our farewells, but once again our thanks must go to David and Erica for making it such a special day.
Autumn Closer
When: Tuesday 8th October
Where: Cumnor
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Twenty-one of us made our way to Aston Pottery on another very wet day where we enjoyed coffee and their tasty selection of cakes. Tony Curtis was the only one to brave the weather and bring four other members in his Hotchkiss. Clive and Toddy Hamilton Gould came in their impressive Delage and, as usual, we all had plenty to talk about. Two hours later we trekked across country to The Bear and Ragged Staff. Known for its comfortable eatery, we settled down for another three hours of gossip and chat whilst enjoying good food and very helpful staff.