Events
https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/events/april-scramble-2023 Tickets £20, early booking advisable
https://gawsworthhall.com/classic-car-show/ Must be pre-booked. Car & driver £5 organiser tim.simpson70@gmail.com
The Matra Enthusiasts' Club, in collaboration with Avantime Owners UK will be spending a weekend in Romorantin to coincide with an event the French are organising to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Matra factory closure.
The Itinerary:
Friday 26th-Cross the Channel from and to ports of your choice in the UK and France and drive down to Romorantin. The organisers' preferred route is DFDS Newhaven Dieppe as this appears to be the cheapest option. This is so as many of us can travel down to Romorantin in convoy as possible. It's all part of the fun. If you take the overnight ferry from Portsmouth-Caen, or the overnight crossing from Newhaven-Dieppe that depart on Thursday night, you may want to visit the Chateau Chambord or Beauval Zoo on your way to Romorantin. Approximate driving times to Romorantin are: from Cherbourg 5 hrs, from Caen 3hrs 30 mins using toll roads, from Dieppe 5 hrs. If you find the ferry costs prohibitive then we advise sharing a car and costs. We expect to arrive at the event hotel, La Pyramide, in Romorantin, by 19.00 where dinner and drinks will await. This hotel can be booked on booking.com.
Saturday 27th- Sunday 28th-We will attend the commemoration event organised by the French. The itinerary is:A visit to the fantastic Matra Museum,
An afternoon visi to the Musee of Blues (Blues Music Venue) https://www.lamaisondublues.fr
An excursion to the Caves des Roches (Mushroom caves) https://www.le-champignon.com/Visites
In addition, a selection of Matra cars will be displayed at La Fabrique Normant, one of the former Matra/Normant production/weaving halls that is now an exhibition space on the old factory site.
A dinner will also be held at this venue. http://www.lafabriquenormat.fr/
The organisers say they have a surprise in store, more details later
We will also visit the other Matra related sights in Romorantin and enjoy the town generally.
Monday 29th- We will make out way back to the port of entry, possibly stopping at either Chateau Chambord or Beauval Zoo, on route. It is essential that you book your ferry and hotel accommodation as soon as possible. This will ensure you get the best prices and avoid possible disappointment. Please ensure that you make cancellable/amendable/refundable bookings in case your circumstances change. For further information email Simon Farmer at simon.farmer@hotmail.co.uk
Please register your interest with Greig as soon as possible
Greig.matra@btinternet.com
Tuesday20th (PM)
Meeting up at the Two Rivers Hotel, Chepstow.
Wednesday 21st
Drive to Merthyr Tydfil for a ride on the Brecon Mountain Railway, then drive to Brecon via a scenic route, night stop in Brecon at the Old Castle Farm Guest House.
Thursday 22nd
Visit town before a Canal boat ride, after drive to Cenarth waterfalls on route to Machynlleth, night stop here at The White Lion Hotel.
Friday 23rd
There is an option of visits, Corrie Mine, Falconry or the town. 2nd. night stop here.
Saturday 24th
Drive to Portmeirion, (where the Prisoner was filmed) day visit before returning to Machynlleth for 3rd night stop.
Sunday 25th
Drive to, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct via Bala, stop here for a tea/coffee break at a cafe next to the lake, afterwards drive to Welshpool staying in Wales and not taking to shortest route through England, night stop at The Royal Oak Hotel.
Monday 26th
Visit Powis Castle (National Trust).
End of tour.
The Two Rivers Hotel offer 20 per cent off food if booked direct (Marston’s Inn). There are a number of other hotels, guest houses and b&b’s in the night stop towns above. Both the mountain railways and the canal trip require pre-booking, I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you will be joining us, we may get a discount for a group booking. Venues may have to be changed if we are too late in booking.
Greig.matra@btinternet.com
This will be held in Suffolk this year. On Saturday there will be a morning visit to the National Trust property, Ickworth House followed by the AGM and a Club Dinner at the Dragonfly Hotel, Bury St Edmunds. The dinner menu is available here at a price of £30 per head for three courses. If you wish to attend, you are advised to book accommodation at the hotel as soon as possible in order to guarantee a place as this is a popular tourist area. On the Sunday the Club will have a stand at the Culford Classic Car Show http://www.theclassiccarshow.org.uk This has to be booked in advance and there will be a fee of £10 per car, with all proceeds going to East Anglia Children's Hospice. There are still a few places remaining on the Club stand, which will be allocated on a "first come first served basis". To register an interest, please email matraweb@btinternet.com no later than April 5th, members will have already received an email about this. If you wish to attend as a spectator, ie without a Matra on the stand, you can buy tickets in advance at a discount via the show website above.
https://www.capesthorne.com/event/classic-car-show-14/ Tickets £10 in advance, £12 0n the day, organiser tim.simpson70@gmail.com
This will be a joint meeting with the Simca Club. Tickets £14 inadvance, £16 on the day, More details to follow. organiser Clive Nelson clive @automatra.com
The Club will have a stand there. more details to follow. organiser Clive Nelson clive@automatra.com