AROC Cotswolds Summer Drive & BBQ - 17th July 2005

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See the bottom of the page for a write-up of the day

Cotswold Section Summer Drive & BBQ - 17th July 2005

Just before 10am on Sunday 17 July 2005 Alfas began gathering at the Puesdown Inn near Cheltenham.

Drivers from the South Wales, Thames Valley and South Midland Sections joined us and by 11am around 20 cars had assembled. Ranging from Mid 60's Giulietta Spiders through, Giulia Coupes, Kamm Tail and Boat Tail Spiders,  Alfettas, SZ's, and modern cars such as 'New' GTV's, 147's, 156's and 166's. After refreshments small groups of cars began departing to commence the Scenic Drive.

The route had been planned in advanced and included a mixture of fast A and B roads and lots of typical Cotswold lanes. For the brave there were several 'unsuitable for motors' sections and even a couple of fords!

Some drivers did the whole route, which was around 60 miles, others just did part of it. Some stopped 'en route' for liquid refreshment, others stopped to take in the scenery, and some were forced to stop so their 'co-drivers' could get some retail therapy. The weather could not have been better and scenery was fantastic (see photos).

The cars began arriving at the Roman Court Hotel, the location for the barbecue, at around 2.30pm. And they just kept coming! As well as those that had completed the run from the Puesdwon Inn, more arrived just for the barbecue. The car park quickly filled; over 40 Alfas in total.

The barbecue itself was fantastic, thanks to AROC member and proprietor of the Roman Court Hotel, Vito Logozzi, who worked hard all afternoon and provided more than enough excellent food for the 80 or so people that attended the barbecue.

All proceeds from the day were donated to the Czechered Flag group who had 3 of their Skodas on show. The Czechered Flag group aim to drive their Skodas, each one costing under £300, to Prague to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Relief Fund and the Cotswold Section of AROC were pleased to help them, and wish them luck.

A raffle was held, (the prizes were mainly alcoholic!) and again the money went to the Macmillan Cancer Relief Fund.

Prizes were awarded for the 'most adventurous Alfa' which went to Simon for taking his 1964 Giulietta Spider through all 3 fords, the oldest car to do so. 

And the Alfa with the most flies on the front which went to an SZ was the clear winner.

Everyone enjoyed the day and there is already talk of repeating the event next summer, it will be tough to beat this years event but we'll give it a go!