Our joint lunch meet with Area 13 at Winchester Auto Barn was well-attended.  Despite the parking arrangements not going to plan, the venue was very impressive with an interesting array of vehicles on display and for sale, some interesting memorabilia, and good bar and restaurant facilities – worth a visit if you are in the area.

The annual Area 10 Ladies Lunch was held at Gerrards Cross Golf Club and about a dozen ladies experienced excellent service as they enjoyed the food and company.

I spotted several Area 10 Astons amongst those attending the Hatfield House event on Sunday 5 July.  Entry to the park was free with the option of discounted entry to the house

Steve Johnson reports that the visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge was a great success with 30 Members descending the 74 steps to the bunker (and climbing back up).  A good number retired to the Apple Tree afterwards and were joined there by more Members for our monthly meeting.  We welcomed new Member Vimal Popat in his Vantage, Phil & Debbie Magnus-Watson with their DB7 Vantage, and a DB4GT Zagato recreation.

The following week, 18 Astons headed for Kent on a trip organised by Steve & Helen Cory.  After brunch at an excellent pub in Hawkhurst, we all headed for the site where an airworthy Mosquito was under construction.  We were treated to a 3-hour description of the project, interspersed with refreshments, and could see many of the wooden components which will make up 50% of the aircraft.  Every wooden component, no matter how small, was traceable to the original tree, largely Canadian spruce.  The project has about another 6 years to run as funding is an issue – they were grateful for our donations.

We then headed for our overnight accommodation at the excellent Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells where we enjoyed a group dinner in the Orangery Restaurant.  After breakfast we headed for Hever Castle where we were parked on the Church Lawn overlooking the castle and spent the day exploring the castle and its extensive gardens.  Our thanks go to Steve & Helen for the impeccable organisation.

The following day, six Astons attended The Big Meet in West Wycombe, organised by the Hellfire Motor Vehicle Club raising funds for men’s mental health. There were 450 vehicles on display, and the organisers produced a 7-minute video:  https://youtu.be/hA4A_DHtUb0?si=YSq0BVAp0ar1s9P8

We feature briefly at 1:30, and at 3:55 where Area 10 Member Mark Anderson won Car of the Show with his 1968 DBS.

We are now looking forward to our annual Tom May Special Meeting at the Eton Dorney Rowing Lake on Thursday 6 August.  We have 128 people coming, all of whom will have received their joining instructions on Tuesday 28 July.

The Steelford Prescott Hill Climb takes place on 8 & 9 August and regularly attracts several Astons to their Supercar Paddock even if not going up the hill.  The cost is £14 per car with passenger, and you get passes for entry to the drivers' lounge.  For details visit:  Buy Tickets | Steeleford Events – note that there is an AMOC option when buying tickets.

We have filled our maximum allocation of eight Astons for the RAF Benson Families Day on Thursday 13 August.  I will send out final details when I have them.

Simply Aston Martin is scheduled for Sunday 23 August – for information on tickets and to request to park with fellow Area 10 Members, visit Beaulieu Simply Aston Martin - Events - Aston Martin Owners Club.  Area 10 are currently the second largest group registered for Area parking with the club.  Please let me know if you would like to rendezvous at the M3 Winchester Southbound Services.

On Wednesday 26 August we will be visiting Rycote Park and Waterperry Gardens.  We will meet at Rycote Park (near Thame) at 10:30am for refreshments and an introductory talk by the owner.  This will be followed by a guided tour of the Capability Brown gardens, the renovated barn and the 15^th Century chapel. 

We have again been invited to exhibit our Astons at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Auto Fest on bank holiday Monday 31 August.  They welcome cars, motorbikes, vans, buses, fire engines, bicycles to be displayed, but our Astons will have a special area reserved by the Visitor Centre.

Saturday 5 September is Salon Privé Club Trophy Day at Blenheim Palace.  Tickets are on sale at preferential rates for parking in the Aston Martin paddock: Salon Privé Car Clubs (Saturday) - Salon Privé

Our monthly meeting for September will be held on Thursday 10 September at The Spade Oak, Bourne End, SL8 5PS.

The Kop Hill hillclimb event at Princes Risborough is being held over the weekend of 12/13 September.  It is an annual 2-day event in aid of local charities.