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Area 20 visits Hatch Court

Ian Postles | Published on 5/14/2017

Today's event proved very popular when it was advertised with the forty places being taken very quickly.  It was organised for us by Nigel Edwards and turned out to be a fabulous day.  We met just after 10:00 at Hatch Court for a tour of the house and gardens.  Hatch Court is Georgian Palladian Mansion and was acquired by the current owners, Philip and Melanie Gibbs, some 17 years ago.  They have lovingly restored the property and it is now must be one of the best maintained properties of its type in the U.K.  We felt very privileged to have been given the opportunity to view it and Philip enthralled us with his knowledge of the period and explanations of the works they had carried out.  

Philip had not sought any fee for our visit but had asked that we make a contribution to the local parish Church and I am very pleased to say that a donation of £180 was made by members attending. 

We then had an opportunity to look around the beautifully maintained gardens in lovely sunshine which made our meander all the better.  As you can imagine there was a great photo opportunity to park our cars in front of the house and everyone took the chance to get snaps of their cars in such a stunning setting.  A couple of Nigel's pictures are attached.

 

 

Nigel then led us in convoy the short journey to Dillington House where we had lunch.  What a great convoy leader he was.  Keeping everyone together but enabling some spirited sprints along the way!  Another fascinating place which is a council owned training centre, hotel and restaurant with, again, beautiful gardens.  Another great photo opportunity and then we went in to enjoy a very tasty carvery followed by a wander around the gardens.

 

This event was an excursion into Area 4 and it was great to be joined by members from local Areas as well on the event. They brought with them cars that we seldom see in our Area and it was great to have them along.  Thank you for joining us.

We also had the opportunity to welcome Adam and Caroline Fullalove, together with their children Lara and Max, to their first event and who arrived on one Aston! How, I hear you ask - in a very beautiful looking Rapide!  It was great to welcome you all and we hope to see you again soon.

The weather was nearly perfect and it was only as the event came to a close and people headed home that the rain descended which meant no top down driving on the way home but it could not possibly spoil what had been a tremendous day.  Our thanks to Nigel and Shine for organising the event so well, for getting everyone between the two venues in one group and for finding two gems for us to visit.  Just brilliant.