No need for a caption – their expressions say it all!
Jayne and I are working flat out to make this the best weekend ever for everyone. There are a few important news updates, so here goes.
Entries are still open, albeit with just the single free climb on offer. I am particularly keen to see more Minors enter. Right now we have a record 18 entries, but let’s see if we can make this an even bigger Minor gathering. Since the vast majority of entries are now in, ticketing is under way and I hope to have them to everyone who has entered so far in June. (If your entry is not in yet, don’t worry – I’ll post your tickets individually.)
For the first time this year, each entry will come with a free raffle ticket worth £5. And you will receive your raffle ticket with your entry tickets. Be sure to bring it along on the day! More tickets will be available on the day in the morning (the draw will take place in the lunch break, directly after the Charity Auction). Get yours from the VMR Marquee or from any of the Air Cadets.
So far, we have 40 generous souls who have volunteered to help out for a couple of hours at Prescott. I’m assembling a draft roster from the names and will circulate this to all volunteers shortly. I’ll need everyone to respond with a confirmation of their allocated time slot or a request for a different time or post. Thanks to one and all. Pre-War Prescott could not happen without you and your Free beer tickets have already been printed!
Turning to Sunday, the route is now set and I can announce that the Ordnance Survey maps required for the Navigation Rally are Landranger map numbers 150, 151 and 163. Any issue will suffice, so you can use your old maps. (Maps not needed by the Scenic Tourists, although it wouldn’t do any harm to bring them along if you have them)
The lunch stop will be at the George Inn, Lower Brailes and clearly, with 84 entries for Sunday, the pub is going to be very busy. We have visited this pub before and received admirable service, but I’m sure you will understand that the bar and the kitchen will be under considerable pressure, so patience will be the watchword. That, or get there first!
Next, a reminder that the Friday evening informal reception has been moved from the Hobnails at Little Washbourne to the Gardner’s Arms in Alderton, a stone’s throw from the Hobnails.
Also, for the party on the hill on Saturday, the caterers have asked us not to take any more advance bookings as we have reached 150 tickets sold (actually 160 now!) and there is only space to seat 150 people in the Clubhouse, should the weather be inclement. So if you would like to partake of the BBQ in the evening, but have not booked yet, let me know and I will have extra tickets available on the day, as long as the weather is fine. Also, please put in a prayer to the weather Gods!
A word about spectating. Pre-War Prescott is a super day out for spectators, who are really more entrants without a pre-war car than true spectators, as they have full and free access to the Paddock, the hill and all the displays, trade stands, not to mention the Hawker Hurricane flypast – and they have every chanced of a run up the hill as a Passenger. This year, we’ve re-jigged the spectator pricing from per car to per individual which makes spectating even more attractive. Advance spectator tickets can be booked through the online entry form or by using the entry form below. Prices are £10 per person for advance bookings, of £15 per person on the day. Spectator parking is free.
On the display front, we will be welcoming Tim Parrott and his team who will be bringing the Falkland Island Medal Association display. I will be particularly interested in this display, having spent four months helping to run things on Ascension Island during the conflict.
Entries are still open! You can either enter by filling in the form at the foot of this Newsletter or by simply going to http://prewarprescott.com/?page_id=161 and signing up. You can check out the entry list as it grows at http://prewarprescott.com/?page_id=547. Please check your entries very closely prior to tickets being distributed in early July.
Finally for this time, the Commemorative Programme is now almost complete. This will be a 56-page all-colour publication – rather like a VMR Magazine on steroids! Apart from containing all the information you would expect to get the most out of the day, it contains a number of major feature articles, including a tremendous article by our historian Peter Seymour on the Centenary of the formation of Morris Motors, an informative article by MMM Register M Type Registrar Mike Dalby to mark the 90th Anniversary of the M Type M.G. There is also a super article on Jon Seber prepared by Tim Greenhill. Entrants will receive a free copy of the Programme at the gate, while additional copies will be available for £3 per copy. If you are unable to attend but would like a copy, please get in touch.