TALBOT OWNERS' CLUB
TOC CHESHIRE WEEKEND/VSCC OULTON PARK REPORT
28/29th May 2005

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the windiest place in the world is Mount Washington, New Hampshire, USA, where a surface speed of 371.75 km/h (231 mph) was recorded on April 12, 1934. The state is often referred to as the White Mountain State - and the Switzerland of America - thanks to its beautiful, mountainous terrain and is famous for its appalling weather conditions. However, a new challenger for the record has arisen. Oulton Park, Cheshire on 28th May 2005 recorded a similar wind speed. Though no scientific instruments were used, several eyewitnesses provided anecdotal evidence, which will be taken into consideration.

Many comments were taken from the four people gamely holding down the TOC tent though none can be repeated in print. The tent in question was eventually dismantled to avoid the decapitation of any club members sheltering within. It is gratifying to know that the flag and tent have become club landmarks. Late arrivals were heard to comment "We've driven round the circuit four times looking for the flag". Protection from the howling gale was eventually provided by a horseshoe of Talbots within which hardy picnickers used their heaviest sandwiches to anchor down their plates.

Fortunately the action on the track provided adequate distraction from the weather. There was some superb racing in the Bill Philips Trophy race, in which John Ruston's Alta driven by James Diffey after a lot of very close dicing eventually triumphed over the Alfa Romeo 8C driven by James Baxter. Gareth Burnett in BGH23 struggling with fuel in the carburettor coming in 5th overall, 1st on handicap.

Gareth Burnett in BGH23 coming in 5th overall, 1st on handicap.

Gideon Hudson's first time in a Talbot at Oulton Park (Below) indicated he was still getting to know the ex-Burton Talbot, but he was full of smiles and appeared to be very relaxed and enjoying the weekend.

The Mellishes proved to have made an excellent choice of hotel for those staying for the weekend. Not sure what the Shire Horses in the centre next door thought about all the old cars being parked in their yard, but no complaints were heard from the stables. Dinner was excellent - and also attracted local Cheshire members Frank and Rosemary Haslam fresh back from sailing in the Caribbean.

The next morning gave us the opportunity to visit the 50 acres of Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre & Countryside Park with a private tour from the owner. Home of the internationally renowned Cotebrook Shire Horse Stud they have been breeding prize winning Shires at the Centre for over 30 years. As well as the Shires the group enjoyed seeing the wide selection of British animals & bird life both wild & domesticated including many rare breeds. These included miniature Shetland Ponies, Large Black Pigs, Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Birds of prey, Red Deer, Red Foxes and Red Squirrels. One of our youngest members (Isabel Ward, age 4, would have liked to take home the Shetland pony but unfortunately there is not enough room in the garage!).

Negotiating the excellent scenic route prepared by the Mellishes brought us all to our next port of call, the Anderton Boat Lift near Northwich. It is one of the greatest monuments to Britain's last canal age and known as the "Cathedral of the Canals". Built in 1875 it was the world's first and is currently the UK's only Boat Lift. The lift was designed by Edwin Clark and built in 1875. It was built to speed up the movement of cargoes, carrying salt, coal and clay between the Weaver Navigation and the Trent & Mersey Canal. The 50ft height difference between the two waterways was a constant problem and Clark's solution was to use a revolutionary new system of hydraulics, which could transport canal boats between the two waterways without the need for loading and unloading.

By 1904 a major overhaul was needed. The use of river water had caused serious corrosion to the lift's hydraulics. the hydraulic rams were removed and a massive assembly of shafts, gears, weights, wheels and pulleys erected over the lift. With the addition of an electric motor the modified lift was completed in 1908.

The Anderton Boat Lift was forced to close in 1983 due to deterioration. After lying silent for nearly two decades, the lift underwent a £7 million renovation and was reopened as a visitor attraction in March 2002. This ambitious scheme restored the Anderton Boat Lift back to its original working order. The Lift has been restored to hydraulic operation with the 1908 structure and pulley wheels retained as a static monument.

After a fascinating ride in the Lift and lunch on the canal nearby the Cheshire weekend came to a close, certainly a weekend to remember and hopefully the VSCC will return to Oulton next year - well done to Graham and Barbara.

Lucinda Ward.