Donington Museum Sunday 7th Feb

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

Donington Park houses The Grand Prix Collection, which incorporates Kevin Wheatcroft's collection of World War 2 vehicles and motorcycles. Entrance cost is £12 each, under 16's £5 each.

 

Meet us at 10am in the cafe for a chat and a brew before entering the museum.

 

Follow the brown signs on the A453 for the Main Entrance (i.e Right at the traffic lights if coming from the motorway). Turn Left into the Main Entrance and the cafe/museum is over to the right.

 

There is no run out, it is just a museum visit at the end of a motorway journey, so come on the bus/in a tin top or as you like. Although I will be in my Westfield unless it is tipping it down.

 

Anybody interested?

[Trevor Little (Trevturtle) - Treasurer]

I'm back home on Friday.  I'll join you

[foxterrier]

Maybe, dependent upon the weather.

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

It is worth a look on Trip Advisor as this museum has many excellent reviews. Virgin Experience are doing 2 for 1 tickets too, I have bought mine.

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

Tickets have arrived today. £10 for 2, bargain. It says allow 1-2 hours for the visit, so if we go into the museum at 11.00, after a brew, we should be back out in time for lunch. Anyone else joining us just for lunch?

 

Weather currently is forecast showery, so tin top is out...yes....Martyn?? Trevor is in his I am guessing, and Steav too.

[Trevor Little (Trevturtle) - Treasurer]

Yup... tin top for me

[Martyn Vann - Warwickshire AO]

Yes, we discussed this today, if the weather is looking really dodgy I will wheel out the Volvo!!

[Martyn Vann - Warwickshire AO]

Blue sky and sun at the moment with a few light showers forecast until around 4pm. Looks like the Westfield then 

 

Scratch that, raining now so back to plan 'A' 

[Julie Hall - WSCC AO Representative]

I have pictures of cars for you but none of them are Westfield's I am afraid. It was a tin top day due to motorways and showers, not a good combination for Westfielding. The weather forecasters were right for once and we were glad when the sun went in and we got some showers, it justified our choice of cars.

 

We met Martyn and Sue, Trevor, Steve's brother and Steve and Marie for a good chat and a brew in the cafe at the entrance to the museum. Steve and Marie have only owned their car for 1 month so I hope we answered some of their queries on their Westfield.

 

We went into the museum which was freezing and we all wished we were dressed for Westfielding so we could be warm. The first section is a display of army vehicles.

 

 

The museum has everything from cars (obviously), motorcycles, engines, parts, helmets and trophies. It seems a lot of drivers died in the earlier years of this sport, which is a bit shocking. 

 

An overview of the displays

 

 

This car was stunning, it is a Brough, you knew that didn't you, blooming Martyn 'The Brain' knew it though didn't he!

 

 

My Virgin Experience voucher was definitely a bargain and I recommend using one, at £10 for 2 people it is a bargain. The museum was excellent and the only thing I would suggest is that it has a 'cockpit experience' because I would love to know how sitting in a F1 car compares to sitting in my Westfield. I don't want to sit in the car that is for sale (£20K) in the shop though, do I? not with the gear lever where it is, ooh er.

 

Not one to miss an opportunity to discover a new place I thought, while we were in this area, we could have a look at the Mercia Marina which was only 15 miles away. I had programmed the satnav (OK I had written the route instructions on a bit of paper) but as Trevor knew the area he could take us a scenic way which went past the Derby/Notts meeting place, The Clock at Shardlow, (where the Scooby's were having a meet). The Mercia Marina was packed full, not surprising as it looked a lovely place, so we headed for the KFC instead, that was a change, you definitely don't get KFC in the Peak District. We finished the afternoon off with lots of laughs, Trevor...your card is marked....before heading home in the rain.

 

For Trevor and Martyn.. mke shaw u use the spill chuker bfore psting on this forume

 

A great day out and thank you to everyone that came.