We are delighted to announce that the date for Pre-War Prescott 2022 is now officially booked with the Bugatti Owners’ Club as Saturday 16th July and entries are now open!  You can enter Pre-War Prescott 2022 and the other weekend activities here.  The rest of this website has now been updated to the 2022 specification.  More information can also be found on the Vintage Minor Register website here.  If you have any questions regarding the weekend, please contact us.

Due to the huge popularity of our Friday run this year, we have now made the Friday run a permanent feature of the Pre-War Prescott weekend.  On Friday 15th, we will head east via a number of places of interest to the impressive Victorian Hook Norton five-storey tower brewery where a ploughman’s buffet will be available as well as tours of the brewery (with tasting!), and a visit to the brewery museum and shop.  The return run in the afternoon will take in more places of interest and conclude at the Plough at Ford for cream teas.

There is much more to announce as plans develop, so stop by here regularly to see all the latest news.

 

 

 

 

 

A reminder that this year there are a couple of steps that everyone who wishes to climb the hill – drivers or passengers 18 and over, need to address.

First step – obtain a MotorSport UK Clubman license.  To obtain this license, go to https://www.motorsportuk.org/competitors/rs-clubman-licence/ and apply online.  It is very simple, quick and free. When your license is e-mailed to you moments later, PRINT IT OUT AND BRING IT WITH YOU ON THE DAY.

Once you have done this, you should pre-register with the BOC – both drivers AND passengers using this link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=mEUm-jd1XUS5CjLzzsdgMauAdoQPXPlMui_ZyeEs9rxUREpQN0VVRFBYU1IzOE01STZWTkI3WkgwOC4u

If you have not or could not for any reason obtain your license or pre-register, do not worry.  You will be able to fill in simple forms on the day in the BOC office.

 

Pre-War Prescott 2019 – a tense moment for Team Spriddell in the Paddock.  Pre-War Prescott is very probably the most laid back of all hill climbs!  (Phil Jones)

With just two weeks to go, we are almost for a fabulous day in the Cotswolds, and just one of the three days of the Vintage Minor Register’s 2021 Summer Rally, to which all are warmly invited to join us.  And even the weather looks set fair and settled.  Entries remain open and many spectators are buying their tickets in advance.  Picnics are no doubt being planned and period dress tried on for size.   Currently we have 200 Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars entered and some 350 climbs have been allocated.  So with around 450 possible, that means we will have plenty of additional climbs available for purchase on the day.  However, if you enter before the weekend, you will receive a free climb, a free Commemorative Programme and a free raffle ticket, so it is well worth entering in advance.  But if you choose, you can simply make a snap decision, turn up on the day and enter your pre-war car, or come along and spectate and get your tickets at the gate, which opens at 9 a.m.  The hill will open fore the day at 10 a.m.

 

 

 

Here’s the latest PWP entry.  No, honestly!

It is a 1998 Massey Ferguson MF32 combine and will be proudly displayed in the Prescott Paddock along with other fascinating farm machinery.  I’m sure most of you will have seen the incredibly popular Netflix series Clarkson’s Farm, and you also probably realise that Jeremy and his team have done more to highlight the challenges facing our farmers than anything else.  So what more topical display could we have?  We will have a crew in attendance to show it all off and answer questions.  I must admit I’m really looking forward to seeing it as the only time I’ve been up close and personal with a combine has been when stuck behind one in a country lane at harvest time.  We’ve had some Prescott firsts over the years, including a gorgeous fifties Harrington motor coach and an Air Training Corps Vigilant gilder, and I’m certain this will be the first combine to visit Prescott.

Meanwhile, everything is now in place for a tremendous weekend.  Over 200 entries have been received to date, and entries remain open.  And with the lifting of restrictions, we can now welcome spectators who can either pre-book online here or simply turn up on the day and pay at the gate!  Enjoy the Prescott Clubhouse catering or bring a vintage picnic! 

 

 

Nick Cook’s fabulous 1907 Stanley H4 20 h.p. Gentleman’s Speedy Roadster will open the hill at 10 a.m.  The top speed of this racy machine is 80 m.p.h!

(A dash up the hill in this car is one of the unique raffle prizes on the day.)

With just four weeks to go today, we are finally all set for a fabulous day at Prescott and an equally fabulous weekend of rallying and fun in the glorious Cotswolds.  We have a tremendous variety of over 200 Edwardian, vintage and pre-war cars entered and entries remain open.  Enter online here (entries or spectators) or simply turn up and pay at the gate.  We heard today that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will arrive at 1419 hrs to liven up the proceedings.  And in the evening, proceedings will be further enlivened by the renowned Eureka Jazz Band who will be entertaining us at the Prescott Clubhouse at our evening buffet BBQ.

It has been a long and tortuous road to PWP 2021, which started as PWP 2020 back in 2019, but, after four reschedules, we are finally nearly there and I’m sure the wait will be all the more worthwhile.  And there will be few if any restrictions, so as always, spectators will have full access to the Paddock, the hill, the displays and full catering.

If you have never visited Prescott, or Pre-War Prescott before, this is your time to experience this relaxing and unique annual event.  If you have a questions regarding the day, or the full rally weekend please contact us for assistance.

As I am sure you are all aware, the current lockdown restrictions are placing an almost impossible strain on Pre-War Prescott 2021.  And this week’s news from HMG is that the lockdown is likely to be extended to 19^th July.  As things stand currently, direction from the BOC means that we cannot have spectator access to the Paddock, there will be no catering in the Orchard, no traders or display stands in the Paddock, no camping over the weekend at all, no rides up the hill for the ATC Cadets, and we would have to man the gates and police arrivers against pre-registration lists and turn non-registrants away.  And if that wasn’t enough, masks and six foot social distancing has to be policed in the Paddock and Orchard all day, including the evening BBQ which causes issues with the lunchtime auction and any real social interaction, which is what Pre-War Prescott is all about.  We would also have to police the Clubhouse door for the duration of the evening, as well as on Sunday for the start of the Sunday runs and in the afternoon for the cream teas – and on and on.

Therefore, after much consultation and consideration, I have made the decision to postpone Pre-War Prescott 2021 to SATURDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER, and the rest of the weekend accordingly.  The BOC has agreed to this date, as has the Winchcombe Rotary Club who will be holding their event at Prescott on Sunday.

I realise that this will cause inconvenience to many, with respect to accommodation, travel plans, etc.   And I am also aware that other motor sporting events are going ahead right now with few restrictions, but I must abide by the BOC rules, which also apply to all other events at Prescott at the moment.  On the other hand, we have many entrants coming from Europe who cannot currently travel but who may be able to by September.

Above all, Pre-War Prescott is all about having an enjoyable day in great company – it is a garden party with the opportunity to climb the hill.  I cannot provide this in July, but I believe I will be able to do so in September.

When I moved the date from July to September last year, I had to cancel September as well because of the deteriorating situation.  This year, unless Armageddon falls upon us, the September date WILL hold, even if all of the current restrictions remain.  I am not prepared to postpone Pre-War Prescott for two years in a row.

So, in practical terms, I will roll over all of the entries for the weekend received so far to Friday 10^th September to Sunday 12^th September, and I will make arrangements with Morgan and Westons to move the Friday activities.  If anyone who has already booked for July cannot make September, please let me know and I will either refund or roll your entry over to 2022, per your wishes.  And for those who have already rolled over to 2022 because they cannot make July, I will be happy to reinstate your entries for September this year if you would like. Just let me know.

This will all take a bit of sorting out, but I believe this can be done without too much complication and we can all look forward to a great September weekend.

Please do come back to me with any questions, requests, concerns, etc.

We are delighted to report that once again we have been allocated air support by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for our Summer Rally.  This year we have been allocated one of the Flight’s Spitfires, but won’t know which one until nearer the time.  But it will be one of these!  (Photo John Dibbs)

As this year’s gathering had to be canceled, we are adding a third day to the 2020 weekend- Friday 16th July.  We will be visiting the Morgan Car Company in Malvern on Friday morning for a factory tour hosted by Ian Patton, lunching at The Swan Inn, Hanley Swan and then visiting the Westons Cider Mill at Much Marcle in the afternoon for a tour, tasting and cream teas before returning to the Prescott area for our traditional Friday evening pub reception.  The Entry Form will be updated shortly so you can book for either the Morgan tour, the Westons tour, or both.

 

 

 

 

Well, what a summer that was.  But now it is time to start really looking forward to 2021 – and the Pre-War Prescott weekend in particular, which is a little more than ten months away.  And since this year’s weekend had to be canceled, we are planning an extra special weekend for 2021.  The event will, for the first time be a three-day affair, with a pub gathering on Thursday evening and a full day of events in the area on Friday before our traditional Friday evening reception.  Full details of Friday’s activities will be announced here shortly, so watch this space.  But for the time being, if you are planning to arrive from afar, may we suggest you arrange to arrive on Thursday instead of Friday.  You will not be disappointed!

Entries are open and the entry list currently stands at 122, with 283 climbs already allocated.  We are working hard to ensure that the queuing for the hill that we experienced at PWP 2019 is not repeated.  We are paying for additional Bugatti Owners’ Club marshals in the Paddock (believe me – they are NOT to be messed with!) and we will also be allocating fewer climbs next year.  Right now, you can book three climbs (two plus the free one that comes with every entry), but this will be throttled down to one plus the free one very soon now.  You have been warned!

As for Prescott itself, the estate has had a torrid year but is just beginning to open up, in a limited fashion, this month.  We are very confident that, by next July, all this nonsense will be far behind us and we can once again enjoy the full social side of Prescott that is the hallmark of Pre-War Prescott.

One positive from all of the chaos this year is that much of the preparatory ‘back room’ work for next year’s weekend has already been done, so will will have the time and opportunity to plan a truly memorable weekend across all three days, including a very special Navigation Rally and a parallel Scenic Tour on Saturday.

All in all, there is a great deal to look forward to, so do please make your plans and get your entry in – if you have not already done so.  You can check your entry on the Entry list here and you can enter online here.  And stop by here for further updates as plans develop.  See you there!

 

 

With the situation changing daily, and in the light of this week’s revised government guidelines spanning the next six months, Pre-War Prescott and our Summer Rally are postponed to the weekend of Saturday 17^th July and Sunday 18^th 2021.  Although Prescott may be open by September (and I sincerely hope so), even by then, I suspect that many of the likely entrants, whose demographic is quite senior, will be leery of any large gathering, regardless of the guidelines in place by then.  Right now, our overarching concern must be for everyone’s good health.

In addition, the September weekend already has some unfortunate clashes with both the Kop Hill and Harewood hillclimbs, as well as the race meet at Angouleme, plus some added technical complications of having to share the weekend (and therefore local accommodation, etc.) with the local Rotary Club who are gathering at Prescott over the same weekend in September.  On top of this the VSCC Prescott long course event takes place the following Saturday, and may well become their two-day event, as the August date for this may well be in question.  I know that many PWP entrants like to attend both events, but may not wish to attend Prescott two weekends in a row.

So could I ask all of you who have entered already to let me know whether you wish me to refund your entry or simply transfer your entry to the new date (and naturally I encourage you to do the latter!).  Once the dust has settled on entrants’ collective wishes, I shall be holding a sum against these entries and I plan to pay this sum to the Bugatti Owner’s Club – perhaps in the next four weeks – if I can elicit a response from everyone by then.  And for those of you who have already booked tickets for the evening BBQ, I will forward these funds to Ciaran who manages the Clubhouse to help him and his staff through these challenging times.   I hope that this will provide some valuable income to the BOC and to the Clubhouse when it is needed the most.  I will also pay the balance of the hire Prescott fee and BBQ bookings as soon as I have collected them from additional entries and not wait until the usual 60-days before the event deadline (for the BOC) or the BBQ night (for the Clubhouse).

Also, every entrant’s entry fee contains £5 for the RAF Charitable Trust in return for a raffle ticket.  I propose to also pay the sum gathered so far to the RAF CT in the next 30 days, as their income will be decimated this year, with the cancellation of the Air Tattoo.

Could I also ask those of you who hold executive, newsletter or webmaster positions in our supporting Clubs and Registers to relay this change of date and change of plans to your respective memberships, so that as many people as possible are aware.

I will be updating the website, entry forms, etc. and I have also added a column to the online entry list for clarity, indicating those who have elected to move their entries to 2021.  And I will remove those who elect to cancel.  The entry list can be found at http://prewarprescott.com/?page_id=547.

I do hope the above plan is acceptable and not too inconvenient to everyone, as I think it is the best we can hope for in the current circumstances.  With any luck, next year’s weekend will be the very best ever, as we celebrate the passing of the storm and much more.  I wish all of you and your families and friends, the Bugatti Owners’ Club, the Bugatti Trust, the Clubhouse staff and last but by no means least the indomitable Prescott marshals all the very best as we and look forward to calmer, brighter waters before too long.

If you have any questions or concerns whatsoever, whether or not they relate to Pre-War Prescott or our Summer Rally, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Please keep an eye open for further e-mails regarding the change of plans in the coming days and weeks, as we work our way through these changes.  Needless to say, all other Register activities while continue unabated, including the circulation of Newsletters, website updates, and please don’t overlook the Forum which offers an excellent communications platform in the absence of face-to-face meetings.  Please share your news for us all to enjoy, in whatever way works best for you.

Finally, I contacted Gemma Price at Prescott yesterday to let her know my decision.  Gemma is the new BOC General Manager/Club Secretary, having recently taken over from Chris Rogers, and below is her reply.  I would like to add to this by passing on Jayne’s and my sincere thanks for the incredible support and understanding we have received from all of you as we battle through stormy and uncharted waters.  Living around 6,000 miles from most of you, your correspondence and messages of support are appreciated beyond words.  Thank you, and this evening, our 37^th Wedding Anniversary, we shall raise an  an indecently large glass to you all around the world to wish you continued health, happiness, prosperity, and we look forward so much to a tremendous reunion in July 2021.

Ian and Jayne

From Gemma Price:

Hi Ian, 

Nice to hear from you. 

Thanks for letting me know about your decision to postpone, which I obviously totally understand and support. 

Also, thank you for the exceptionally kind gesture of still making a payment to the BOC this year.  This is astonishingly generous and on behalf of the whole club I thank you sincerely.  The funds will make a huge difference to our survival through these challenging times.  It will be a very tough year for the Club in many ways, but we plan to use this time to take stock of how we operate and plan to emerge from the crisis stronger and with a clearer sense of direction and purpose. 

We will move your deposit into 2021 as requested and I wish you and your family well through the pandemic. 

Take care and stay in touch. 

Gemma