V8 weekend in Lincolnshire
For V8 enthusiasts a part of the MG calendar not to be missed is the annual V8 Register tour. This is traditionally a long weekend in late September and early October that is organised by members of the V8 Register, usually a couple, who volunteer to showcase their part of the UK. This year we were given a taste of what Lincolnshire has to offer, courtesy of Mike and Maria Taylor, owners of a very smart V8 Roadster. Bob Owen reports on the tour over the long weekend of 29th September to 2nd October 2006. (4.10.06)

As usual, discrimination was relaxed and we had several participants who were a couple of cylinders short of a full set; I refer of course to the MGC contingent, led by the irrepressible Vic Young, which comprised five of the total of twenty eight cars. We even had an MGA, albeit a twin-cam. Mike and Maria based us at the Bentley Hotel near Lincoln. It was an excellent choice - comfortable and well equipped with attentive service and good food, all at a reasonable price.

A full programme of events catered for the widest range of tastes. For the scenery fans there were the Lincolnshire Wolds with picturesque villages and the Fens with their dykes and causeways; for the history freaks we had Lincoln Castle and Tattershall
V8s in the grounds of Lincoln Castle (Photo: Mike Taylor)

Castle. For lovers of the macabre a visit to Lincoln Prison and its chapel and for aircraft buffs the exhibits of the Lincolnshire Aircraft Recovery Group at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirby.
Avro Lancaster Bomber NX611 'Just Jane'. (Photo: Bob Owen)

For shopaholics the chic boutiques of Lincoln were an attraction; for collectors the antique shops of Horncastle tempting; for pistonheads the roaring Merlin engines on the Lancaster at East Kirby were wonderful; for culture vultures we visited Stockwith Mill where Lord Tennyson penned some of his poetry; for the pious or those merely interested in architecture, we had Lincoln Cathedral and finally, for the Mrs Buckets/Hello readers/Fine Art appreciators amongst us, there was Burghley House - the setting for the recent film "Pride and Prejudice".

Our trips were broken with numerous coffee, tea and biscuit stops, most notably at the Petwood Hotel, one-time Officer's Mess of 617 Squadron of Dambusters fame, whose Squadron Bar is full of Dambusters memorabilia and photos. The weather forecast was depressing but good fortune (or global warming?) resulted in generally good weather with just one torrential downpour which rather spoilt the Stockwith Mill visit. Ambling along a babbling brook doesn't have quite the same appeal when a thunderstorm is raging.

Sadly, there is often one participant who lets down the good name of the group. This time it was none other than James (Jim) Gibson, treasurer of the V8 Register. His misdemeanour was spotted at Tattershall Castle which he had evidently defaced at an earlier visit. The picture says it all. As you can see, for one who came close to getting an ASBO, he shows little contrition.

As usual at these events, a highlight is wining and dining with like minded people each evening. With round tables of eight, conversation was free and easy and old friendships were renewed and new ones made. On the final (Sunday) night we had some fun with party quizzes. Despite cheating by recruiting the entire kitchen staff to assist (via a charming waitress to whom I promised "I'll see you're alright, my dear...") our table failed to win. I can only assume that the winning table unfairly cheated even more. A couple of short light hearted speeches were made in appreciation of Mike and Maria's excellent organisation.

Sue Walker produced her traditional and inimitable celebratory V8 cake, this year on the theme of the participants registration plates. Once again this was literally and metaphorically the icing on the cake of three very good evenings. (Photo: Bob Owen)

V8s at Burghley House (Photo: Bob Owen)

Burghley House, home of the Earls of Exeter, was the final venue on Monday and people were free to linger as long as they wished. It has some of the finest painted ceilings in England, the work of one Antonio Verrio (1639-1707). While working on the ceilings he lodged in nearby Stamford at the George Inn and his account was picked up by the Earl and deducted from his wages. Unfortunately, Antonio's appetite for fine food, claret and voluptuous women was such that after ten years work he ended up owing money to his employer! Let that be a lesson for all V8ers!

Finally, after Burghley, time and energy permitting, Mike and Maria suggested a look round nearby Stamford, one of the finest Georgian towns in England. Having spent some happy hours at Burghley, Carolyn and I found ourselves, as so often, last out of the MG car park. Is it because I am a slow reader? Or was it because we were reluctant to bring to a close a very enjoyable and faultlessly organised weekend? Thank you Mike and Maria - a hard act to follow for the organisers of next year's gathering at the annual V8 Register Tour.
Footnotes

Al Barnett (V8 Chairman) commented shortly after his return "the weekend was superbly organised by Mike and Maria and everyone I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The weather was generally good with just one tropical style downpour. I attach a picture taken outside Lincoln University I have some other pictures which I will mail to you later". (3.10.06)

V8s at Lincoln University (Photo: Al Barnett)


Avro Lancaster Bomber NX611 'Just Jane'. (Photo: Mike Taylor)

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, founded by two local farmers, the Panton Brothers, Fred and Harold Panton, on the site of RAF East Kirkby, as a memorial to their elder brother Pilot Officer Christopher Panton, who along with 55,000 other aircrew of Bomber Command lost their lives during WW2.
V8 Register - MG Car Club