Cholmondeley Pageant of Power 15-17^th July 2011 Show Report

This was our second year at this superb event which was extended to 3 days this year, members who were camping and caravanning arrived on Thursday to make the event a short holiday. Our Club pitch was ideally situated by the side of the track directly opposite the chicane, which provided us with excellent views of the dramatic action on the track.

We were also near to the bridge over the track from which we had good photo opportunities for overhead views of our Club area. As the public came through the gates into the event our Stand was prominently in view by the bridge and lots of interest was shown in our display cars. There was something for everyone at the Pageant and space here precludes a detailed description of everything so I will briefly mention some of my own and members’ favourites. Some of the on track highlights for me included the ‘Aero Engined Giants’ including ‘Brutus’ a 1918 BMW 46 litre engined monster which had been brought over from Germany. Formula 1 and Le Mans cars put on a fast and noisy display. The motorcycles were just as interesting and included exotic Italian Grand Prix machines as well as Classic British Nortons and Velocettes. The Military exhibits and displays were both spectacular and interesting and junior member Brandon Watt was invited into the cockpit of a Military helicopter and was soon impressing his instructor with his quick mastery of the controls and his intelligent questions. Well done Brandon! The air and water were not forgotten with various classes of racing power boats racing around the large lake and air display teams put on spectacular routines. There were many trade stalls and areas with a vast array of goodies, I bought some splendid motoring books for less than half price and one of our Lady members acquired her Birthday present in the form of a pair of designer wellies complete with exotic birds! I had the honour of meeting the Blind British Land Speed Record Holder, in case you were wondering he is given instructions via radio headphones. He is hoping to regain his World Land Speed Record at over 200mph. He had on display the boat in which he hopes to exceed 100mph on water on Lake Coniston in October. The boat was on a low loader with a Volvo tractor unit both from the 1980s, his back up crew told me they chose the Volvo because it had no electronics to sort out. A similar situation with our rarer Club cars!

Saturday evening hosted the Concert and Fireworks Display which was held in front of the Castle. Picnickers stretched as far as the eye could see as the Mossley Brass and the Mercian Regiment Marching Bands opened the Military tattoo themed evening with classic pieces. The Manchester Camereta Orchestra took to the stage to present a varied programme finishing with a rousing performance in a truly British atmosphere as patriotic crowds waved Union flags to classic tunes like ‘Land of Hope & Glory’ and ‘Rule Britania’, the evening was rounded off with a spectacular fireworks display. The event was a far cry from Jeremy Clarkson’s description on Top Gear as the “Northern equivalent of the Goodwood Festival of Speed complete with pies and gravy”! The BBC put pictures of the Pageant on the Top Gear website and Clarkson’s outburst generated so much interest that the Pageant website crashed!

Members who enjoyed the spectacle included, Craig & Annemarie Woods with Grandson William, Richard, & Beth Watt & Brandon Smith, Bryan & Marie Wilcox, Phil & Claire Scaife, Jane Miller and Vince Poole.

Members have already told me they wish to return next year and I have told the Organisers how much we enjoyed the event and will be returning next year.

Vince Poole (019)