National 2007

National 2007

Organising Committee Chairman looks back. (Rod's Report)

"… a period of persistent rain spreading eastwards across central and southern parts of England… locally heavy… over an inch falling within 6 hours…the Environment Agency is warning that everywhere in England and Wales is currently saturated….possibility of flash flooding caused by surface water…."
Jerome Senn's involvement with SAOC began as recently as 2002 when he bought what he describes as a "completely unmolested Series V Sportster". When John Douglas moved to the Solent Area, Jerome took over the Herts and Beds Area Rep responsibility. "Shortly before last years National I had my arm twisted by a Simon Edwards whose name shall not be mentioned." he recalled. That's how he got the "Hot Seat" of chairing the 2007 National Organising Committee. So it was quite a challenge and an achievement that his small but keen Committee produced such a successful National. Jerome had attended the previous four Nationals, most of them for the whole weekend, so he knew the format. Historically the Herts & Beds Area monthly meeting has always been with the Chiltern Area Rapiers so it was suggested that the National be a joint SAOC & SROC National. It was all “go” following the approval by both club committees." My counter-part, SROC's Ron Atherton, had a lot more experience at organising these events and proved invaluable. We looked at various sites but decided on Buckinghamshire Railway Centre as a venue following a suggestion by Ron who had previously attended motoring events at Quainton." he said.

Quainton proved ideal geographically, with easy Motorway and "A" road access and with Westcott close by. The station building was once Rewley Road in Oxford and now relocated to Quainton Road. The site also provided adequate toilet and shower facilities together with acres of available parking and camping space. There was also plenty to keep the Alpine & Rapier members and their families occupied over the weekend with visits to the museum, steam train rides, the Rootes archive centre, a leisurely road run and a coach trip to Bicester Village. The Station proved to be the ideal setting for the Saturday nights entertainment. The dining area was the railway platform, flagged by beautifully restored engines and carriages. The members sat at large round tables enjoying the Hog Roast dinner whilst the three piece Jazz band mingled with the diners keeping them amused and entertained.

Biggest challenge? The rally took place during the peak of the UK's newly established monsoon season, when the country was sinking under rain, and floods were sweeping the land, including parts of the SAOC rally field. "Would this National, the first ever to be organised by the new members of the Herts and Beds be remembered as a “Wash Out”?" was Jerome's greatest fear. Wednesday, the set up day, was quite pleasant, the field had dried out. However come Thursday the rain came down relentlessly. "Our telephones and those at the Railway Centre never stopped ringing with anxious members enquiring if the event would be taking place" he remembered, adding, "The rain eased on Friday and our prayers were answered with Saturday bringing out the Sun for the Sunbeams." The worst was over, Jerome felt the Weekend went OK, even though a few members needed a bit of help when leaving the campsite. He thought the combining of the SAOC and SROC National's worked well. The SROC national had previously been a 'Sunday only' event, however their members seemed to enjoy the long weekend programme. In Jerome's view, it was good to meet up with new faces and cars, even if engines and badges looked familiar. It was a disappointment, he thought, that the Tiger Club had arranged their National on the same Sunday or the combination of Sunbeam Clubs could have been even bigger.

The Good News Jerome and his Committee should be proud that they put on a successful event but even managed to add a few coffers to the bank balances of both the SAOC and the SROC in the process. This was mainly achieved through both Clubs having fixed overheads for their respective Nationals, which became economies by working together. Also he was pleased that Concours winners had awards which neatly blended road and rail in their design, reflecting the success of The Sunbeam National 2007.

Thanks He would like to express his thanks for the support of the SAOC committee and to all the members too numerous to mention for the help and support received during the organising of the National. To our sponsors who donated generously and lastly but by no means least to all of you who braved the weather by attending the rally and making it a National to remember. "Thank You". He wished the Solent Area every success with the 2008 National at Beaulieu, commenting "I am looking forward to this National. I intend enjoying every moment of it “.

Thursday and Friday