Wolseley Owners Club weekend away in Derbyshire 2013

03 May Wolseley Owners Club weekend away in Derbyshire 2013

The Wolseley Owners Club weekend away in Derbyshire was a great success. Nine Wolseleys ranging from a 1934 Wolseley Nine to a 1975 Wolseley Six along with 21 members were present for the entire weekend at the Sandpiper Hotel, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

The weekend incorporated a welcome buffet on Friday evening, a superb treasure hunt visiting a variety of destinations around Derbyshire along with a themed 1940’s evening on Saturday. Five further members joined us on Sunday to Chatsworth House forming a display of 11 fine Wolseleys which were admired by many visitors before our weekend came to its end after a final breakfast and farewells on Monday.

Full report of the weekend

During the afternoon of Friday 3rd May, the Wolseley Owners Club weekend away began with 21 members arriving at the Sandpiper Hotel, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, where the service from the staff, throughout the weekend, was truly outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble. A huge thank you to all there. Friday evening we enjoyed a large welcome buffet, during which many fresh introductions were made between the members present.

Treasure Hunt

After a leisurely breakfast on Saturday 4th May and a photo call on the hotel car park, members set off on an exciting 26 mile Treasure Hunt, organised by North West Area contacts Carol and Steve Worthington, around Derbyshire.

Members visited interesting Revolution House in Old Whittington, which takes its name from the Revolution of 1688 to look for clues. Three hundred years ago, this house (a cottage), was an alehouse and it was there, that three local noblemen met to begin planning their part in events which led to the overthrow of King James II in favour of William and Mary of Orange.

Everyone next drove on to stunning Renishaw Hall and Gardens to look for further clues. There members and their Wolseleys – 14/56, two 4/44’s, Nine, 12/48, Hornet, 16/60, Six and a 6/90, formed a parade in the grounds and met Alexandra and Rick Hayward, owners of Renishaw. Alexandra is the daughter of the late Sir Reresby and Lady Sitwell. Her family have lived at Renishaw for almost 400 years. The vineyard at Renishaw was planted by Sir Reresby in 1972, 40 years ago. Up until 1986, the vineyard was certified as the most northerly vineyard in the world at 53 degrees 18 minutes north. Renishaw is also reputed to have a ghost, Henry de Sacheverell, who apparently kisses the ladies goodnight! We did leave in the daylight!

Following on from Renishaw, members visited the grounds of the lovely fairytale Bolsover Castle then Sutton Scarsdale Hall, a romantic and imposing shell of a grandiose Georgian mansion, built in 1724-29, to look for more clues. The Treasure Hunt finished at a significant Elizabethan country house, Hardwick Hall in Chesterfield, where everyone enjoyed looking for the final clues around the grounds and had tea.

1940’s evening

On Saturday evening, members attended a 1940’s evening in the Sandpiper hotel, dressed in period clothes and enjoyed a 1940’s Dinner menu, with Spam Fritters, Beef stew and Dumplings and Jam Roly Poly and custard, to name but a few excellent dishes on offer. Top professional 1940’s singer Lorrie Brown as Dame Vera Lynn entertained members and great fun was had by all.

Chatsworth House

Sunday 5th May, saw 26 members having a run to Chatsworth House in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Members were given a great spot to park the Wolseleys at Chatsworth on Lodge Hill, 11 in total, including those listed above and a 15/50 and an 18/85, belonging to our members.

Hundreds of visitors to Chatsworth, many classic car and Wolseley enthusiasts came to view the Wolseleys during the day. Everyone enjoyed the Dixieland roving Jazz duo, three major art exhibitions, the ‘Water Spectacular’ from the enormous gravity fed Emperor Fountain, the famous 300 year old Cascade, Canal Pond and Willow Tree Fountains at Chatsworth, dating back to the days of the 1st Duke in the 1680s. Members also enjoyed visiting the House and the Gardens and a very tasty cream tea.

Later back at the Sandpiper, on Sunday evening, members thoroughly enjoyed yet another great dinner, which was followed by some magic entertainment, courtesy of our very talented Deputy Chairman, Keith Bartlam and later, members enjoyed relating their own jokes to the group – hilarious!

It was very sad to leave on Monday 6th May, but the weekend was declared a huge success, with everyone asking when the next weekend away was!