Stop Press!
By
George Wilkinson
First for Riley Stalwart!
Sunday 19th May 2024 and the South East group once again undertook to attend the Border Vintage Agricultural Association Vintage Rally, or by it’s more recognisable name The Kelso Show. Devoid of a stipulated arrival time in the rally instructions it was left to individuals to determine their own timing for arrival. Now we don’t know if it was residual jet lag or a wonkey body clock as a hangover from his trip to Oz but surprise , surprise Donald was the first of the group to arrive in his Lynx to claim our space in the Clubs area. This I am assured by more long standing members than I, is the first time in living memory that Donald has been first to arrive at anything.
Subsequent arrivals having got over the shock of seeing Donald already parked up were the Clarkson duo of Alec once more in the Adelphi and David giving the Triumph Vitesse - one of the prewar type not its more modern cousin - a very infrequent run out, Ian Macfarlane in his Lynx, Jon Whitlock in the roadster Alistair Martin in his RMA and Roger Platfoot (and don't’ ask me how he did it) with one for either foot with both his RM and the Special lined up. The ensemble was completed by my RMB and Bruce Allan in his Rover 75. A pretty healthy turn out!
Once assembled, there was debate as to whether the dome tent should be erected as it was a bit overcast and doubt as to which way the weather would turn, dreich or sunny; there were supporters for either camp and since the shelter is useful for either condition, up it went and pretty soon was in use as welcome shade from what turned into a glorious sunny afternoon.
We advertised our presence with the usual array of flags, banners and signs plus an array of information sheets on each of the cars which attracted quite a bit of attention from members of the viewing public with discussions aplenty and many photos taken.
With respect to Riley gremlins - would it be a Riley outing without some mishap to be pondered over by the assembly of “experts?” - today’s was a lack of power in Alistair’s RM which garnered a plethora of opinions as to the cause, ranging through battery, dynamo, points, plugs, timing, carburation, none of which as it happens proved to be accurate, when the root cause was discovered by eagle eyed Bruce who noticed a disconnected spark plug, running on three does tend to limit your acceleration, but no damage done and we trust Alistair enjoyed a more lively run home after the quick fix.
When the call for pre-war exhibitors to enter the show ring went out Roger, Donald and Alec in the Special, Lynx and Adelphi respectively did us proud as 3 out of the 5 vehicles which showed up. Roger in true flamboyant fashion hogging the limelight by completing at least three circuits of the show ring when everyone else did one. If you've got it, flaunt it, and we've got Rileys so bully for us.!
Apart from our impressive display, there were numerous other vehicle car clubs and individuals showing their cars, stationary engines, some light and heavy commercials and a quite staggering collection of tractors of all shapes sizes and vintages.
Both Military and private Landrovers were on display in abundance and a collection of steam engined vehicles permeated the air with their distinctive and unique aroma of steam, smoke and warm oil, brings back memories!
The models and crafts displays in the main hall would have been reason enough to attend. The skill and patience of these craftsmen and women is remarkable.
For those attracted by a car boot sale there was plenty of variety ranging from brand new to what can only be described as tat, but hey ho! each to their own.
All in all a good day out with time to chat and catch up and do a bit of classic sightseeing all blessed with dry weather which developed into a glorious sunny afternoon.
Will we be back? I'm sure we will and maybe some others will join us next year.
