The first Area 4 monthly meeting in darkest (but not coldest) February included a 'table top concours'.
Various models of cars and other road vehicles graced the top of one of the Carpenter's Arms tables in anticipation of a tight fight for glory.
In fact, the emphasis was on 'table top' rather than 'concours', but that didn't stop Rick Cullen arriving with a tiny sponge, some cotton wool buds and a pair of watch repairer's inspection glasses. His model of the victorious Le Mans 2017 Vantage GTE Pro car #97 was worthy of his efforts. Another Le Mans winning car, Mike Jones's Bentley, was a very classy addition to our show.
Continuing the high class theme was James & Jo Thorburn's Brawn Formula 1 GP car with Jenson Button on board, in miniature! The model has been signed by Ross Brawn and, quite rightly, rarely comes out in public.
Paul & Jan Gerring brought along a pair of Lotuses (Elise and Cortina MkI), whilst Geoff Cahalin added his TVR Griffith to the display. Of course, there were plenty of Astons on show, including Bob Carter's DB4, John Simcock's DB5, Martin Beattie's DB7 and my Matchbox DB2.
John also brought along a London Bus and, seemingly best of all in most attendees' views, was his 1950 Foden Flatbed truck by Shackleton that originally cost 65/- (that's £3.25 for people who don't remember old money). Given that John's first week's wages a few years later were £3.00 (60/-), it was a very special piece to have on show.
However, our independent adjudicator was Danny, a member of the pub staff, who selected Sue Cahalin's 1/18th scale James Bond DB5 as the winner. A number of attendees thought it was the obvious choice which underlines the lasting appeal of the films Goldfinger, Thunderball, etc. A worthy winner indeed.
Sue's prize was a large box of Black Magic chocolates... there must be a Bond connection there somewhere!
Thanks to all who took the trouble to bring along a model to add such fun to our monthly gatherings. Next month, it's our annual quiz....
Clockwise (from bottom left): James Bond DB5, Lotus Elite, Lotus Cortina, DB7, Bentley Le Mans, DB2, Vantage GTE Pro, Inspection glasses!, Foden Truck, Brawn F1, DB4, London Bus, DB5 and DBR9 (in Gulf colours).
L-R: Bob Carter, Alan Howell, Geoff Cahalin, Mike Haynes, Bev Jones, Rick Cullen, Martin Beattie, Gillian Fawkes, Paul Gerring (back to)
John Simcock shares a laugh with (L:R) Gillian Fawkes, Bev Jones, Sue Cahalin, Jan Gerring and Viv Haynes