Zborowski's house

Many VSCC members and those with aero-engined car affections should be glad to know that at last the mansion at Bridge near Canterbury which was once the home of Count Louis Zborowski is being restored. It was where his famous Chitty-Bang-Bang and Higham Special racing cars were built.

In 1995 two middleaged ladies pooled their resources to purchase the house, long closed from its hospital days, for nearly £1 million, and have themselves been restoring the 87-room Higham Park, as it is now called, with the vast 55ft-long music room, 35ft-long dining room, with 15ft-high ceilings and walk-in safe. The 1768 building with later 1807 addition was derelict but has been rescued, and the Harold Peto Italianate water garden uncovered (and workshop and garages rebuilt, I hope). Nine gardeners once toiled here, and each received 1,2000 in Zborowski’s will, after his fatal crash in the 1924 Italian GP.

The house and gardens are open Mondays to Thursdays (01227 830 830). Perhaps in time the VSCC, Brooklands

Society and The Brooklands Museum might stage meetings there.