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National 2016 – Full Details
The last Rover magazine gave outline details for the 2016 National marking the
40th anniversary of the launch of “The New Rover 3500”, our SD1. Since then,
details have been firmed up and these are shown below. We will be holding the
events at Chateau Impney, a hotel with conference facility near Droitwich Spa,
used by British Leyland to host the press in spring 1976 prior to the public
launch of the car on 30th June 1976.
The events are split into a road run on Saturday 4th June, dinner on the evening
of Saturday 4th June, and the National itself taking place on Sunday 5th June.
Additionally, hotel rooms are available at Chateau Impney over the weekend.
Location Details
All events originate at Chateau Impney Hotel, an imposing 19th century building
built in the style of an elaborate French château, set in several acres of parkland
near Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire – postcode WR9 0BN. The events on
Saturday are optional, but it would be great to see as many of you as possible.
Saturday evening dinner and accommodation at the Chateau must be pre-booked.
Road Run
The weekend will start on Saturday morning. We will assemble at the hotel for a
noon start (coffee should be available prior to this), then drive a circular route
via the Severn Bridge and Ross-on-Wye. The route will follow that suggested by
Leyland to the press in 1976, which is south on the M5 as far as the M4, then
across the old Severn Bridge (now the M48), before turning north through
Tintern and the Wye valley. Thence via Ross-on-Wye, returning to Chateau
Impney via the M50 and M5. This is a total of approximately 150 miles.
Intended route and timings as follows:
• Depart Chateau Impney noon, take M5 south, then M4 and M48 toward
the old Severn Bridge.
• Stop at Severn View services on the M48, depart 1.45pm.
• After crossing the Severn into Wales (note, toll bridge!), head north via
Tintern and Monmouth.
• Stop at Ross-on-Wye, depart 4pm.
• Pick up the M50, then M5. Arrive back at Chateau Impney around 5pm.
Timings and road usage subject to change if more details of the Leyland route
emerge (were any club members there?), or if people would prefer a longer stop
(e.g. an hour at Tintern Abbey). Drop me an email if you intend to come along,
particularly if you are planning to meet en-route (e.g. at Severn View services),
and I'll endeavour to keep you informed of the route and timings. Full details on
the day, of course!
Accommodation
We have arranged rooms at Chateau Impney. Booking is directly with the hotel
by telephone (not via the club), you will need to ring 01905 774411 and ask for
reservations. The code “Rover SD1 Club” will get a bed and breakfast rate of £95
for Saturday night (4th June), and optionally Friday night (3rd June) in Impney
Court, which is an annex to the Chateau itself. Contact me should there be any
problem booking – I'll try keep up to date with bookings from the hotel and
ensure additional rooms are available. Please note this is first come, first served
and a weekend in June is a busy time of year for any hotel.
There are several alternative hotels nearby - a Holiday Inn, Travelodge and
Premier Inn are all just a few miles away. We are unable to organise camping
(the hotel does not permit any overnight stay other than in the hotel). However,
there is a site around 7.5 miles away Mill House Caravan & Camping Site,
postcode WR3 7SE, telephone 01905 451283. You will need to organise booking
should you wish to stay at any of these.
Dinner
All SD1 Club members are invited to a dinner on Saturday 4th June at Chateau
Impney. The dinner will be 3 course with coffee, a vegetarian option will be
available. The cost is £35 (£37 Paypal), and we require full payment prior to the
event – to arrive with us by Friday May 6th. Payment can be by cheque (to the
club's PO Box), or via Paypal (state “SD1-40 meal”) - in both cases quote your
membership number.
National
The National will be held in Chateau Impney's extensive grounds. We hope to
have some special attendees at the event, including a race car or two. No
booking is required for the National, just turn up. We will be most likely be on
hard standing near to the main hotel building and should be easy to find once
you are approaching the hotel. The hotel offers coffee, tea or Sunday lunch if
desired.
Chris Powell – Club Historian – historian@roversd1club.net – 07811 401453
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