Having promised a motorsport weekend for so long it was unfortunate that the opportunity came at short notice which meant that many of you were unable to attend.
With its usual lack of commercial sense, the Silverstone management had refused to open any of the stands which meant that spectators were consigned to standing on banking and perching on fences.
After a warming coffee in the Pits Café, we found a viewing point under the Brooklands stands, but a security guard was soon sent to move us on. He seemed so relieved at how politely the Master and Senior Warden chatted to him, expressing understanding for the difficulty of his job, that the others were at least able to see the whole of the race that had just started.
We were able to watch Angela Squire’s brother David race from the rear of the grid to the middle. His best result so far this season.
We moved, as requested, and drove around to the other side of the track to a spot that the Master has used in the past, parking near the entrance to Farm, and opening a seemingly locked gate to get to a windy but otherwise good viewing spot.
As the Buckinghamshire rain crossed the old WW2 airfield into Northamptonshire, we adjourned to the cars for a picnic lunch.
We then received a phone call from our friends in the control tower inviting us for a guided tour of the nerve centre of a club event.
The busy-ness of the meeting stewards’ office was nothing compared to the frenetic goings-on in the timekeepers or race control with its banks of monitors viewing every part of the International Circuit. Every part of the operation was explained by the head timekeeper and an HSCC legend named Fergie. No not her!
After a return to the hotel for more appropriate attire we visited Daventry’s Turkish restaurant for a much-deserved meal.
The food and the service were excellent, but some of the party were a little surprised at the belly dancing entertainment. Not even the Master volunteered to join in.
Due to work commitments, we were fewer for day 2, so decided on a visit to a local country house and gardens. Coton Manor is a privately owned house in the vicinity of the village of Coton which was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but then ‘disappeared’ until the 17th Century when, presumably having been repopulated, it was razed to the ground.
It was later rebuilt with stone from another nearby estate, Holdenby. Both houses and gardens have featured in recent television programmes.
The weekend was rounded off by an Indian meal at Daventry’s best Asian restaurant.
WCCSA Members can view more photos from the weekend, in the Members Area.
The Master, Edward Nicholl
