Salopian car enthusiasts of all ages enjoy a busy month

September was a particularly busy month for the Salopian Drivers Club, with members whizzing round the track at Bicester, touring the Cranborne Chase and gathering at Shrewsbury.

On 3rd September, 20-year-old Old Salopian James Gibbon (2019–24) organised a fantastic event at Bicester Motion, bringing together fellow Salopian car enthusiasts for a track day followed by a tour of a local car collection. It was particularly encouraging to see someone so recently through the Moss Gates organising an event for the Club which has members ranging in age from 19 to 90.

The 3rd SDC South West Day Tour took place on 27th September, organised by Nigel Edwards and starting and finishing at Compton Abbas Airfield. After five months of glorious sunshine, we had rather optimistically expected more of the same. Sadly, low cloud prevented the planned Spitfires, Mustangs and Tiger Moths from appearing, but 14 stoic Salopians and partners, in eight lovely and eclectic cars, were not to be deterred. We had the two superb 1930’s 20/25 Rolls Royces of Miles Preston  and John Stuttard, Bill Dornan’s Austin Healey 3000, Jonty Hollinshead’s Saab 93 convertible, Doug Thring’s BMW E92 M3 also his Alfa Romeo 159 Q4 driven by his son Finlay and our ex Headmaster Mark Turner as navigator. Paul Taylor with his classic Jaguar Mk 2 navigated by his Salopian daughter Gabriela (furthest travel award !-all the way from Estonia and Dublin respectively!) and lastly the organiser’s rare Alpine A110.Our 50-mile route through the gorgeous Cranborne Chase took us through wonderfully named villages including Sixpenny Handley, Ebbesbourne Wake and Fontmell Magna, past some rather grand estates and culminated in the notorious Zig Zag Hill. Everyone survived, of course: we are a Drivers’ Club! Lunch back at the airfield provided plenty of nattering and catching up.

Our annual weekend at Shrewsbury was also well attended, despite some changes to the format of Old Salopian Day. Around fifteen joined the buffet lunch in Quod, followed by the AGM, while that evening members enjoyed supper together at Côte Brasserie. Although Sunday’s tour did not take place, there was plenty of time over the weekend to catch up with old friends and welcome new members. We look forward to getting back on the road next year – particularly as the School celebrates its 475th anniversary.

You can read a longer account of the South West Tour and Old Salopian Weekend on the SDC website where there is also information about joining the Club

The Salopian Drivers Club