After an enjoyable and productive OS Day, comprising a display of members’ cars on Central and an AGM, the Salopian Drivers Club (SDC) skipped Sunday’s chapel service on 10th October and assembled instead at Philip (M 92-97) and Kathryn Wood’s home in Pontesford for a relaxed morning coffee. The ensuing driving route focussed around castles on the English-Welsh border, taking in some of the area’s most breath-taking scenery, aided greatly by the bright and warm autumnal sunshine that eluded us the day prior.
The Castles Tour directed 21 cars and 36 participants to Montgomery Castle, through some deviously-devised country lanes, leading to Newtown. The newly-constructed bypass permitted more spirited driving that continued into the hills of Dolfor, elevating drivers to a height exceeding 1,500 feet. Nestled in the Teme Valley, on the Powys-Shropshire border, the Castle Inn provided a welcome halfway coffee stop to refresh weary travellers, prior to the route passing Clun Castle and back towards Shrewsbury.
Accepting the Salopian tradition of arriving fashionably (but not excessively) late, Grant Charlesworth-Jones (O 91-96), his partner Lisa, family and friends hosted a special three-course luncheon in their new home in Whitton to bolster club coffers. Yet, participants had to earn their keep. On-site, a one-mile-long track, with its gravelly surface, sharp bends and sheer drops, hosted a competitive timed hill-climb challenge. While a 2021 all-electric Ford Mustang Mach E snatched victory from a Ferrari 458, to the dismay of petrol-heads, greater fame and fortune awaited the slowest time at the post-lunch awards ceremony. Consequently, John Pinfold (S 56-61) and his MGB was awarded the tongue-in-cheek ‘Miles Preston Award For Speed’, in honour of our esteemed founder and chairman.
After a difficult two years, SDC members savoured life returning to some semblance of normality. Our next 2021 event will be at the Classic Motor Show on the 13th of November. Our 2022 calendar is also being planned to include a dinner in London on the 21st January and both regional and national events to cater for a wide variety of tastes.