Annually, Cheltenham Cleeve Vale Rotary Club invites classic car owners to an event at the famous Prescott Hill Climb near Cheltenham. The event is open to all pre-1980 vehicles but exceptions may be made at the discretion of the organisers for particularly interesting vehicles.This latter category accommodates Nostalgia replicas.
The event begins on Saturday with a 60 mile tour of the Cotswold countryside starting and finish at Prescott with a complimentary cup of tea and home made cake at the finish. Sunday is devoted to display and driving the famous hill, with passengers if you wish, in marshalled but un-timed runs. Un-timed runs eliminate the need for crash helmets and the full gamut of safety equipment etc. However vehicles must have valid road tax, MOT and insurance documentation. Entries are limited to 200..
This years event was held on the 9/10th May. Once again the organsers had worked their magic on the weather. Whilst not as hot as last year, it was warm and dry. Ideal for the tour and driving the hill.
The tour is organised over a different route each year. Each entrant is given a detailed route book. These are easy to use even for novice navigators. This years 60 mile route took us to the south west and explored the area around Stroud. Starting out from Prescott the early part via Winchcombe was along "A" roads with beautiful scenic views over the countryside and the Malvern Hills in the distance. Arriving at Birdlip the tour began in earnest taking to narrow "B" roads, where care was needed because of limited passing places.
Painswick Village (left)
The village of Slad some 4 miles further on, is famous as the birth place of the author Laurie Lee. "Cider with Rosie", by Lee, has been at the centre of student studies of English literature since the early 60's. It is reported, in real life, that nothing happened under the hay cart and that Rosy didn't like cider.
Lee died in 1997 and is buried in the church yard with the epitaph; "He lies in the valley he loved" . This beautiful valley still silently shouts of peace and tranquility and echoes the past that Lee knew as a boy.
The last resting place of Laurie Lee (left)
The Slad Valley - "Cider with Rosy country" (right)
We continued across Rodborough Common where we made a mistake that took some time to correct, but back on track we were soon heading up Cleeve Hill past our hotel and looking out over Bishops Cleeve to the Malvern Hills. Only a short distance toPrescott, the route via Winchcombe, guided us back to our starting point and that welcome cup of tea.
There was more to see and do on the tour than can be covered here. Hopefully we have given you an overview of a fabulous day out and encouraged you to join us next year.
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