ROTARY CHARITY CLASSIC CAR DRIVE

Photos by Ray Dawes.

Report by Alan Blair:-

 “ On a very cold and grey morning 22 beautiful old cars and ------matching drivers ? assembled at Dan Tanner’s Field in Burley for the annual New Forest Rotary Club’s ' Roger Lees Memorial Classic Car Drive'.

 In the regrettable absence of President Philip due to his health , Ken Ball welcomed the cars and drivers and the presentation of the Roger Lees Memorial Cup was made to our own Jim & Beryl for their beautiful 1955 Jaguar XK 140.

 Then with Ray taking pictures of the cars and Marshall Extraordinaire Sue Gully pointing the way ,we set off for another delightful drive around the stunning countryside on our doorstep. The route (for those who were able to read the instructions and follow them) took us through parts of the Forest, into darkest Wiltshire and even Dorset. A welcome coffee stop was made at the Compasses Inn at Damerham outside Fordingbridge. Suitably fortified we set off through gorgeous scenery and into parts of Wiltshire where most of us had never been before. Eventually we ended up at the Langton Arms at Tarrant Monkton for a superb 3 course lunch. The food and the service were excellent and a happy and convivial time was had by all. There was a raffle with very nice prizes and the sad part of the day came when the answers to the 'treasure hunt' questions  were revealed. Most of us must have been driving with our eyes closed ( not to be recommended !! ) but one heroic couple Keith & Linda Griffiths had a maximum score and won the prize. Modesty prevents me from saying who won the booby prize…but Lawrie and I did enjoy the chocolate rabbit.

 As ever it was a wonderful day which showed the New Forest Rotary Club at its best and we raised £388 for charity. .The organisation was faultless and a huge THANK YOU must go to Bridget and Sue for the vast amount of planning and hard work which went into the event. All the more commendable as there was no Geoff to help this year because of his ill health.Thank you both." Alan