Report

On Saturday 5 July, the Area 10 Astons arrived at Brize Norton for the 99 Squadron Families Day.  It was a fairly small affair and we were restricted to just five Astons.  After a chaotic reception we were directed to park up between two transport aircraft - a C17 Globemaster and an A400M Atlas, both of which we were free to explore and visit the flight decks.  A free barbecue and bar were welcome although, naturally, this led to long queues.  

All AMOC Members were invited to the RM Sothebys Sale at Cliveden House and 20 were invited to join a tour of the lots, with a free auction catalogue and parking on the main drive. About 10 Area 10 Members took up the offer and enjoyed a champagne reception ahead of the auction itself.

For our monthly meeting we met at The Crown Inn, Penn.  They kindly reserved the whole of the new lower car park for us, plus the Crown Room for our food and meeting.  We welcomed Craig Curran to his first Area 10 meeting, and Paul Hickman to his first meeting for quite a long time.  As it was such a pleasant evening, after eating we transferred to an area of the garden overlooking our cars.

Whilst I wasn’t there(!), I hear that the Ladies Lunch went well with drinks on the terrace before a private lunch in the Centenary Room – they welcomed new Member Lyn Oswin.

Simply Aston Martin at Beaulieu was again held in mid-summer and I understand that 370 Astons attended.  We had 34 Area 10 Astons signed up for parking, but the weather must have deterred some at the last minute.  There were 14 Astons at our Winchester rendezvous so we proceeded as two separate convoys.  Rather carelessly, my convoy overtook the first convoy on the M3 but at least we remained legal.  We held our annual mascot competition which was won by Rob & Lorraine’s Vidal in his resplendent cardigan – see our Area 10 Facebook cover photo.  Area 10 gained four new Members at Beaulieu (see later).

We had 22 Astons (and 40 people) sign up for our visit to the Shuttleworth Collection very well-organised by Area 10 Member Ian Molyneux.  The initial rendezvous at Cainhoe Wood Golf Club provided excellent parking and a large area for us to drink our coffees. The individual convoys managed to navigate to Old Warden where we were parked up in a suitable arrangement for a drone photoshoot.  Three guides gave us 2-hour tours of the collection with flying machines dating back to the Wright brothers.  All of the exhibits are in working order including a 1912 Blackburn Monoplane, the world's oldest airworthy British aircraft.  After lunch and a further look at the exhibits and the Swiss Garden, our hosts organised a second photoshoot in front of Shuttleworth House.  There are several posts with plenty of photos on our Area 10 Facebook page.

As I write, we are looking forward to our annual Tom May Special Meeting being held at the Eton College Rowing Centre on the 7^th.  We have 133 people attending in 65 Astons – all of those attending will have received their joining instructions on 30 July.  I had arranged for Jean Moss and her husband Chris Adams to be our guests for the evening – their company was involved in preparing Tom May’s DB2 for events including his 80-80-80 challenge.  Sadly, Jean passed away two weeks ago – our condolences go to Chris and their family.  On a more cheerful note, four of the people coming on Thursday are new Members who only joined this month, three of them at Beaulieu.

The 75th anniversary St. John Horsfall Trophy race will be held at the Bentley Drivers Club (BDC) race meeting at Silverstone on Saturday 9 August. There will be a dedicated AMOC parking area for all AMOC members – see St. John Horsfall Race - Silverstone - Events - Aston Martin Owners Club

Due, I think, to the late notice, we have just six Astons attending the RAF Benson Families Day on Thursday 14 August.  I have forwarded attendees’ details to RAF Benson.

And a reminder of Vantage Day, 17 August, being held at The British Motor Museum, Gaydon to celebrate 75 years of the Vantage name and 20 years of the Gaydon VH2 Vantage,  Display tickets must be purchased in advance.  For more information visit:  Vantage Celebration - Aston Martin Owners Club

Car Club Package tickets for Silverstone Festival on 22-24 August are still available, but only until 31 July.  Visit:  UK - Silverstone Festival 2025 - Events - Aston Martin Owners Club

We have been invited to Buckinghamshire Railway Centre’s Auto Fest Event, on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August – Astons will be parked in a flat area near the visitor centre rather than in the rather uneven display field.  It is a great venue invoking many childhood (for me) memories. Exhibitors and their passengers get free entry; they simply ask you to register by emailing: membership@bucksrailcentre.org  or fill in this online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Pk3uNganHi

Saturday 30 August is Supercar Saturday & Club Trophy Day at Salon Prive at Blenheim Palace when we usually have about 100 Astons in attendance.  Tickets are on sale at preferential rates for parking in the Aston Martin paddock: Buy SPCT - Aston Martin Club Paddock Tickets online - Salon Privé

Many of you, especially in the Feltham community, (or having attended the NEC) will have known Jean Moss.  Well, to celebrate her life, the company Petroyle Restorations are organising an Aston Martin car meet at their storage site in Todenham on Saturday 6September from 10am to 1pm. The full address of the site is: The Grain store, Todenham Road, GL56 9PH.  If you would like to attend please let Lucie know on: accounts@petroylerestorations.co.uk

Our monthly meeting for September will be held on Thursday 11 September at The Bird in Hand, Knowl Hill, RG10 9UP

It has been confirmed that there will be a flypast and display by a Battle of Britain memorial Flight Spitfire at the Chearsley Classic & Vintage Fun Day on Sunday 14 September – Astons will be have a good parking spot, hopefully by the marquee – to register, visit ccvfd.co.uk