Friday  :-

Drive up to Eynsham Hall, 130miles, 2hr 15min if I hadn’t stopped and encountered MONSTER traffic on the A34.

While I waited to get in to my room, I chatted to Robin Walker (PCGB Register Director) and his terrific wife, they helped the weekend start in a very welcoming and relaxed way. I spoke to them several times over the weekend and they are a credit to the club with their people skill as well as the organising they did, always happy to help.

When my room was ready I was fortunate to be at the front of the house, above the main drive and small roundabout. A great view point to see the comings and goings over the weekend, over the whole of the weekend I thought a camera should have been set up so all could see the effort that went in to the displays at the front of Eynsham Hall, on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. NCP could learn a lot from what was displayed here over this PCGB national event for 2006.  The theme for the cars layout here was red, white and blue (puzzled, I was) actually makes total sense when you find out that this was to tie in with the PCGB logo/badge.

During the evening I enjoyed the welcome buffet, chatting to PCGB members from throughout the UK, all looking forward to the weekend and all that the club and members had laid on.  

Saturday :-

Early in the morning (after a FULL FAT breakfast) I signed my car in for the Street class. Entry No SC1054, marked out as SC15 on the floor in yellow spray, I was instructed to park my Porsche in its place, lined up at the rear of the house, just below the hedged gardens and ornamental pond. The day was overcast yet enjoyed sporadic sunshine and clouds.

The Judges were meant to view my car around 13.00, they actually arrived at 15.20 as there were so many cars to judge in the street class, from what saw the standard of the cars entered was very high indeed.  Street class seems to have taken off as it is a manageable form of showing your car to the Porsche members, it is also a very sociable event.

I was plied with champagne by Paul and his lovely wife as they and their friends enjoyed a picnic next to the street class line of cars.  

As always David Newton (PCGB Chairman) made me feel very welcome and praised the good work the Dorset region has done over the last year or so, I think I speak for the region in thanking him for the support and genuine enthusiasm he has shared with us. I’m sure that this is a quality that David will guide the next chairman to display.

During the day I had enjoyed the Cayenne 4x4 experience, this was pre-booked at the Porsche Cars stand, two very nice Porsche ladies booked a slot in one of the several Cayenne S’s they had at the event. It was a simple walk to the fields where the Porsche instructors were, the team of instructors talked you/us though the cars features / capabilities for off road. Then we were of for a gentle drive over so rather large man made obstacles, during this experience I/we could see how the Cayenne stays fully in control under these very difficult conditions.

Once this demonstration was over my/your senses were reaching overload as we sped up a gravel track on to open fields, here the car came alive, speed, control, SAFETY . . . I just can not put in to words how SAFE the Cayenne S was under any conditions, please someone buy me one!

During the rest of the day there was time to talk thorough the experience of Porsche ownership as well as looking and buying Porsche stuff from many of the trade stands showing / selling at the event. You were able to view / buy anything from a PCGB pen to a bottle of Eynsham Hall champagne (very nice too), from a PCGB T-Shirt to a set of ceramic brakes!

Unfortunately just before 18.00 heavy rain arrived, there was meant to be a hot air balloon flying over but we all ran to the hills to get out of the rain. What a shame as drinks and conversation were in full flow . . .

Before the Gala Dinner there was a Champaign reception, provided by Bordeaux Wine Web.

Then the eagerly awaited AON gala dinner, I was seated on the 944 table and had a great time chatted to all those PCGB members seated with me. During the dinner we took part in the Helen House Hospice Raffle while enjoying the lovely food and wine served to us.

Around 22.30 all the dinner guests were invited out on to the terrace to enjoy a very colorful and loud (I love “loud”) fire work display, followed by drinks in the green room.

There was a mini casino taking place, with children playing scalextric in the background, this with dancing to a jazz band in one of the function rooms.  

Sunday :-

Shared breakfast with a great couple from Bedfordshire, we chatted about our regions and the wonderful event we were at.

10.30 I had to be out my room, back breaking walk round the outside of the house as the caterers has locked the doors from the marque located at the rear of the house.

Most of the day was spent to chatting to PCGB members from the street class as well as slowly taking in all the commercial stands at the event. I supported the club in a little way by buying my children some off the lovely PCGB clothing for sale on the PCGB stand.

Must admit that I did have a few treats myself. . .

I didn’t get the opportunity to get a ride on the Cayenne experience today as it seemed to be in more demand today as the sun was out and it enhanced what was already a great, popular event.

The Concour results were to be a 15.30, I was lucky to happen to walk back to my car when I saw most of the Street Class contestants chatting with some to the Judges and event organisers, I was very pleased to hear that I had been short listed to one of five cars invited to drive round to the front lawn where the master class had been judged earlier today.

In readiness for the awards for the John Drake (Zymol) Concour results we all parked up in a very photo friendly line up next to the Porsche owner’s historic display.

After a while, around 16.15 I was very pleased to get awarded with 2^nd place in the competition, Paul Gilbert won the event with his very nice 997 Carrera 2S in atlas grey.

As a Region 26 (Dorset) member it was also pleasing that Chris Hill came 2^nd in the contemporary class with his 994 Turbo, or as I call it the fanatic’s class. They all put serious time and effort ensuring their cars look better than showroom condition.

We should (no must) take our hats off to all who helped run this wonderful event that seemed effortless, the time and pure physical effort of keeping going all day, communicating with all at the event, be it the public or the faithful PCGB members. There was a special prize for the competitor’s favorite concour car, this was awarded to very deserving stunning 356, the Hollywood era wins out again.

Once again, well done Tony and Harriet Shannon and all the team supporting them.

I was lucky enough to enjoy an effortless, congestion free drive home.

General Info :–

Eynsham Hall is a beautiful house set in many acres of gardens and parkland. It is a good example of a Jacobean Mansion.

Eynsham Hall can host anything from the GRAND PCGB National Event to training, conference's.

Eynsham Hall's activity centre can facilitate team-building events, from hectic quad biking, to tranquil duck herding!