British Hotchkiss Society
Past Events in 2025.
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Autumn Closer 25
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When: 7th October
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Where: Rollright Stones
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Our Autumn Closer was held on a bright October day when we were joined by members of the Delage and Armstrong Siddeley Clubs. Many thanks to Clive and Toddy for engineering this most enjoyable Oxfordshire run. We tend to think that our cars are very old and venerable but a trip to the Rollright Stones put this view into context. The collection of standing stones and circle in deepest Oxfordshire are estimated to be 2500-3000 years old and left us pondering on their construction and meaning. The day was delightful with an 8-mile drive through marvellous scenery and beautiful villages as we went from coffee stop to the stones to lunch in Long Compton. There was much car chat over our delicious meal but we failed to sing a Winwood/ Capaldi song about Rollright Stones despite Tony Curtis's best efforts! Words available on request.
John Hewitt
August Pub Meet 2025
When: 10th August
Where: Stanford Dingley
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Yet again the gods looked down on David and Erica to ensure we had another glorious sunny day for our get-together. 25 of us met up at The Bull, Stanford Dingley, over the morning to enjoy coffee and to meet up with friends. We were very pleased to meet one of our new members Anthony Godet who had travelled all the way from Coventry. Sadly, only 2 Hotchkiss cars made it, but they were supported by Tim’s Daimler. A very tasty lunch was served with efficiency and then we headed off to Two Hoots where we sat in the garden enjoying tea and cakes – and what a selection there was! Our grateful thanks go to David and Erica for giving us such a lovely day out..
Spring Opener 2025
When: 24th April
Where: Oxfordshire
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Michael and Helen Scott devised a very relaxed event in West Oxfordshire. There was a little more emphasis on food and drink than usual as cool spring weather still to-be-done tasks kept the car numbers to a minimum. Tony Curtis and Clive Hamilton Gould kept the Hotchkiss flag flying accompanied by Brian Dickenson in his Armstrong Siddley. Fortified by delicious coffee and cakes at Aston Pottery, we meandered to Newbridge to the Rose Revived riverside restaurant for lunch (passing through Bampton, the TV setting for Downton Abbey, we were to see the spot where Michael Edwards in the 1912 AB Hotchkiss had uttered his one line contribution of “yes my lord” in the 22nd episode. No commemoration plaque sadly). A good lunch and jolly good conversation left everyone looking forward to the Winchester Drive. Many thanks to Michael and Helen for organising an enjoyable event.
The June Run 2025
When: 10th - 12th June
Where: Hampshire
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Hampshire Highlights
Everyone arrived safely at The Bear & Ragged Staff for lunch on the Tuesday, where there was a lot of catching up to do while enjoying a very filling lunch. It was then off to Mottisfont House & Gardens just up the road to admire the National Collection of pre-1900 shrub roses – a beautiful experience. After settling in at The Norton Park Hotel near Sutton Scotney, we all enjoyed a delicious dinner before retiring to bed.
Wednesday dawned sunny and warm and we had a pleasant drive to the 12th century Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty. What a wonderful place. We were made very welcome with the old cars allowed to park in the inner courtyard. After a couple of hours exploring, we sat down to a delicious lunch arranged by Ann Balfour – what a wonderful job she did. It was then off to the nearby Royal Logistics Corps Museum having managed to deal with the Winchester traffic and one-way system! It housed a very interesting display of how the British Army moved, supplied and sustained its forces over the years. The Gala Dinner that evening was its usual boisterous affair, ending with the presentation of the Ainsworth trophy to Paul Hickson.
Thunderstorms were forecast for Thursday morning but we managed to drive to Houghton Lodge Gardens near Stockbridge in the dry. We were delighted that Christopher and Ann Balfour arrived in their Bristol to join us. The rain started after we had finished our coffee and sadly never stopped until we sat down to lunch. However, that didn’t stop us from exploring this lovely garden stretching down to the River Test. All too soon it was time to say goodbye and start our journey home.