2009 Show Special - British Driving Society

British Driving Society
HORSE PASSPORT
CHANGES
From 5th July all equines over
six months of age, not already
in possession of a passport, will
by law have to be signed OUT of
the human food chain. All new
equine passport applications
require the animal to be
microchipped. The application
form must be accompanied by
two microchip bar code stickers.
The new application forms can
be found on the BDS website.
Don’t Forget
the Dragon
Drive
in the Heart of Wales
26th & 27th
September 2009
It is now approaching the well
established Eighth Dragon Drive in
Mid Wales.
Don’t miss this wonderful
opportunity to enjoy two spectacular
days of off road driving and a relaxed
atmosphere. Views to blow the mind,
forest tracks, tranquil lanes and old
drovers tracks. Singles and Multiples
welcome. Equine and human
accommodation arranged for you.
Perfect for getting away from all that
traffic. Experience the tranquillity
that this secret part of Wales has to
offer.
Why not take the opportunity
of staying a few more days to drive
other routes or tour and see more of
this beautiful area.
A few places remaining but, be
quick. Contact Emma Stevens (A.C.
Mid West Wales) tel: 01591-610515
BDS News | page 2
North Norfolk Traditional Driving Group
The North Norfolk Traditional Driving Group was
formed recently to organise social events and regular
pleasure drives on our quiet Norfolk country roads with
traditional type vehicles, there is at present a small but
growing membership and non-members wishing to attend
occasional drives are very welcome. The Group’s first
drive of 2009 took place on Easter Sunday starting from
Chairman Tony Gladden’s Primrose Farm at Roughton,
five well turned out traditional turnouts braved the bitter
easterly wind and sea fog as the route went through the
scenic North Norfolk countryside before stopping for a
short break on the grassy clifftop car park at Cromer where
the Lady Mayoress met the group members and then
enjoyed a short drive through the town to Cromer Hall,
home of Mr and Mrs Cabell Manners, in a Lawton tennis
car driven by Tony Gladden. Everyone enjoyed a sherry or
port and fruit cake at the hall before the turnouts headed
Sponsored Drive
This is the second sponsored drive that we have
organised on behalf of the Lackham RDA Driving
Group from Manor Farm, West Overton. The long Drive
is about 12 miles and can be quite demanding in places
but there is no time limit so everyone can go at a pace that
matches their turnout. Sadly we had fewer entries than
last year, so missed our target of £1500 by a long way, with
a total of just over £500 compared with £1000 last year,
a sign of the times I expect, or may be the Saturday date
was less convenient. It was a very blustery day, as I soon
found out with my starter’s check list nearly taking off,
but the rain held off thankfully and everyone came back
saying how much they had enjoyed themselves and then
there were some very leisurely picnics in the lorry field
with friends meeting up and having a good chat. It never
ceases to amaze me how helpful drivers are to one another,
it so happened that one of the turnouts cast a shoe on the
way to the drive and who just happened to arrive at the
same time as another member who is a farrier and who
You may remember from the last
report I wrote that Stephanie
was at that time travelling with
Roger and her husband John, to
complete a major chunk of the
Counties from the South-East right
up into the borders of Scotland,
and then back through some of
the Counties in the North West. In
all Stephanie has now completed
Stephanie in Devon
43 counties which include 5 in
Scotland and 4 in Northern Ireland. Stephanie is hoping to
complete a further 4 or 5 drives in Wales and the remainder
in England. If anyone can help with lorry parking for a few
hours in South Warwickshire and Hereford\Worcestershire
back to Primrose Farm where delicious home-made soups
and other refreshments were kindly provided by Mrs
Jean Gladden. A big thank you must go to Mr Stephen
Eagle and Ms Fiona Davies. who acted as stewards along
the route and of course to our hosts for organizing a very
enjoyable day out.
Late Show Affilliations
Wragby Show and Country Fayre, Wragby, Lincolnshire
Sunday 6th September
Contact Mr G Brown on 01522 810821.
Classes include Private Driving with a Road Drive,
Concours d’Elegance and Pleasure Driving.
carries his tools with him – new shoe popped on - problem
solved! The bluebells were particularly stunning this year
in the West Woods near Marlborough, we had obtained a
permit from the Forestry Commission to drive through the
woods. This year despite having Stewards we managed
to lock two turnouts in the wood! As previously arranged
they had taken a picnic and had just turned off the main
track, the last turnout that started had told the stewards
that they were the last but unfortunately they had not
checked their list that everyone else had passed through
their checkpoint. Fortunately the picnickers spotted a local
resident who knew the gate combination and was able to
let them out, which was very fortunate as the mobile phone
reception turned out to be a bit iffy in the woods. All the
entries received a certificate to say they had completed the
drive together with a Commemorative rosette for both the
whip and the groom.
Hazel Woodbridge (AC)
Stephanie Dale – 50 Counties at 50
border areas please can you contact
Stephanie direct, and she would
love your company if you are able to
join her on one of these drives.
I think she should be
congratulated for her achievements
to date and hopefully by the next
time I write the challenge will have
been completed.
Please don’t forget if you would
like to contribute to Stephanie’s
nominated charities. Either call her on 01666 505051 or go
to www.justgiving.com/stephaniedale or www.rda.org.uk
Hazel Woodbridge
Urgent Plea to New Forest Carriage Drivers
We have been asked by the Forestry Commission, again, if we will please
remind all our members to drive only on the gravel tracks and not to use
any other parts of the Forest unless special permission has been given
for certain events. We have had several requests denied us this year due
to the Forest now becoming increasingly busy , so please could we urge
you all to stick to the rules and not let the minority spoil things for the
majority. Thank you.