Alfa Bear's Charity Classic 

Home

Supported by Alfa Romeo dealership

This weekend tour of East Anglia ( 28/29 September ) aimed to raise money for Richard House Children’s Hospice. Each car would carry a collectable “Merrythought” Bear … who would seek charity sponsorship for their entrants car!

Entry numbers were lower than anticipated and it is only through the sponsorship support of DBS desirabury that the tour was able to go ahead as planned.

Cars arriving at the Butterfly Hotel, Bury St.Edmunds included :-

Alfa Romeo GTV, TVR Chimaera, Jaguar E-type, Alfetta GTV, Ford Anglia, Rover 100, MGB, Porsche Boxter, Rolls Royce Silver Cloud 1,Triumph TR4A, Alfa 155, Subaru Impreza WRX, Alfa Spider, MG’F’,TVR Griffith, Grinnall Scorpion, Mazda MX5, Alfasud, Alfa 147,Austin Healey 3000, MG TD, Morgan 4/4, Naylor TF, Mini Cooper,Alfa Giulia GT, Bentley (1957) and Ferrari Mondial 3.4 T

After ‘Signing-On’ and a quick start Breakfast ( excellent bacon baps ), cars lined up in the hotel car park. The Alfa Romeo GTV of Mark and Sarah Ferri looked very impressive as car No 1 under the Start banner, flanked by two new Alfa Romeo GTVs – courtesy of our sponsors.

Cars left the hotel every minute from 8.30 am .

We knew of a few cancellations and I was about to delete the Mini Cooper as a non-starter … when James and Paul arrived ( enthusiasts on their first event, they had underestimated travelling time ). Breakfast was organised and soon they were off to catch up with the rest at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park.

Pensthorpe is home to Europe’s finest collection of endangered and exotic waterbirds, situated in the beautiful Wensum Valley. Well landscaped gardens and lakes. Time for coffee here and a good hours walk in the sunshine.

11.30am and cars leave Pensthorpe for the next section which includes a coastal drive via Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea before arriving at the Muckleburgh Collection ( the largest privately owned military collection in Britain ) . An excellent buffet lunch is served and time for a 2 hour exploration of the many exhibits, especially tanks!

The last section for Saturday passed via Cromer and then headed inland and back to Bury St.Edmunds. Some entrants had taken time out for a walk along the Beach, since there was plenty of time allowed for returning to Butterfly Hotel … and the weather was so warm !

Colin & Heather kindly agreed to sell raffle tickets over the weekend …. There was only one prize, a very collectable Bear from “Merrythought” ( retails at over £100 ) … thanks to everyone who bought tickets, this raised £120 … and we added a spare “Alf Bear” as a second prize.

For the majority of entrants who stayed at the Butterfly Hotel, an extra surprise, Joe Desira ( the boss – DBS desirabury ) kindly donated an Alfa Romeo GTV for auction that evening ! It was a small childs pedal car but certainly caused interest and some brave bids on a few worried faces as we topped the £100 ( hosted by our Chairman as chief Auctioneer ). We knew they really wanted it, and they were determined … Mark and Sarah claimed this car and the charity pot was increased by £125. Sarah was also due to take delivery of a new Alfa 147 on the Monday ……….true Alfaholics !

Team DBS desirabury joined us for the Sunday tour …. Our sponsors cars included an Alfetta GTV, a classic 1959 Bentley and the Ferrari driven by Joe.

The forecast was sunny later but cars left the start line with headlights on, heading into the fog …….. so not too much scenery was noticed in the first few miles. I headed for the first stop at Flatford Mill ( Constable Country) and Pat headed to meet the team at the finish.

In general, those who had never been to East Anglia before were amazed at the countryside, the “chocolate box” villages of Suffolk and the North Norfolk Coast ……… but don’t tell everyone…. let them think it is ‘flat and boring’.

Coffee and biscuits at Bridge Cottage ( National Trust ) … then time for a short walk along the river bank , passed the now disused lock, to the view of Flatford Mill. A visit to the gallery of Constable paintings and the shop … and soon it was time to leave.

They had already passed through Lavenham and the ford at Kersey, now it was on to the final section ,leading to IWM Duxford Air Museum.

A few made quick ‘pit stops’ to quench their thirst on route.

Along the twisty country Suffolk lanes and into the scenic villages of Essex, cross the border into South Cambs and the finish is in sight.

The team of Marshalls lead by Steve and Jane Chant, welcomed everyone into the DBS desirabury sponsored finish control at Duxford Airfield .

Our photographer, Kevin, was on hand to capture all entrants on film when they arrived.

Many headed first towards the American Air Museum, with time to see the Land Warfare Hall and other Hangars displaying Spitfires, Concorde, aircraft under restoration …… so much to see …….. and then back to the Alfa Romeo DBS desirabury hospitality unit for 4.00pm .. time for the Raffle Prize Draw and speeches from Colin, Joe Desira and Bridget from Richard House Children’s Hospice ( here to thank the entrants and tell us briefly about the Hospice ) .

Six new Alfa Romeos were on display, plus the Alfa 147 that I had borrowed for ‘official course car’ ( displaying bold SBMC / DBS desirabury stickers on front and sides ). Handshakes all round … it’s a wrap ….. the Alfas’ head back to Bury St.Edmunds … and I enjoy a last drive in the 147, following the red Ferrari and smiling. The End .

Thanks to everyone ….. we have raised over £6,000 . 00