TOC Prescott2005

Last year was a great success with the 70th birthday of the Club celebrated at Prescott and we had a wonderful turnout of cars for our trackside display. How to follow that? Well, we clearly couldn't have the trackside spot again (this year there was a super display of twin-cam Sunbeams and on Sunday the land-speed record car, by the STD) and so we were asked to set up our hospitality marquee opposite the bridge in the Orchard.

There were the usual trade stands in the auto jumble area giving enough scope for a little shopping and there were also a few 'genuine' members' spares disposal stalls. The day developed well with a good crowd and the usual
bon-homie of the vintage enthusiast coming through and the Talbot entrants made a splendid site in their paddock line up: Di Threlfall, Hugh Mackintosh, Norman Pemberton, Tony Ward, Cecil Schumacher and Derek Howard-Orchard. What a great entry!

All too soon we had to pack up and dash to various B&B's, houses, hotels to get ready for the Supper. I arrived at 6.30pm to find Ian P 'laying hands on' Clive Kent's lovely 90 and being greeted with a request for a spot of thick grease. Perhaps it should be a 'blob' or 'smear' or 'shot', but anyway I was able to supply same for the clearly delicate operation in hand. All part of the service.

I then tonneaued (new verb) the Talbot, welcomed Dick and Pam Wenley in their 30/98 (with friend the Andrews also Luton-shod). Just in time, having seen more arrivals, to be covered head to foot (only the one) in a cloud of dust by a handbrake-turned 90 - and then the first sight of the new table (I hope you have been following the story). Such was the drama that I half-expected to see a body theatrically thrown to the ground as well, but with a cry of 'Hi-o Silver' the masked driver shot away into the evening sun. Who could this person be? The only clues were the glimpse of black fabric (yes, dust-covered as well) and the squeal of a pair of 'Blockleys'. Hmm.

We had a good bout of tyre-kicking in the pre-supper session in the car-park and Hugh and I were chatting when (out of the blue) came the V8 burble of the brothers' Fack, with James in the back looking rather like Snoopy in a wind tunnel.
Supper was splendid and enjoyed (I believe) by all - and there were some whims!

I took advantage of the occasion to present Cecil with his Silver Award of Merit, announced at the AGM, for his many years of the unique promotion of the marque, in racing, hill-climbing, technical advice and service, parts development and production and his continuing friendly advice and encouragement to all Talbot enthusiasts. Well done Cecil - richly deserved.

I arrived at Prescott at 9.20 to find the Orchard filling rapidly (can I make another plea for fewer moderns to be allowed in here), but I was delighted to find the Team had secured me a secret spot next to the marquee. Truth be known they secured a spot for the 'strawberry wagon', not me. Sob. I put a brave face on things though.

The girls descended on the fruit and in no time had it all prepared, chilled champagne under cover. The reception went very well with hospitality given to more than 50 members and friends and our thanks are again extended to our sponsors R & H Insurance. A very happy lunch session which could well be repeated in format in the future.

Tony arrived for the reception clutching the Scrutineers' Award for their car of the meeting, which had been given to him for his 110. Well done Tony, quite an achievement in all that splendid company. It was a very useful paper-weight for the napkins as well!

Cecil lost drive to the rear wheels in practice so was not able to compete on Sunday, but the results showed the Talboteers had a really good weekend. Well done one and all - it makes it so much more 'special' to all us mere members when we can support you all and share albeit vicariously in your success.

Lovely weather, an exceptional selection of cars in the car-park, a great Talbot entry, a steady stream of members and prospective members - altogether a terrific weekend both socially and sporting. Indeed in the words of Michael Marshall it was the best Prescott since he started going in 1963. Praise indeed.

David Booth

A very memorable weekend particularly with the:

"Champagne ~ Strawberries and Cream"

(courtesy of our sponsors RH Specialist Car Division Insurance)