Congratulations to prominent and long-standing Members Jimmy Medcalf, Peter Morley and Harvey Hine whose influence on BDC affairs over many years has deservedly been recognised with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
The trio – whose collective membership of the BDC exceeds 200 years – accepted the accolades in recognition of their unstinting efforts and success on behalf of both the Club and the Bentley marque over many decades.
They received a standing ovation from fellow Members when President Andrew Day presented the newly conceived awards at the AGM at the Clubhouse last Sunday.
Introducing the awards, Andrew said: “Today we celebrate three people who have made a significant achievement and contribution to the Bentley Drivers Club over decades.”
He added that the awards were “clearly all very well deserved, and perhaps overdue, and it was a delight and a privilege for me to be able to present these awards to three such important people within the Club. And these three people also represent everything we aspire to in our Club: generosity of spirit, friendship, kindness and a sense of fun.”
Highlighting the achievements of the three recipients, Andrew said of each in turn:
Harvey Hine: “Harvey has played a major role in the Competitions scene, was a contributor to The Technical Facts of the Vintage Bentley, actively involved in the Vintage Spares Scheme and remains a valued advisor on all matters regarding Club insurance.”
Peter Morley: “Peter has been competing since the 1950s and has campaigned successfully the 24-litre Napier Bentley, which he created with the late David Lewellyn. His son, Clive, and two grandsons, Stuart and James, are now successfully competing in the family tradition.”
Jimmy Medcalf: “Jimmy, our Past President and Chairman, has dedicated his life to the BDC and is probably the world’s leading expert on the Vintage Bentley. He has been very generous with his time and advice to Club Members nationally and internationally, and continues to do so to this very day.”
Meanwhile, all existing Board members were returned to their posts, following the casting of 102 votes.
The current Board consists of: President Andrew Day, Chairman Mike Warner, Deputy Chairman Barbara Haig, Treasurer Bernard Walker, Terry Cooper, Harry Johnson, David Spencer, Paul Spencer and Joanna Way.
Meritorious awards for 2024 were also awarded to the following recipients:
• Peter Yarwood Memorial Trophy: Chris & Eirios Thomas (Mid-West Region Welsh Weekend – held in Ireland)
• Bentley Drivers Club Award: Tom Commander
• Stanley Sedgwick Trophy: Vivian Bush, James Morley & Sebastian Welch (Duff/Clement Le Mans centenary race at BDC Silverstone)
• Whitlock Trophy: Jimmy Medcalf
• Messervy Trophy: Andy Buchan (Peking to Paris Motor Challenge victory)
• Bentley Bust: Brian Rivett
• David Smith Memorial Trophy: Vivian Bush
• Richard Sanders Award: Martin Bennett (Bentley Mark VI & R Type book)
• Inter-Regional Team Challenge Driving Test Competition: Scottish Region (Whit Weekend)
- Full AGM report and images in June's issue of Review.
Image: Lifetime Achievement Award recipients (from left): Jimmy Medcalf, Peter Morley and Harvey Hine