Cars
and motoring form a significant part of all our lives and there can’t be many
of us whose recollections of the past and present don’t include memorable
vehicles or journeys. With these thoughts in mind, Memory Cafe organisers chose
a motoring theme for our June meeting, and guests driving into the Village Hall
car park were surprised to see along the edge of the field a display of
‘retro’, vintage and collectable cars together with their proud owners.
Moving
into the hall there was a chance to sit and catch our breath with suitably
themed puzzles and word-searches and interesting displays of photographs and
motoring memorabilia to stir memories: old petrol cans, a wooden steering
wheel, early number plates, tax discs recently consigned to history, a driving
licence from 1920, souvenir racing programmes, model cars .... and more!
The weather
was on our side, so it was soon time to venture back outside for a close look
at our seventeen visiting vehicles which included three Austin Sevens, a
variety of different model MGs, a Morris Minor, a 1973 VW Variant Squareback, a
1986 Triking V1000cc 3-wheeler, a 1980 Porsche 911sc coupe sport and even a
1964 Lambretta! There was a chance to look under bonnets and in boots, and to
climb inside and recall the distinctive smells and trimmings. Our generous
owners were more than happy to talk about and share memories of their treasured
motors. To see and hear about such a range of vehicles from different eras was
fascinating, and a number of the older cars had distinctive ‘personalities’ and
even names, including Olive, Susan, Ardie and Percy!
As
the travellers returned, everyone was ready for afternoon tea and we were
delighted that many of our visitors joined us for this and stayed on for the
remainder of the afternoon.
Val
Doonican’s song ‘O’Rafferty’s Motor Car’ then set the mood for a Car and
Motoring Quiz and there was plenty of time for reminiscences and stories of
first cars, driving lessons, special occasions, journeys and much more.
What an afternoon! The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all and a special thanks must go to all those motoring enthusiasts who gave their time, effort and expertise to enable Crantock Memory Cafe members and helpers to relive motoring days gone by, or to experience them for the first time! Thanks also to our catering team who were kept very busy and to all who made this special event possible.
