BMWCC SE | 09 South East Region Concours

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2009 South East Region CONCOURS

South East Region - Family Day & Concours

Sunday 12th July 2009

Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum

As you can see from the slide-show above, a great fun day was had at Bentley Wildfowl

2009 South East Region Concours

Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum

Words and Photographs

By Melvyn Pettit

Background and organising

Late in December 08 the promoters of the car shows that we have attended, and we have organised our South East Region Concours at over past few years, informed me that they are not doing any venues “Down South” in 09, so the hunt was on for a new venue for the 09 South East Region Concours.

So racking the old noggin, I remember that a few years ago we finished a Hospice Challenge at Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum, Halland, Lewes, E.Sussex, BN8 5AF, would they be up for a BMW event. Contacting Barry Sutherland at Bentley, the reply was “What date are you thinking of” came his reply, so another South East Region event was in the organising stage.

Checking other BMWCC event dates etc, the date fixed for Sunday 12th July 2009, the countdown had started. Barry then asked if I mind if the event is placed on Bentley Wildfowl web site, published in calendar of the 250,000 Bentley Wildfowl 09 leaflets. In addition, could he send 5,000 of the leaflets to be inserted into club magazine, my reply, after getting OK from club office, was in the positive. In addition, can do discounted entrance fee for BMWs attending event and they still have the BMW 317 in the Motor Museum!

So with venue sorted , now to put event details in SE Newsletter, clubs SE forum, club and SE web site and in February and following issues of Club magazine. Now trophies were on the “too do list”. Sadly knocked back with sponsorship form BMW dealerships, so using some left over ones, and SE vice Chairman Barry Gordge saying he has “some” of his sons Scott’s trophies which we can have (thanks Scott). Now have trophies and sauced BMW Roundels (thanks to Jeff Heywood) to stick on. New labels done and placed on, so another item to ticked off. I have to thank Dave Brentnall, Tony Calvert and Barry Gordge for once again volunteering to Judge on the day, Dave Cooke was our reserve judge, another tick on the sheet. Raffle prizes from Gordon Hyam (Red Bull GTR model, BMW Sauber F1 Team items to name a few (thanks Gordon). Marie Nolan had some bottles of wine and other items, along with the BMW clothing purchased at discounted price at Wateringbury pub meeting from Jeff Howe BMW Broad Oak, Autocourse books from Ann Gordge, plus other items another tick. Pauline and Sarah Wells would sell raffle tickets on the day (thanks). Another tick. Print Judging sheets, Tick.

After a “walk” though the site at Bentley with Barry Sutherland it was arranged that the BMWs would park on the area near Motor Museum, Tea room and toilets, just to side of the House at Bentley. As he could not be there at the start of the day, could we arrange for someone to collect entrance fee, Selwyn offered to do the job. So with sunshine ordered for the day the “too do list” was finally completed.

Event report

Early start for the 86 mile trip to Bentley, my packed BMW E36 M-tech coupe full to roof with gazebo, banners, trophies and raffle prizes etc. Slight rain on way round M25, but as I arrive and place BMWCC banner at entrance to Bentley the sun broke though. By around 9.30am with help from early arrivals the area was set up. Selwyn was in his element, “I’m in charge” as he had the remote to open the electric gate into site.

By 11am the judges started to walk to the first BMW for inspection. They started on SE committee member Dave Cooke BMW 840ci. With around 60 BMWs on site 40 entered Concours. Selwyn was still busy pressing the remote and taking the cash. Total BMWs that came on the day was around Seventy. The weather was now hot and members were enjoying the venue, Car Museum, House and Gardens. Having ago at Archery, taking a trip on the Model train track and Tea cakes, something for all the family.

Speaking to new club members, “this is the first BMWCC event attended and it will not be the last”, having a natter with old club members, checking out their new pride and joy as I walked around taking photographs. Sadly not enough time available to talk to everyone, but by the feedback, everyone not only liked the venue , they enjoyed the BMW company. We also welcomed a visitor from Dusseldorf - Petra Mede, eldest daughter of Friedhelm Gunter. Friedhelm was a former long-standing President of BMW Club Europa. Petra was on holiday in Kent with son and partner.

So with the Raffle drawn and the trophies given out (thanks to Marie Nolan for standing in for me, could not give out trophies and take pictures). The event ended around 4.30pm. So another plan came together. I would just add thanks to all club members who attended, all the volunteers, without whom the event could not run, and Barry Sutherland and staff at Bentley Wildfowl who made the BMWCC most welcome. And finally congratulations to all Concours winner’s.

Background on Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum

The house at Bentley was bought by Gerald and Mary Askew in 1937 and following the Second World War the couple developed the house and garden and started a wildfowl collection. Two large Palladian rooms were added to each end of the original house.

In 1962 influenced by the Sussex artist Philip Rickman and a visit to the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge the Askew's started a collection of wildfowl. A pond was dug in a nearby field which was poor agricultural land and the collection was started. The collection now has examples of 125 of the 147 species of wildfowl.

The quiet, peaceful gardens are quite secretively located behind the house and include well laid ponds and statues of sphinxes. Songbirds and moorhens live in the gardens.

Glyndebourne Wood: The woods in the are a very important part of the park. The pigs live in sties here in the winter and several Iron Age huts have been constructed using timber from the surrounding trees and authentic traditional methods. There is a woodsman who maintains the ecosystem and annually a fantastic wood fair is held, where many woodland crafts, such as fire-making, are displayed. Craft days are often held and children's parties can be arranged. In the autumn carthorses are brought in to help with bringing in the timber. The forest is an important habitat for robins and many other songbirds, woodpeckers, common pheasants, deer and grey squirrels. The surrounding fields are a good habitat for moles (who leave behind a lot of hills) and rabbits. In order to reach the woods one can walk or take the small trains from the mini railway that links up the park to Glyndebourne Station.

As part of the 1970s development as a tourist attraction the Motor Museum was opened. The Motor Museum was the first large scale addition to Bentley after the estate was opened to the public. It was set up by Hugh Stuart-Roberts who owned many vintage cars and gained great pleasure from them until he retired. The vehicles in the collection at Bentley are lent by many individual owners who wish them to be more widely seen and enjoyed. This means the collection is liable to change and there are often new, exciting or unusual cars to be seen. Most of the vehicles are in running order and used on the roads. Bentley is a fine setting - sharing its name with one of the greatest and most famous of British cars.

Following the death of Gerald Askew in 1970, Mary gave the nucleus of the estate to the people of East Sussex. Mary continues to live in part of the house and the site was developed as a tourist attraction. In 2004 due to increasing running costs the East Sussex Council offered to sell the property back to the Askew family for £1.25m or it would sell the property on the open market. Fortunately the Askews purchased the estate and placed it in the hands of a trust in order to ensure it remains open to the public for the foreseeable future.

2009 South East Region Concours Results

Class D 1971 - 1975

1st - Alan Blowers - BMW 2002 Auto = 336 pts