Pre-War Kyre Park and Bromyard Hill Climb - 25th to 27th July 2025

[Ian Grace]

Otherwise known as Beyond Pre-War Prescott!

As mentioned in the e-mailed news alert being sent out this morning, I am starting this thread to be a focal point for updates as our plans develop rapidly for our Summer Rally weekend and hill climb next July. This is going to be our best rally weekend ever!

I will also be starting a web page on the Register's website shortly which will also include live updates as our plans develop.

Please feel free to post to this thread with any questions you may have.

Other than that, information will also be circulated in our forthcoming monthly e-mailed Newsletters. If you do not currently receive these (and you don't have to be a Register member to receive them), please simply e-mail me at vintageminor@gmail.com.

As the News Alert stated, I am collecting declarations of interest for the weekend and the hill climb. E-mail me at the same address. An entry form for the Friday and Saturday will be available shortly and I will circulate information on how to enter the hill climb as soon as it is available to me.

Much more anon!

[Ian Grace]

Good morning everyone,

It's the morning after the night before! It was a late night recording all of the registrations of interest that poured in after the event announcement yesterday afternoon. As of 11 a.m. this morning there have been 51 declarations of interest in the hill climb and many also declared an interest in the Friday and Saturday runs.

Sincere thanks also for all of the very kind and encouraging feedback - very much appreciated.

We are clearly going to have a massive entry and I will do everything in my power to get as many of you up the hill as possible.

Work now also starts on assembling the plans for Friday and Saturday. As we will obviously have a very strong entry - particularly on Saturday, we will plan a figure-of-eight route for the day with a picnic lunch at Kyre Park (the start and finish location), so we won't be swamping any local pub. And the joint social in Bromyard on Saturday evening will have unlimited catering options.

I will also be sending in our request to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight today for air support on Sunday.

As soon as the local flood waters subside, I'll be visiting Kyre Park to take the planning forward - including the accommodation - and will report back here - watch this space and keep the declarations of interest coming!

Here's the list so far, just in case I missed anyone?:

LJ 4435 1930 Morris Minor Semi-sports Grace, Ian and Jayne
H 6466 1920 Vauxhall 30-98 Lees, Michael
FNO 998 1937 M.G. TA Thomas, James
BS 9593 1926 Morris Oxford Special  Simpson, Andrew and Val
DV 3600 1930 Morris Minor tourer Langford-Yates, Jo
PY 9480 1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans Gerring, Paul
WL 4602 Riley (prob. Rapier for Fri/Sat) Oliver, Adam
UF 8878 1932 M.G. M Harnden, Matt
1968 MGC Harnden, Jill
EKF 769 1938 Alvis Speed 25 Charlsworth saloon McGarel-Groves, Anthony
BLM 661 1934 Alvis Firebird Goodwin, Bruce
IA 9142 1930 Morris Minor Semi-sports Bond, Alistair
WM 7500 1932 M.G. D Emmett, Dr. John
ASL 682 1936 Riley Merlin Hassam, Andrew
XFR 513 1924 AC Royal 12 h.p. Lay, John and Smale, Jess
OD 9370 1934 Triumph Gloria G10 tourer Dennis, Martyn
VSU 309 1933 Morris Minor tourer Reed, Joe
DG 8259 Austin 7 saloon Southcott, David
BGC 742 1934 Wolseley Hornet Special Peppiatt, Jack
BU 8079 1934 M.G. PA Davies, Roger and Sue
Hotchkiss or Delage Hamilton-Gould, Clive
UG 8739 1934 M.G. PA Riches, Keith
PV 1660 1934 M.G. PA McCormick, Tim
TP 9995 1931 Morris Minor 2-seater Rodford, George
HSU 858 1951 M.G. TD Hunt, Max
OD 4338 1933 M.G. J2 Gardiner, Dr. Mike
GS 6245 1936 Riley Ulster Imp replica Worrall, Mark
GG 3949 1931 M.G. M Sportsman's Coupe Burnett, Roger and Inka
JNP 160 1934 Ford V8 tourer Stennett-Cox, Nigel
RX 9867 1932 M.G. D Davies, Dr. Huw
RD 3629 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special Burton, John
UC 1643 1928 Bentley 4.5 Freestone, Richard
VG 3280 1930 Morris Minor CMS special Buck, Duncan and Emilia
KX 3557 Austin 7 Chummy Cooper, Paul
BDF 315 1936 M.G. TA Howe, Kev and Mel
YG 4293 1933 M.G. J3 Kempton, David
DPC 954 1934 M.G. NA Finch, Graham
RM 9420 1933 M.G. J2 Back, Hugh
DDG 659 1939 Morris 8 Series E tourer Whittlestone, Stephanie and Doug
6616 NE 1962 Ford Consul Meredith, David
VF 3888 1928 Austin 7 Chummy Holmes, Paul
WX 6536 1928 Alvis 12/50 TG Perry, Leon
CKW 91 1938 Alvis Speed 25 Hunt, Steve
AAX 179 1930 Ford Model 40 Delahay, Rich
BOK 407 1935 M.G. NB Little, Chris
BCG 253 1936 Singer Le Mans Special Speed Model Galligan, Eamonn and Joan
XJ 1031 1932 Alvis Speed 20 tourer Stirling, Hugh
RBP 575 1954 M.G. TF Jacklin, Candy
GD 1417 1926 Alvis 12/50 TE 4 seater sports Walters, David
JT 3778 1935 Wolseley Hornet Seber Special Dawson, Paul
EUT 537 1948 Alvis TA14 DHC Davies, Mike
1046 MG 1947 M.G. TC Walker, Graham

[Ian Grace]

Bromyard Speed Festival has launched their website for the weekend which can be found at https://bromyardspeedfestival.co.uk/.

Note the reference to a Saturday vintage scenic car tour. This is a separate run to our Saturday tour. It is being run in remembrance of the late Jeremy Holden, for is family and friends, and the Sunday climb is being promoted as the Jeremy Holden Hill Climb.

Since this Saturday run starts at 3 p.m., I have asked if the organizers would like to start their run at Kyre Park and preface it with joining in our Vintage Picnic.

[Ian Grace]

Now, exact details of the hill can be announced. It is a mile long stretch of the B4203, which runs from Bromyard, up the hill, to a junction with the Bromyard Downs road. The paddock, car parks and start line will be just east of the River Frome bridge and the finish line will be by the large grass triangle where the Bromyard Downs road doubles back to the right. This will be the return road, taking us across the downs (with tremendous views to the west), to the A44, where we will turn right to descend back into Bromyard and back to the paddock.

As I mentioned in the initial announcement, I have test driven the hill several times and it is almost exactly one mile in length. The hill itself consists of ten bends of various tightness, a healthy but not too steep rise in elevation and certainly has the potential to be a better climb than any other I know of. Even in the modern it was exhilarating, so it promises to be a tremendous climb for our sort of cars – regardless of their horsepower or lack thereof!

[Ian Grace]

And in other rally news today, I just submitted our usual request for air support to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for Sunday.

As you may know, the Flight's Merlin-engined single seat fighters - Spitfires and Hurricanes - are currently grounded pending an accident investigation following their fatal Spitfire crash earlier in the year. This does not affect their two Griffon-engined Spitfires or the Lancaster of Dakota, but we do hope that they will be back to full operational strength by next year.

[Ian Grace]

The next batch of declarations of interest:
M.G. PA Woolston, John
UL 5219 1929 Austin 7 Gordon England Stadium Brookes, Nigel
Jowett Evans, Jeremy
MM 9385 1929 Morris Minor tourer Kent, Steven
UC 6168 1928 Austin 7 GE Cup Cochrane, David
TK 9571 Alvis Silver Crest Limousine Gunn, Philip
EPP 770 1938 Frazer Nash-BMW 328/1 Macmaster, Ken and Di
MVU 927 1952 Alvis TA21 DHC Piggott, Bill
ZB 1570 1936 M.G. TA Briggs, Mike
VK 9945 1933 Triumph Gloria Southern Cross Beckett, George
XV 8933 1929 M.G. 14/40 Mk.4 Wileman, John
ASL 425 1937 Bentley 4 1/4 Cabriolet Hickman, Robert

[Ian Grace]

The Entry Form for Friday and Saturday will be included in the December Newsletter which will be circulated to all on our list on Sunday.

Meanwhile I am working on an Accommodation List which I will also circulate as soon as possible and also post it online with a like that I'll add here.

I have a meeting at Kyre Park on Saturday to finalize more details, including accommodation in the Manor House which contains eight bedrooms and a two-bedroom AirBnB. I will also be sorting camping in the Park. Details will be included on the accommodation list.

Booking your accommodation early will be critical, bearing in mind the massive entry that we are expecting.

[Ian Grace]

The next tranche of expressions of interest:

MU 5741 1932 Morris Minor Calshot Harris, Ian
DPC 954 1934 M.G. NA Finch, Graham
CPD 940 1935 M.G. PA Williams, Graham
DSM 32 1938 Triumph Gloria Vitesse Sports Special Zeidmann, George
MV 1371 1932 Frazer Nash Interceptor Fathers, Stephen
JC 7755 1946 M.G. TC Pickard, Richard
COY 901 1937 Riley Kestrel 12/4 TT special King, Roger
BAP 927 1938 M.G. TA Rainbow, Brian
PK 8456 1929 Austin 7 Chummy Boroweicki, Matthew
ZV 89111 1917 McLaughlin Buick Speedster, D45 6cyl Stanley, John

[Ian Grace]

And the next lot:

GWJ 293 1939 Citroen Light Fifteen cabriolet Boyd, David
JY 6305 1935 Lagonda Rapier Banks, Chris
RB 7339 1935 Wolseley Hornet Pendine Special Ashton, Barry
MG 2517 1933 M.G.L2 Jarvis, Richard
ATJ 567 1935 Hillman Aero Minx Bauckham, Richard
Morris Minor TBA Maeers, Janie
AKJ 353 1933 M.G. J2 s/c Harper, Nigel
YH 8158 1927 Wolseley 11/22 Mumford, Michael
BSK 339 1949 M.G. TC Hughes, David

[Ian Grace]

And the next lot:

PG 1154 1929 Riley 9 tourer Girvan, Hugh
OW 5865 1934 M.G. PA Warr, Ron
255 YUA 1948 M.G. TC Swallow, Peter
HNL 363 1953 M.G. TD Gray, Ian
GKA 477 1940 M.G. TB Rowland, Peter
PSU 853 1958 MGA Hammond, Tim
COA 550 1936 Rover 12 tourer van Beele, Willem
YD 8341 1933 Austin 7 Box saloon Latham, Ian

[Ian Grace]

The next Bromyard Speed Festival Director's meeting will take place on the 18th. I'll be there and should have more info to disseminate after the meeting.

[Ian Grace]

The next batch, which bring us up to 100:

LMF 435 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Muschamp, John and Fabienne
PJ 7624 1932 Austin 7 Arrow Foursome Candlin, Simon
MG 3701 1934 M.G. N Tushingham, Roger
BXH 499 1934 M.G. PA Richards, Anthony
PD 4152 1924 Bullnose Morris Cooke, Chris
NG 2461 1931 M.G. D Jakeman, Mike
OY 1548 1932 M.G. M Haine, John
HJ 8848 1929 Morris Minor fabric saloon Hiscocks, Robin
YV 2890 1928 Humber 14/40 Herring, Christopher

[Ian Grace]

The latest list of declarations of interest. Please let me know any errors, corrections, inaccurcies or omissions!

1 LJ 4435 1930 Morris Minor Semi-sports Grace, Ian and Jayne
2 AKW 67 1935 M.G. NB Lees, Michael
3 FNO 998 1937 M.G. TA Thomas, James
4 BS 9593 1926 Morris Oxford Special  Simpson, Andrew and Val
5 DV 3600 1930 Morris Minor tourer Langford-Yates, Jo
6 PY 9480 1928 Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans Gerring, Paul
7 BOH 502 1934 Lagonda Rapier (Austin 7 for Sunday) Oliver, Adam
8 UF 8878 1932 M.G. M Harnden, Matt
9 1968 MGC Harnden, Jill
10 EKF 769 1938 Alvis Speed 25 Charlsworth saloon McGarel-Groves, Anthony
11 BLM 661 1934 Alvis Firebird Goodwin, Bruce
12 IA 9142 1930 Morris Minor Semi-sports Bond, Alistair
13 WM 7500 1932 M.G. D Emmett, Dr. John
14 ASL 682 1936 Riley Merlin Hassam, Andrew
15 XFR 513 1924 AC Royal 12 h.p. Lay, John and Smale, Jess
16 OD 9370 1934 Triumph Gloria G10 tourer Dennis, Martyn
17 VSU 309 1933 Morris Minor tourer Reed, Joe
18 DG 8259 Austin 7 saloon Southcott, David
19 BGC 742 1934 Wolseley Hornet Special Peppiatt, Jack
20 BU 8079 1934 M.G. PA Davies, Roger and Sue
21 Hotchkiss or Delage Hamilton-Gould, Clive
22 UG 8739 1934 M.G. PA Riches, Keith
23 PV 1660 1934 M.G. PA s/c (or 1930 Morgan Supersport speeder JW 547) McCormick, Tim
24 TP 9995 1931 Morris Minor 2-seater Rodford, George
25 HSU 858 1951 M.G. TD Hunt, Max
26 OD 4338 1933 M.G. J2 Gardiner, Dr. Mike
27 GS 6245 1936 Riley Ulster Imp replica Worrall, Mark
28 GG 3949 1931 M.G. M Sportsman's Coupe Burnett, Roger and Inka
29 JNP 160 1934 Ford V8 tourer Stennett-Cox, Nigel
30 RX 9867 1932 M.G. D Davies, Dr. Huw
31 RD 3629 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special Burton, John
32 UC 1643 1928 Bentley 4.5 Freestone, Richard
33 VG 3280 1930 Morris Minor CMS special Buck, Duncan and Emilia
34 KX 3557 1927 Austin 7 Chummy Cooper, Paul
35 M.G. PA Howe, Kev and Mel
36 YG 4293 1933 M.G. J3 Kempton, David
37 DPC 954 1934 M.G. NA Finch, Graham
38 RM 9420 1933 M.G. J2 Back, Hugh
39 DDG 659 1939 Morris 8 Series E tourer Whittlestone, Stephanie and Doug
40 6616 NE 1962 Ford Consul Meredith, David
41 VF 3888 1928 Austin 7 Chummy Holmes, Paul
42 WX 6536 1928 Alvis 12/50 TG Perry, Leon
43 CKW 91 1938 Alvis Speed 25 Hunt, Steve
44 AAX 179 1930 Ford Model 40 Delahay, Rich
45 BOK 407 1935 M.G. NB Little, Chris
46 BCG 253 1936 Singer Le Mans Special Speed Model Galligan, Eamonn and Joan
47 XJ 1031 1932 Alvis Speed 20 tourer Stirling, Hugh
48 RBP 575 1954 M.G. TF Jacklin, Candy
49 GD 1417 1926 Alvis 12/50 TE 4 seater sports Walters, David
50 JT 3778 1935 Wolseley Hornet Seber Special Dawson, Paul
51 EUT 537 1948 Alvis TA14 DHC Davies, Mike
52 1046 MG 1947 M.G. TC Walker, Graham
53 M.G. PA Woolston, John
54 UL 5219 1929 Austin 7 Gordon England Stadium Brookes, Nigel
55 Jowett special Evans, Jeremy
56 MM 9385 1929 Morris Minor tourer Kent, Steven
57 UC 6168 1928 Austin 7 Gordon England Cup Cochrane, David
58 TK 9571 Alvis Silver Crest Limousine Gunn, Philip
59 EPP 770 1938 Frazer Nash-BMW 328/1 Macmaster, Ken and Di
60 MVU 927 1952 Alvis TA21 DHC Piggott, Bill
61 ZB 1570 1936 M.G. TA Briggs, Mike
62 VK 9945 1933 Triumph Gloria Southern Cross Beckett, George
63 XV 8933 1929 M.G. 14/40 Mk. 4 Wileman, John
64 ASL 425 1937 Bentley 4 1/4 Cabriolet Hickman, Robert
65 MU 5741 1932 Morris Minor Calshot Harris, Ian
66 DPC 954 1934 M.G. NA Finch, Graham
67 CPD 940 1935 M.G. PA Williams, Graham
68 DSM 32 1938 Triumph Gloria Vitesse Sports Special Zeidmann, George
69 MV 1371 1932 Frazer Nash Interceptor Fathers, Stephen
70 JC 7755 1946 M.G. TC Pickard, Richard
71 COY 901 1937 Riley Kestrel 12/4 TT special King, Roger
72 BAP 927 1938 M.G. TA Rainbow, Brian
73 PK 8456 1929 Austin 7 Chummy Boroweicki, Matthew
74 ZV 89111 1917 McLaughlin Buick Speedster, D45 6 cyl Stanley, John
75 XY 9884 1925 Citroen 5 hp Cloverleaf Boyd, David
76 JY 6305 1935 Lagonda Rapier Banks, Chris
77 RB 7339 1935 Wolseley Hornet Pendine Special Ashton, Barry
78 MG 2517 1933 M.G.L2 Jarvis, Richard
79 ATJ 567 1935 Hillman Aero Minx Bauckham, Richard
80 Morris Minor TBA Maeers, Janie
81 AKJ 353 1933 M.G. J2 s/c Harper, Nigel
82 YH 8158 1927 Wolseley 11/22 Mumford, Michael
83 BSK 339 1949 M.G. TC Hughes, David
84 PG 1154 1929 Riley 9 tourer Girvan, Hugh
85 OW 5865 1934 M.G. PA Warr, Ron
86 255 YUA 1948 M.G. TC Swallow, Peter
87 HNL 363 1953 M.G. TD Gray, Ian
88 GKA 477 1940 M.G. TB Rowland, Peter
89 PSU 853 1958 MGA Hammond, Tim
90 COA 550 1936 Rover 12 tourer van Beele, Willem
91 YD 8341 1933 Austin 7 Box saloon Latham, Ian
92 LMF 435 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Muschamp, John and Fabienne
93 PJ 7624 1932 Austin 7 Arrow Foursome Candlin, Simon
94 MG 3701 1934 M.G. N Tushingham, Roger
95 BXH 499 1934 M.G. PA Richards, Anthony
96 PD 4152 1924 Bullnose Morris Cooke, Chris
97 NG 2461 1931 M.G. D Jakeman, Mike
98 OY 1548 1932 M.G. M Haine, John
99 HJ 8848 1929 Morris Minor fabric saloon Hiscocks, Robin
100 YV 2890 1928 Humber 14/40 Herring, Christopher
101 OU 4824 1930 M.G. M Dalby, Mike
102 PJ 2495 1931 M.G. D Chapman, Peter
103 SV 8775 1907 Stanley Model H 20 HP Gentleman's Speedy Roadster Cook, Nick
104 DTO 331 1936 Lagonda LG45 coupé Cook, Nick
105 Jaguar SS100 Webster, Mark
106 Jaguar SS100 Godfrey, John

[Ian Grace]

Here's the rally update that is going out in the February Newsletter tomorrow:

First, let’s talk about the Sunday Hill Climb as I have had numerous meetings and calls with Bromyard Speed Festival (BSF) in the last few weeks to sort these out for us and get the best deal possible. I reported last month that BSF were planning 900 climbs with 300 entries and three climbs per entry. I felt that 900 climbs in the day was seriously optimistic and that the majority of climbers would be happy with a single climb. I ran a quick analysis of our Pre-War Prescott 2023 entries and found that 52% only made a single climb. As a result, BSF revised the number of climbs down to 600, with 300 entries and two climbs per car. They then allocated us 100 climbs – or 50 cars, but I had already received over 100 expressions of interest. So I then negotiated that I could allocate the 100 climbs in any way I liked, so I took the strategic decision do allocate one climb per entrant – at least initially. Current BSF plans have 300 cars climbing in the morning and 300 in the afternoon, so we could run 50 in the morning and 50 in the afternoon. This means that we could run 100 cars instead of 50.

As for the geography of the paddock, there will be two areas – the area reserved for the climbing cars and a ‘display area’ for cars which will not be climbing the hill. My plan is to ‘hot-bed’ our 50 slots in the climbing area. In other words, the 50 cars that climb in the morning will take to the start line when called forward, climb the hill, return around the downs, down the A44 into Bromyard and back to the paddock where they will park in the display area. Then, probably during the lunch break, the 50 afternoon climbers will be able to take up their allotted slots in the climbing area from the display area.

At the time of writing (29th January), I have had just 22 of the 100 invitations to climb returned. I have set a drop dead date of the end of this month – 28th February – for responses to be received. If by then I have less than 100, that will free up additional climbs to be allocated to additional owners who wish to enter the climb between now and July, or to permit two climbs for the entered cars if all are not taken up.

As you can imagine, the whole thing is a massive juggling exercise where the rules remain fluid. I’m doing my best to satisfy everyone and give as many owners as possible the opportunity to climb the hill. It would help me greatly if those of you who expressed an interest and have now received the invitation to enter, do so without delay and in any case before the end of February. Similarly, if you received the invite but do not intend to convert your declaration of interest into an entry, let me know immediately so that I can allocate your slot to another.

The good news is that, if the day is successful, the plan is to expand the event into a two-day hill climb next year, with a pre-war day and a post-war day. If this happens, then we should have double the number of entries and climbs available to us next year.

If you wish to join in the fun on the day (and there will be much of it) but do not wish to climb the hill yourself, then there will be the opportunity to park your pre-war or interesting car in the paddock – until it is full. In addition, there will also be unlimited spectator parking, giving the occupants full access to the paddock.

Now for the rest of the weekend.

The next news flash is the Saturday evening Jubilee Dinner. I had booked the Fountian Inn, Tenbury for this and established the menu, booked the Eureka Band, etc. I just received a very apologetic e-mail from Lisa, the landlord:

“Dear Ian, I am terribly sorry but we have unfortunately double booked the 26th of July with a wedding who postponed from 2023 and it wasn’t put into this year’s diary. Therefore we need to change the date of your dinner. Lisa”

Of course, there is no other date that we could take up (the Friday or Sunday evenings would not work), so I am in the process of coming up with a Plan B. I hope to have all this sorted in time for the March Newsletter.

Next is camping. I have arranged for camping (and camper vans) at Kyre Park. Right now I am organizing a couple of portaloos to be on site from Thursday through to Monday. I plan to have all the details and booking arrangements nailed down by the next Newsletter (1st March). If you would like to camp, please let me know so I can gauge numbers, which will greatly help the planning exercise.

I spent some time in January driving some potential sections of the Friday and Saturday routes which will be developed and extensively test-run when we return to the UK towards the end of February.

Right now, you can enter our Friday and Saturday runs, using the entry forms at the foot of our Newsletters. If you need copies, just let me know at vintageminor@gmail.com. I suggest you do so without delay and also sort your accommodation without delay as there is limited accommodation in the immediate area and it is filling up quickly. We have filled Kyre Park House already, but there is the tw0 bedroom apartment still available. Book through me. If you need help with accommodation, let me know and I will e-mail you our accommodation list.

As for the Friday and Saturday runs (which will both start at Kyre Park) we will run our traditional and popular Friday Tour on the first day, with a pub lunch thrown in for good measure and an evening pub meet to welcome the weekend’s visitors.

On Saturday, we will run our ever popular Scenic Tour and parallel Navigation Rally. This year’s route will take the form of a figure of eight, so that we will return to Kyre Park for a lunchtime Vintage Picnic on the lawns between the house and the lakes – an idyllic setting. Ordering arrangements for sumptuous pre-delivered picnics will be circulated in due course. Or, of course, you can bring your own. The Saturday runs will conclude with tea and cakes, results and awards at Kyre and then, as mentioned above, you will have a choice of the Jubilee Dinner or the food, drink and entertainment which will be available in the Bromyard hill climb paddock which will be up and running by Saturday evening.

[Ian Grace]

The Rally website has now been launched at https://www.vintageminor.co.uk/Summerra ... _2025.html.

The page includes a link to the entry list which will be updated as entries arrive. If you have entered, please check that your entry is correctly recorded and let me know immediately if it is not.