Members who had journeyed “up north” were rewarded with a fabulous “Taste of the North” buffet at Crewe Hall to get the weekend started on Thursday evening. Unfortunately the M6 suffered a major traffic incident meaning all those who had chosen this route option suffered severe delay and many missed the superb buffet.
Next day was an early start for all those who had booked into the Bentley Motors factory/campus visit and we were very impressed with their wonderful parking arrangements.
Soon the main concourse was filled with our cars all in ‘date of manufacture’ order and all the colleagues from BM were invited to inspect the array and chat to the owners.
Visits had been arranged to different areas of the campus including the visitor centre to view the heritage collection and areas such as the leatherwork area and all those who had not been before, were very impressed with the whole operation and the site.
One of the car parking areas had been dedicated to a street food offer with music and from where the CEO of BM, Frank Walliser announced the winners of the directors choice of the various classes on display. The cavalcade, which had been assembled in date order was then allowed to depart, in order to get ready for the next (less formal) dinner at Crewe Hall.
On Saturday Tom Commander waved off another of his splendid Tom’s Tours which this year took a vast number of members into the Heart of Wales which fascinated quite a few European members who hadn’t been there before.
Everyone returned safely in time for the Gala dinner held in the BM Mews in the grounds of Rookery Hall, where some splendid singers got the whole audience involved, and got everyone in the mood for some post-dinner dancing to a live band.
Contemporaneously a dinner with entertainment was being held at Cranage Hall hotel to cater for those who either had chosen this option or had booked too late for Rookery!
Due to the popularity of the whole event the Club had to operate a first-come first- served policy to all these events.
The finale of the whole weekend was on Sunday, when all cars entered for Concours were judged and various awards made.
The Wroxton home team who had worked tirelessly to set the event up, then set to in order to clear and pack as required (ready for next year!).
Thanks to all who made this unique event so special and memorable - a very fitting 90th celebration for our Club.