Derek Marder - 2005 ........ Derek
Marder's Open Day 9th October 2005
This year has been a vintage one for splendid events, and it is hard to differentiate between some of them for top prize. Certainly, in my view, "Derek's Day" must be up there with the Brighton Run, and Phil Hatley's Barbeque. Derek's instruction beforehand was 'just turn up'. So that's what we did. John W and I arrived at about ten to find that the steam contingent had already established their boiler pressures! There was a wonderful warm smell about the place, which was just as lovely as all the smiling faces. The assortment of different vehicles included a motorcycle combination at the smaller end (though there were a lot of models in steam as well) through to an Atkinson eight wheel tipper and a Showman's engine at the larger size. In between there were tractors - both steam and diesel, rollers, commercial vehicles and cars of all sizes. Several stationary engines driving assorted equipment also graced the sheds.
There were five Austin Sevens present; well six really if one includes the motorcycle combination. This turned out to be an Austin Seven powered Brough. A 1930 engine and gearbox drives a shaft between twin A7 type spindly wheel to an A7 crown-wheel and pinion. The head was different in that the plugs came out of the side rather than the top of the head, in order to avoid the conventionally placed petrol tank. Being a motorcycle it had to have an Amal carburettor, but this was supplying mixture via a pretty standard up-draught manifold. The bike was attached to a Watsonian side car which I understand had been in place since new. As the morning wore on there was a gradual exodus from the yard as people departed on the ten mile road run. This took the 'convoy' around to the Wyke Down pub to park up for lunch. Some of the steam vehicles stopped for nourishment at a pub in Hurstbourne Priors which was about half way. Sevens were alright getting past the engines, but some of the larger vehicles had to breath in for a moment whilst passing!
At Wyke Down the usual excellent lunch facilities prevailed, and then outside again for yet more chatter. Finally the mile down the road back to Derek's yard for the tea and wads which he had of course laid on. Several of us spent a happy hour wandering around the huge domain just marveling at all the toys which are there.
There was so much else that one could write a book! The best suggestion is that next time you go and see it all for your self. Derek and Sandra, so very many thanks from all of us in the Solent Club for not only making, but allowing it to happen. You made some old men (and a lot of others) very happy!!!!!
By the way, Derek tells me that the Children's Hospice benefited to the tune of about three hundred pounds from the raffle, and that is good as well. Spanner. October 2005
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In Convoy 
