Our Sunday meeting in July was the New Forest Frolics Sports Day at Godshill. We started the day by leaving the St Leonards Hotel with extreme caution as the local law enforcement officers were out in force taking pretty pictures of passing cars. Once we were on our way we could concentrate on the scenic route, which had been carefully planned by Ian and Julia, and once again showed how fortunate we are to live around the Wessex area, and in this case Cranborne Chase and it`s surrounding countryside.

We arrived at Godshill where the local cricket team were preparing for an important match, so we set up our tables and chairs close by and tucked in to our picnic with the sound of leather on willow and shouts of “how’s that”.

Unfortunately the weather was a bit cloudy and very windy but that did not deter us from the task in hand and as teams were selected, you could smell the competition in the air (or was it something else!). Ian and John were designated as Team Captains and with their selections made, we were soon competing for honours (or was that mini chocolate bars?). A variety of games that included balls, wooden spoons, golf clubs and bean bags soon had everyone running around like children. The climax of the day`s activities was an hilarious three legged race with the newly formed couple of Simon and Colin proving to be the perfect match and taking the final honours.

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Our next Monthly Meeting will be on Sunday 1^st August and we shall be visiting Athelhampton House and Gardens, Athelhampton, Dorchester, DT2 7LG.

Sir William Martyn built the Hall at Athelhampton in about 1485 and received a license to enclose 160 acres of deer park and fortify the manor. The house remained in the Martyn family for the next 4 generations and was finally passed to four daughters. Their shares were not reunited until 1848 and after several owners, Alfred Cart de Lafontaine purchased the House in 1891 and restored it. In 1957, Athelhampton House was purchased by Robert Victor Cooke and in 1966 it was given to his son, Sir Robert Cooke MP. His son Patrick and wife Andrea currently run the House.

Athelhampton has been described as one of the finest 15^th Century country houses in England with stunning interiors, extensive gardens and a River Walk along the banks of the River Piddle. We will not be the only car club visiting that day as the Porsche owners car club will also be there.

You can bring a picnic or eat in the Topiary or Coach House Restaurant which caters for snacks, sandwiches, light lunches, Sunday carvery and daily specials.

We shall be meeting at the St Leonards Hotel, just west of Ringwood on the A31 (sat nav BH24 2NP) from 9.30am and ready to leave at 10.30am.

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Julia and I, accompanied by Chris and Denise, Neil and Murray, Colin, John and Doreen have just returned from Classic Le Mans where over 7000 classic cars grouped together around the famous circuit. The fabulous weather helped to make the days enjoyable with wall to wall sunshine and warm balmy evenings. This year was the celebration of the Steven McQueen film, Le Mans, and also the 40^th Anniversary of the first victory by a Porsche 917K in June 1970. Needless to say there were more classic Porsches there than any other classic model.

Chris and I were fortunate enough to do two laps of the historic Le Mans circuit. I don’t think my Elan has hit 125mph before but that is what we achieved down the Mulsanne Straight!! It was fantastic to be able to walk around the various Paddocks and get right up close to the drivers and cars including Bentleys, D type Jaguars, GT40’s, Porsche 917’s and Ferraris. There was also a vast trade village where you could buy anything from a Baseball cap to a £100,000 replica AC Cobra.

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Our August ‘Doddle around Donhead’ walk will be on Sunday 15^th and has been organised by Carol Jefferies and includes farmland, the Nadder river, forest and Old Wardour Castle.

As we will be in the middle of summer, we have decided to risk taking a picnic for lunch as this will give us flexibility and allow time to enjoy the area without the pressure of getting back to the pub for a specific time.

We will be meeting at the “Forester” pub in Donhead St Andrew, SP7 9EE at the later time of 11.00am and the walk will start at 11.15am.

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By way of a change and in response to popular requests we have decided to replace our walk in October with Horse Riding in The New Forest. Carol Jefferies and Denise have kindly researched this option and found a suitable stable near Fordingbridge which caters for all abilities from novice (that`s most of us) to experienced. The lesson will be an hour long, including any tuition,and the cost will be £30 per person.

Sunday 19^th September – Picnic at Lulworth Cove

Sunday 17^th October – Horse riding in The New Forest

Sunday 21^st November

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Celebrating 60 years of Grand Prix racing and some of the attractions at this event are:-

Some of us have already booked for this event and details of booking instructions can be found on their website – www.silverstoneclassic.com. The telephone number for tickets is 08712 310849 however, please speak to Ian on the number below should you have any questions.

Sunday 5^th September – Monthly Club run

(Details to follow in our August Newsletter)

This year is the turn of our 2009 victors Terry and Jacki to devise a Treasure Hunt and they have chosen to lead us around Bournemouth Gardens, starting and finishing at The Cumberland Hotel on the East Overcliff, Bournemouth.

We shall be returning to 　

Ian

www.wessexclublotus.co.uk