Classic Car Run

W. Bro. Derek Watts in his TF Naylor (right) accompanied by W. Bro. Paul Webb in his Jaguar XK140, both of Bourne End Lodge, took to the road for the Masonic Classic Car Run which occurred on Sunday 6th June.

There was some doubt that the Naylor would take part a day or so earlier when it developed a noise resembling a lot of nuts and bolts being shaken about in a galvanised bucket but a hefty dose of WD40 and a hammer soon fixed the problem and it was all systems go.

The day was bright so it was hoods down all the way and by some skillful driving and expert map reading we managed to make the first stop at the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon for a look round the museum and lunch. Onward then across some very beautiful English countryside using the country lanes where yet another skill was learnt, that of avoiding a herd of inquisitive cows crossing to another field. Not something one is used to in High Wycombe!

We finally arrived at the meeting point which was Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire at about 2 o’clock and joined a host of very beautiful vehicles, ranging from an old Morris delivery van to a gaggle of Rolls Royces, from a 1966 Vespa scooter to a Morris Minor 1000 Panda car resplendent in police livery and still sporting the police sign on top.

145 cars from 31 provinces entered for the run although 11 unfortunately broke down en route. Jeremy Spake, the star of the TV series Airport and a supporter of this charity, was there to greet us and present the awards.

The reason behind the event was of course charity and the total pledges on the day were estimated at £38,000. Half the money raised is to go to ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ which is a charity that grants the wishes of children with life threatening or terminal illnesses.

The other half of the money raised would go to the Provincial charity chosen by the participating driver and in our cases we have chosen the Buckinghamshire Masonic Benevolent Fund having received pledges of £1,000 between us.

W.Bro. Derek Watts