Salopian Drivers Club

Old Salopian Day and SDC AGM
2025-09-13 - 2025-09-14
Please put the dates of this weekend in your diary now. Details of the weekend’s events, including a tour on the Sunday will be provided in due course.

Surrey and Sussex Tour - 7th September 2025
2025-09-07 | Surrey and Sussex, Surrey
Stephen Heath is working on this event. More details are to follow shortly.

Sleap Aerodrome Day
2025-07-12
Following the success of this event in July 2024, a second edition is kindly organised by Grant Charlesworth-Jones.
This is a private air show, the public are not admitted and we have exclusive vehicle access.
As in 2024, members will have VIP access to almost all areas (not the control tower), champagne reception and generous hospitality included.
Email Grant Charlesworth-Jones if you wish to attend: grant@ryminster.com
Friends, family and children are all most welcome.

7th June 2025: Shropshire tour
2025-06-07
Alex Aldous, Phil Wood and Grant Charlesworth-Jones are working on this event. In outline, it will involve gathering for breakfast in Shrewsbury followed by a drive to Bala for lunch at the Palé Hall hotel.
More information will follow in due course but if you are interested in taking part, please email Alex Aldous at acva@shrewsbury.org.uk

31 May – 1 June 2025: East Yorkshire tour
2025-05-31 - 2025-06-01
Chris Kettle and Michel Vanhoonacker are organising this weekend with an overnight stay for those who are up to it. We start at the world-famous Humber Bridge before we head to beautiful Flamborough Head on the East-Yorkshire coast for lunch.
This is followed by a drive via Scarborough to Robin Hood’s Bay, where we will stay in the newly refurbished Hotel Victoria (TBC and pending availability).
The next morning, we drive through Sleights, Grosmont, Goathland, (North Yorks Railway & ‘Heartbeat’ country), down through Thornton-le-Dale (Bangers & Cash), round Malton through the Wolds to Beverley.
The day ends at https://www.opalinebistrot.com/ run by Master Chef 2022 winner for ‘an authentic Lyonnais brunch, the “MÂCHON”, where a set menu of traditional Lyonnais specialities are served on communal tables’. (TBC as we need to check if timings are suitable).
For those who cannot get enough and are heading up North, we also plan a visit to https://www.sledmerehouse.com/house/sledmere-house
If you are interested, please e-mail michel@vanhoonacker.com

Sunday 27th April - Salopian Film Day
2025-04-27 | Old Market Hall Cinema, The Square, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury SY1 1LH, United Kingdom
For the first time ever the SDC shall be hosting a film morning and lunch for members and their families. Numbers are limited and the SDC are first in line before tickets shall then be offered to the wider OS club. We would encourage members to book early.
10.30 for 11.00 We have exclusive use of the Old Market Hall Cinema in the Square, Shrewsbury https://www.oldmarkethall.co.uk/. The cafe will be open for drinks and cakes.
We shall be enjoying Tom Cruise’s highest grossing film TOP GUN MAVERICK (2022) (12A). For those of you who need reminding, the official trailer is here.
After the film concludes we take a short walk to The Golden Cross https://www.goldencrosshotel.co.uk/ which, again, we have exclusive use of for a welcome glass of fizz and a seasonal three course Sunday lunch.
Costs?
Cinema
Members – £12.50
Children under 12 – £6
Welcome fizz and three course lunch.
Members – £45
Children under 12 – £20
The event is open to members and their partners/spouses and children. To book your tickets – either for the film, the lunch or both – please email Grant at grant@ryminster.com

8th March 2025: Aston Martin Heritage Centre visit in Wallingford
2025-03-08
Our group will be meeting for breakfast from 9.30 at The Wandering Kitchen at Wet n Wild near Wallingford.
It will then make the short drive to the Aston Martin Heritage Trust for a two-hour tour. To find out more about this centre, go to https://amht.org.uk/museum/
If you are interested in taking part, please email Grant Charlesworth-Jones at grant@ryminster.com

Winter Dinner at the Leander Club
2025-02-21
We will be holding our Winter Dinner at the Leander Club, Henley-on-Thames which is reckoned to be the world’s most successful rowing club. If you are interested in coming to this event, please e-mail miles.preston@milespreston.co.uk to gauge how many are likely to be there. You will be very welcome to bring spouses, partners and/or friends.

Surrey Hills Tour - Sunday, 28th September 2024
2024-09-28 | Newlands Corner Visitors’ Centre, Newlands Corner Visitors’ Centre Car Park,, GU4 8SE, United Kingdom
Stephen Heath is organising this tour which will start at Newlands Corner Visitors’ Centre Car Park, GU4 8SE and end at the Fairmile Pub, Cobham, KT11 1BW with lunch at the Abinger Hatch, Abinger Common, RH5 6HZ.
If you are interested in taking part please email Stephen at stephen_g_heath@yahoo.co.uk, or contact him on 07775007320.

SALOPIAN DAY WEEKEND 2024
2024-09-14 08:00 - 2024-09-15 17:00 (Europe/London)
This year the Salopian Day weekend is earlier than of recent years. It will take place over the 14th and 15th September.
To start things off, we will be parking our cars on Central at 11.45. This is a great opportunity to say hello to each other and to talk to pupils who are, increasingly, making a detour to look at the cars when they come out of their lessons. Who knows, some of them may become classic car enthusiasts as a result! Drinks and a buffet lunch will be served in Quod from 12.00. If you want to go to that you will need to complete the booking form which came with the recent edition of the Salopian magazine and return it either by post or by email to Christine Stephens in the Salopian Club Office.
At 2.00 we will be holding the SDC AGM upstairs in the Moser Building, a couple of minutes walk from Quod. It would be helpful if you could let me know (miles.preston@milespreston.co.uk) if you are planning to come to this so that we can line up enough chairs for everyone. Attendance at the AGM is encouraged.
There will be a dinner that evening in Kingsland Hall (dress: lounge suits). Again, for those who want to attend, you will need to complete the booking form which came with your Salopian magazine and return it to Christine Stephens. We will have our own table so if you want to sit with other SDC members, please will you indicate that on the booking form.
Grant Charlesworth-Jones has been working hard to put together an entertaining event on the Sunday morning. This will start with a barbecue breakfast at Grant’s new home at 20 Kennedy Road, SY3 7AB at 10.00. From there, cars will move off by 11.00 on the Navigational Scatter Rally he has created. This is a first for the Club and not to be missed.
What is a Navigational Scatter Rally? You and your co-driver (should you have one, but it is not essential) will be provided with the names of ten locations to visit in and near Shrewsbury, all of which are relevant to Shrewsbury School. You will accrue points for every location you visit. Officially, there are no timing restrictions but you won’t want to be late for lunch…..
As is the custom with events organised by Grant, prizes will be awarded for the best and worst performances of the day.
Lunch will be at The Lion and Pheasant Hotel, SY1 1XJ, who will be welcoming us from 13.00. Parking will be available in the NCP at the bottom of Wyle Cop, directly opposite the hotel. What does it cost? For a very reasonable £25 per person you will receive a generous breakfast and the first twenty to enrol will also get a limited edition SDC mug. Any surplus will go to the Club’s funds to cover its annual insurance premium. There will be a set menu for the lunch, which will be to your own account.
For further information, to register your attendance or just interest, please email Grant Charlesworth-Jones at grant@ryminster.com . Please will you also let him know if you have any food allergies or intolerances.

Sleap Private Air Show 2024 SATURDAY 13th July
2024-07-13
This is a private air show, the public are not admitted and we have exclusive vehicle access along with the BDC.
VIP, access almost all areas (not the control tower), champagne reception and generous hospitality included.
You are very welcome to gather with the BDC at 10.30 or so at the MacDonald Hill Valley hotel in North Shropshire SY13 4HA https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/hill-valley and take a route through the Shropshire countryside when it’s at it’s best.
Arrive at the airfield (SY4 3HE) at c. 14.00 – or just arrive directly at the airfield.
For a full itinerary go to https://www.shropshireaeroclub.com/sleapkosh
• Gather together for the 27 litre V12 Merlin engine to be fired up to start our afternoon;
• Exclusive VIP area (first for this event) for the SDC (yes, including dedicated loos);
• Champagne reception, allocated signature cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks;
• The wing walkers will be joining us in the VIP area to share their experiences;
• Hot and cold buffet;
• Generous inclusive bar (until it is exhausted);
• Access almost all areas – aviators flying in from all around Europe with planes coming in every two minutes.
• Owners and pilots will greet you for exclusive guided tours of various vintage, wartime, modern and exceptional aircraft – talk to the owners and see the aircraft first hand.
• Or just follow your nose and introduce yourself to owners and pilots;
• Sunset is 21.15 but stay as late as you like;
If you wish to leave your car and return the following day there is manned security-guarded parking all night, electronic security gate as well, to leave your cars safely (no cost). Decide on the day.

You will see, by way of an example: –
Hurricane flypast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIkSbL83Rx4
Titans Display Team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44zPTQF5dBo
Jet Pitts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5tC-OgIMco
Aerosuperbatics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF22fhVO7k8
Airborne fireworks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWcw06Om3Qg
Cost for the Saturday 13th July private air show alone, VIP hospitality – food and drink for six hours and access (almost) all areas is £135/person.
You will not get this close to planes anywhere else; the event is not open to the public and exclusive to BDC and SDC.
Accommodation
Rooms are available with BDC discount at the MacDonald Hill Valley hotel in North Shropshire SY13 4HA https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/hill-valley from Friday 12th July, departing Sunday 14th July – stay one or two nights.
Standard rooms: dinner, bed and breakfast double occupancy £255/room/night (discounted from £305)
Deluxe rooms: as above £270/room/night (discounted from £320)
Email Grant Charlesworth-Jones to book: grant@ryminster.com
Friends, family and children are all most welcome.

Joint SDC/Bentley Drivers’ Club - Shropshire meeting - Saturday, 22nd June 2024
2024-06-22
We are working with the NW Region of the Bentley Drivers Club to organise this day. It will start on Central from where we will drive to the Ashtree Collection on the north side of Shrewsbury and then on to Russell Hands’s carriage museum. We shall have lunch near the latter.
If you are interested in taking part, please will you email members@salopiandriversclub.org

Shropshire Tour - 15th June 2024
2024-06-15
Alex Aldous and Phil Wood are organising a tour starting at ‘Fourways’, Longden Road, Shrewsbury and ending back in Shrewsbury. It is hoped to have lunch at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel.
If you are interested in taking part, please email Alex at members@salopiandriversclub.org

Kent Tour 2024
2024-06-10 - 2024-06-13 | Hever Castle, Hever Castle & Gardens, HeverRd,, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG, United Kingdom
Following the success of last year’s Kent and East Sussex tour, I thought I would risk another Kent tour in June 2024, but based in a different location. We are going to stay for the two nights of this three day tour in the accommodation built by William Waldorf Astor for his guests when entertaining them at Hever Castle. As well as visiting the castle, we will be going to Penshurst (home of OS Sir Philip Sidney), Down House (home of OS Charles Darwin) and Chartwell.
This tour is now fully booked although there is a chance that a couple more spaces may become available in April. If you aren’t one of those already taking part but would be interested in doing so, please email me at miles.preston@milespreston.co.uk and I can put you on a reserve list.

Cumbria Tour – Saturday/Sunday, 11-12th May, 2024
2024-05-11 - 2024-05-12
Michel Vanhoonacker, Chris Kettle and Chris Crewson are organising a tour in Cumbria with an overnight stay the night at the Drunken Duck Inn in Barngates Ambleside for those coming from further afield. On the Saturday, the tour will include visits to the Lakeland Motor Museum, the Ruskin Museum (Donald Campbell CBE), Beatrix Potter’s home (National Trust) and end with supper at the Drunken Duck Inn. Sunday is for scenic driving, with stops at Pooley Bridge, Ullswater via Ambleside & Glenridding and then to Thirlmere, Keswick, Ravenstone (Ireby Road) ending at The Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, for a roast lunch around 14h. Carriages around 16h30.
If you are interested in taking part, please will you email Michel at members@salopiandriversclub.org

Turf Club Dinner with Sir John Stuttard, Friday 23rd February 2024
2024-02-23
Following last year’s success with Nigel Edwards as our fascinating and entertaining guest speaker, we have the pleasure of welcoming another of our members, Sir John Stuttard, to speak at our next annual dinner.
This will take place at the Turf Club in Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1. Sir John will share his experiences driving the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge in 1997, which he completed in a 1934 Rolls Royce 20/25 saloon. The Challenge ended on 18th, October 1997 after an epic 45-day journey across half the world..
Further details will be circulated to all members in due course but if you are interested in coming, please email Miles Preston at miles.preston@milespreston.co.uk

Breakfast at Graham Moss and tour to Glenn James’ airplane collection
2023-10-01
On Sunday 1st October, one of the committee’s members Grant Charlesworth-Jones, supported by committee members Alex Aldous and Phil Wood, has lined up an exceptional tour.
At 9.30, we will gather at the home of Graham Moss (M ’69-’73), Brookgate Hall, Plealey, SY5 0UY for breakfast rolls and tea/coffee. Graham is a very generous host and also has a fantastic collection of classic British sports cars which he will be very pleased to share with you.
Sometime after 10.00, we shall depart for a touring route of some 20 miles to Sleap (pronounced “Slape”) airfield which is one of the busiest general aviation fields in the country, with many different types of private aircraft flying in and out. We will be driving on interesting roads with places of note along the way – take it at your own pace.
At Sleap we will have a hosted tour of a private collection of working war planes: https://www.flythedream.co.uk/ and owner Glenn James, a serial entrepreneur and former business associate of Lord Sugar, will personally show us around his working collection; he will be able to answer all of your questions and yes, you will be able to sit in the planes!
A hot buffet lunch will be provided there at around 13.00 and you can either enjoy the setting for as long as you wish or have your food to take away so that you can get on your way home.
As you know, the SDC is financially self-sufficient and we don’t have any subscriptions so there will be a club contribution of £25 per person coming to this event. Please will you pay your contribution to Grant Charlesworth-Jones on the day. If you would like to come to the Sunday event, please email Grant at grant@ryminster.com

SDC AGM
2023-09-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Shrewsbury School, Ashton Rd, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BA
Notice is hereby given of the forthcoming 5th Annual General Meeting of the Salopian Drivers’ Club to be held on Saturday, 30th September 2023 at 2.00pm in the upper room of the Moser Library, Shrewsbury School.
As usual, existing and potential members are invited to gather with (or without) their cars at 11.45 am in front of School House.
Do remember that if you want coffee in the theatre, buffet lunch and/or dinner in Kingsland Hall on the Saturday, 30th October you will need to complete the booking form emailed to you by the Salopian Club or click on this link. https://www.shrewsbury.org.uk/calendar/2023-09-30/old-salopian-day-2023. Also if you want to sit at the SDC table at the dinner, you will need to say so on the form.
If you are unable to attend but wish to send apologies for absence please will you notify Miles Preston at members@salopiandriversclub.org
Last year’s minutes: AGM Minutes Oct 22

Visit to Jack Henley
2023-09-02 11:00 - 16:00 | Marden, Marden, TN12 9LG, United Kingdom
For many years, John Sutton has known a most interesting character called Jack Henley who lives near Marden in Kent. Jack is a remarkable person who built up a very successful haulage business called Henley Transport but also, while doing that, put together several significant collections ranging from fountain pens, postcards and toy cars and trucks to juke boxes, wurlitzers, clocks and cars.
Jack has very kindly invited as many SDC members and their guests as can go to spend the day at his house on Saturday, 2nd September. We are invited to arrive at any time after 11am and leave at leisure, probably at about 4pm. As it is Jack’s home we will be visiting, understandably, he cannot feed us. We will, therefore, each need to take our own picnics and refreshments.
Some coming to the event may want to travel there and back home in the day but others may prefer to stay either the Friday night and/or the Saturday night somewhere nearby. John Sutton has managed to provisionally reserve several rooms at The Camden Arms in Pembury, which is about twenty-five minutes drive from Jack’s home.
If you would like to take part in this one off opportunity, please will you email as soon as possible to let him know and to tell him if you will be accompanied and, if so, by whom.
If you want to stay for one or both the nights at The Camden Arms, please tell John when you notify him of your wish to attend the event. The rooms at the hotel will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis so be sure to contact John quickly if you want to reserve a room.

South Kent and East Sussex Tour
2023-06-18 11:00 - 2023-06-20 15:30
There will be a re-run of the two day tour of south Kent and East Sussex we did last July. The tour starts on the afternoon of Sunday, 18th June and we stay that night and the following night at Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse. The tour ends after lunch on Tuesday, 20th. We will be visiting Sissinghurst Gardens, Bodiam Castle, Rye, Smallhythe Place, Chapel Down vineyard, Pashley Manor Gardens and Bateman’s (Rudyard Kipling’s home). If you are interested in taking part, please email Miles (see below).
Please note that the numbers of cars that can take part in this event are limited so if you wish to take part you will be well advised to get in touch with the organiser as soon as you can. Applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

Yorkshire Tour
2023-06-11 11:00 - 15:30
Michel Vanhoonacker and Chris Kettle are organising a Yorkshire tour on Sunday, 11th June with two starting points, Ripon and (for those coming from further north) Hawes and then all going to lunch at The Fat Lamb in Cumbria. If you are interested in taking part, please email Michel (see below).

Please note that the numbers of cars that can take part in this event are limited so if you wish to take part you will be well advised to get in touch with the organiser as soon as you can. Applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

North West Tour with the Bentley Drivers Club
2023-05-21 11:00 | Shrewsbury School, Ashton Rd, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BA
We are lining up a joint tour with the NW Section of the Bentley Drivers Club on 21st May starting on Central at School and then driving to Hawkstone Hall for lunch. This will be a great opportunity to meet and spend some time with members of another drivers club. The day will start at 11am on Central where coffee and tea will be served before everyone sets off for Hawkstone Hall, arriving there at 1pm with lunch at 1.30pm.
The lunch will cost £49.95 per head. Those participating will need to transfer funds into the North-West Bentley Drivers Club bank account.
Payments must have the reference – HAWK – SURNAME SDC
If you are interested in taking part, please will you email Joanna Way (see below).
Please note that the numbers of cars that can take part in this event are limited so if you wish to take part you will be well advised to get in touch with the organiser as soon as you can. Applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
