Paulerspury People January 2011 by Cade's Guides

Paulerspury People January 2011

The Newsletter of The RREC Paulerspury Section

Paulerspury People - January 2011

Paulerspury People

Januaary 2011

The newsletter of the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts’ Club - Paulerspury Section

Contents Not a Lot of People Know That

Chairman’s Bit

Editor’s Comments

A Winter’s Tale

Broadwell Driving Day

Annual Picnic

Cognac Country

Prescott Hill Climb

Autumn Amble

Bedfordshire Pub Lunch

Forthcoming Events

Technical Corner

Member’s Bits, Basil an Austin 20hp Mayfair Limousine

Secretary’s Report

Section Contacts

The quality and quantity of the content of Paulerspury People is provided by our members for the enjoyment of others. If you have something to tell us about, do let us know, by email preferably editor@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk and we will do our best to include it. Supporting photographs are especially welcome. We are keen to revive ‘Me and my car’, so do let us know about yours. Front Cover Photograph: Glass mascot on unknown Rolls-Royce at Kelmarsh, June 2009

Paulerspury People - January 2011

Not a Lot of People Know That The most married millionaire of all time was Tommy Manville Jr. He was almost as fond of his Rolls-Royce cars as he was of his wives, having ten of the former and eleven of the latter. It was probable that he kept his Rolls-Royces longer than he kept his brides, the last one for example, lasted seven and a half hours!

Gordon Selfridge, the London department store genius, made a fortune in business and lost it all on showgirls and gambling. His favourite expression was ‘’I’ll bet you a Rolls-Royce your’e wrong!” He often lost his bets.

One of the first owners of a Rolls-Royce in Hollywood was Mary Pickford. Her 1926 Phantom I had a secret liquor store in order to foil prohibition agents.

In less than peaceful parts of the world, anti-terroist Rolls-Royces are the vogue. In February 1984, BBC Television featured an Asain owner whose Phantom can be electrified at the touch of a button. Anyone then touching the outside of the car receives a very nasty shock.

Paulerspury People - January 2011

Chairmans Bit Happy New Year to all Paulerspury People from your committee and me. Following the en bloc election of the committee at the AGM last December there was a meeting in January at which the officers were elected and I was delighted to be elected Chairman for a third year (you lucky people!). Jan Dolan the Events Co-ordinator decided to throw in her diary and pencil and resign from the position because she is moving onto greater things such as the Deputy Chairman - Chris Ball Chairman of the women’s section at her golf club. I’m sure you all join me in wishing Jan well in her new role. Mia Murray gladly agreed to take on the role and I’m sure will do a good job. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Committee members for their stirling work and support over the last year and also thank Adrian Denham for looking after our website and Barry Gallafent who took on the editor’s role of the PP last year. As many of you will know, 2010 was the 30th Anniversary of the section with many organised events. We started off in February with the new member’s visit to the Hunt House and despite the bad weather many turned up. It has been good to see many new members turning up at other events throughout 2010. The St George’s Drive It Day and lunch was a resounding success and Alan and Margaret Fuller, flush from their success of arranging last year’s jaunt, are keenly organising this year’s offering. The five days in the Lake District was another great success and the Annual Picnic at Claydon House attracted over sixty people with some 40+ cars. The Rally to Cognac proved most enjoyable with many of us covering a good few miles of the French countryside. The AGM and Christmas lunch was, as always, ably organised by Val Yates. Members of the committee very kindly donated prizes for the raffle and king amongst these was a full engine service and a complete valet for a car kindly donated by Hillier Hill. These two prizes were auctioned and a tidy sum was raised for section funds. Therefore my thanks go to Hillier Hill and those who kindly donated prizes. I cannot conclude this report on past events without mentioning the pub lunches. These are so very popular with sixty or so members attending the lunch at the Five Bells at Stanbridge in November There is a full calendar for 2011 including the Rally in Northumberland in May. I am hoping that the Annual Picnic will take place at another new venue, namely Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and will keep you posted. The Annual Rally is to return to Rockingham Castle and Keith and Pippa Davies have very generously agreed to host the tailgate pre-lunch drinks reception from their Bentley Mark VI. There are lots of events planned, so please come along and as with all our Paulerspury People - January 2011

events, I make no apology for repeating how imperative it is to book early to avoid disappointment. Lastly, if any member of the section would like to arrange an event, whether it be a day out or a weekend, please make contact with any member of the Committee and ideas will be put forward for consideration. Your section needs you! As I reported in my last year’s ‘Bit’, I adopted the RNLI Harwich Lifeboat as my charity and I am pleased to report that my target of £3000 has been exceeded. This is down to your generosity and I thank you for that. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a good start to the New Year and hope to see many of you driving your cars during the winter. Keep warm and lubricated (but not whilst driving your cars!)

Chris Ball Chairman

Editors Comments I can’t beleive this is now my third publication since taking over as editor. How the time really does fly. This is another bumper edition thanks entirely to your support in providing material for me to publish. Event write-ups arrive regularly and there is always a good selection of photographs to colour up the stories reminding those who attended the events what an excellent time was had and perhaps encouraging those who did not, to come along another time. Photographs are always appreciated with your articles, but can I ask that you attach them separatley to your email and and not just place them in a Word document. This is for ‘technical’ reasons and allows me to format the photograph properly for commercial printing or perhaps adjust its colour or brightness. Where this has not been possible, and yet the photograph needed to be included, you may notice a reduction in the quality of the image.

Barry Gallafent A Winter’s Tale Never mind the Taliban, Al Qaieda, Fred and Rose West or even the Yorkshire Ripper, I can tell you a tale of innocent people being held hostage by none other than our own Chairman! 6

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‘Twas on a dim and dark Tuesday evening in January when were invited to the Chairman’s house for what he told us was a committee meeting! Some unsuspecting members brought along their partners, understandably, for Silsoe is not a place you should go alone. A smiling face greeted us at the door and quickly plied us with alcohol. The committee were offered a seat at the table where the Chairman had already reserved his own place. Husbands and wives of the members were ushered in to the ‘lounge’. As the clock struck eight, the Chairman closed the lounge door firmly. As the meeting got underway, the guests led by our Chairman’s very own wife, were finding it difficult to breathe and endeavoured to open the door. It would not open. The Chairman continued with business as if he had not heard their cries for help. A little concerned, some committee members suggested that the Chairman might like to assist in the opening of the door. He did not seem too keen. Linda asked for a screwdriver to remove the handle. Had she perhaps been held prisoner before? The Chairman was not quick to respond but did reluctantly fetch a screwdriver and began to dismantle the handle from the outside. No, no cried Linda, I need to do it from this side. Again, the Chairman was reluctant and said he could not pass the screwdriver under the door. Bring it around to the other door he was asked, but again that door was locked and the Chairman apparently did not know where the key was. Eventually and now under considerable pressure, not knowing whether to go for his gavel or his bell, the Chairman had to relent. Following Linda’s instructions he found a key and had no choice but to hand over the screwdriver. With unequalled determination, Linda carefully removed the handle from the inside and with a flick of the screwdriver, they were free! Well I have never seen a villain so cool and collected as Christopher Ball. As the internees fled from the room that had been their prison cell for almost two hours, he invited everyone in to the kitchen for a drink and a bite to eat! Two sausage rolls, a scotch egg, a yummy sandwich, some wicked Stilton and a bottle of Carlsberg later, I found myself beginning to forget the trauma the other guests had suffered. Was it Carlsberg I was drinking, was it really Stilton he had given me? The final thing I remember was eating a pickled onion, but not before being told Chris had pickled them himself! So if you have not seen me or any of the other committee members and their wives or husbands since that night, it must be that my own wife Ruth, found my scribblings and sought to publish them so that others may avoid the fate that lies in store for them too at the house known innocently as number 34.

Barry Gallafent Paulerspury People - January 2011

Picnic and Driving Test at Broadwell House - Sunday 27th June Adrian & Linda Denham kindly invited us to their home with the Paulerspury Section. About 26 cars attended, and were parked in a crescent on raised ground, close to their house, overlooking the surrounding countryside and the driving test field. The event was in aid of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. We were welcomed with a tea/coffee and biscuits on the lawn to the side of the house. We ‘walked the plank’ from our parking place to the lawn, over the ha-ha! It wasn’t as dangerous as you might imagine, as there were hand rails on both sides. After talking to the occupants of our neighbouring cars, and inspecting the other cars, we settled down to our picnic lunches. It was quite warm, and many sheltered from the sun under the trees. Others had lunch in groups, assembling their tables and chairs together.

Far Left: Broadwell House & The Ha-Ha! Above: A selection of the cars from the excellent turnout on the day

David Towers was persuaded to be the first person round the Driving Test Course – in his Bentley Continental GT. The course was similar to previous years, with a ‘right hand circle’ with some tight ‘U’ turns and garages which you had to drive into and then reverse into. Then, the ‘left hand circle’ with a similar ‘in & out’ garage, followed by an ‘in David Howard - Stopped by a Policeman! garage’, a reverse around a circle into another garage, and finally a tight turn and straight. At the end, there was a ‘policeman’ where you had to stop. David was concerned about damaging his GT, and ‘clocked’ the 5th quickest (out of 6!) – a terrible performance in such a powerful 4 wheel drive car. A winner on many previous years, Steve Dolan, had a very quick time in his 1960 Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but two penalties, which eliminated him from the awards! Steve achieved a very quick time in Steven Murray’s Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith limousine with a Hooper body, but this didn’t count. Linda Denham drove their 1948 RR Silver Wraith around the course – she said it was the first time she had driven the car! 8

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Steve Dolan driving Stephen Murray’s RR Silver Wraith - FAST!

Tom Smith of the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust drove his 1938 Armstrong Siddeley 14hp round the course. It has a 1,668cc 6 cylinder engine. Last year it consumed more water than petrol, but a new radiator has rectified the problem. This year, Tom had some problems with the preselector geabox, failing to get out of reverse in the garage and knocking over some cones. There was a 1958 Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire, the last model of car made by the company and the famous 1904 Siddeley, which Tom drove round the course (with Adrian as passenger), but avoided the garages, as he wasn’t sure how to select reverse! Nevertheless, an impressive drive in a 106 year old single cylinder car – it seemed to be driving better after completing the test than when it started!

...and the gear lever is on the right madam

At the conclusion, Adrian presented the prizes. Steven Murray was awarded 3rd place in his RR Silver Wraith (it was his birthday!), George Milburn 2nd in his Bentley MkVI Mulliner and the winner was Martyn Warsop in his 1979 RR Silver Shadow II. The ‘booby’ prize for the slowest time went to Mark, David Britton’s son, in his drive of Adrian’s 1948 Silver Wraith.

Ian Beatson commencing the test

There were many generous prizes in the raffle. Adrian announced that £1,100 had been raised for the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. An excellent result.

Tom and Adrian aboard the 1904 Siddeley

And finally... Mark collects the booby prize

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Many thanks to everyone who helped to arrange the event. Particularly Adrian & Linda Denham for the fields for us to park and undertake the driving test and to Adrian and David Britton for planning and setting up the driving test, with 15 (yes fifteen) helpers. Adrian said the route for the driving test had to avoid significant dips in the ground, so as to minimise the risk of damaging the cars – very thoughtful.

David Towers 9

Annual Picnic - Sunday 15th August 2010 The doomsayers, the BBC, and the Met Office all said it would rain. But we took comfort from the Chairman’s new found links with a higher authority and we knew that the sun would shine. And so it came to pass that on the Sunday, a bright and goodly sun shone down on North Buckinghamshire, all was well in the RREC world, and the picnic could be packed. The instructions said to be at Claydon House between 10.00 and 11.00 a.m., and living just a couple of villages away, we left home at a sensible time to be there amongst the forerunners. How wrong can you be? At ten past ten there were already 10 or so cars in the very attractive gravelled courtyard in front of the house. Linda, armed with authoritarian clipboard guided us into position and with assistance from Steven Murray; cars were set out in formation to the inch. By 11 o’clock, the courtyard was full and 27 cars were to be counted such was the enthusiasm for the event. Conversations were in full flow, and friendships were being renewed when the Chairman announced that champagne was being served in the Carriage House Restaurant. We all reluctantly stampeded up the slope to another courtyard for sustenance. Suitably refreshed and after further conversation, most of us got down to the serious business of setting out our picnics on the lawns in front of the West façade of the house. Here we took full advantage of the fabulous views over the ha-ha to the lake and the attractive distant countryside beyond. With a glorious summer sun shining down, a more idyllic setting would have been hard to find and it was only marred by the unwelcome and persistent attentions of several thousand wasps!

What better to do on a Sunday afternoon?

Paulerspury People - January 2011

A birds eye view of many of our splendid club cars

Whilst partaking of our food, the Chairman (ever keen to serve) had been busy negotiating on our behalf and had managed to persuade the National Trust to give us admission to the house. Chris also proudly told us that he had “done a deal with the little chap in the shed” for admission to the private Verney family gardens, and was subsequently dismayed to discover that the “little chap” was in fact Sir Edmund Verney, the current head of the family who have continuously occupied Claydon House since 1620.

“I’m telling you, they are from the Paulerspury Section”

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The house was quite astonishing, being a little nondescript from the outside, and yet flamboyantly lavish and over the top inside. Immensely intricate wood carvings and plasterwork adorned every room and almost all of us were taken by surprise by the “talking heads” pictures, which at first glance appeared to be simply another portrait, but in fact turned out to be a very clever 11

TV screen with actors in full costume telling the past stories of the house. A climb to the top of the back stairs was a little energetic for some, but was rewarded with yet more treasures and some rooms dedicated to the memory of Florence Nightingale, who stayed at the house and was a family member. A further bonus was the fabulous view down to the front courtyard to see a perfect display of our cars glistening in the sunshine.

Somebody was up early this morning polishing

A trip around the family gardens was a pure delight, with the highlight being the kitchen garden extending to over 2 acres and surrounded by a tall brick wall. All manner of vegetables and fruits are set out in immaculate rows, and one can only imagine the vast amount of work in planting and maintenance that it must entail. It made my humble little veggie patch at home seem quite insignificant. Later in the day, many of us took advantage of the Carriage House Restaurant to take afternoon tea, and calorie counting was temporarily put aside in favour of scones and clotted cream. This was the time to reflect upon the day, and all present agreed that there was a sense of quintessential Englishness about the place, with a quiet peace and tranquillity. Doubtless the sunshine for our picnics had helped, but nonetheless, our visit to Claydon House was a resounding success, and hopefully we will return.

Keith Davies 12

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Cognac Country - 14th September 2010 Perfect for a Tour in a Rolls-Royce or Bentley Motor Car

‘With the river Charente meandering through rolling acres of vineyards dotted with sleepy towns, France’s Cognac region can seem like a throwback to an earlier era. A way of life preserved in amber’ 2010 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the section so this trip commemorated the occasion in true Paulerspury fashion - good food, fine wines and, of course, great driving in magnificent cars. Joined by members from North Wales, Hants and East Anglia, Paulerspury People set off from Portsmouth to head for the delights of motoring across the French countryside. The tour included distinctive and exclusive visits. We were delighted that Barry and Alison Roberts, those expatriate section members, who moved to France four years ago were able to join us for a few days whilst we were in Cognac. Thank you to those of you who provided the following daily write up’s and to David & Jane Else for taking the time to put together a superb DVD as a memento for everyone. Paulerspury People - January 2011

Days 1 & 2 Portsmouth to St.Malo and Le Mans Tuesday 14th September finally arrived. Car serviced, bags packed, Euros purchased, we were ready. We had been looking forward to this trip as thiswould be the first time we had been to France on a section Rally that we hadn’t organised ourselves. All that was necessary On our way at Portsmouth docks this time was to sign a few cheques and fill in a form – “simples” as Alexander would say! We left in plenty of time for the drive to Portsmouth, and all was going very well till we got to about Oxford when I realised that the European accident form was still on the table. Oh well that meant we couldn’t have an accident as we didn’t have a form to fill in! We were not the first to arrive at the ferry port. After arguably the worst cup of tea I have ever had, at the appointed hour we finally progressed to the boat, unfortunately we were selected for a random security check and therefore arrived on the boat last, and were parked in a corner away from the rest. The boat was excellent with very good facilities, an absence of rattles, friendly staff and a more than adequate cabin. What more can you ask? After a pleasant meal and a few whiskies, we went to bed, ready for our tour of Cognac. Wednesday morning came and after a quick breakfast, it was on to the car deck for the off. Well not quite for us as we were the last club car off, watching everyone else disappear down the ramp with not one wave. Typical. Following the excellent directions we duly arrived at Le Mans (in the rain), having driven around a large section of the track, to park up at the Museum. Not being a boy racer I did not reproduce the exploits of that well known F1 driver Peter Nightingale who proceeded to drive his Phantom V at 140 km per hour, blowing a rear tyre in the process. Luckily no damage was sustained to either Peter and Audrey or the car. Our guide for the museum visit had an interesting command of English which made for an even more enjoyable visit. He pointed out many of the personalities and legends of the races like the Bentley Boys and Jaguar’s Lofty England to name but two, throwing in some interesting facts along the way. Then for the wonderful car collection, which interestingly is not all about 24 hour cars. The first being a steam powered car followed by a very early petrol car with a somewhat dubious petrol starting system. The guide’s command of English made one car memorable, being an early Renault half track which was designed to be 14

Paulerspury People - January 2011

dismantled into sections, weighing no more than 150 kilos so it could be carried over difficult terrain by ‘monkeys’, he meant mules, but the first is much more interesting! Following round the exhibits we of course came to a superb collection of 24 hour cars, in pristine condition. The French with their reputation for being amorous is not confined to the people, but also extends to their cars; I know this for a fact as a French registered Corniche kissed the wing of Derek Freeman’s Cloud 3 in the car park. No major damage thank goodness. Derek got his phone number for future reference. We arrived at the Hotel Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud in good time, having passed the same cars twice, only to see them already parked up. Strange. Mind you some people’s journeys were obviously more interesting than ours as divorce proceedings were mentioned on more than one occasion! The evening began with a champagne reception during which Janet told us about a passenger on board the ferry, as we were waiting to disembark, who said “thank you very much for looking after our heritage and for putting on such

a marvellous display of cars, especially the older ones, very impressive and all so well looked after. Keep up the good work and thank you again from a member of the public”. Well you don’t start a rally much better than that.

The Hotel L’Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

We then had an excellent dinner, and all went our separate ways, I think, ready for the next stage down to Cognac for five days.

Mike Martin Paulerspury People - January 2011

Day 3 - At the Mushroom Caves It was a short drive from our hotel to Le Saut aux Loups or ‘where the wolves leap’ which aptly described the cliffs and escarpments where the mushroom caves are situated although the wolves are long gone. On our way we came across a fleet of Aston Martins on a club outing which gave us a gratifying opportunity to claim superiority over the younger pretenders! We were a full complement having been joined by the French based cars and by Peter Nightingale’s Phantom. I counted 23 cars parked at the foot of the cliffs and we were immediately approached by an enterprising Frenchman selling strawberries. Whatever happened to the onions! A longish path and steps led to the cave’s entrance where there was time to pause and appreciate the wonderful view out over the countryside to the River Loire. The caves themselves were fashioned as a result of hundreds of years of stone quarrying which carried on to the 19th century providing stone, not only for our very own St Paul’s Cathedral but for the building of the Abbey at Fontevraud. The abbey was used as a prison from Napoleonic times right up to the 1960’s and the prisoners provided a convenient labour force. The caves and their vast underground galleries have been used for the growing of mushrooms since the 19th century. The humidity and darkness providing ideal conditions for this. Our delightful guide was Bridgitte who was thrilled to see our cars arriving as she had lived with a family in Esher, Surrey who owned a Rolls Royce. Her English was pretty good and her somewhat cynical and critical comments about French ways and characteristics made us laugh. We were given a basic guide to the science of mushroom cultivation from growth of spores through to the final product. Now the mushrooms are grown in plastic ‘gro-bags’ distributed through the caves and galleries. No watering is necessary because of the natural humidity. Many different varieties are grown. We were reliably informed that chestnut mushrooms are best for you. Shiitake – which is Japanese for mushroom – are most popular and is the main product of the caves because they sell at a premium price! Working in the atmosphere of the caves took a great toll on the health of the workers so when the Dutch in the 1970’s started mass production and the market price fell dramatically, the caves became a much less labour intensive operation concentrating on providing specialist mushrooms for a local market. 16

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After our tour we repaired to the Cave restaurant for a four course lunch consisting of Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Mushrooms and Mushrooms. Ah well. Wait a minute, I think there was also an Apple Brioche.

Bill and Irene McGregor Day 4 - Visit to Remy Martin Another beautiful morning, only spoilt by guilt, as I drew back the curtains to see many owners already washing and polishing their cars. The Château de L’Yeuse breakfast featured its expected choices, of which the croissants and coffee was a popular choice. Few indulged themselves in extreme, as today we were bound for the Remy Martin distillery, a few short kilometres from our hotel, and a splendid lunch was anticipated. In the event the beast named Route Barré once again reared its head, causing Rolls-Royce chaos in the beautiful old town of Cognac. The disorder was magnified by the fact that there are several Remy Martin sites in and around the town, all of which have arrowed signs to help you arrive. Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars zig-zagged up and down and around the narrow streets, often passing in different directions. At one traffic light each of the four roads had Club members looking at each others’ radiators, the drivers and passengers wearing fixed grins of frustration and despair. Jaques Tati would have absorbed the scene with relish. As with all good things, this comedy came to an end and we all arrived at the Merpins location of Remy Martin. This vast and beautiful complex with its formal lake and manicured grounds sat amongst a vineyard that must surely have had an army of sweepers to keep it all neat and tidy, however as the day was a Friday and the Remy workforce toil only The entrance to Remy Martin over a four-day-week, the site was without a single distillery or vineyard employee, save our guides. Paulerspury People - January 2011

After the introductory speech and a gift each of a booklet, depicting in watercolour renditions all that we were about to see, we set off on a petit road-train. All the buildings are built of a local stone, not unlike Bath or Cotswold stone. The evaporated liquor given off during the fermentation process and known as the angels’ share allows a black fungus to grow on both the inner and outer walls, looking like a light covering of soot. The distillation and fermentation processes were explained, and demonstrated in a video-presentation. Within the buildings housing the Limousin-oak barrels the scent of sweet brandy was heavy on the air, enough to make deep-breathing exercises a real pleasure. At tour’s end we were shown into the tasting room, where a selection of differing brandies was sampled. Of course, this was supported by a chance to buy some of the golden liquor. Our chief guide explained that although it was not normal practice, but as we were such a special group, a discount of 10% would be given. I thought of Meat Loaf who wrote and sang in Bat out of Hell “I bet you say that to all the boys”. ]We retook our steeds for a short drive to Maison le Grollet, the home of the president of Remy Martin. Not normally open to the public, we were treated to iced Cognac aperitif in the courtyard, where Madame Pierrette Trichet, the Maitre

The 2010 Cognac contingent

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Pasquale chose Danny and Val’s Corniche for her ride to the chateau

de Chai or cellarman welcomed us, before we partook of a gourmet lunch in the château’s own distillery. Although Madame Trichet’s title of cellarman sounds a little mundane, she is in fact the chief blender of the various brandies that make up each and every single batch that comes to market. There have only been four other cellarmen in the last century.

As with all outstanding French food and wine, we were satisfied but not saited before our drive back to the hotel, via the scenic route across the river and through the Bourg-Charente region. Dinner was up to the by now expected standard of excellence, although the main course was ‘Dos de Bas’, another fish following our main course at the Château of ‘Turbot Roti’ but that is being really, really picky about a splendid day out.

Malcolm Tucker Day 5 - Guided Tour of the old town of Cognac and River Barge trip on the Charente

The Old Town of Cognac

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It was just a short drive into the Centre of Cognac - Parking had been arranged by the museum and after photo calls with the press (David Else made page 3). We then split into two groups for a walking tour of the town and an exhibition of the Cognac history and countryside. We learned that the Dutch really invented Cognac because the wine was so vinegary and we saw carved in wood on a medieval house the ‘gory story’ of the unfaithful wife and lover (she was beheaded and hung upside down whist he lost the important bits). 19

A ‘holiday type’ train ride to a typical French dinner in a heritage hotel followed with the ‘dropping off and picking up station’ being sign posted with a traffic cone placed on the head of the statue of Francis 1st. The train then took us to the quay for a cruise on the barge ‘La Dame Jeanne’ up the Charente River. Entertainment was provided by a ‘loonie Moonie’ on the lock side and we were able to photograph our hotel through the trees (if you were quick). We also saw two of the Hennessey houses, one a replica of an American colonial house and the other a modern château built on the site of a mediaeval castle that only had one turret left. We were then left to our own devices to explore, shop or return to the hotel for a dip in the outdoor pool.

Arthur & Marjorie Pemberton

La Dame Jeanne

Day 6 - Circuit Des Remparts, Angouleme Some bright spark decided that we needed to get up early for this very special day, so the alarm clock was set for 06.00 and breakfast ordered for 06.30. It was a shame that the hotel management did not share this great plan with the staff, so breakfast was something of a thin affair, although with the amount of food we had eaten thus far on the trip, this was probably not such a bad thing! Auntie Janet and Uncle Steve said we needed to be in the centre of Angouleme before 08.00, and so we all set off well before dawn, travelling the 25 miles on quiet roads, and with most of us testing our headlight diverters for the first time. At first light in the quaint city of Angouleme, parking had been arranged for us in the most prestigious spot of all - the courtyard of the Hotel de Ville - and jovial local marshals were on hand to guide us into line. It was a bit of a squeeze to get all the 21 cars in and some of us were guided out of and into line on numerous occasions before the marshals had a committee meeting and declared the parking fit for purpose. After the excitement of the parking test, many decided that it was time for a second attempt at breakfast and various groups repaired to local hotels and cafes for the necessary sustenance to face the rigours of the day. 20

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Les vehicules at the Hotel de Ville, Angouleme

Today, the Circuit des Remparts is the only remaining street race in France. A track of 1279 metres is set out around the streets in the very centre of the town - think of the Monaco Grand Prix only shorter, narrower and without too much safety fencing - and you are there. The racing first started in 1939 with a break for hostilities until 1947. The race even formed part of the world Grand Prix season until 1951. Sadly, racing was banned by health and safety zealots between 1955 and 1978, but they eventually saw the error of their ways, and the race has been run annually since then, becoming an unmissable event for vintage motor sport enthusiasts worldwide. In pleasing contrast to modern day racing, the crowd can get as close as safely practical to the action, access the pits, and move easily around the circuit and the town. There is a distinct carnival atmosphere and the drivers and teams do it all for the fun of taking part - no financial prizes, just the prestige of winning a plate from one of the great classic events of all time.

The unique road race circuit in Angouleme and our fantastic vantage point

Paulerspury People - January 2011

Morning was dedicated to practice, and most of us took the opportunity to familiarise ourselves with the track layout and the best vantage points. We saw a wonderful variety of classic racing cars from a magnificent 1913 Vauxhall Viper (an 11.7 litre monster), on to 1920’s Morgans, through beautiful Bugattis and Deutsch-Bonnets, past 60’s and 70’s Alfa Romeos, to more familiar Minis and Jaguars. For classic car fans, the day was only marred by a sad display from a modern Lamborghini attempting the hairpin bends, even though it had a larger turning circle than a bus! In true French style, there was a 2 hour lunch break, when most of us managed to find somewhere to rest our weary bones, and where we were able to stuff in yet more food and wine prior to the serious racing in the afternoon. By the time the racing recommenced, the sun was at its strongest and beating down on the town. In the stands, it was hot, hot, hot, but we were British, we persevered, and we were rewarded with a fabulous display of serious vintage racing – no holds barred sort of stuff. Despite the soaring temperature, most of us managed to watch the bulk of the afternoon’s racing, but by 5.00 p.m. the heat had got the better of even the hardiest of us, and gradually we all returned to the Hotel de Ville to retrieve our cars. The local police and marshals, ever respectful of the heritage of our cars, allow us each in turn to travel the wrong way down one-way streets to affect our exit from the city and make good our escape back to Cognac. Weary, sunburnt, but happy, we all assembled once again for our aperitifs and yet another splendid dinner and a noticeable further increase in my waistline. Thanks again to Janet and Steve for organising such a fantastic day, that will long stay in our memories.

Keith Davies Day 7- A Free Day As we had been fully occupied over the last few days we thought a free day would be in order to enable participants to explore and take advantage of the numerous things to do and see in the local area, not least a visit to another Cognac house, of which there are plenty. Keith & Pippa took a group of would be customers to a small country distillery where we understand numerous bottles of ‘local stuff’ were purchased at really reasonable prices. Personally, we went off with Derek & Sylvia Freeman for a round of golf at the excellent Cognac Golf Course, whilst others went to St.Emillion or visited Gillardeau Oysters, a small private company run by the Gillardeau family. La Rochelle is about 65 miles away for those who wanted to enjoy another run in the car and some people chose to ‘chill out’ and relax in the hotel gardens, pool and jacuzzi. Time to relax and get ready for another superb five course evening meal.

Steve & Jan Dolan 22

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Day 8 - From Cognac to Montsoreau We had a very pleasant drive from the Château de L’Yuese in Cognac to return to L’Abbaye Royale at Fontevraud, departing from the planned route a bit so that we could exercise our S3 Continental. Our new route was about 140 miles – 10 more than the planned route, which is probably why cars 35 years older than ours arrived only a few minutes later at the Abbey. All parked up at L’Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

The Abbey is situated in the World Heritage Site of the Loire Valley, and was established at the very beginning of the twelfth century, but in the 14th century it fell into ruins as a result of the Hundred Years War. Rebuilt in the 1400’s, the French Revolution in the late 18th century saw the end of the Abbey, and it became a prison for 150 years. During its heyday, the Abbey housed hundreds of monks, the sick and leprous, virgins, and repented women, and in the 18th century was also a boarding school for the children of royalty and the aristocracy. Built of local limestone, the wonderful architecture is a tribute to the outstanding skills of the engineers and builders, and puts to shame virtually any large public buildings being built today. Much of the Abbey has been beautifully restored, and there is ongoing restoration, mostly funded by the French Government, but also by income derived from its present uses as an arts centre and hotel.

L’Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

The hotel part has been sympathetically incorporated within the Abbey, and provides superb dinners, comfortable rooms, and (in our case!) a lively bar. Outside there are extensive herb gardens and pleasant walks. L’Abbaye Royale has to be on everyone’s list of places to visit one day.

I’ll just have two, merci

Terry & Judy Weston Paulerspury People - January 2011

Day 9 - 10 Montsoreau to Calvados and then Back Home to Portsmouth We left the hotel Abbaye Royale in bright sunshine and made our way to Montsoreau where we pulled into the petrol station to fill up the Spur. Val and Danny Yates had got there before us and we thought that perhaps they had a hole in their petrol tank because of the time it took to fill it up. Eventually on our way we set off to Calvados, an area known to its locals as Cognac’s cousin. We drove through some lovely countryside, including market gardens with sprinklers going. France has some lovely roads to drive on and this route was no exception. I have to say, though, I’ve never seen so many huge lorries on B roads. It wouldn’t be allowed in the UK. The trees were also changing colour and putting on their autumn leaves. We passed acres of maize and brown sunflowers. What a sight the latter must have been when they were in their summer hue of bright yellow. We skirted Le Mans which we had visited a week before. It just didn’t seem possible that the Rally was nearly over. We started to get a bit peckish and made a lunch stop at Marmouille. This was a ‘truck stop’ with many white vans parked up in the car park. However, we were in for a great treat because it was very clean and the food fantastic. Not a greasy spoon in sight! The Yates’ and the Nightingales soon joined us for their lunch. Still in bright sunshine and feeling refreshed we carried on with our drive north. At Vimoutier we entered the department of Calvados and were surprised to see the countryside looking a bit like the southwest of England with lovely halftimbered houses and undulating countryside. We drove through a village with the interesting name of ‘Livarot’ and wondered whether this was anything to do with the inhabitants drinking too much Calvados! Perhaps not. Having covered over 161 miles we drove into the car park at the Château de Breuil and quickly made for the shade, as it was now incredibly hot. The Château was a fine looking building, standing in landscaped gardens. Very soon we were joined by a guide who invited us to follow her for a tour. Listed as an historical monument, the Château has been entirely restored by its owners who have been distilling spirits for three generations. The apple is the basic ingredient in making quality Calvados. The mild and damp weather and clay soil of the Pays d’Auge give the Château du Breuil ideal growing conditions for its 22,000 apple trees which surround the castle. Its cider is produced from a 100% natural fermentation Their know-how and experience. are the strengths of the Château, which gives priority to high quality rather than quantity. When the cider has reached the required flavour, distillation can start 24

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Harvesting of the apples takes place between October and November and the distillation process takes place between the beginning of winter and June 30th of the following year. To make one litre of 100% pure alcohol Calvados, about 27-kg apples or 20 litres of 5% volume cider are necessary. Unlike Calvados “AOC”, Calvados with the AOC “Pays d’Auge” requires cider apples produced only in the Pays d’Auge area. It makes a finer Calvados, due to the quality of apples produced locally and to the elimination of the roughest parts of the alcohol during the distillation. In the cellars, Calvados is only aged in oak casks. The Château du Breuil chooses its barrels carefully, because the variety, size and age play an important part in the quality of ageing. Some casks are 100 years old and all are made of oak from the Limousin region. The subtle exchanges between wood, air and alcohol give Calvados its smooth flavour and bouquet. After our tour we returned to ‘The Old Château du Breuil Cider Press’ for a typical Normandy meal. It was delicious. Later we all bid a fond farewell to the Nightingales who would return to the UK via the Shuttle the following morning. The rest of us went on our merry way to Ouisterham ferry port and back home to Portsmouth.

Chris & Linda Ball

The success of these tours depends entirely upon the support of those who take part. Our sincere thanks to all of you who came along for your support in making this tour a great success.

Steve and Janet Dolan Paulerspury People - January 2011

Prescott Speed Hill Climb 3rd October 2010 It seems that the Paulerspury section can’t be separated from Bugatti’s this past couple of weeks. From seeing a grid full of them at Le Circuit International des Remparts, Angoulême, in glorious wall to wall sunshine, to a soggy Sunday at the Prescott Hill Climb, speed being a redundant adjective as there was more emphasis on traction this day (the Prescott estate, including the track and all accoutrements is owned and operated by the Bugatti Owners’ Club) But, being the Paulerspury section, did we let that dampen our spirits, not to mention our Clouds and Shadows, of course not. We had an absolutely fine time. To begin, we were asked to be at the Rising Sun Hotel in Cleeve Hill by 7.00p.m. but as that entailed a drive through the Cotswolds from our homes, it was an excuse to shine up the car, check the oil, water and tyre pressures and enjoy driving through the superb scenery that this beautiful part of the country provides. Jan and I devised a route through some of the most picturesque towns and villages and arrived in time for a chinwag in the bar, only to find that most of us had used almost the same route. A hearty dinner and a bottle of wine in the evening sent us to bed refreshed and after a good nights sleep we were ready for the Sunday. Which dawned amid driving rain and strong winds, but, never to be subdued, off we went to the excellent venue of the Prescott Estate where there was allotted

With their cars parked safely behind the trees, do the owners know what lies in store for others?

Paulerspury People - January 2011

Well this is it and it certainly looks daunting

parking and an entrance ticket in the form of a wrist band. The morning saw all the various cars practising and it was evident that times would be slower than normal as none could get off the line cleanly, however, after lunch the competitors did their utmost to put on a show, with the over enthusiastic delaying proceedings while their cars could be picked up from the track or adjoining verges.

Fastest time of the day was a shade over 55 seconds, which, on a complicated track that rises over 200 feet in its 1127 yards was quite a performance. Incidentally, it was one of the smaller cars that achieved this, both in engine c.c. and physical size. Whilst after lunch the competitors did put on their show, it was during the lunch break that the ‘main’ event of the day took place, Do you see that aeroplane? Well we could have been on that and dry! that was yours truly powering his Bentley Continental up the hill in a cavalcade of motoring club vehicles, which included all sorts from Stanley Steamers to Morgan Aero 8, although I was held up by the vehicles in front I’m sure it looked the most spectacular from the spectators viewpoint. For those that have an interest there are photographs on the Section Website, under past events, showing the stunning setting of the hill climb site and more importantly, showing the angles I got from my Bentley Continental around the ‘Pardon Hairpin’ leaving a Stag in my spray, apologies for the shaky picture but Jan was so excited seeing me driving in that style she couldn’t hold the camera still. While you are on the website, all past events can be viewed as the sterling work by Adrian Denham has enabled a really user friendly method of ‘keeping up with events’ and is definitely to be recommended Thanks are due to Steven and Mia Murray for arranging this weekend which follows on the tradition of motor sport venues for which they have arranged visits over the years and are enjoyed by all members of the club, not just the Paulerspury section, as those who have attended the Silverstone Classic Paulerspury People - January 2011

If only the Triumph Stag had a ‘proper’ V8

meetings and this hill climb event can testify. Incidentally, from among the throngs of people admiring our cars emerged a gentleman to ask Steven why the grill mascot on his 1952 Silver Wraith was kneeling and all others were not, we think Steven did an admirable job of waffling about fouling bonnets when opened and the height of the grill but in truth, I don’t think any of us knew, I have Steve Dolan and his Continental S2 found an excellent technical article on the Australian website, http://rroc.org.au/wiki/images/6/6d/ SpiritOfEcstasyPart4-by-BGillings.pdf but this does not explain why, so over to you, fellow members of our great club, does anyone have the definitive answer as to why the mascot is depicted kneeling and not in the classic pose? Answers via e-mail please to Steven Murray.

Stephen Dolan 28

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Autumn Amble – Sunday 17th October 2010 How do we do it? A lovely day for a decent drive and it is mid October! Kathy and Mike Martin had arranged another stunning autumn run and even sorted the weather out for us. As ever, this is a hugely popular event and an impressive 19 cars met up at the Barns Hotel, Bedford transporting 38 of the Paulerspury People in the style we are quite accustomed to. More surprisingly, to us, was that we made it in time for tea/coffee as we had only just returned from the USA and were still heavily jetlagged. After meeting up and catching up with each other the co-pilots were issued with their driving instructions and we headed off. Mia and I were totally relaxed and confident that we could sit back and enjoy the drive as the Martins are rarely wrong on their directions so we were looking forward to a couple of hours driving with no rows. Then the inevitable happened. A few miles into the drive we came to a triangle junction to find a queue of club cars. Some turned left; others right; and one was doing a three (or there abouts) point turn having changed their minds. Right, time for a decision. Do we follow the majority (not always recommended on our drives!) and go left or go with our instincts and instructions that seemed to indicate we hadn’t gone far enough for the left turn? Tricky, especially as we cannot always rely on the odometer reading matching the instructions 100%. We like to be different so we bucked the trend and went right – and that worked out for us just fine although it was interesting that either way would have worked AND have fitted the instructions – what are the odds?

Just a few of our cars lined up outside The Plough at Bolnhurst

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A ‘Flying B’ glistens on Ian Coomber’s 1950 MKVI DHC by Park Ward

Fortunately, that was the only confusion on a perfect drive and no rows ensued. There were some excellent vistas to see on the drive although, due to the late warmth of the summer, there wasn’t much autumn colour to see. Lucky for us we had decorated the Lily Beament’s rear cabin out in US “Fall colors” so we brought an autumnal feel to the procession.

After about 40 miles we pulled into The Plough, Bolnhurst and gradually the car park filled with the club cars. Interestingly, cars pulled into the pub from both directions so clearly there was some creative navigation going on with some cars. It doesn’t matter though as everyone turned up and had a super drive on our last major outing of the year. We settled into an excellent lunch and I would like to thank all those who donated their Yorkshire puddings to my plate (you know who you are!) Mia and I didn’t hang around too long as we needed sleep and I had to have enough wits about me to put Lily Beament back into the garage (always a challenge, even when I am not half asleep).

‘A thing of beauty to treasure for ever’... and his 1967 Phantom V by James Young

Many thanks to Kathy and Mike for organising a lovely day it really was another one of those “happy” days amongst fellow friend enthusiasts.

Steven D Murray 30

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Bedfordshire Pub Lunch - Sunday 21st November 2010 The Five Bells at Stanbridge near Leighton Buzzard was the venue for our last Pub Lunch of 2010. The pub dates back some 400 years and although alterations have been made much of the old timber structure has been retained leaving some beams rather low for our taller members! The day dawned cold and grey but that did not deter the invasion by some 62 RREC members with their spouses, partners, family and friends, along with their cars. The deep freeze had not yet set in but it was clear that some of the ‘Older Ladies’ had been put to bed for the winter. I’m referring to Cars of course. Nevertheless there was an eclectic array of Club cars As the name implies dating from 50 years ago to the present day. It was also pleasing to see so many of our stalwart senior members as well as a few new faces. All together a very good turn out for a dull autumnal day, a credit to our section.

A lovely setting, prompt service and excellent food

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Keith and Pippa’s GT and not a ‘Cloud’ in sight

We met in what one might describe as the “Crush Bar “, part of which in fact was also the village store, a novel way of ensuring the survival of the village store, which most villages have now lost. In spite of the crush the welcome was very warm and the few villagers who managed to get in showed great interest in our cars as always, The dining area by contrast was very extensive, exhibiting much original exposed timber work.

Another day perhaps, when it is warmer

The service was prompt, the food excellent, so together with the company made for a very pleasant Sunday lunch. Many thanks are due to Robert and Jill for finding the venue and making all the arrangements.

Graham Swallow 32

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Paulerspury Section Forthcoming Events Event and Location

Date

Pub Lunch - The Wicked Lady - Herts Organiser: Robert Kennedy

Sun 16th January

Pub Lunch - The Old Beams - Bucks Organiser: Mia Murray

Sun 20th February

Pendon Railway Museum Organiser: Ray Hillier

Sat12th March

Visit to BDC HQ Organiser: Adrian Denham

Weds 16th March

Pub Lunch Dunkleys - Northampton Organiser: Val Yates

Sun 27th March

St.Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Run & Lunch Organisers: Alan & Margaret Fuller

Sun 17th April

Trip to Northumberland Organisers: Mike & Kathy Martin

Sun 22nd - Fri. 27th May

Annual Rally and Paulerspury Get Together Rockingham Castle Organiser: Main Club Event

Fri 17th - Sun 19th June

Driving Day & Picnic Organiser: Adrian Denham

Sun 26th June

Visit to Ely Cathedral and Lunch Organiser: Peter Nightingale

Sun 17th July

Cheese nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wine Organiser: David & Barbara Clarke

Sun 7th August

Annual Picnic Organiser: Mia Murray

Sun 21st Aug or Sun 4th Sept.

September Weekend - Poole Organisers: Chris & Linda Ball and Mike & Kathy Martin

Fri 16th & Sat 17th Sept

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Autumn Road Run Organiser: Val Yates

Sun 16th October

Leicester Bell Founders Organiser: David Davis

Weekday October

Pub Lunch - Beds Organiser: Chris Ball

Sun 6th November

AGM & Christmas Lunch Organiser: Val Yates

Sun 11th December

Booking You need to book for all events directly with the organiser(s). Booking forms can usually be found included with the PP or the Flyer, so do look out for them. With this edition of the PP forms are included for several events including the Ely Cathedral* visit, but ALL published events are bookable with the individual organisers now! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out, contact them and get your deposits off. *Peter Nightingale tells me his trip to Ely Cathedral is well subscribed although he can still accommodate one or two more, deposits need to be paid now to guarantee your place. Please familiarise yourself with the following event information Conditions of Entry: During the whole period of the events you have booked, your entries will be covered by the full third party risks. You therefore agree to indemnify and hold harmless the organisers of the event from any claim for any damage and personal injury caused by your vehicle(s) and driver(s) thereof whilst taking part in the event or journeying to and from the event. You also agree to produce the insurance document and MOT certificate if so required. You confirm that your vehicle has a valid road fund licence and carries a working fire extinguisher. Each event booking form asks you to sign acknowledging your understanding and acceptance of these conditions. The Small Print: Please be aware that any payments made should not be viewed as refundable as there is often need to pay for things in advance based upon the responses received. Event organisers do their best to facilitate late cancellations but please do not assume they can always refund payments. Your own travel insurance to cover against any financial loss is recommended. 34

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Technical Corner Why do we have to use RR363 Hydraulic Fluid in our Silver Shadows? RR 363 was developed specifically so that it could cope with the high pressure hydraulic systems fitted to the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow range of vehicles. The other critical factor is the lubricicity of the fluid. This provides vital lubrication to the rubber components within the hydraulic system and aids quiet operation of the hydraulic components. This is particularly relevant in the height control system. The use of proprietary fluid may be seen as a more economic alternative, but you may be treated to creaks and groans from your suspension system that you never thought existed.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Neverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; use anything less

The Problem with Telephone Diagnosis We had a call recently from the owner of a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit complaining of a suspension fluid leak from the rear of the car and that he was constantly topping up the mineral fluid. From the telephone description we deduced that either a pipe or hose had burst or one of the struts was leaking. When the car arrived we manoeuvred it onto the ramp, only to find the source of the problem was the nearside This horrendous damage could have been avoided rear caliper. The brake caliper pistons were almost hanging out and the brake disc had been worn away by the brake pads which had no friction material left! We asked him whether he had noticed any noise, and he said he heard a bit of squealing but that it had disappeared. The reason it has disappeared was that the mineral fluid had been leaking onto and lubricating the disc, hence silencing and masking the problem! R Type Engine Knock We received a call from a rather crestfallen owner whose Bentley R type had developed a very serious engine knock. Sure enough when the car arrived, the knock was very evident but quite elusive. We set about listening to the engine from every conceivable vantage point using our stethoscope but the source was inconclusive. It was solid, consistent with engine speed and could be heard wherever we cared to place the stethoscope. We switched the engine off, scratched Paulerspury People - January 2011

our heads and did a thorough visual inspection. Whilst checking the various exterior components, Tony put his hand inside the fan belt only to find a split across the inner vee of the belt with the outer casing in perfect condition. The remainder of the inner vee was also perfect. We replaced the belt and started the car with a degree of trepidation mixed with optimism. We were delighted to hear that the “knock” had miraculously disappeared and that the engine sounded robustly healthy. As you can imagine the owner had a grin from ear to ear knowing that his impending engine rebuild turned out to be nothing more than a split drive belt. Quality Repairs! It never ceases to amaze me how some repairs are undertaken. We were recently working on an S type Bentley when we noticed that the right hand rear chassis bump stop was bumpy and misshapen. We cleaned the underseal and paint off, only to find that somebody had effected a previous repair on the chassis. We spoke to the owner who assumed that the consequences would be catastrophic. We soothed his fears and set to removing the offending repair to check the integrity of the immediate area. Sure enough the “fabricated” section had been welded over some pre existing corrosion. I use the word welded loosely as the quality of welding resembled the deposits at the bottom of a birdcage!! We set to with the grinder and cut out the offending area. A new section of the correct gauge was made to pattern and welded into place. The area was ground back to a clean finish. The tricky You can get a ‘friend’ to weld it... part was fabricating the bump stop housing as this had to fit exactly into position and had to hold the chassis bump stop. We also had to make sure that the bump stop location hole exactly matched the bump stop rubber moulded peg. Once fabricated, we finally welded the housing into place and trial fitted the new bump stop. Final treating painting and undersealing saw the car repaired properly and ready for the road once more. See you next time.

Ray Hillier 36

...or get it done properly! The finished job, with the bump stop exactly as it should be

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Basil, our Austin 20HP Mayfair Limousine As most of you know I have now had this somewhat rare and imposing car for about 18months and whilst initially I did wonder why Diana and I had bought it, Basil, as it is now known affectionately within the family, has grown on us. I think a lot of the initial uncertainty came from the fact that although the man I bought the car from, now sadly dead, had done the majority of the work to a high standard, there were points of detail that let it down. So for quite a few weeks after getting the car home I was spending time either under the bonnet or under the car just getting to grips with things that were not quite right. One of my main concerns was a nasty noise from the front somewhere around the off side front spring, I was pretty convinced that it was a silent bloc bush in the spring shackle and so it proved to be. Having indentified the fault, the next question was how to get it fixed and could the silent bloc bushes be purchased, well you might be surprised to learn, or maybe you wouldn’t, that the bushes on this car are exactly the same as the 18HP Austins quite staggering when you consider how different the cars are in size. Fortunately for me help was on hand in the form of Peter who, throughout his working life of some 40 plus years, has worked in the motor trade and consequently had worked on this type of suspension system many times in the past, he was willing to get covered in grease and other messy substances and give me a hand along with Chris Cheeseman who provided the garage and the pit and how vital they turned out to be. Needless to say this job was never going to be easy and it wasn’t, having got the old bush out it was just a matter of pushing the new in: oh no it wasn’t. We had certainly got the right size bush, we just hadn’t got the right size hole to put it in. Finally, after much thought and considered discussion we were left without any choice but to remove material from the outer cage of the bush, over 30thou in the end and the concern was then would we collapse the bush once we tried compressing it into the spring eye. Well luck was on our side and it eventually

Basil (left) and his sister Cybil, an Austin 12 Ascot

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fitted and the nasty noise has gone away. Little improvements that make all the difference to enjoyment of driving the car. As we all know there is always something to do and numerous other jobs both large and small have been completed including the removal of the sump and the clearing of 16 years of sludge. It was whilst carrying out his rather messy task that it became apparent just how much abuse the car has had in its 72 years, the oil pump has been replaced with a Ford Burman unit, works well enough but someone had at sometime modified the sump pan to get it to fit, most of the bolt holes in the crankcase have been stripped or stretched making for a fascinating collection of bolts holding the sump on. The job is done and at least the oil remains clean for a little while longer. Just before he died I called into see Peter Garner the restorer of the car and much to my pleasure he had found the original companion set for the car in the form of silver plated hair brush, snuff box, scent bottle and cigarette trays: I had wondered what the small felt lined pockets in the rear of the car were for, now I know. Having displayed the car in various locations since buying it, I have been genuinely amazed at the interest it generates, admirers walk past other vehicles of equally interesting manufacture and want to know more about it and its history. Once the car had been restored Peter Garner wrote to the Dorset Evening Echo in November 1992 to seek information on the cars history and original owner, he received considerable correspondence from people who still live in the village of Wool nr Dorchester some of whom as small children remember the car and Mr Dugdale who lived at Hethfelton House just outside the village. It seems that Mr Dugdale was quite a wealthy man, he had two chauffeurs one by the name of Mr Lockyer and the other Mr Farr. The car was always kept spotlessly clean and seldom driven in the wet or so the stories go. It would seem from investigations that Diana and I have made and borne out by comments that I have in the letters to Peter, that Mr Dugdales sister Florence, was the second wife of the author Thomas Hardy. Even humble Austins have interesting backgrounds. Another irritating element of the restoration is the non standard stainless steel exhaust system, it is very noisy and resonates badly. I have tried various methods of quietening it down with varying degrees of success, but it is still not quiet enough. Quite by chance I have be buying the occasional spare parts from Austin Reproductions located oddly enough not far from Poole in Dorset and through a chance conversation it turned out they had just one correct 20HP silencer left in stock from a batch produced some time ago, along with the correct flanges. How to get them to Letchworth? Well it just so happened that I was due a few days off, the Bentley was in need of some exercise and so Diana and I travelled to Dorset for a few days. We found Hethfelton House, it is huge and 38

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about a mile down a private drive although we gathered from talking to some locals that its recent history is somewhat chequered, shame really but at least it is still lived in and not a ruin. The silencer was duly purchased, just about fitted in the boot of the Bentley and we enjoyed the lovely Dorset countryside for a while before drifting home across some lovely landscapes avoiding motorways wherever possible. The next job in the winter is to re-engineer the system to take the new box. Whilst all this has been going on, I was able to borrow some “wind deflectors” which would have been fitted to the front doors of the car, they had gone walkies some time ago. These where measured and then handed back to Peter to put back on his other 20HP Landaulette, a real rarity. Terry has just delivered some superb newly hand made copies, these now need to have the frames chrome plated and glass cut to fit and then another part of the car can be completed. Plenty of work still to be done but it is very satisfying as the car is getting better with use and has found favour with a number of brides to be. You truly do “Invest in an Austin”

David Davis

Editor’s Note: These are two other cars about which David has a story to tell. If this article has prompted you to tell us all a story, then drop me a line together with some photographs and I will get in the next PP.

Barry editor@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk Paulerspury People - January 2011

Secretary’s Report - January 2011 The Section’s 2010 AGM was completed uneventfully and we proceeded to an excellent Christmas lunch, again so well organised by Val Yates. We have now closed the matter of financial irregularities that existed last year. In every respect 2010 was a good year and we move into 2011 with high expectations. A whole range of events are planned and most at an advanced stage of preparation. Eight members were elected to serve on the committee. We welcome Barry Gallafent but sadly have to accept the resignation of Janet Dolan. Janet will be greatly missed but may, we hope, return in the future. Barry who has taken over editorship of the “Paulerspury People” and the “Flyer” brings added skills which will be much appreciated. Jim Fleming spoke before the Management Committee Representative, Steve Lovatt ,and told us of the serious divisions that had developed in the Management Committee. The good news, it was very good news, was that he is Chairman Elect of the Club. I think all of us will have confidence in him to re-establish harmony and take the Cub forward. There is,however, the need to re-elect him to the Management Committee when the ballot papers come out. Will all Paulerspury members make sure they take the right action at this time. At our last Section Committee Meeting we made the following appointments: Chairman:

Chris Ball

Treasurer:

Kathy Martin

Secretary:

Robert Kennedy

Events Co-ordinator:

Mia Murray

Val Yates, David Davis, Ray Hillier and Barry Gallafent will serve as members. The snow has disappeared from our roads and hopefully rain will wash away the salt. Then we can bring our precious cars out again and start the year in earnest. With Best Wishes for a very Happy New Year and Happy Motoring in 2011

Robert Kennedy 40

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Section Contacts Chairman

Chris Ball (Linda) 01525 860880 chairman@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk chris.ball@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk

Treasurer

01234 714092 kathryn.martin@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk treasurer@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk

Secretary

Robert Kennedy (Jill) The Knoll 14 Harpenden Road, St Albans, Herts., AL3 5AD 01727 858833 (Home & Fax) robert.kennedy@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk

Newsletter Editor

Barry Gallafent (Ruth) 222b Wolverton Road Blakelands Milton Keynes MK14 5AB Office: 0844 504 9500 Home: 01908 216804 Mobile: 07785 398271 barry.gallafent@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk

Website Coordinator

Adrian Denham 01926 812347 adrian.denham@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk

Events Coordinator

Mia Murray (Steven) Tattenhoe Hall Farm Tattenhoe, Milton Keynes, MK4 3AA 01908 504606 (Home & Fax) 01908 600687 (Work) 07956 074859 (Mobile) mia.murray@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk secretary@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk

Committee Members

David Davis (Diana) 01462 674347 david.davis@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk Ray Hillier (Karen) 01234 714268 (Work) sales@hillierhill.com ray.hillier@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk Val Yates (Danny) 01234 708513 val.yates@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE NEXT EDITION OF PAULERSPURY PEOPLE Restaurants - Hotels - Boutiques Health Spas - Dress Hire Formal Wear - Artists - Travel Companies - Automotive Specialist Services - Accountants email: editor@rrecpaulerspury.org.uk to request a rate card or to book an advert. It will cost you far less than you think! FREE DESIGN SERVICE AVAILABLE

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to look at our section web pages which can be accessed via the Members pages at www.rrec.org.uk Paulerspury People - January 2011

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Paulerspury People - January 2011