After lining up our cars at Central for OS Day, the SDC celebrated its fifth anniversary with a full turnout on Sunday, 1st October. The day started with an informal and sociable start with breakfast at Brookgate Hall, amongst the impressive car collection of our genial host, Graham Moss.
Salopians and cars of all ages came along, from Glyn Pryce’s exquisite pre-war Bentley Blower to learner-driver, James Gibbon, with his auction buy Audi TT. James went on to win a ‘Newbie’ prize later in the day.
Once again, Paul Taylor and his daughter, Gabby, smashed any long-distance competition by driving their Porsche 356 to Shropshire from Estonia. Notable too was the latest SDC committee member, Rob Slomczynski, beaming from behind the steering wheel of his stunning left-hand-drive Triumph TR3.
As more SDC cars arrived, so did the rain but hot sandwiches and coffees kept flowing from the Moss garage – our thanks to Graham for his incredible and generous hospitality.
A relatively short and direct route took a convoy of, approximately, twenty cars and forty people to Sleap Airfield, one of the busiest private strips in the UK. Yet, driving rain and low clouds had subdued activities. However, being our fifth anniversary, corks were popped and fizz flowed to all the non-drivers.
While various displays and flypasts had been arranged, there was no beating the weather – although local flying ace, Bob Pooler, at eighty years young, volunteered to make it worth our while and executed a low-level acrobatic display in his Slingsby T67 Firefly. We were still able to view and climb aboard the twin-engined AVRO Anson and talk to owner Glenn James, albeit under the cover of umbrellas.
A swift decision was made to abort the planned barbecue and, instead, organiser Grant Charlesworth-Jones (O, ’91-’96) supported by his daughter Clara (EDH ’23-) and four other future Salopians, Guy, Isis, Ludo and Rocco, invited everyone to their nearby home at Grinshill Hall, for more fizz, canapes and lunch.
The day may not have delivered on the weather but everyone had a great time. Marcus Bruce, Angus Jagger, Paul Taylor, Martin Davies and former committee member, Rob Marshall, were awarded prizes for their various strengths (and weaknesses!)
The SDC has received many thanks and congratulations from those who attended and, because we did not completely disgrace ourselves, we have even been invited back to Sleap! Keep your eyes peeled on the upcoming events section of the website to find out more.
Rob Marshall and Grant Charlesworth-Jones
