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Area 20 Event with Bentley Drivers Club

Ian Postles | Published on 9/4/2017

 

The pioneering spirit is alive and well, as shown when 56 members of the Aston Martin and Bentley Drivers’ Club joined forces to follow my risky directions to a cliff top venue in Cornwall.

Warily they eyed their destination – a Nissan hut in the middle of nowhere perched high above stunning Cornish coastline at Maker Heights, near Millbrook. As the smell of delicious food wafted from within the wartime building, it was enough to tempt the most hardened enthusiast away from the usual talk of bearings and fine bodywork (the cars, definitely not the owners!) and venture within.

There, head chef Nick, ex of the River Café, was busy creating culinary delights. He started up The Canteen about a year ago and it’s a real gem. Views aside, the food is absolutely delicious and Nick prides himself on using local seasonal produce. One Bentley member proclaimed “If I’d eaten that in London I’d have expected to pay three times the price for half the quality”. We know that lot don’t get out much, but it was praise indeed.

The two clubs were mixed up, and we all came away having made new acquaintances. So cutting the chatter to move them on to the next venue was like herding cats, but eventually engines roared into action and members drove down through exquisite scenery to Antony House, Torpoint.

This National Trust house is a gloriously preserved and very interesting Georgian house with delightful gardens to meander round. We all got a great deal out of the visit, and a few, no names, had no shame and even managed a cream tea at the ever reliable National Trust café in the grounds.

Despite a cloudy start, the weather was kind, and all in all we felt we’d had a really enjoyable day. It was a really good turnout, and I was grateful – especially as it was my first foray into organising a Club event. I couldn’t have done it without the help of Paul, who as ever was a stalwart support on matters requiring fine detail!

Once again our thanks to Charmain Evans for organising such an unusual and fun day! 

Pictures from the day: