Club affairs, January 1952

The Cornwall Vintage CC held its Annual Dinner at the Western Hotel, Newquay, on December 1st, when some 50 members and their friends were present. The Chairman, Lt-Col GR Dewey, presided, and after the dinner, the season’s competition awards were presented by Major HB Austin, a member of the council of BARC and Chairman of the Disabled Drivers’ Club.

The Williamson Challenge Trophy was presented to John Martin-Lewis (HRG) for the best performance in the season’s events in a non-vintage car, whilst the Dewey Challenge Cup for the best performance with a vintage car went to JWH Pritchard (2-litre Lagonda). After the presentation of awards, those present had the treat of a really delightful impromptu after-dinner speech from Major Austin, who will long be remebered as a successful exponent of the “Brescia” Bugatti in the middle ‘twenties at Brooklands and elsewhere.

The toast of “The Guests” was proposed by the Hon Sec, and Mr G Turnbull (Plymouth MC.) responded.

At the Third Annual General Meeting of the Windsor CC, held at the Castle Hotel recently, an encouraging report was given of the progress of the Club which is now firmly established and growing steadily. The following elections took place : Vice-President, Mr Stirling Moss ; Chairman, Mr Colin G Brightman ; Vice-Chairman and Competitions Secretary, Mr M Vaughan ; Hon General Secretary, Mr E Norton ; Hon Treasurer, Mr K Brown, Hon Solicitor, Mr IM Heztett ; Committee Miss NG Gordon, Miss EM Nash, Messrs JM Davis, G Day, S Screen, CF Smith, and Capt H Tarran-Jones. New members are still welcome and the address of the Hon Secretary is Mr E Norton, 21, Westlands Avenue, Slough, Bucks. 

The Midland Centre of the Riley MC held its Annual Dinner on November 30th, at the Regency Club, Shirley. There was a record attendance and enthusiasm ran high. The President and Mrs Victor Riley were supported by Mr FL Robinson retiring Chairman, and Mrs Robinson, Mr PR Allen, deputy Chairman, and Mrs Allen, and the members of the Committee and their ladies. A silver salver was presented to Mr Robinson on his retirement from the Chairmanship of the Centre, when it was mentioned that he had served the Centre in various capacities for more than eighteen years. A silver salver was also presented to Mr Arnold Farrar, Honorary General Secretary and Treasurer, to mark the occasion of his marriage. 

The Alvis OC has a Scottish Section. No entry fee is payable to join, only the normal subscription. Hon Sec : DM Gillies, 17, Dudley Gardens, Edinburgh, 6.

The Herefordshire MC now has RAC affiliation.

On November 15th at the first of the North West London MC’s regular monthly meetings at the “Mason’s Arms,” Maddox Street, W1, a large crowd turned out to attend the inaugural quiz contest against the Kentish Border CC. The report as follows : We were all very sorry that our Quiz Master (Eric Findon) was unfortunately indisposed, but at the last moment a great sacrifice was made by the North West London MC in allowing their pet quiz “brain” Philip Turner, to step into the breach, which he did with his usual aplomb. It was also rather shattering to find Sydney Allard—President of North West London MC.—captaining the opposing team and it was even more shattering to learn that he is also President of Kentish Border CC.

After a long hard-fought battle, punctuated by loud “noises off,” the Kentish Border CC proved the victors on the last question of the evening, after having been led all the way up till then.