At the time of writing, at the close of 2013, I learnt disturbing news that Brighton & Hove Council were considering the blockage of the annual Brighton Speed Trials held on Madeira Drive, Brighton. I have competed here for the past nineteen years and as you can imagine this news came as a shock to me. It is an event that was first held over one hundred years ago and is a celebration of our important motoring heritage. If this wasn’t worrying enough, there is a feeling other motoring events such as the Veteran London to Brighton could come under similar scrutiny. This being the case, a stand now will be of vital importance to anyone that has a love for our motoring past or indeed future. The following web link describes the campaign that is trying to save the Brighton Speed Trials and provides a link to a petition. I would like all readers of this report to sign, if they feel so inclined. There is a Facebook page you can ‘Like’ also. Many thanks for your support. http://www.savebrightonspeedtrials.com/index.php I think this could be a long battle.
Over the Christmas period I was saddened to hear that a group of climate scientists were stuck in the sea ice down there in Antarctica. They still insist that the ice is receding, however, they were down there in summer and the sea ice has been growing for years. There are always two sides to an argument. I am indebted to Andrew Neil for this observation. A balance clearly should be struck in these matters.
On a happier note, to help us look forward to the spring, we have a walk in the surroundings of the beautiful Winkworth Arboretum near Godalming, Surrey on Sunday February 23rd. This hillside arboretum has now been maintained by the National Trust for 60 years and they have built up a collection of more than 1,000 different shrubs and trees, many of them rare. There is a beautiful lake set amongst the lower arboretum. They also have a tea shop serving homemade cakes, biscuits and light lunches. We shall meet in the main car park for the Arboretum around 11 am and then we shall go for a gentle stroll round the grounds and lake with a light lunch and cake in the café afterwards. The arboretum is near Hascombe, on east side of B2130 (GU8 4AD) south of Guilford. I hope you can make it – look forward to seeing you there.