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2010  South East Region

Family Day & Concours

South East Region - Family Day & Concours

Sunday 13th June 2010

Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum

2010 South East Region Concours

With a touch of family rivalry

Words : Danny Nolan

Photographs : Melvyn Pettit

 

A Brief History Of Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum

 

The house at Bentley was bought by Gerald and Mary Askew in 1937, and in 1962 started a collection of wildfowl after a visit to the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge and the influence of Sussex artist Philip Rickman. A pond was dug in a nearby field, which was poor for agriculture and now hosts a collection of 125 out of the 147 species of wildfowl. 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 and rabbits. Hugh Stuart-Roberts (Who owned a wide variety of vintage cars until retirement) opened the Motor Museum in the 1970s as a tourist attraction, which was the first large addition to Bentley. The vehicles in the collection at Bentley are lent by many individual owners, which are still in working order and are used on the roads. Following the death of Gerald Askew in 1970, Mary gave the nucleus of the estate to the people of East Sussex. However in 2004 due to increasing running costs Mary purchased the estate (£1.25m) from East Sussex Council and placed it in the hands of a trust in order to ensure it remains open to the public.

 

Event Report

 

Rain with the odd day of sunshine, Discount BBQ’s, World cup? It can only mean one thing. Summer is finally here! Yay! Now that there is a day or two of fine weather, it’s a good chance to get your pride and joy out of the garage to enjoy some events. First of which is the BMW Car Club South East Region Concours.

 

After the incredible turnout of last years SE Concours and quotes such as “We did not have time to look all around the venue”, its was a good chance to do the Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum justice and give people a second chance to see all the fantastic cars and grounds available. With the sunny weather booked, all was ready. However this year there was a slight twist. “Why” I hear you ask! It started last year just before the 2009 SE Concours. At the tender age of 19, I was blessed with the opportunity to get my hands on an ex-demo (58 reg) BMW 1 Series. With a few tips from my experienced Concours parents my Bimmer was cleaned to an astounding standard, which resulted in me coming second in my class (K Class) and winner of the novice class. After the Concours I reflected my points with my parents and their cars, a BMW 840ci and a BMW Z4. With a few smug remarks about who got the most points (me), war was on for this year’s Concours. This meant wagers were placed in my naive belief that I could repeat last year’s success.

 

As the day approached and a few secret visits under the bonnet throughout the week, it was time to see whether the young could individually beat the old and experienced. On the day of the Concours we set off early for the 39 mile journey in convoy (Dave, Mel, Me and Marie). We finally approached the entrance at about 8am welcomed by the BMWCC banner and Melvyn’s home from home (Sadly BMW don’t make a Motorhome, yet). With the weather brightening up and Selwyn trusted with the power of the remote to the gate, the SE stand and gazebo was set up. As a steady flow of BMW’s trailed through the gates, Selwyn was ready to pounce to collect the entrance fee (£5). With a few looks at the competition and friendly tips exchanged, out came the buckets and sponges. The making of a great Concours!

 

At 11am, time had come for the judging to commence. Due to two regular judges not being available this year, Selwyn (losing his power of the remote) and I were whisked off to be judges. As I was inexperienced, Barry trained me at judging the engine department. I must say I was shocked how cars 20-30 years old looked brand new. Its fair to say this year’s standard was incredibly high. After my training, I quickly realised that what I called “a clean engine”, was in fact dirty. Once the judging was over it was a brilliant chance to get something to eat and enjoy the surroundings with the occasional peacock roaming about.

 

Spot on 3:15pm the raffle started. With a wide variety of prizes from a BMW Convertible Car Cleaning Kit, a 1:18 Scale model of Nick Heidfeld’s BMW Sauber F1 car, to key rings and mugs. All generously provided by Gordon Hyam, Jeff Howe (Broad Oak BMW) and other committee members.

 

Now it was time for the important bit, the results! Due to John Way’s outstanding commitment, he found some exquisite designed trophies (which everyone agreed looked fantastic). As the scores came in, it was clear that last years results were not good enough to win this year. As you all know, my priorities were listening out for my parent’s scores. First was my dad’s 840ci in class H, 370 points! Then the score I feared most, my mum’s Z4 Roadster (Class J, 371 points). Why? Not only because it’s a second car and spends most of its life under a cover, but also because the only cleaning she carried out was the interior. The engine and exterior was my dad’s job (teaming up against me). Now it was time for my score and annoyingly I had lost (357 points). Not because my mum’s car was cleaner than mine (Interior, Exterior and Engine), but because I had made a monumental error and had forgotten my cars handbook and service record (20 points). So £20 down, I wont be making that mistake again. Bring on next year!

 

As every year, a trophy was given out to the furthest travelled Concours participant. For the past few years it has always been given to Gordon who travels all the way from Peterborough, we must be doing something right! However impressively this year it was not to be. In fact we had a group of three pristine BMW’s, which came all the way from Preston and Wakefield (Over 270 Miles!). Its great to see that people not necessarily from the South, enjoy a family day out with the South East Region. As always they were welcomed with open arms and even won some trophies to their large collection. Hopefully they will come next year and maybe bring a few more people with them.

 

Overall the Concours is a fantastic family day out with plenty to do (its not all BMW talk). Every year there is always a great turn out and if the Concours isn’t for you, just enjoying the surroundings and meeting new people is worth going. At the end we had a sneaky ride on the model railway, “who said were too old to relive our childhood”. With this years Concours been and gone, its time to put our thinking caps on to plan next years location. Maybe if you didn’t come this year, you’ll come next year to see what your missing out on.

 

On behalf of the South East region committee, I would like to thank all the club members and the volunteers who made this day possible, especially the staff at Bentley Wildfowl who welcomed the BMW Car Club for the second year running. Melvyn Pettit, David Cooke, Barry Gordge and Selwyn Frostick (Judges) Pauline and Sarah Wells (Raffle tickets) John Way (Trophies) Gordon Hyam, Jeff Howe (Prizes). We hope to see you at other fantastic events planned for this year in the South East Region.

 

Congratulations to all the winners:

Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum

Halland, Lewes

E.Sussex, BN8 5AF

01825 840573

01825 841451

website: www.bentley.org.uk

2010 South East Region Concours Slide-Show

Click Photograph - opens new window to view pictures full screen

2009 Concours Report and Pictures