The 2012 Rally
The 2012 rally will be held on Sunday 8th July and begins at The Pigs in Edgefield. The route finishes this year at Bressingham Steam Museum. For further details click on Entry Form.
The 2011 Rally
The 2011 Charles Clark rally held on Sunday July 10th was a huge success with sixty cars completing the route. As in previous years, the participants were waved off from Aldborough Green by Dorothy and Dennis Clark, after enjoying their cup of coffee and bacon buttie. A 60 mile scenic route brought the cars and drivers to Norwich Cathedral where tea and cake were served in the cloisters. Prizes were awarded for the 'most desirable car' (a lovely 1966 Jaguar E type), 'best condition' (a superb 1960 Mercedes 190 SL) and 'most fun car' (a funky 1972 Fiat 500F).
The chosen charity this year was the Jackson Robinson Fund for Quiddenham Childrens Hospice. Jackson Robinson is a 20 month old little boy who has Autoimmune Difficiency – the only known case in the UK. Both he and his family rely heavily on Quiddenham for support and respite and so far they have raised over £52,000 for the hospice. The rally and the raffle added £713 to their fund. A big thank you to everyone who took part. wendy's letter.pdf
Wendy and Jackson receiving the cheque from Brian.
Jackson in his own 'classic'.
How it all began
Charles was always passionate about cars from an early age, as well as cooking, and he loved being ‘Mine Host’ of The Wiveton Bell. Jaguar cars were his favourite and the ‘E’ type Jaguar engine in the fireplace was one of the many eccentricities he introduced into The Wiveton Bell, fully functional, with the exhaust making its exit through the chimney.
The engine could be fired up and Charles would then issue a certificate, proceeds going to charity. There was always something going on at The Wiveton Bell, guest speakers, film shows and then the Classic Car Rally began in 1995.
The Jaguar World Magazine certainly took an interest in Charles and put The Wiveton Bell on the international map. Charles was always ready to introduce something new and in 1997 he produced a range of beers to echo three engine sizes in their alcohol content: 3.8% - Standard, 4.2% - Swift and 5.3% - Swallow.
Sadly Charles was lost at sea in a boating accident in May 1998 but Dennis and Dorothy, and family, were determined not only to run the pub and restaurant but to keep the Classic Car Rally going as well. This they did until 2001 when it passed into the safe keeping of Richard and Margaret at the Alby Horse Shoes Inn. Starting with bacon butties and coffee at the pub on the Sunday morning, the cars departed under the arch from the picturesque Aldborough Green.
Richard and Margaret ran the rally very successfully until 2008 and now it is being organised by Brian with the help of Heather, Colin, Belinda, Sarah, Gerry, Pat and John. Colin, ably assisted by Belinda, has produced another great route through the Norfolk countryside for this year’s rally.
As always, the rally is open, not just to ‘classic’ cars, but to anyone who enjoys their car and driving it.
