Bill Dixon and John Gray changing a dynamo
On the 19th April 50 cars and their occupants met in the car park of Hartsholme Country Park, Lincoln, for the 6th ‘Sevens To The Sea’ run. This event was the brainchild of Ian Bancroft, the then secretary, of the Lincolnshire group. Our reconnaissance run in the autumn of 2003 nearly saw the whole project end before it had begun. The resort of Cleethorpes was shrouded in sea fog; in fact we could not see the beach let alone the sea. With no visitors on the promenade and most places boarded up it looked like a ghost town. However after a lunch of fish and chips we decided to run with the idea, after all we could always say it was Ian’s idea! For the first three years we struggled to find a suitable venue for our evening get together. We tried the Wintergardens, what a disaster. Thankfully the place has been pulled down now. Having another look round with David Lucas, who takes charge of the Cleethorpes finish for us, we walked by the newly opened Boaters Beach Restaurant. Dave thought he had some tenuous link with the owner, Mick Taylor, taught him at school perhaps. So the contact was made. The evening meal has now become the highlight of the weekend for me.
Back to the start. The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Ron Hills and the Mayoress saw us off. They were very impressed by the range of Austin Sevens and various other good-looking cars. Especially David and Edwina Porter’s Sunbeam. He also gave us a Civic Greeting to convey to the Mayor of Cleethorpes and what felt like a bottle of wine! After the obligatory briefing “Take care” and “Enjoy yourselves” we set off. This year for the first time Dianne and I were able to do the whole route. Tony Johnson had very kindly volunteered to take over the paperwork and let us enjoy the run. We normally drive directly to the finish, after the lunch stop, taking the list of entrants to allow them all to be accounted for.
Moving the lunch stop to Tealby from Market Rasen has proved a great improvement. With the village hall at our disposal for picnics, The Kings Head Pub for pre-booked lunches and the Tearoom for snacks all tastes are catered for. The village seem to absorb the 50 or so cars with no problem. The afternoon route was lined with daffodils. We are used to seeing them on the morning section, but this year all the Wolds seemed to be full of flowers. As we were a week or two later than usual we thought they might be all over, happily they were not.
David Lucas and his team looked after finish on the Lower Promenade, Cleethorpes, where a simple but quite interesting display had been provided, celebrating not only the 40th (Ruby) Anniversary of the Lincolnshire Group, but also the 75th Anniversary of the Austin Ruby. I was especially pleased to see that the Selka family Ruby made it to Cleethorpes this year, with three passengers! The Deputy Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor John Colebrook, made us welcome.
After some discussion with the resort manager we had managed to dispense with the bicycle and bell in front of each car driving on the promenade! David had printed reminders for each driver on what is required, 5 MPH and common sense. We need to keep site owners happy after all. After signing off, all were accounted for. I do not think any car withdrew, this year, due to breakdown. I do know of one that needed help to get home. Another car had needed a dynamo transplant at the start, luckily, I just happened to have a spare one under the seat. Bill Dixon, who had come to see us off in his, newly restored Ford, had also been on hand to advise.
After the official end of the run we retired to the Dovedale Hotel for a wash and brush up before setting off for dinner. Once again the number of cars we manage to get on their car park caused some comment.
We filled the front of the Boaters Beach Restaurant. I cannot think of anywhere on this stretch of coast to match it. We have a wonderful view over the beach and River Humber to Spurn Head in the distance. This year we even saw the ferry on it’s way out to Zeebruger that we have taken, in the past, on the Windmill Run. Wonderful memories. This year the wide screen presentation highlighted the 40th anniversary (Ruby) of the Lincolnshire group. With a few references to the Austin Ruby thrown in. After the meal I was presented with a Fez, “From all Box Saloons” that will teach me to keep my head down. Thanks lads.
Monday morning some left for home and the usual group of us went round the town looking for bargains in the charity shops. I always manage to top up my reading material for the year. Then a coffee and back to the cars, find a garage to top up with fuel and on to the Jug and Bottle for a carvery lunch. After that we were homeward bound. All in all it was a successful weekend from our point of view. Many thanks to all involved especially Paddy and Ande Malone for the route preparation, David Lucas for the finish and Tony and Brenda Johnson for enabling us to enjoy the run in it’s entirety. The weather helped as well. Dry and fairly warm was much better than cold with snow as we have had in the past.
The Kings Head, Tealby.
