ThamesMog

Bearwood College Show 2010

On the 24th April Adrienne and I had the very great pleasure of taking part in the inaugural Bearwood College Car Show in support of the Help for Heroes (H4H) charity, which was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry who witnessed the plight of the young soldiers in Selly Oak Hospital in 2007.

This event reminded me of our excellent Mad March March with Joyce and Jeff Marshall near Headley Court (the H4H Rehabilitation Complex) where the unfortunate amputees are taken to re-learn skills that they had mastered when they were probably only a couple of years old. Not the highest price paid to assuage a politician´s lust for glory but more than enough by a long chalk.

A number of clubs were displaying vehicles as were many individuals like ourselves. The range of cars on display was very comprehensive to say the least from the little three wheeled Messerschmitt, Ford GT40s, a superb recently restored Jaguar SS saloon that had been in one family from new to the pride of place, the Lotus F1 John Player Special formally driven by Nigel Mansell and now raced by David Collins.

Many cars including a selection of police vehicles and the Lotus were displayed in front of the College whilst the motorcycles and a variety of rare, classic and muscle cars such as the Thunderbird and Dodge Viper were arranged along the side and on the rear terrace of the impressive building overlooking the lake. There were many quality prizes to be won in the raffle including a Tiff Needel Driving Experience. However, the first prize was "something for the weekend", which in this case was a Morgan Roadster provided by Richard Thorne Classic Cars which was somewhat ironic as there were only three other Morgans on display.

I thought that the F1 car was just for show so was more than surprised when it was maneuvered into position opposite the gateway leading to the tree lined drive and fuel was squirted into the open mouths of the many carburettors like hungry chicks waiting to be fed. Willing hands helped bump start the dormant engine which sounded magnificent as it found its voice. But more was to come as the car was repositioned for a formal "laying down of rubber" accompanied by the banshee scream as the throttle was pressed. Even obeying the warning to "cover your ears" did not seem to make much difference but then I, like many others, have never stood within a few feet of a F1 car doing its stuff albeit over the relatively short distance to the traffic calming hump guarding the gate!

Several rather nice cut glass trophies were awarded for cars deemed best in their category by the Headmaster. The Bearwood Parents Association (who organised the show) and the Scholars. There was much applause when the "Best in Show" trophy was awarded to the superb 1934 Nash Advanced Eight coupé that had caught my eye. It had a "Dickie" seat with two steps mounted on each rear wing, period hamper, spirit stove and working wind-up gramophone. This "must have" of those halcyon days of sunshine and picnics bemused the children no end.

I had remarked to Adrienne that it was the sort of car that should have a "Tommy gun" as an optional extra. I was not disappointed!

See also: http://www.photoboxgallery.com/bearwoodcar

Roger and Adrienne

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