Club affairs, May 1952

The AC Owners’ Club’s second annual Novices’ Point-to-Point will take place on Sunday afternoon, May 25th, and will be open to anyone who has not previously competed in more than one map-reading event and who did not gain an award in that. The same eligibility also applies to members of crews. Start and finish will be at Ingatestone, Essex (on A12), and the 40-50 mile route white on good roads. No gumboots torches or other complications required—the organisers have aimed at a simple navigational exercise combined with a pleasant afternoon’s motoring. Entry fee is 7s 6d, and full particulars may be obtained front LN Drew, 54, London Road, Brentwood, Essex.

On March 17th the N Midland MC held their annual general meeting. The following officers and members of the Committee were elected, Chairman, JH Hudson; Vice-Chairman, JW Fleetwood: Treasurer, EC Hamlyn; Trials Secretary, TC Harrison: General Secretary, LH Rew: Assistant Genera! Secretary, R Costigan; Captain, RF Bradley; Equipment Officer, P Chapman; Chairman Social Committee : KA Scales: Press Secretary, Mrs M Parker: Committee,: DJA.Parker, F Hodgson, R Kirby and P Maine. 

The Bugatti Owners’ Club announce that Mr TBN Leadbetter, of 177, The Avenue. Harpfields, Stoke-on-Trent (Newcastle-under-Lyme 69193), has been appointed Hon Competitions Secretary. Mr EJ Newton remains Hon General Secretary.

On May 3rd the Bristol MC & LCC is holding a closed meeting at Castle Combo (admission by ticket only, obtainable from members— car park 7s 6d per car, no limit on passengers). There will be races for racing and sports cars, 500-cc cars and vintage and post-vintage cars, mostly over three laps. The entry fee per race is only 10s, so good racing can be expected, although the VSCC Silverstone races happen on the same day. The next Bristol closed fixture is the Poole Trophy night navigational trial on May 17th. 

The Billingham Synthonia Motor Club (recently re-formed) and the Wilton Motor Club have now joined together under the title of the ICI Tees-Side Motoring Association. The identity and functions of the two clubs will be maintained, but on all matters of policy, affiliation and common interest they will act together under the joint title.

A programme for the coming season has been arranged and a trial or social run will be held each month. These events will be organised by each club in turn and the first was a reliability trial organised by the Billingham Synthonia Motor Club held on March 30th. The two clubs are to organise an inter-works competition in September in which individuals and teams from Billingham and Wilton will compete against each other to promote friendly rivalry and enthusiasm, which is one of the main objects of the two clubs. 

The South Essex MC is in its third year and progressing steadily, with over 60 members. This year’s fixtures include two night-navigation rallies and two day rallies. The next day rally is on May 25th.

The Pateley Bridge & DMC has been re-formed and plans a full social and sporting programme. Headquarters are the Crown Hotel, Pateley Bridge. Hon Secretary : OH Curtis, Beverley Park Camp School, Pateley Bridge. Harrogate.

The Wolseley Hornet Sprint Club holds a “natter and noggin” [or is that a BDC copyright ?—Ed] on the first Monday in the month at the Railway Tavern, Bolts Lane, Chiswick, from 7.30 pm. The landlord is Len Haney, but don’t let this deter you! Hon Secretary : John L McArthur, 3, The Bungalows, Hook Road, Ampfield, near Romsey, Hants.

The Mid-Chester CC will run a coach to the BARD Nine Hours Race. The cost will be 25s inclusive of entry to Goodwood. Details from H Williamson, “Oak Lea”, 26 King Street, Hartford, Northwich. 

The Cumberland Sporting CC meets on the third Thursday in each month at the Castle Inn, Bessenthwaite. Kindred spirits are welcome. Hon Secretary : CWA Slater, Scaleby Hall, Carlisle.

On March 22nd over 70 ex-employees of the old Bentley Company attended a dinner and theatre party, including H Pike, ex-managing director of Bentley Service, “Nobby” Clark, ex-service manager, Wally Saunders, Tomlinson, Podger, and Mr Searle of the Searle Radiator Co, who made the handsome Bentley radiators. Mr Chaldicote, of Service, was in the chair and this party was the happy idea of Charles Preston, who invites ex-Bentley employees to contact either himself at Speedwell 1196 or AF Rivers Fletcher at Barnet 2171 or Museum 8901. 

The Aston-Martin OC has issued its 1952 Register of Aston-Martins, the work of TH Stewart. A beautifully illustrated art-paper 80-page book, it lists 554 known Aston-Martins under chassis numbers, registration numbers and owners. We believe a few copies may be available to non-members, at 28s 6d each from D Ceram, 554, Limpsfield Road, Upper Warlingham. But hurry !

The Sunbeam Register also has a few spare copies of its bi-monthly Sunbeam for book collectors and enthusiasts, at 2s 11/2d. each post free, from Mrs Boddy, Carmel, Wood Lane, Fleet, Hants. The next fixture of this one-make organisation will be the annual Wolverhampton Pilgrimage on May 17th/18th; with a rally, probably to the Airport to watch a flying display and air race, a parade, concours and social occasions. 

Those who enjoy assemblages of stately machinery should note that the Humber Register has a rally at Beaconsfield on May 4th, at noon. Sunbeam Register members are invited.

The first annual general meeting of the Morgan 4/4 Club was held at the Royal Hotel, Leicester; on April 5th. The following officers and committee members were elected for the ensuing year :— President JM Sparrow (Bournemouth); Chairman : W Allerton (Chester); Vice Chairman : GJ Stallard (Worcester): Hon Secretary and Treasurer  J Sutton Atkins (Derby): Hono. Competition Secretary : TA Parkes (Pershore): Committee : M Biberfield; BA Carrel (Blaby. Leies); SG Dyke (Newcastle); AC Foilen (Chester): Miss AE Jarvis (Leamington); PHG Morgan (Worcester).

The AGM was followed by an excellent dinner, after which the awards won during the past year were presented by Mrs BA Carrell. The club’s Challenge Trophy for the best all-round performance was won by GJ Stallard, of Worcester, whose performances at all events have been outstanding.