September Road Run
to Coughton Court on 2 September 2007
Midget Register September Road Run
There are many sporting events which automatically find their way onto the
annual calendar, events which are not to be missed or events that we would like
to get invited to. These include The Cheltenham Festival, Ascot, Wimbledon, the
British Grand Prix, Henley Regatta, and then at the beginning of September, yes
the Midget Register September Road Run. This has now been a regular event on the
sporting calendar for the past eight years, each time starting at the GWR
railway centre at Toddington in Gloucestershire and by way of a different route
through the Cotswolds ending up at a stately house and gardens. This year was no
different.
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, to give it its full name, runs along
part of the former GWR mainline from Birmingham to Cheltenham. The restored line
now runs for ten miles from its base at Toddington to Cheltenham race course.
When we arrived at Toddington on Sunday 2nd September on a bright sunny morning
we were greeted by the sight, sounds and smell of steam that was emanating from
The City of Truro, loco no 3440. This was ready to haul the first train of the
day, but unfortunately not for us today. Our attention was drawn to the car park
full of MGs, 68 in all. And the smell of bacon rolls.
On arrival Dennis Wharf and his crew welcomed us and handed over our
instructions for the day, including daunting warnings about flooding, broken up
road surfaces and other motorists. Such was the attention to detail that we were
told of a particularly severe pothole at precisely 18 miles from the start after
we had turned a right hand bend. Woe betide if we missed that one!
The weather was such that all hoods were neatly stowed and all sunroofs were
opened. Following final preparations to car, driver and navigator we set off on
the route. The trip counter was set and the tulips laid out for us to follow.
First a right turn then after seven tenths of a mile a left, another one point
four miles and a right, point three of a mile and another left. We had covered
just 2 miles but were already off the A roads and |B roads and onto the unmarked
white roads. The magical mystery tour had begun.
The route took us north through the villages of Stanway, Stanton and Snowshill,
then south to Temple Guiting and Kineton. A selection of wonderful Cotswold
stone villages, many more of which we would see today.
We approached the 18 mile mark, look out for that dreaded pot hole. We found the
right hand bend but we were concentrating on the route so much that we forgot to
look out for the pot hole. Sorry Dennis, we missed it! Too busy watching the
road and the magnificent scenery..
We now found ourselves on a track marked “unsuitable for motor vehicles”, but
following Dennis’s route we pressed on. A rough track with grass down the centre
and not another car in sight, except for the occasional MG. Views like this
don’t come from travelling down the M1. A study of the OS map revealed that this
road was called the Salt Way. This was part of the medieval network of routes
across the country from the salt mines of Cheshire and Droitwich and were used
to distribute salt around the country. This particular route can be traced from
Worcester, past Toddington, Winchcombe, Stow on the Wold, and Salperton and on
to Lechlade where the salt was transferred to boats. From there it was taken all
the way to London along the Thames.
Across the A436 and on towards the village of Hazleton, over the course of an
old railway which ran from Bourton on the Water to Cheltenham. Now I know that I
am no longer as young as I think, but as a lad in short trousers I can remember
seeing the chugging tank engine pulling its single coach along this particular
embankment towards Andoversford . Oh what memories!
Onto the A40 for a short way passed the Pusedown Inn, a regular stopping point
for the coach and four after its climb from Northleach, but now only for the
refreshment of the passengers.
Compton Abdale, Yanworth, Northleach and a left turn to Hampnett only. A narrow
lane which opened out to reveal meadows sloping down from the hamlet, the house
of the lord of the manor with tiny church and a scene which has probably not
changed in more than a hundred years. This is why we are on this run.
Our route is now progressing northwards through open farmland and high hills of
Turkdean, Notgrove and Ayleworth, further to the valleys and woods around
Batsford park, a venue used recently by the MGB register for their own road run.
As we travel north there is also a subtle change in the style and colour of the
stone cottages, from the creamier south to the honey golden brown of the north.
Draycott, Paxford and Ebrington are passed and on to the famous gardens of
Hidcote and Kiftsgate. Both of these are well worth a visit but need more time
than we have today. We now leave Gloucestershire and enter the county of
Hereford and Worcester, with the arrival of Bideford on Avon. All looks peaceful
now but I am sure that it was not like this a few weeks ago when the Avon burst
its banks.
We are now 72 miles from the start and the thought is of lunch. Do we stop at
one of the many inviting pubs or press on to the end and picnic. Coughton Court
is our goal so on we go. Only a ford to negotiate and we are there. MG signs
guide us in and the marshals direct us to the parking area where we can now
relax and reflect on a most enjoyable day.
Due to the extensive flooding experienced at Coughton Court our exploring is
curtailed. We are unable to visit all the gardens and the house is only open for
a number of guided tours. This is a pity as it has so much to offer. The house
has been in the same family, the Throckmortons, since it was built around 1630.
It also holds a unique place in English history with its close connections to
the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The house and extensive gardens warrant a separate
visit as we are unable to do them justice on our restricted afternoon.
The Midget Register’s September Road Run is always something to look forward to,
however this year I believe they have surpassed themselves. There was so much to
see, such wonderful countryside, pretty villages, and superb country lanes which
were almost devoid of other traffic. You could repeat this route many times
without becoming bored.
Our thanks must therefore go to everyone involved, the GWR, the staff at
Coughton Court, and of course Dennis Wharf and the Midget Register. Roll on next
year!
