DCC Visit to Gaydon Motor Museum & Blenheim Palace
Category: Car Club News
You don’t have to have a fancy car to belong to the club, just a love of driving, enjoying visiting interesting places, good food and wine, but above all, friendship. Contact the Club Secretary for more details: carrnicholas@yahoo.co.uk
Just before Easter, a small and very enthusiastic group from the Distillers Car Club set off for Gaydon, just outside Banbury to explore what is proudly known as the world’s largest collection of historic British cars. With over 300 beauties on display—from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and the Jaguar Heritage Trust—it was a petrol-head’s paradise.
We were guided by a wonderfully cheerful, witty, and incredibly knowledgeable host who brought the story of the British motor industry to life. Along the way, there were plenty of nostalgic moments, with some of us fondly recalling our youthful days behind the wheel of our very first Mini… and, of course, that unforgettable company car—was it a Ford Cortina? Oh yes, it was!
In the afternoon, we motored over to Blenheim Palace near Woodstock, where we spent a delightful couple of hours soaking up the grandeur and history. We explored its many treasures (though sadly, the infamous golden toilet was nowhere to be seen. It’s hard not to marvel at how such opulence ever got past the watchful eye of Queen Anne, who famously scolded Sir John Vanbrugh for his rather extravagant vision.
Thankfully, he stuck to his guns, leaving us with a truly magnificent Palace and stunning gardens to enjoy today.
All in all, another fantastic trip for the memory banks. Thank you Steve for organising. Next stop: the Mike Hawthorn Museum—watch this space!
Set in the heart of the South Downs lies England’s oldest commercial vineyard and home to award winning sparkling wines. This was the backdrop for the recent Distillers Car Club visit this month. Standing amongst the rows of neatly manicured vines, just about to be harvested, twenty of our members enjoyed a very convivial day understanding what makes Hambledon so special.
From the modern winery to the cool underground cellars, it was a delight to see innovation and craft coming together. Following a masterclass tasting we all enjoyed a lunch in their newly refurbished dining room overlooking the south downs national park. A wonderful visit to round off our year.
If you would like to know more about the Distillers Car Club, email me at finchpj@btinternet.com and I will send you details.
The weather was very kind to us as 15 members and our wives sailed to the Isle Of Wight, firstly with a visit to The Mermaid Gin Distillery where we were guests of the co-founders Xavier Baker and Conrad Gauntlett. Wonderful hospitality and an inspiring story of innovation and provenance. We all “kissed the Mermaid”.
Onwards to our home for two days at The Royal Hotel Ventnor, a splendid Victorian hotel above the cliffs. After a delicious dinner on Saturday night, we gathered on Sunday morning to be briefed by Steve Wilson about the Car Treasure Hunt across the island. With notes in hand and a fair wind, we all took off.
We lost no couples on the way and everyone appeared to be still “married” as we arrived at the beautiful Hut restaurant for lunch. Overlooking a calm sea in bright sunshine, we all enjoyed local seafood as Steve announced the winners of the treasure hunt who were Andrew and Susan Cox, just taking it by 1 mile from runners up David and Cara Wilson.
In the evening we hit the local night spot called the Met for tapas, live music and dancing. Definitely some contenders for “Strictly”.
Our trip was truly blessed with fine weather in “Gods Own Country”. On Friday September 22nd, everyone met at The Black Swan in the picturesque market town of Helmsley on the edge of the north Yorkshire moors which was to be our home for our long weekend.
Kids in a candy shop
In the morning we were off bright and early to visit the location of the popular TV classic car auction programme “Bangers and Cash”, most appropriately named! Wow, probably 500 cars or so to suit all our age groups, Bentleys to MGB’s with the odd Morris Marina and Austin A35 thrown in. Just the place to buy if you are interested in a cheap run around. No auction that day, just viewing. Rumour has it that Steve might be bidding for a tasty Ford Cortina!
The rest of the day was free, some choosing to visit the magnificent views of Sutton Bank acclaimed by author James Heriot as the “Finest in England”, others visited the stunning UNESCO world heritage site of Rievaulx Abbey, set in a secluded valley, and founded by 12 Cistercian monks in 1132.
Sunday was the driving day criss-crossing the sweeping purple heather covered moors of North Yorkshire with unforgettable and breath-taking landscapes bathed in sunshine. Driving through timeless villages, it is a special place of great beauty and tranquillity, though the throb of Nick’s V8 and Steve’s V12 engines did startle a few moor hens. Our destination, the seaside town of Whitby, famous for fish and chips, Dracula, and Captain Cook. Fish and chips did not disappoint with delicious fresh fish, oysters, and prawns. After lunch, some of us ventured on a boat to see the view from the sea. Others took a detour to Goathland to see the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the North York Moors Steam Railway, as we all returned to Helmsley crossing the moors again.
A weekend enjoyed by everyone with a particular welcome to David and Cara Wilson, two new members who joined us in their beautiful Austin Healey. Please come again. Grateful thanks to our Hon sec Nick and Chair Steve who pulled together yet another memorable DCC trip. Thank you.
Paul Finch Liveryman
North York Moors Steam RailwayThe Humber BridgeKim & John Barrett with their lovely Alvis
What is Luton famous for? Vauxhall, Bedford, Luton vans, curry, and the “Land Rover Driving Experience”. I think you can guess what we chose.
As 12 of us gathered for a delicious curry the night before, we mused what the next day might deliver, especially as the forecast was for torrential rain, just what we wanted to test our nerve and cars. We were not to be disappointed.
The “Land Rover Driving Experience” is designed to show off the technology that goes into building these world-famous cars. Very few owners have the chance to try out the many functions that are on offer from controlled descent, gravity, hill climbing, mud and rocks, all in the comfort of leather clad seats playing with the many multiple functions that make Land Rovers the go anywhere car.
A few wanted it to be bit more extreme/exciting but suspect health and safety weighed a little too heavy!
Nevertheless, a very enjoyable three hours was spent testing the cars and our skills and after the Wilson team endured a puncture, we retired back for a delicious lunch at the Luton Hoo hotel.
Land Rover are keen of course to entice participants to consider buying a Land Rover after the experience, however Distillers’ wallets were not to be seen, it seems £130k is just a step too far, even for Distillers!
Another great car event ticked off. Watch this space for the next event.
There’s a lot of water in the Lake District, which was significantly replenished during the DCC’s tour of England’s largest national park, made famous for its moody landscapes and dramatic scenery. No dampening of spirits here for the intrepid 20. Some of us cruised on glass like lakes and some drove scenic and majestic roads and passes.
The Lakeside Hotel
Staying at the Lakeside Hotel at Newby Bridge, the hotel offered stunning views of Lake Windermere just a stone’s throw away from the water’s edge. Monday was a “free day”, allowing everyone to explore the locality. Some chose a gentle stroll, some a leisurely boat trip on the lake and some took the steam train for a nostalgic trip along the water’s edge, some took a cleansing ale at one of the oldest pubs in the country, the Hole in the Wall at Bowness, serving beer since 1661. Others mused Wordsworth’s moving poem about the Lakes, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”. In the evening we all made our way to the nearby Mason’s Arms for delicious dinner.
Tuesday and with clear heads! we all headed off north over the Kirkstone Pass, via Ullswater and Basenthwaite Lake, destination The Lakes Distillery. It would be fair to say that the Lakes Distillery is the leading producer of whisky in England. Despite many trials, tribulations, and huge investment, it now operates in a beautifully refurbished cow byre, within a UNESCO world heritage site, a few hundred metres from the river Derwent’s, soft water which makes this delicious whisky. As we were shown around the state of art distillery, (which also produces gin and vodka) we were all in total admiration for what had been achieved within the short space of 7 years.
The sole intent of Dhavalli Gandi, Master Distiller is to make a whisky which expresses The Lakes through flavour. He describes the house style of its whisky as, “sherry led, wood forward and flavour packed.” During lunch in the board room Paul Currie, founder and MD, and Nigel Mills, chairman, explained to us the painstaking process and hurdles they went through to develop their distillery and how they created award-winning whiskies which culminated in Whisky Makers Reserve No 1 being the voted the world’s best single malt in 2022. For more information, see www.lakesdistillery.com
The Distillers’ Car Club at The Lakes Distillery
After lunch we all drove back was over a rain swept Whinlatter Pass, past Crummock Water and back to the Lakeside Hotel for a group dinner, which included a tutored tasting of five Lakeside Distillery whiskies, by their brand ambassador. Another brilliantly organised trip. Thanks go to Secretary Nick along with his team of Steve, Allan, Bob, and Paul.
The Car Club doing their bit to help with the harvest
After the trials and tribulations of the past two years, it was third time lucky for the Distillers Car Club’s 2021 foray to Champagne. Sadly, our secretary, Nick Car and his wife, Louise, were unable to attend, so Bob Russell and Steve Wilson stepped in to manage the schedule of events for the sixteen participants in their eight cars.
Our base was Les Grains d’Argent in Dizy, where we congregated on a sunny Monday, 20th September to go en masse in a fleet of exotic and mainly British cars, plus one German and one Japanese (guilty as charged M’lud) and headed to Pressario, the first visit of our trip. Pressoria describes itself “in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage vineyard in Aÿ-Champagne”, offering a unique sensory experience around champagnes and featuring, audio-visual, olfactory and taste experiences. This was followed by even more tasting experiences at an Epernay hostelry, Le Sardaigne.
Tuesday comprised a free morning in Reims, where we met at to visit Champagne Barons de Rothschild’ offices. We were hosted by Rachel Dumangin, who explained that this was a relatively new project for the Rothschild family, in which the three winemaking arms of Châteaux Clarke, Lafite & Mouton-Rothschild combined forces in 2007 to produce premium quality champagnes, as befits the name. Their offices have been furnished by the family to give a luxuriously homely feel. Later, we had an opportunity to sample their Brut, Rosé & Blanc de Blanc Champagnes which were absolutely delicious
On Wednesday afternoon, we congregated at the vineyard Les Coquelicots in Congy, hosted by Xavier Brulfert. Xavier told us that this year’s harvest will be disappointing, not only for the poor weather, but also the absence of East European pickers. Normally, Xavier would employ up to thirty on his four-hectare plot, but on our arrival, he was down to five, which jeopardises not only the harvest, but also the winemaking process. Accordingly, the car club rolled up its sleeves for three quarters of an hour picking grapes in sympathy. After which, many of us found it difficult to stand up straight for the next two days! After our labours Xavier treated us to a tour of the plant, explaining the winemaking process and including an opportunity for us to sample his 2017 Blanc de Blanc.
On our last evening together, Bob & Steve organised a special dinner at the Royal Champagne Hotel, which overlooks the Marne valley and its vineyards. A beautiful sunset with Champagne, was followed by a sumptuous meal accompanied by a couple of very nice Burgundies. I was also presented with a magnum of champagne in thanks for all my quiz work during the lockdown. It was not necessary but very gratefully received.
On the Thursday, we went our separate ways after the mandatory lateral flow test, completing the HM Government’s passenger locator form, followed by a PCR test on our return home. Oh, how bureaucrats try to take the shine off a simply wonderful escape to Champagne!
The Distillers’ Car Club started its second meeting of 2021 at the Waterfront Café at Benson, adjacent to the Thames on another sunny and hot day (we do not know how Nick does it!). The party comprised 19 club members and partners along with 11 cars ranging from vintage to new.
At 10:30, we proceeded to the nearby Aston Martin Heritage Trust & Museum in Drayton St Leonard, where we were hosted by the trust’s chairman, Rob Smith. The museum is housed in a stunning medieval structure, which has been lovingly restored at a cost of several millions of pounds.
The collection includes cars ranging from the Ulster 2/4 seater, of which only two survive, through classic models from the 1950s and 70s, the 1980s WEC/Le Mans Nimrod, a rare Zagato model and a DB7 prototype. Also on display were trophies won during David Brown’s days racing, donated by his widow, a range of engines from the classic straight sixes of the DB4/5/6 to the V8s of the 70s, 80s & 90s and the mighty V12 of the 2000s. In addition, there were extensive exhibits of scale models, racing memorabilia and engineering tools.
After 45minutes at AMHT, we headed off on a tour of the local highways and byways to meet up at the Leander Club in Henley for a lovely light lunch overlooking the Thames.
Lunch was followed by a visit to locally based Hoffmann’s, a car engineering specialist which specialises in car restorations and the manufacture of Proteus sports and racing cars, an iconic recreation of the Jaguar C Type. Chris Randall, Hoffman’s managing director, kindly hosted our tour and explained their deep and close involvement in maintaining the spirit and passion of historic marques such as, Fraser-Nash, Lotus, AC, Aston Martin, Bentley. Jaguar and others.
At 4pm, we went on our separate ways after a splendid day of automania.
On a beautiful day at the famous race circuit of Brands Hatch, seven intrepid Liverymen with sons and friends arrived to experience some drives of a lifetime. The lineup were five supercars including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Audis, BMWs and Nissans. All were at our disposal, three laps in each car, objective; drive as safely and as fast as you like and try not to embarrass yourself or the instructor! Simple, I hear you say? Well, with over 500 BHP available in each car and one of the trickiest circuits in the country, Livery reputation was at stake. Everyone was concentrating on race lines through corners to maximize speed and get the feel and ability of the car, just as Hamilton does it, well nearly.
Some of the more adventurous decided to take one of the options. A drive in the famous Nissan GTR that featured in the film Fast n’ Furious. This monster churns out 850 BHP; wheels spin under acceleration in 5th gear! It was real test of one’s nerve, especially when the instructor said nail it! Car and drivers all survived but there was just one last experience. A drive with an instructor in an Ariel Atom. It is hard to describe this car to anyone who has never seen one. No outside body, two seats, turbo charged motorbike engine, 0-60 in 2.9 secs, weight 600kg, and death defying road holding, all in the hands of 20 years old racing driver. After one lap most just said insane, brutal, best fair ground ride ever.
After this tiring morning we retired to a local pub to recount our experiences, Nick Carr and his son decided to go back in the afternoon to do the Ariel drive, which they had missed, we wished them well and hoped he did not have to enjoy their lunch again. We understand there were no digestive problems following their ride!
Just a great day out with great friends.
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