Your Title: 10th Anniversary Road Run to the Cotswolds & the New Forest

Jerry Barnbrook meticulous over a period of twelve months put together a road run and tour visit to The Cotswolds and the New Forest. The event started on Monday the 16th September with assembly and coffee at the Cornwall Services, where the majority of those taking part met up. The remaining members chose to make their own way to the Cotswolds. Jerry had designed the tour in a manner that it was up to those taking part to plan their own route, guided by suggestions and options relating to stopping points and pit stops. Most made their way to lunch at Rumwell Farm Shop, just off the M5 before you get to Taunton, for a break for excellent local food. After Lunch we then continued up the M5 to Bristol where a choice of routes was given to drivers either to continue up the Motorway to Evesham or take an alternative way via the Old Bridge over the Severn into Wales then taking the A48/A40A38/A46 via Chepstow, Gloucester and Tewkesbury before arriving at The Wood Norton Hotel on the outskirts of Evesham. Again, members had the choice of eating at the Hotel or making their own arrangements as no formal evening meal was planned.

Wood Norton Hotel

The following morning after a substantial breakfast, the options for shopping, stately home visits or local attractions was up to the preferences of those taking part.  In the evening a formal Dinner was arranged (the only formal event of the week), where eager notes were verbally exchanged of the various excursions of the day. A short speech was made by the Vice Chairman, thanking all for their participation, and most particularly thanking Jerry for his tremendous work in planning the whole event. A cash collection earlier in the day allowed him to present Jerry with a bottle of Scotland’s finest amber nectar for all his hard work. On the Wednesday, it was again a free day to explore the wonderful attractions in and around the Cotswolds, which included Blenheim Palace, Burton-on-the-Water, The Morgan Car Factory, the National Motorbike Exhibition and various Stately Homes.

Again, after a leisurely breakfast we said a fond farewell to the Wood Norton Hotel and left by various routes for coffee at Dick Lovetts Ferrari Showroom at Swindon. Being a customer of the garage Andrew Spear kindly arranged the tour, as visits to the showroom are by appointment only. On display was a very impressive collection of over forty used Ferrari vehicles. In the main Showroom there were five brand new vehicles, which we were allowed to inspect closely and even sit in!!  On the first floor was a collection of rare Jaguars, Rolls Royce, Maserati, Porsche, Audi and very rare Ferrari’s including a 1967 Ferrari 275 on sale for £3,500,000. At this point I didn’t see any evidence of cheque books appearing from those present. The whole showroom and the presentation of used cars was exceptional.

On leaving the dealership we then made our way for lunch at Tree Farm Shop on the A346 just south of the M4. Following an excellent Lunch we then proceeded South to Lyndhurst, finally meeting up again at the Crown Manor Hotel. The evening concluded with drinks and natter before dinner.

On Friday the 20th after breakfast we were again free to explore the New Forest, taking suggested places of interest from Jerry's carefully planned tour itinerary.

Prior to dinner that evening stories were shared of visits to The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, The Mary Rose Exhibition in Portsmouth and many other places of interest.

Saturday saw the end of a very eventful week culminating in many memorable days. Once more we were free to make our own way back home, basking in the glow of a remarkable week celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the formation of the Cornwall County Car Club.

Report & Photos by: Reg Bennett