Sun shines on Guild P&O Euro Classic

The wide range of cars taking part made the line-up particularly interesting. For example, the oldest car on the trip was Paul and Josy Buckett’s delightful 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, the second oldest being Andrew and Katherine Morland’s beautiful 1950 MG YT Tourer.

Moving upwards through the decades towards ‘modern classics’, there were sports cars, elegant Bentley and Rolls-Royce models, and ‘everyday’ models of their respective eras – including a Ford Granada Mark I and an Austin A35.

There were also three MGs – all owned by John Griffiths, who deservedly received an award at the Gala Dinner for his kindness in loaning two of them so that others could participate: ‘Team MG’ comprised the ‘B’ Roadster driven by Reg and Jo Burnard, the MGB GT V8 Sebring piloted by John and Peggy Griffiths, and the TF 160VVC in the care of Bob and Constance Kocher, who flew from their native America to take part.

This year’s Classic began at the Battle of Britain Museum on the historic Hawkinge Aerodrome, which was followed by a short drive to Dover to board the P&O vessel Spirit of France. Lunch was enjoyed on board as the French coast beckoned in the sunshine.

After a 55-mile run south-westwards along the Channel coast, the imposing Grand Hotel at Le Touquet (the Classic’s base) was reached. The evening was spent at the nearby Casino Barrière, where participants enjoyed a Champagne reception, followed by a superb meal.

Both this, and lunch aboard the ferry were kindly sponsored by Chris Laming and P&O Ferries.

Over the next two days, places of interest on the diligently planned driving routes included the Agincourt battle site, the charming walled town of Montreuil sur Mer, the hamlet of Crécy, and St Valery sur Somme – on the Somme estuary, with the air of a seaside resort.

On returning to the Grand Hotel on the Saturday, all enjoyed the wonderful Gala Dinner, kindly sponsored by Paul Buckett and Volkswagen UK.

For a full report, see the July/August edition of Update, The Guild newsletter.