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Area 10 September update

Published on 9/1/2023

Area 10 September 2023 Update

Our 2-day tour and visit to the Morgan Motor Company was a great success. Klaus Menzel led us along some excellent driving roads through the Cotswolds and Malvern Hills taking in some interesting venues en route. Our accommodation at the Abbey Hotel in Great Malvern was perfect, and well-located for our visit to the Morgan factory the following morning. Our guides told us about the history of the company and showed us every stage in the manufacture of these iconic vehicles. Everything on the whole tour ran very smoothly so well done to Liz Constance and Klaus for making the arrangements.

The next week we held our annual barbecue and Tom May Special Meeting at the Eton Dorney Rowing Centre. We had a late rush of people wishing to join us (in some cases too late) and so we had 131 Members and friends in 66 Astons. Once again the weather was kind to us with the sun setting over the lake as we finished our meals and prepared to announce the awards. Last year’s winners Alan West and Pete Foster presented the trophies and Taittinger Champagne to Chris Collins for “Best Aston” for his DBS, and to Phil Diggens for “Aston that I would most like to take home” for his DB11 Volante.

Our long-planned visit to the Bucks Railway Centre in Quainton coincided with the Women’s World Cup Final which had a small effect on attendance, but we had 12 Astons lined up in front of a New York Subway Car and an enormous South African locomotive. I think that we were all amazed by the quantity, quality and variety of exhibits on the 25-acre site, and several Members are keen to return next year. Certainly, stationmaster Ricky Sutcliff is keen for us to come again and so I will discuss dates with him.

It was good to see so many Area 10 Members at the Silverstone Festival. The AMOC hospitality was better than ever this year (excellent biscuits), and we had the bonus of the parade lap on the Sunday.

As I write this, we have just returned from our visit to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Whitchurch. 24 Members were treated to a generous gin & tonic before settling down to watch an introductory video. Our knowledgeable guide took us through the history of the company and of the site, and then introduced us to the ingredients of Bombay Sapphire Gin. All of the company’s gin is infused on the one site using botanicals sourced from around the world. The double-strength spirit is then transported to Scotland for bottling by a sister company. Many thanks to Steve & Wendy Johnson for making the arrangements. Steve reported a small cash surplus – he transferred it to our Area 10 account and I in turn have donated it to Doug Simmen’s MIND page.

Whilst we were there, other Area 10 Members were attending the RAF Benson Families Day, so I hope that went well despite the poor weather.

Additional photos and descriptions of these events are posted on our Area 10 Facebook page.

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