The Border Reivers Run 2006
What a day!! Even the weather gods were driving Gilberns over the weekend 7th&8th October, certainly as far as the lack of rain was concerned. My partner in crime Richard, kept repeating the phrase "God drives a Gilbern!"
We all duly congregated in the car park at Floors Castle, and after introductions and some banter, the instructions were handed out. From the car park, we all moved round to the front of the Castle for a photo session with Mr Bob Weir - the motoring correspondent for the Scotsman newspaper and also Classics Monthly. (NB a half page article on Gilberns appeared in the 20th October issue of the Scotsman).
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After the arrival of Tony Hayward, more photos were taken, although this time including Roger Ashelford's Lotus Elise, Richard Howell's Nobel and David Parnaby's Vauxhaul Signum
Our list of starters consisted of:
Gareth Brooks & Diane McEwan from Barrow - Mk2
Roger & Margaret Taylor from Penrith _ Mk2
Vic & Kate Champness from Bishops Stortford - Mk2
Jim & Moira Donald from Meigle, Perthshire - Mk3
Tony Hayward from Tynemouth - Mk3
Richard Clarke from Durham - Mk3
Hutch Grant from Edinburgh - Mk3
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Plus the Lotus, Nobel & Vauxhaul; a total of ten cars were then duly flagged away by my wife Liz and daughter Vicky.
All safely away, Richard & myself then duly cut across country to meet everyone at the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel; where everyone stopped for tea etc. It has to be said that the largest bill did score 10 points!
From Dryburgh, where Earl Haig & Sir Walter Scott are buried, we moved on to Fedburgh to find the answers to a couple of clues about Jedburgh Abbey & Mary Queen of Scots. From Jedburgh, there was the opportunity to enjoy some open road motoring back to Kelso and from Kelso up to Swinton; where we all met up for a super meal. We had a dining room to ourselves and were all seated in a square. Some serious chat, but mainly ongoing banter marked the progress of the meal. We recommend the Wheatsheaf Inn, Swinton!
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Being, of course 'awash' with prizes, we all donned our wellies during the coffee course for the major prize giving. These being awarded a s follows:
1st and Gilbern Spares voucher - Gareth & Diane - Mk2
2nd and Gilbern Road test book - Jim & Moira - Mk3
3rd and foot pump - John Davies (a new member) and Richard Howell - Nobel
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So the time went by, as Geoffrey Palmer (yes, the actor) was in the bar as we moved through to pay our dues. Mr Palmer goes fishing on the Tweed every year (another one for Mr Frankland).
Sunday was a bit of an anticlimax after the high of Saturday. However, the appearance of Alan Pearson with his '67 Genie did provide excitement. And so it ended!
Thank you for everyone for coming - Roger & Thurza from Somerset, Vic & Kate from Bishops Stortford and all the other locals who all contributed in many ways to making the '06 Border Reivers Run a day to remember.
Thanks also to the (aforesaid) Roger Frankland and Paul Yates with their kind support and of course helping us with the prizes.
Finally, keep the second weekend (13th/14th October) free in 2007 ! This is because the 2007 Border Reivers Run will take place then ~ and will be taking in Hadrian's Wall from Carlisle to the east, then to Alnwick Castle and gardens for the Sunday. You have been told!
Hutch Grant
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