The run through country lanes from Knight’s Garden Centre at Godstone brought many of the cars to West Horsley just in time for lunch – despite the sudden roadworks and diversion! We do seem to be plagued with roads being dug up seemingly at random this Summer.
They were greeted by those more local to West Horsley Place who were already parked up in the meadow immediately in front of the historic house. It certainly provided a great back drop and despite this being an open day at the house the field was entirely occupied by MGs. The marquee was immediately next to Pat’s Scout camp and the Ghosts volleyball net – a washing line complete with washing drying in the breeze. Periodically we would see people in scout uniform plus arrow, smoke smudged maids dresses or suits without trousers hitting a ball over the net.
The house was open and from the outset there was plenty of Ghosts ephemera to be found starting at the door with Mike & Alison’s car parked outside “Button House”
The house itself is interesting in its construction – the front is a facade built on to the much older house behind it, and its history which touches Henry VIII, Guy Fawkes and the head of Sir Waleter Raleigh – plus the more modern story of Bamber Gascoigne who inherited this house from his Aunt Mary. His story echoes that of the fictional Ghosts, and then there is a huge round building in the back garden – the Grange Park Opera. It all makes West Horsely Place a very interesting place but once we were finished exploring it also provided a delightful location for a picnic with the MGs.
With over 60 MGs at the event you could expect a wide range of models and eras. There were cars from the pre-war right through to the modern electric – in fact there were 4 electrified MGs including two who didn’t know they were joining us! Both were directed to the MG parking and both were very interested in the MG Car Club and walked away with Membership application offices and one with an armful of club regalia!
The club organised a Pride of Ownership competition with two classes in the PoO (pre and post 1956) and a Premier PoO. There was a good entry in both main classes which were self-judged. This meant lots of adding up and that didn’t entirely go to plan! The rosettes handed out on the day went to the wrong people and after a recount and ratification of the results after the event the correct winners were notified. Apologies went to those who were incorrectly awarded places and congratulations to those who did actually win!
The results were:-
Premier Pride of Ownership
Winner – Jon Glover – MGC GT / Runner-Up – Ashley Hinton – MG Midget
Pre 1956 MGs
Winner Nigel Scutt – MGA / Runner-up – Howard Scott – MGA / Third – Steve Arthur – MGTF
Post 1956 MGs
Winner – Chris Redhead – MGB Roadster / Joint Runners-Up – Philip Roussel-Smith (MGB Roadster) & Mark Britten (MGC) / Third – Chris Noulton – MGC GT
Car of the Show
Paul Thompson – MGTF
The full results can be viewed on the button below:-
We were delighted that the event was sponsored by the Wimbledon Carriage Company and they brought along some interesting cars including a Model T Ford and beautiful Jaguar XK120. Both these cars are for sale on their website – https://www.wimbledoncarriage.co.uk/
