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Broad Oak BMW,Canterbury to Walmer Castle
South East Region - “Broad Oak BMW,Canterbury to Walmer Castle”
Sunday 1st November 2009
“Broad Oak BMW, Canterbury to Walmer Castle”
Sunday 1st November 2009
Report and Photographs
By Melvyn Pettit
There were a few bleary eyes staring out over the “Full English“ at the Premier Inn, Wateringbury, as those club members who attended the celebration of Selwyn’s 70th the night before, prepared to leave for BMW Dealership Broad Oak, Canterbury.
Broad Oak being the start of another SE event this weekend. This one being organised by Jeff Howe, Parts Manager at Broad Oak, Canterbury. Selwyn , Ann & Barry, myself and nephew Simon travel to Dave and Marie’s. The weather to say the least was foul. Rain and Wind, that caused a bit of aquaplaning and Selwyn could not see out. No not because of last night!, but due to heater in 02 packing up and window screen misting up. At Dave’s it was decided Selwyn comes with me and hope the weather has cleared up by the time we return from the event. We set off and pick up Melwyn in his BMW Z3 on the way.
Our convoy arrives at the BMW dealership around 10.30am, just in time for Tea/Coffee being served up by club members Clive and Sue’s daughter Anja. Meeting up with more club members that had braved the weather, everyone had a chance to look around the dealership. White is the BMW colour for this year. The BMW Z4 and the BMW X5 stood out! Time to retire to our cars for nice scenic route planned by Jeff to Walmer Castle. There were twelve BMWs doing the run. We planned to do the quick route so we could arrive at Walmer Castle to watch the others arrive. A splash down A2, then up coast on A258 to Walmer.
Click Picture to open in new window to view photographs Full size.
Denise (English Heritage) Walmer Castle, had not only arranged for us to park on the gravel drive by the main pedestrian entrance, so there was good exposure for the BMWCC club. This proved a bonus, as the main car park was waterlogged! She had also arranged for the discounted entry fee. The admission was FREE on the condition that each driver buys a castle guidebook. These were £3.99. Normal admission price is £6.30 a head, so if you were three in car as we were, what a generous offer.
With the rain still lashing down, and the trees shedding their leaves in the wind, we arrive, soon to be followed by Graeme and Theresa in their BMW 1 series convertible (Roof Up!). “Not a day to bring out the M6” said Graeme.
We sheltered in the main Castle entrance, then in the mist headlights appeared as Jeff arrived with BMWs snaking down the drive.
All BMWCC members safely parked up, and a dash into the dry. Jeff has the job of placing on the paid stickers to our group. (watch where you put your hands Jeff).
Walmer Castle’s history:
Walmer Castle is a Tudor (Henry VIII) coast artillery fort, part of the south-east Henrician forts starting at Sandown in Deal near Sandwich, Deal Castle, Walmer Castle, Archcliffe and Sandgate Castles. Walmer Castle was occasional home to the Duke of Wellington and to QE the Queen Mother, (although not at the same time !)
Walmer Castle became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1708. It is easy to imagine why the Duke of Wellington, who held the post of Lord Warden for 23 years, enjoyed his time here so much.
Wellington's spirit still lives on at Walmer Castle, where the armchair in which he died on 14 September 1852 can still be seen. His campaign bed also remains on display as a testament to his spartan tastes, along with a pair of original 'Wellington boots' and a great many personal effects in the fascinating on-site Wellington museum.
Successive Lords Warden have left their mark on Walmer Castle's buildings and gardens. Thus Lady Hester Stanhope used local militia to create new landscaping as a surprise for her uncle, Lord Warden William Pitt: while Lord Warden W. H. Smith - member of the famous stationer's family - saved many of the valuable furnishings now on display. In recent years, Lords Warden have been provided with private apartments above the gatehouse, and both Sir Robert Menzies (former Australian Prime Minister) and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother made regular visits to the castle. Some of the rooms used by the Queen Mother are open to visitors, as is her magnificent garden, given to Her Majesty on her 95th birthday. The current Lord Warden is Admiral Michael Boyce, Baron Boyce, who was appointed in 2004.
The beautiful gardens surrounding the Castle would have made a great visit, but on this day we gave them a miss. Will come back next summer in my new “big rig” to have a look around in the sunshine.
Rain and wind eased a little so we could go outside on the ramparts, looking out over the cannons to the mist in the English channel, not a day to be on a ferry!
With a Lunch of cottage pie & vegetables in the Lord Walden’s tearooms, doing the tour of the Castle, it was time to head back to Dave & Marie’s to drop off Selwyn. Rain had stopped, so all well on the BMW 02 front. Time to head home and dry out camera after a great weekend away. My thanks go to Jeff Howe for arranging a great day out, Denise at Walmer Castle, and to all the club members who ignored the weather and still came along to enjoy the event. Plus Colin brought a BMW on the day! well done all.
Broad Oak BMW, Canterbury
Broad Oak Road,
Canterbury,
Kent,
CT2 7PX.
Tel:01227 828888