| Editorial | Summers Evening Run | Norwich MGOC Memorial Run | Check Point Charlie |
Despite a pretty rotten weather forecast, fourteen cars (about double that number of members, that is, owners & navigators) turned up at the King George at Babraham, at about 7 o'clock last Monday evening, to take part in the evening run which had been organised by Jeremy. The weather, despite the gloomy prediction, was actually dry and quite pleasant for most of the evening. We all gathered in the bar before setting off and, whilst enjoying our first drink together, Jeremy assured us that it was to be a very easy relaxed evening and that we would have no trouble answering the questions. Then he handed us the sheets for the start and, immediately, all but a few of us (some must have been either 'Greek' scholars or happened to be called George) were stumped. Well now, would you know the answer to "a king who was a Greek farmer?" *See below for the answer. I give Jeremy his due, however; from then on it did get a lot easier. It was also helpful that so many of the answers were pub names. After a pleasant run of about 35 miles, in that neck of the woods where Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex keep on bumping into each other, we finished up at the King's Head pub in Elmdon, just as a drizzle was beginning to set in (by which time we were not bothered about the weather anymore, of course).
Inside the pub, we found out that three car occupants had tied for the first place. Janet and Peter Cowper, Martin Evans (who was on his own) and Jacqueline and John Deakin. Even though Martin had the disadvantage of not having a navigator, he still managed to answer all the questions and get back to the pub shortly after the main group arrived. On second thoughts, is not having a navigator a disadvantage?
A tie-breaker on the clue sheets provided by Jeremy, had not been answered by any of them, but a bit of gentle prompting encouraged John Deakin to come up with the right answer and he and Jacqueline were awarded the winners' bottle of wine. Here, special mention should also be made of Peter and Janet for managing to compete with only one pair of specs between them. And as to a certain male, who shall remain anonymous, who had some of us following him, curious as to what clue might be found in certain bushes??? But seriously, I did say that we had a drink before we started off!
We all had a most enjoyable evening and a very pleasant chat together in the pub after it was over.
Jeremy, on behalf of all the members who took part, thank you very much, for a very well organised and not too strenuous evening run.
Derek Ryan
Sunday morning arrived and the weather forecast was not at all good However, we made an early start and arrived at Whittlesford Station car-park at approximately the timed suggested by Oliver. The weather, by this time, had become even worse. In all, eight cars (including fifteen occupants) turned up, everyone eager to find out just what they had let themselves in for. As we were being given our route-maps and additional instructions from Oliver, the heavens opened up. So, we got into our cars as quickly as possible and were soon under way.
Oliver's route was, to say the least, interesting. However, the cryptic clues that he provided us with, were actually very clever, proving what a wonderful command he has of the English language. Actually, the clues were definitely better than the directions (as far as the writer is concerned)!!! The route provided led us through some very scenic countryside, which was obviously even prettier, when the weather later cleared up a little.
The rain continued as we drove along the given route and we wondered at one stage,
if it would ever stop. It did - when we stopped for a 'coffee break' at a pub, and then
quickly resumed once we were under way again. I must say, though, that the weather was much brighter, generally, in the afternoon.
During the first half of the run, John & I and apparently, one or two others, almost got to the point of divorce (ha. ha) due to differences of opinion ion regarding the route. However, the second half of the Run was much shorter and proved to be far less 'trying Consequently, any marital differences were resolved! Coincidentally, the weather improved too.
The Run completed we arrived at our 'mystery' destination, organised once again, of course, by Oliver. By this time, the rain had stopped altogether and we decided to have a drink before entering the country home of Colonel Sir John Ruggles-Brise. We had intended to eat our picnics afterwards, but, somehow, the house beckoned and all thoughts of food were forgotten.
Sir John is the owner of the beautiful estate called 'Spains Hall' which dates back to the fourteenth century and is situated in Finchingfield, Essex. He met us at the entrance to his wonderful home and immediately, made us all feel very welcome. Spa ins Hall is a veritable Aladdin's Cave of personal effects and antique furniture and is so 'cosy Once inside we were given a brief history of the house, and were then allowed to sit on Chippendale chairs (the seat covers of which had been hand- embroidered with the Arms of the County and fourteen districts, by a group of ladies who live in the locality.We were also allowed to handle beautiful Meissen porcelain, a French desk set, and many, many more beautiful things, which have been in his family for generations. To our delight, we were also asked by Sir John, if we would like to pull out the concealed drawer of an antique Architect's Desk' which contained a swivel-drawer section and to open and look inside a ceremonial 'Flat Hat' box.
When asked if the house had any secret chambers, Sir John confirmed that there was such a place and was kind enough to offer to show us a 'Priest-Hole' which is concealed in the corner of an upper-storey hall area. You may consider the extent of this kindness even more, when I tell you that Sir John is 91 years old and put up with us for three hours.
Never before, when visiting a country estate, had any of us experienced the privileges allowed to us in this wonderful 'home'. I use this term because, normally, when one enters a country estate of any description nowadays, there are constant reminders that one must not sit on the furniture or touch anything. Most country houses, or estates, are very restrictive. In Sir John's home, this was far from being the case. The house, and all of its rooms, have a 'cosy 'feeling of having been always being 'lived' in, hence a real 'home'
There are so many more things that I could tell you about this house, and the wonderful afternoon that we spent in it. Those of you who were unable to make the run and the visit to Spains Hall, certainly missed a very worthwhile experience However, all is not lost. Sir John informed us that, if another group of our Members would like to visit his home, a written appointment may be made.
Please note: the house is only open five times a year to the public. I would therefore, most strongly recommend another visit, and because there is just so much to be seen, I will tell you no more about it just now! If you would like to visit, a written appointment can be made. I could arrange a central meeting-place for a convoy of our members, and for the visit to be arranged at a time and date, mutually convenient for Sir John and for us. Please contact me in the first instance. Spains Hall is certainly a wonderful place and presents a unique experience to our members - an opportunity not to be missed
Before leaving for home, Oliver announced the winners of the Mystery Run competition; namely Joyce and Robin and awarded them their prizes - a book and a box of chocolates
So, Oliver excelled himself I would therefore, on behalf of all the Cambridge MGOC members who took part in the Mystery Run, like to thank him once again for organising not only the run, but also the 'magical' visit to Spains Hall.
NB: I have, by the way, written a short note to Colonel Sir John Ruggles-Brise expressing our delight and our thanks. I have also promised to send him a photograph of our cars lined-up outside Spains Hall - which will be sent to him as soon as it is available
(courtesy of Joyce and Robin, or Sarah and Jeremy).
Jacqueline Deakin
News Letter Editor
Fred, thats my dad, and I set off fairly early on Sunday, 6th September to join in the second Norwich Area 'Memorial Run' at its start-point in Rachheath. It was quite 'misty' when we left home, but fortunately the weather was brighter later on in the day. When we, and all the other entrants arrived, we were offered a cup of coffee or tea and a bacon sandwich.
I estimate that approximately ninety cars were lined up there (about half of which were MGs), ready to set out on the run. This took us all us on a visit to several World War II R.A.F and U.S.A.F airfields and memorials in Norfolk. It also took in part of the Norfolk Broads at Potter Hiegham and Horning.
We all finished up at Blickling Hall, which used to be Headquarters for R.A.F Oulton.
As I said earlier, only about half of the cars were MGs - the other half consisted of various makes, including a Jaguar Mk. II, Reliant Scimitar, Rover 75, a Lotus Elan still in the process of being built (the owner had to fit a new fuel line that he had bought) before he could proceed further, a Porsche 911, and even the Hillman Imp Club decided to come along.
We both enjoyed our day out in the Norfolk area (the fact that it did not rain the whole time helped).
From next year the Run will take place in Suffolk - alternating each year between this county and Norfolk.
Peter Callus
AS the bright yellow sports car pulled up at Checkpoint Charlie, the heavily armed soldiers gave it a cursory inspection and waved it through It was the height of the Cold War and the East German border guards were on alert for citizens trying to escape the iron fist of Communism But it was obvious to anyone the MG Midget, driven by a young British engineer, was too small to hold much in the way of contraband, let alone conceal a human. Less than an hour later, Graham Coates was helping another of his friends from the secret compartment he had created for their first taste of freedom.
For 25 years he kept silent about his adventures as a bored 22 year old helping smuggle seven people over the border to the West. But yesterday the unsung hero finally came in from the cold as the Germans awarded him a Knight of Saxony medal
Mr Coates, now a 47 year old father of two began smuggling as a moneymaking venture while working in West Berlin He took luxury items such as clothes fruit and books to the East, making big profits.
He and a friend then built a four-foot compartment between the seats and boot of his MG after reducing the fuel tank to just one litre He said: “I was young and I loved the cloak and dagger. I still can't believe I was not shot. But I never made a penny smuggling people." Most were students small enough to hide in the compartment with virtually no air. But the rnissions ended when he was reported to the Government. Mr Coates said: The car was so conspicuous you would never think anyone would be stupid enough to smuggle in it."
Mr Coate’s heroics finally emerged after he was recognised while in the West Indies in August by Sleghard Scherbe, the son of one of the men he helped. His father who has asked not to be named - invited Graham, from Winchcombe, in Gloucestershire, to Germany. They took him to a ceremony in Dresden where he was handed a Knight of Saxony medal - one of only 25 ever awarded.
Our thanks to Ray Bossam who found the above story in his newspaper!
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