Wings, Wheels and Steam Country Fair, Rougham Airfield 27th June.
With one eye on the clock ready for the 3pm kick off against Germany and the video recorder set for the Grand Prix, the Woody, Sue and I set off at 9 o’clock for this well attended annual event. The Woody won best in show here last year but we know the organisers don’t give the prize to the same car twice so we went just for the show. The weather was extremely hot and so we decided not to parade in the ring as overheating was a distinct possibility (no temperature gauges in early Woodies). There were a couple of other Minis there and some other really well looked after vehicles, as well as the tractors, motor bikes and traction engines. If you ever go to shows with traction engines, try to park up wind of them because you will save hours of cleaning later! There were some good stalls with lots of motor jumble but nothing out of the ordinary. The falcon displays and other attractions, as well as light aircraft landing and taking off all day made the time go quickly. To avoid any further traction engine soot, we left at 2.30pm, before the main air display, to sit down and watch the match. At the end of it I wished we had stayed at Rougham, but that’s another story (you can read the Bury Free Press story of my 1966 World Cup experiences, along with my prediction that the defence would be found out, by clicking here.)
OK, so I’ll watch the Grand Prix then - no I couldn’t because it had presumably been changed to BBC2 and my dear wife had recorded BBC1 with an edition of the very negative Eastenders. So I missed the flying Australian, Mark Webber and Mr Hamilton overtaking the safety car (what a plonker, but he got away with it). And a German won the Grand Prix as well!
Altogether a negative day, just like the episode of Eastenders. Still, lets try again in four years time (to beat the Germans, I mean).
For other events at Rougham airfield, click on this ROUGHAM link.
16th Charles Clark Classic Car Rally - Sunday 4th July 2010.
The Cooper S was due a trip and Sue and I drove her down to Aldeburgh and spent the night in the caravan (lots of condensation and seagulls overnight meant some frantic cleaning on Sunday morning) before setting sail for Aldborough (in Norfolk) at 8.15am (much too early).
From Aldeburgh to Aldborough was 60 miles and Bury to Aldeburgh 45 miles so the S had travelled a fair distance before we started out on the 70 mile route through the wilds of Norfolk. The route should have been 60 miles but there was a bit of a mistake along the way which sent us all over the place - but nobody told the route master at the end. A bacon buttie and coffee at the start were included in the £15 entry fee before we all left the green at Aldborough. The route was interesting, apart form the mistake and getting held up in a parade of bloody tractors.
A pub lunch at the Dabbling Duck in Gt Massingham (should have been named the overpriced Duck) and eventually all 44 starters arrived at the stately home named Houghton Hall near Sandringham.
We were the only Mini but still attracted some attention although not the prizes - these went to a superb E-type Jaguar, a 1934 MG Magnette and a Merlin 2 + 2. We didn’t win a draw prize either. The quiz was all about Norfolk stuff so we didn’t bother with that.
Another 60 miles home and so the S had done 235 miles in a couple of days, which should keep the cobwebs away. We used just under a half tank(s) of fuel, she ran well throughout the journeys and there was no rain to come in through the bottom of the windscreen. We did meet the normal know-a-lot on the way round who told me all I needed to know about Mk III Cooper S’s so I will be looking for a new boot lid as mine is apparently not the right one (no I won’t).
Some pics are below of the cars on Aldborough green and at Houghton Hall. All money raised on the day went to East Anglian Air Ambulance.
If you want to read more about the rally and see pictures of the cars that took part on the day, go to www.charlesclarkrally.co.uk
The two pictures above are on Aldborough green, with the award winning E Type Jaguar and the Merlin 2 + 2 alongside the “S”. Below is us all parked up at Houghton Hall.
BMC Fish and Chip run - Thursday 24th June.
The annual fish and chip run from the Bradfield Manger to Woolpit chippy took place on a fine and sunny evening on 24th June. Thanks to all those who turned up, 8 Minis, Alex in his VW and Kelvin and Jane in their MGB. We all followed Paul through a few back roads (no road closures or chippings to spoil the run) and got a few smiles and waves from the Lavenham Angel pub goers as we roared through.
We all parked up in the usual car park although Kelvin decided to park outside the shop - obviously very hungry. Les took a few snaps and these will eventually appear on the members cars page. We all enjoyed the excellent fish and chips which were ready and waiting for us and we hope a few more hungry Mini owners will come along next year. Don’t forget the club meetings on the last Thursday of every month at the Bradfield Manger - see you there.
The picture below is of the Minis parked up at Woolpit. Their owners having rushed off to eat!
Classic Car show at Duxford, 1st August.
Debbie, Paul, Dan, Richard and Charley attended the show at Duxford on a dry but cloudy Sunday and were a few amongst many, many classic cars that attended this annual show.
There was much to see and the sight of the Blackbird in the American hanger still brings a chill to the spine knowing it can fly at over 2000 miles an hour.
Another amazing sight, and you wonder if they can ever fly as fast, was the appearance of no less than 9 Deloreans. We think there are no others in the world but how wonderful to have a car exactly the same as any other Renault V6! Anyway, a good day out was had by all and this show really is worth a look but at £9.50 a head for entry (these were discounted prices!) it seems a bit steep.
Classic Cars and Wheels Show, Stonham Barns 8th August.
There must have been 300 cars of all ages and types on show on this sunny (sometimes) Sunday and the site was plagued by wasps, as is usually the case here! The Woody was displayed on the EAPC stand and as we won best post-war car last year, we had to judge this year. What a task - when you look carefully at the cars, it is amazing the care and attention everyone gives them.
Anyway, we gave the prize to a superb 1.5 Riley mark 3 from 1962.
It was good to se Charley there with her mini amongst the Fords and good to see a mini in the parade ring. I can’t believe how big the show will be next year and only £5 to get in to view plus if you exhibit, the car and two passengers get in free if pre booked.
The photos below show the Woody amongst other vehicles plus the winners on the day of best in show, best post war, best pre war and best modified.
Heart Air Display & Classic Car Show - Rougham 15th Aug.
The day was a bit dull but, having the tickets already booked, the Woody and occupants arrived at the airfield with probably 100 other old vehicles to put on another good static display for the crowd (surprisingly large as it was £13 per head to get in and £10 per car and two occupants to exhibit).
There were some interesting cars there, only 3 minis - probably due to Mini in the Park - and Charley on her tractor!
Some marvellous fly pasts, some death defying aerobatics and the fearless wing walkers provided an excellent day. No prizes for the Woody, a Healy 3000 won our group and a Ford Zodiac was runner up. Car of the show was a jaguar, one of those parked next to us in the pictures.
I have included a long shot of the wing walkers with the angry sky in the background and one for the competition of “spot the Spitfire”!
STANFORD HALL PICTURES BELOW