Club affairs, March 1952
The annual general meeting of the Welsh Counties CC was held on February 4th at the Carpenter’s Arms, Romney, near Cardiff. A very popular member, John Whitehead, was elected as club Chairman, and it was proposed that Major Jack Petersen (the ex-boxing champion) and Mr Aubrey Halewood should become the president and vice-president, respectively.
A review of the club’s sporting programme was given by the sports secretary (Geoff Cadenne) and he concluded by giving an insight of the proposed events for the coming year. Negotiations were taking place for the use of a road for a speed event, an item that many club members would welcome.
The secretary of the club is G Loveridge, Dringarth, Lavernock Road, Penarth, and any enthusiasts wishing to join the club are advised to contact him.
The usual capacity attendance at the 750 MC’s monthly “first Monday” meeting at the Abbey Hotel, Stonebridge Park, on February 4th, was treated to a really topical talk, as some two months previously founder-member Tom Lush had been booked to describe “How we won the Monte Carlo Rally.” Owing to this conimendable piece of foresight, the large gathering was able to hear what must be almost the first, if not the first, detailed and personal account from the winning crew. Hot from being televised by the BBC, Tom arrived to give a most interesting and exciting talk that gave everyone a vivid picture of the whole event, right from the last minute change in the average-speed requirement for the Regularity Test (to the consternation of all navigators) to the announcement to the sleeping Sydney Allard of their victory. The club were also very pleased to welcome a distinguished visitor in the person of Alan Hess, Austin’s Press Relations Officer, who journeyed from Longbridge to be present and who was prevailed upon to say a few words at the commencement of the Meeting.
The North London ECC now holds its meetings on the first Friday night of each month at the White Lion, High Street, Edgware. On March 13th the Castrol films will be shown there, starting at 7.30 pm. The secretar)’s new address is 17, Elms Avenue, Muswell Hill, N10.
A very interesting feature of the classic MCC Land’s End Trial at Easter will be the appearance therein of motorcycles and light cars built twenty-five or more years ago. These historic vehicles will, appropriately, take the hills of the 1927 Land’s End route and at Bluehills Mine will use the old road round the hairpin. The vintage light car entries will come from members of the VSCC and vintage motor-cycles from the VMCC. Cars must be prior to 1928 to qualify for awards over the vintage route, but if the list is not oversubscribed, those up to 1930 may be permitted to join in. Intending entrants should contact AJ Fisher, Apsley Cottage, Kingston Blount. Oxon. The fee is 21s, or 10s for motorcycles. Entries close, as for the main Land’s End, on March 15th, and details of the main event are available from the MCC, Bloomsbury Way, WC1.
Barry Eaglesfield has taken over the Register of Bugatti Owners for the BOC. He requests details of all existing Bugattis, from non-members as well as from members, with photographs if possible. In particular, he asks where is the Type 44 fabric saloon seen recently in Weybridge ? All data and “clues” to : The Old House, Akeley, near Buckingham.
The Plessey MC has only been in existence for five weeks but has started activities quickly. A Navigation Rally was held on February 3rd, and was won by Eric Searls (MG PA). Twenty-four members competed.
Discussional-social evenings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays in every month at “The Cold Harbour Inn,” Blunsdon.
An inauguration dance is to be held at the Goddard Arms Hotel, Swindon, on March 20th. Two famous motorists have been invited as guests of honour. Nearby club secretaries are asked to make contact with a view to holding combined meetings. Hon Sec : AG Matthews, The Plessey Co, Ltd, Kembrey Street, Swindon, Wilts.
The Mid-Cheshire CC will allow competition members to join for 7s 6d per year for the purpose of competing in events organised under the GCR7 of the RAC.
As a result of a successful protest, upheld by the RAC, three award winners in the Bossom Trophy Trial have been excluded from the awards list for using motor-cycle tyres on the front wheels of their cars. In view of the controversy over the use of these tyres, this decision has an important bearing on the equipment of cars now running under the present tyre regulation.
February 1st was the 21st birthday of the Sporting Owner Drivers’ Club, and to mark the notable anniversary a gala dinner and dance was held at The Bell, Aston Clinton, Bucks.
The Morgan Three-Wheeler Club (SE group) held their annual dinner on January 26th at the Lord Raglan, London, EC1. Group organiser Reg. Hawkey presided and 70 members and ladies attended. Mr FH Douglas was the guest of honour and he presented the two “Ethel May” shields which he provides for the club each year. This year the ladies’ shield was received by Mrs Fred Willis (Beatty) and the gentlemen’s by Mr C Sproxton, who also was awarded the “Enthusiasts” silver tankard. The evening continued with a cabaret provided by the Crane Varieties and conpered by Mr Charles Patterson, and then dancing carried on until Auld Lang Syne at 11.30 pm.
The inaugural meeting of the Solihull Motor Enthusiasts’ Club was held at the Masons Arms, Solihull, on January 24th, the temporary secretary, Mr R Jones, presiding. The meeting proved highly successful ; a temporary committee was formed and suggestions of future activities discussed. The organisers greeted the 30 odd enthusiasts and extended an invitation to all others interested to come to the next meeting on February 21st at the same place.
Details of membership can be obtained front the Secretary, Bob Jones, 41, Brookvale Road, Olton, Birmingham, 27.
The first members’ and guests dance of the Chichester Motoring Club was held at the Bracklesham Bay Hotel, near Chichester, on January 26th. This proved a most enjoyable function. About 130 people attended, thus helping to give the club an encouraging start. Hon Sec, J Swepstone, St. Margarets, Coney Six, East Wittering.
Edward L Mayer, the well-know Mercedes enthusiast and past owner of over 100 different examples of’ the marque, has consented to be patron of the recently announced Mercedes Register.
The Thames Estuary AC’s first event for 1952 was a Night Navigation and Map-reading Trial, held on January 23th. Forty-three entries were received and the first competitor was sent on his way by Mr Henry Channon, MP. Despite a clear night with no fog, 17 competitors found so much that they were unable to complete the course. Incidentally, it appears that in addition to an RAC permit, one from British Railways might also be required as several drivers found themselves confronted by a locked level-crossing and no keeper-of-the-gate, which necessitated a ten-mile detour ! [Send petrol bill to British Railways.—Ed)
However, everybody enjoyed themselves, especially Mr E. Sita-Lumsden (Lea-Francis) and Jack Clarke (Alvis), who lost no marks either on the five time checks or on excess mileage. TR Troughton, RB Brittain and DH Linnell were first-class award winners also. Brittain also won the noviees’ prize.
The Chiltern CC holds a “natter and noggin”at the George. Beaconsfield, from 7.30 pm on the last Wednesday every month. All are welcome.
The pre-war de Lacy MC, of Pontefract, is being reformed.
The Bentley DC Eastbourne Rally of March 28th-30th is an outstanding club fixture and will again conclude with the Bo Peep speed hill-climb, 10 miles from Eastbourne, starting at 10 am. The rally section is over about 300 miles. The Aston-Martin OC, Lancia MC, Lagonda Club and VSCC, driving appropriate cars, are invited, as is the Metropolitan Police Motor Driving School Sports Club. Note, entries close on March 3rd, to Lt-Co CHD Berthon, Madges, Long Crendon, Bucks, from whom the supplementary regulations are available.
The Sunbeam Register is holding a Treasure Hunt Point-to-Point on March 9th, starting from the Hawley Hotel, Blackwater, Surrey, at 11 am. The Humber Register and Lagonda, AC Owners, and Aston-Martin Owners’ Clubs are invited and will compete for visitors’ prizes, in the main event and in some simple tests. Regulations from Mrs W Roddy, Carmel, Wood Lane, Fleet. Hampshire. Entries close on March 3rd.
The Bugatti OC Northern Week-end is scheduled for April 5th, 6th, at Southport. Details from K Lee, 38 Glandan Drive. Cheadle Hulme.