914 INTERNATIONAL 2010
This year it was the turn of Porsche Club Great Britain to host the International meeting and where better to go than the Hotel owned by a good Club members and 914 enthusiasts, the Howells family. The meeting was based at The Royal Oak Hotel, Symonds Yat right alongside the River Wye in the most beautiful location.
On Friday afternoon the car park was cordoned off ready, the weather was absolutely perfect and a small band of us awaited the arrival of 58 914s. Well 58 were booked but one failed before crossing the channel. 49 cars crossed the channel from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Holland and a further 8 from all corners of Britain. Some had already enjoyed a touring holiday before arriving, one German 914 had travelled all around the Welsh coast, and others were planning a holiday touring Devon and Cornwall before returning home.
With no other make or model allowed to spoil the display we soon had quite a spectacular car park. The first thing that struck you was the stunning condition of all the 914s. There was not one in need of restoration or tlc. Secondly the array of bright colours created a wonderful scene. When you see a gathering of modern Porsches there are clerical grey, silver and black, a very sombre sight, how times have changed! Thirdly there were no two 914s the same, with many different colours and different engines from 1.7 flat four to 3.2 flat 6.
At this point your scribe was feeling rather out of place having sold his 914/6 two years before in favour of a 356 but was given car park duties to earn his keep. Car park duties comprised of a detailed inspection of each car as it arrived and making sure that the 914 International rally plaque and sticker was fitted.
First on Friday evening there was a champagne "Welcome Reception" on the lawns overlooking the river. It was a perfect English summer night and the Hog Roast, which was very popular with our German guests, was served outside with happy reunions and 914 stories long into the night. It was rumoured that Graham, the Hotel manager, neglected his duties to give driving lessons to some of the ladies in his Grandfather's Cayman.
Porsche Centre Bristol and Cardiff kindly loaned our organiser, Ian Foster, a Panamera for the event to ensure there was transport for anyone in trouble but it also did a number of demonstrations as bemused 914 owners wished to make a comparison! One owner was so impressed he seemed serious in his intention to buy after the weekend.
Saturday morning was perfect weather again and all the 914s set off with their Road books to navigate the route down the Wye valley to Tintern and then across to Big Pit at Blaenavon. The coffee stop in Tintern at the Old Railway Station was a sticking point for many, the coffee brought them to life and the huge portions of homemade cake gave them energy to talk again. Consequently the schedule slipped a little but Big Pit had plenty of space with a reserved car park and no one noticed.
Big Pit laid on a traditional Welsh lunch of Cawl, cheese and crusty bread followed by Welsh Cakes, no slimming today! The trip down the mine is something all should do although it was difficult to persuade some. Not only is it very interesting but it does open your eyes to what went on in the past to provide the nation with fuel. The thought of very young children working in the dark and dust all day and of the ponies that only saw daylight once a year is something we do not comprehend now but it is not long ago.
Everyone travelled back to the Hotel in their own time. The rest of the afternoon was very relaxed for some who sat on the lawn eating ice cream. There was a boat trip on the Wye included in the package and canoeing for the more daring. The more energetic embarked on a walk alongside the river, crossed upstream and returned down the opposite bank to return to the Hotel by the rope ferry.
The evening started with drinks on the lawn and a presentation or rather tasting of a locally made cider. Needless to say the laughter got louder and louder. Dinner was served in the dining room and followed with dancing to the Fair Warning band although many adjourned to the lawns again to enjoy the warm evening.
Sunday morning was another prompt start with the drive to Prescott. The road book provided set out suggested leaving times, mileages, approximate journey times and tulip signs for directions. This worked very well and we think no one was lost or had difficulty navigating.
The Car Park attendants were ready and waiting and the 914s were formed into a display opposite the hill from the restaurant to please all the photographers. Following coffee and more large slices of cake everyone formed up in batches of 20 cars for the cavalcade up the hill. While our E-type hosts were having an early lunch break the 914s were let loose to try their skills at hillclimbing.
There were a number who enjoyed the experience and were quickly back to the start for another go. Jonathan Williamson, a many times hillclimb champion, joined us for the day with his 914/6 just to help with car parking but could not resist the opportunity to drive up the hill and our Hotelier, Paul Howells, arrived in a magnificent 2.7 911 RSR just to do a few practice climbs.
And then it was on to Cornbury House, Porsche Club HQ, for a picnic lunch courtesy of Aldi. Our Club Chairman, Andrew Kenyon, welcomed everyone and gave a short talk about Cornbury House and the "Open day" team led by Harriet Shannon and other prominent members looked after all the overseas guests. Club shop proved very popular with lots of "goodies" to take home. Some of the attending overseas Club presidents used the opportunity to give thanks for the event and make announcements concerning the 914 International next year.
Sadly one 914, belonging to the German President, failed to start for the journey home. A large "committee" formed and decided it was the fuel pump but no one was able to effect a quick repair. This left poor Udo Breur in a difficult spot as he had to be home for business on Monday morning. Graham back at the Royal Oak co-ordinated and organised the plan. The Panamera was loaned for just this situation so Ian and Julie ferried the stranded couple to Birmingham airport to catch the plane home booked by Graham. Graham also collected his father's Race Shuttle trailer and your scribe was dispatched to Moreton in Marsh to collect the 914. As we arrived back at Symonds Yat with the 914 the Panamera followed us down the lane on its return from Birmingham. We were all back in time to join everyone for dinner and more entertainment.
Monday morning saw a small number bidding farewell and heading for home but the majority were studying their road book for the next adventure. The journey this morning headed into Wales to a very unusual factory, the only Whiskey distillery in Wales. Members arrived following a wonderful route through the mountains for a conducted tour of this unusual and unique process of distilling whiskey and the inevitable tasting. Many were seen carrying large numbers of bottles back to their cars!
A short drive down the road was the lunch stop, a long drive up to a country house, Ty Newydd Country House Hotel, set in beautiful gardens and with large car parks. The Hotel set out a superb buffet for everyone which was the opportunity for some final formal "good byes" and thanks. Members departed wearing their new red and white 914 caps with matching umbrellas (used as sun shades this weekend) and a 914 bag of goodies that included Porsche Club USB stick, 914 mouse mat, a copy of Porsche Post and membership pack, hand cream courtesy of Aldi, a polishing cloth and accident report booklet courtesy of Motivation the official Porsche body repair specialists in South Wales and a Visit Wales book impressively in the appropriate language.
Huge thanks and praise must be given to Club members Chris and Pauline Palmer who appeared at almost every stop to take pictures. All members went home with a picture of their car as a memory of the event and a huge number are available online at www.914international.com – click on Gallery and then on International meeting.
Great praise and thanks must also go to The Royal Oak Hotel where all the staff entered into the spirit of the event, the food and service was superb and the manager, Graham, was the best host we could have wished for (when not stealing his Grandfather's Cayman to take ladies for rides!).
We must also thank our sponsors: Porsche Centre Bristol and Cardiff, Aldi, Ashbrook Garage and Pole Position Books, Exclusive Games Ltd, IAF Design, Motorvation Body Repairs Ltd. The New Inn Mayshill, Oak Tree Garage Devon, Chris Palmer Photography, Red Castle Classics, The Royal Lodge Hotel, Sandydown Bodyworks Ltd. Southern Auto Services, Total Merchandise Westview at Llowes, and Wyedean Canoe Centre.
Last and most important everyone must be very grateful to the organisers, Ian and Julie Foster, who worked tirelessly to cover every detail for many months prior to the event and made this one of the best organised events in the Clubs history.
Next year the event will be held in June at Rheims, France
by Terry Davison
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