Sunday 8 October once again saw many and various vehicles
arrive at Derek Marder’s establishment for his annual Open Day and Road Run. I
believe that this year it got entitled ‘Dying Embers Day’, and this
indicates that there was a lot of fire beneath a lot of boilers.
About a dozen assorted steam-powered vehicles set off around the ten mile
circuit, and your scribe discovered a number of them parked in a line outside a
pub about half way around. The publican must have thought it was his birthday
since most of the rollers and traction engines were towing a trailer full of
passengers, after the manner of Phil Hatley with his tractor at the Barbecue!
Apart from the steam contingent there were about fifty or sixty other vehicles
including a goodly handful of Sevens. It was good to see Mike Gerring there with
his Austin Seven powered Brough combination, and also no less than three Ulsters
(including Bernard’s) and a Nippy.
The road run terminated at Wyke Down for a good lunch, and then back the three
quarters of a mile to Derek’s for tea and wads.
This event gets bigger and better every year, and I do hope that it does not
become a victim of its undeniable success.
Many, many thanks are due to Derek and Sandra who must put in a tremendous
amount of effort beforehand to achieve the perceived ‘let it all just happen’
appearance on the day.
As I have been heard to remark on a number of occasions – but still as true as
ever – Aladdin never had a cave so good!!!!!
