A Busy Weekend

A Busy Weekend

The beginning of August 2024, already, and a busy weekend was lined up for Alvis trips. Firstly, there was Palmers Farm near Eastbourne and following that on Sunday, a very early start for the Goodwood Classic car Breakfast.

Owen Swinerd organised another visit to Palmers Farm, owned by AOC member Tony Palmer. Tony has recently restored an Alvis.

Firebird Saloon. The great attraction about Palmers Farm is, that it has its own airfield and it gives everyone the opportunity to watch enthusiastic flyers drop in for an informal get-together. Tony and his wife lay on a great spread for Alvis owners and Pilots, with lovely views over the Sussex countryside and being able to watch the variety of old and modern aircraft flying in and out. An as an ex-private pilot myself, I would fly over the area and saw the airfield from the air. It was great to visit it from the ground.

Sunday morning meant an early start (leaving at 6am!) to drive over to Goodwood. Originally, we were going to take the Austin Healey, however, the car is not very well at the moment, so we managed to get it swapped for the Alvis. Designated parking was on the Woodcote straight just up from the chicane.

Due to the volume of cars and people even the breakfast meetings are ticketed now. We arrived in good time, got a good parking spot and wandered over to the aerodrome café for breakfast, meeting up with other Healey friends on the way. After a hearty breakfast it was time for a stroll round and see what eclectic mix of cars had turned up and also see if we could spot a few more Alvises. Further down Woodcote we came across Robin Torrance and Philp Olden with their dropheads.

All in all, a very pleasant and enjoyable weekend and the TD had plenty of exercise too.

Author: Richard Long

Pictures: Richard Long