Volvo Enthusiasts Club Founders Day 2015

A National Gathering for all Volvo Owners at Hartlebury Castle

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Volvo Enthusiasts Club Founder’s Day 2015 – Hartlebury Castle

A National Gathering for all Volvo Owners

Following the great success of last year’s inaugural Founder’s Day to celebrate the forthcoming 25^th Birthday of the Volvo Enthusiasts Club. This year’s event took place at Hartlebury Castle, near Kidderminster in Worcestershire thanks to Rob Greenwood, Chairman of the Castle Preservation Trust, who recently with his team secured the purchase of the castle and saved it from developers.

Rob is one of the founder members of the Volvo Enthusiasts Club and once owned an 1800ES which with Kevin in his Monster Miler P1800 ‘HAB’ undertook a tour of all four furthest compass points on mainland Britain and finally ending with a John O’Groats to Lands End Run to celebrate the 40^th Birthday of the 1800

Weather for the day was perfect and despite the Club having been involved in a display at Throckmoreton Air Show the previous day, the turn-out was excellent, with all models represented, except for a PV, Kevin’s being currently under restoration by Mark Hull of Classic Customs at Alveley, near Kidderminster, therefore being unable to attend event this year.

We were also joined by members of the Volvo Tuning Club, with whom we have shared a number of events in the past months including the display at Throckmoreton and VT200 at the heritage Motor Museum at Gaydon.

Attending Members received free entry into the Worcestershire County Museum which is also housed in the castle and also free refreshments in the Museum Tea Room, thanks to Rachel and her staff of the Museum for organising this for the Club.

Rob had also organised for us to be able to use the ‘Carriage Circle’ and lawn in front of the Castle to display our cars, which prior to the purchase of the Castle by the Trust was not allowed as it was the Home of the Bishop of Worcester.

During the afternoon Club Members had the opportunity to have a tour of the Castle including areas not normally shown to visitors. The tour included the famous ‘Hurd Library’ the Chapel and the ‘Prince’s Bedroom’ see www.hartleburycastletrust.org

Members of the Kidderminster Video Makers during the day filmed the event as part of a project to produce a publicity video for the castle, however they decided during the day to produce a DVD of our Event for Club Members. This will be available shortly through Colin Hughes – details in the front of Club Magazine and on our Website – ALL profits to the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust – see preview on our Club Website,
Facebook go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Volvo-Enthusiasts-Club-UK/1585392161710994
and see videos of the day on our Youtube page please go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC65NE5B50SrUw3ryvQ8tRJQ

A cheque for £200 was presented by Coin Hughes of the VEC and £100 by Nosh (Jon Robbie) of volvotuning.net to Rob Greenwood of the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust in grateful thanks of letting use the castle and grounds for this year’s gathering. Proceeds from the Club Raffle of the day will be donated to the Club’s Charity - Unicef

Many thanks to all those who came along, worked/helped to put on the day, Cherished Vehicle Insurance for Sponsorship of Trophies and Gregg their representative, the Members of the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust and the Museum Staff for making us all so welcome – we look forward to a return visit following restoration work next year.

Best Car Results:

During the day attending members voted for the ‘Best Cars’ attending – these are the results for 2015:

Best Car 2015: Alan Orgill Volvo 480ES 1993 Reg: No: L264 JOM

R/U Best Car 2015: Roger Parish Volvo 1800E 1971 Reg: No: XRY 414J

Best PV – not awarded

Best 120 Series: John Kemp Volvo 131 1968 Reg: No: TVT 146G

R/U Best 120 Series: Chris Ford Volvo 121 1968 Reg: No: JEX 173F

Best 1800 Series: Roger Parish Volvo 1800E 1971 Reg: No: XRY 414J

R/U Best 1800 Series: Roderick Groundes-Pearce Volvo 1800S 1965 CYU 444C

Best 66/300/400 Series: Alan Orgill Volvo 480ES 1993 Reg: No: L264 JOM

R/U Best 66/300/400 Series: Kevin Price Volvo 480 Celebration 1995 Reg: No: N483 BUD

Best 140/164/200 Series: Simon King Volvo 144GL 1971 Reg: No: YUT 245J