The Chairman's Report:

At the last AGM, in response to a general feeling that it would be nice for the club to organise a non competitive event,   Charlie Smith most kindly offered to hold a Summer Garden Party at his beautiful farm home at Crick, which had the added advantage of being almost at the centre of lines of communication in the UK – after all , I remember completing a first run up the “new” M1, and the world simply ended at Watford Gap – a stone’s throw from Crick….

Many months of detailed preparation were put into the organisation by Charlie, and Pat- ever smiling - on the domestic side, to feed the “5000”. Many hundreds of phone calls made, schedules of “interesting” cars prepared and the Farm planned out for the display, barbecue, engine and literature house, and then for the major logistics of unloading trailers and transporters, overnight camping and parking The Saturday date chosen  was to coincide with the VSCC Mallory Park circuit race on the Sunday to draw maximum attendance, although inevitably there would be clashes – Shelsley Walsh on Sunday for the hill climbers, the Brands Hatch Superprix, and the first weekend of the family holiday season. There were forebodings about the end of the glorious summer spell, but the rain god was yet to do his worst – at Mallory the next day !! – and the whole day remained dry, with glorious sunshine , both in the morning, and later in the evening.

The layout of  Highfield Farm  makes an attractive square as you sweep through the gate, the farm house on two sides, Charlie’s superbly appointed workshop on the  left, with Bugatti under restoration and Caravelle Mk II Formula Junior  under reconstruction, and an attractive stone storehouse ahead to complete the symmetry. Here the “home team” were on display , with Charlie’s AC Ace, and GN , with Duncan’s IOTA “500” P2 sports car, which he had brought up earlier in the week, later to be joined by VSCC Eligibility Committee supreme, Roger Ballard’s  Frazer Nash, and the   1934 Lagonda Rapier of James Holland , with John Furlong also aboard, James’ Cooper being still in pieces , being readied for the Shelsley anniversary event in August, and the Goodwood Revival. Then , as you sweep round towards the back, on the right could be seen Pat through the kitchen window, with her small band of helpers, including Susan Hatley,”500” newsletter publisher, and the lawn, neatly laid out with tables for lunch and supper. Duncan had brought the rolling stock of his badges, which June Lecoq, and Deirdre Nycz were organising, and chasing after arrivals as they shot past to unload, as well as identifying wives and children, so nice to see as part of this family day. Opposite this was the engine shed, where Charlie had the “last” of the Smith/Utley  FIA approved Norton engines (Yes, really the last, after an earlier customer failed to take up his reservation) - quickly snapped up by Nigel Ashman – and two rebuilt period models, one of which is still for sale.  Duncan displayed some of his impressive collection of period 500 photos,  the detailed published record of every 500 race – entry lists, grids, results , of which he can supply copies on request; there was some 500 regalia, and veteran 500 OA stalwart, Paul Schroeder had some 500  books and newsletters for sale, Duncan snapping up the latter to complete his run.

Arranged on the main lawn , in a semi circle, was the central display of 500s, and by the end of the afternoon the “fan” looked something like this  -

500 OA Secretary Roy Hunt’s Martin, ex-Charlie Smith, about to have its competition debut after a year’s layoff. (See above)

Shirley Monro and Bill with the ex Stirling Moss Cooper Mk IV/V.

Martin Sheppard’s  bright blue ex-NI ex-Norway Cooper Mk XII.

The ex-Murray Rainey Cooper Mk VIII of Mark Palmer – who, as his mother is anxious to point out , is not South African , though he does spend a lot of time there, and races Dickon Daggitt’s T56 Cooper FJ, as well as also owning the South African built Wishart.

Geoff Gartside’s Cooper Mk VIII that he raced in period, and lovingly restored after it had been cannibalised to make the Garford Formula Junior.

Mike Fowler with the aluminium bodied Cooper Mk V, taking a break from the restoration of the Gordano #2, another creation of the Fry/Caesar/Bickerton Bristol group that spawned the 500 movement, and the early IOTA chassis.

The Comet, recently purchased by American, Peter Becker, and refettled by Neil Hodges – sadly , family commitments kept  Peter in the States at the last minute, and Neil was elbow deep in Audi head gaskets, so Duncan had completed a rather hectic few days with the Comet on tow on trailer number 3!

Front engined Bond RC 105, originally owned by Robs Lamplough, which passed through the hands of Roger Windley to Jeff Donely, and is now for sale – this would be a fascinating 500 project.

Richard Utley’s faithful pale green JBS which lives sometimes with the Caravelle Mk I  FJ at Charlie’s. Richard and Chris were over from Texas for a couple of racing  weekends. Having forsaken the Brands Superprix , and loaned the Mk I to James Hicks, son of Caravelle co constructor, Bob Hicks, Richard was anxiously awaiting reports of a race down South – he need not have worried, as James drove a stormer. now Richard will have to emulate that at Silverstone..

Humphrey Collis’s JLR, which Humphrey had been hoping to take to Angouleme in September. Humphrey has put together an impressive dossier of period photographs and history on this historic 500.

Murray MacLean’s GS1 “Squanderbug”, one of the early generation of 500s, still in immaculate and much loved condition, and the car that has given Charlie the idea of proposing a separate competition 500 class for pre 1950 cars – “ the Edwardians”. Murray has just finished his latest book “…..”, which covers a forgotten subject with many fascinating period photos , and is available from him direct @ £17.50 , including p & p.

Julian Reichman’s Cooper Mk VI restoration, which is making great progress, with most parts, bar engine, acquired , and the chassis welded up.

Brother Marek’s ex-Duncan, ex David Woodhouse front wheel drive Emeryson 500/7.

Charlie’s own car – THE ex Don Parker CK52 Kieft, acquired from John Bonner, and loosely assembled sans nose cone, for the day.

Dave Lecoq’s neat and effective Petty.

The French Cousy, which John “JB” Jones has recently brought back from  across the water, and co owns with James Gray. No engine at present , but a Triumph will be fitted, at least to get the car out onto the track, and competing.

Jan Nycz’s now familiar Erskine Staride.

Buzzie, now on wheels, and with a new nose – with Monoposto Racing Club supremo, Douglas McLay – already planning the 2008 50^th anniversary of the Monoposto Register– with which 500s raced in the 1980s – with an  anniversary race meeting.

John Emanuel’s Kieft V-twin, currently without engine, which Tony Steele restored a decade or more ago for previous owner….

Mezzolitre 02, which Martin Round bought at auction, after the car had been donated to the Shelsley Walsh Trust by its long term owner.  Martin is well on the way with the restoration, and the car already has a paint job, and much work completed – Shelsley in August is the target date… Martin and young family were the only ones to take advantage of the camping facility proffered, and were doing it in true “scouting” Style.

Rob Hilton with the Cooper Mk V ex-Ormsby Issard-Davies [500 OA Register #018], one of the most historic cars in the club, which in its day was shared by various of the then impecunious midlands members – Paul Schroeder, Barry Oddy, and Mike Murphy were in attendance, and it was wonderful to see them again and to catch up with their stories.

Nigel Ashman’s very smart Cooper racing green colour Cooper Mk VI ex-works(?) and Paul Holdsworth, purchased recently at H and H auctions.

Bob and James Culver’s erstwhile very original Coopers, Mk VIII and MkX respectively, now both with Vincent engines

New “500” editor, Ruth Ross’s  ex Gunther Sachs (Kenya) Cooper V-twin.

The Bardon-Turner of Mike Anthony – still  in fine shape, and surely its next outing will be more reliable than its great day – at the FIA Lurani Trophy race at Monde;llo Park, a few years ago, where it managed a total of 7 laps in two practices and two races, and consumed at least two engines…..David Saxl, unable to attend today, then being at the wheel.

Charlie’s next door neighbour, Reg Hargrave, and the “other” , but later, ex-Don Parker  Kieft.

And finally the sad remains of one of 500 F3’s most historic cars – The Strang.  Bob Culver had brought along the chassis rails and some body parts and laid them out on the lawn…

Others came, but without cars, including Ken Edwards, with no tow bar, but Duncan was able to present him with a Chairman’s Cup to celebrate the appearance in 2004 of the two duralumin Kiefts at Wiscombe , after 40 years absence from competition, the other cup , for Dermot Johnston, having been presented at the Cultra NI heritage Museum, with Dermot and family in their much used Ansaldo, when Duncan was over at Dundrod with Mair in the Connaught. John Turner, one of the co founders of the club, brandishing the original letter to him from Peter Kendall, which started it all off in 1968 – though this did reveal that the ORIGINAL idea came from another – now WHO was that…? John’s Mk IX, itself was absent, raced by him since 1974, and as he was to prove the following day , after a troubled practice, he is – amazingly – faster nowadays than he ever was.

It was also a first time appearance for Michael Birch, who brought along photos of the first Grenfell 500 which he acquired from David Baldock over 30 years ago, when David had been advertising for “ old racing cars” and had picked this up from a stinking mews garage up the Edgware Road. Duncan had recently been able to provide Michael with a copy of the cars lengthy, if inglorious competition record, but staggeringly, it spanned the whole 12 years from its debut in 1951 in the hands of  J Granville Grenfell to the VERY LAST 500 race in period, in 1962 !!

Michael Mills has owned his JBS  for many a year, but with no trailer, came with his wife to meet Richard Utley and they spent a long time in JBS conversation – certainly,  Michael  now seemed to be enthused to get the car back into action. Dennis Williams has the second of the ex-Jack Mayes Arnotts, now being reassembled by Dave Abbott, but it was just a week away from rolling, so an unfortunate absentee, but Dennis himself was there to talk and meet.

The Frost  family were also there in force, Ian and Heather, but without Martin , and Simon , tending Mark Palmer’s car after some further fettling – his own , beautifully restored, Cooper Mk V in blue being still for sale at £14,000. Commo resident, US national, Steve Griswold has been a long time friend of Charlie’s, and his Cooper 500s, which he imported from the States are now passed on,  his Formula One JBW sold, and his CooperT59 FJ not quite ready , so 2005 is his first year without a racing licence for many a day. Another most welcome guest was ex-Cooper employee, Roy Golding, who is in his 80^th year, yet drove up alone all the way from the South, and regaled us with memories of the days at Surbiton when he was involved in building these cars, right from the first production 500s

Others present included former 500 owner Grant Wilson, who raced the ex-Peter Proctor Cooper, and now FJs, Brian Dewey, co owner with Rod Delves of the yellow Kieft, the ex –Derek Annabelle CK52,and another unknown 500, whilst  a few disappointing no shows or also  unable to be present included Martin Bayliss [EGS] who was racing his VW at Santa Pod ,David Beckett [Kieft CK52] racing at Brands Hatch, Spencer Elton [ Mk 10 1100cc], retailing his wares at Silverstone, Richard Fry, who had gone straight to Mallory Park, Bill Needham , who is the middle of a major house move, Gordon Middleton, who was sailing his vintage boat, Gordon Russell who was demo racing the Mackson at Chimay, Rodney Cummings [CFS V-twin], who had resigned from the 500 committee and as Registrar, disappointed at the lack of response to his Registration Scheme, Roger Windley [ Willment 500], holidaying Roger Willoughby [ Mk 7 V-twin] and Roy Ward [JBSs]. Sadly period Mackson racer, Allan Scoble, anxious to return to the tracks in the ex-John Wiseman”Cooper” special has been very unwell, and was also absent, while Duncan had paid a visit to David Baldock in deepest Kent to extract an Alexis Trials car chassis , and had tried to persuade him to bring the Cooper sports or the Monaco, but in the end the plans came to naught. Saddest absentee was Peter Kendall, who had moved to Cornwall, and lost touch – some spirited computer detective work by the Turners finally tracked him down on the eve of the event, but with good wishes, it was nonetheless impossible to be present………………..

At lunchtime all sat down for their brought picnics, with Pat kindly providing for those helpless men who looked as though they might go unfed… Duncan gave a short speech of thanks to Charlie and Pat for their tremendous hospitality and enormous hard work in putting on such a successful occasion, and presented Pat with flowers, chosen so thoughtfully by Susan Hatley. Later in the afternoon , Pat provided some glorious cakes for tea, and after cars and trailers were sorted , in the evening a delicious barbecue , enjoyed in glorious warmth – sadly a larger number than expected had by then departed to the 500 corral at Mallory Park, or for other callings  … but it had been a wonderful day, and much enjoyed by all.

Members enjoying a glass or two.

The 500 Owners Association would like to thank Charlie, Pat, Amy and all those who made this event happen.