The long road to restoration
One of the most important Jaguar racing cars ever built was recently unveiled in Bridgnorth after undergoing more than 7,000 hours of restoration
The one and only factory Low Drag lightweight E-type has been reassembled in one of the most complex restorations ever to be attempted.
When it crashed at the Monterey circuit in 1964 the Linder Nocker E-type was so badly damaged that a complete rebuild was thought to be impossible.
But now, nearly half a century later, the historic car has been returned to its former glory and with 90% of its original parts intact.
Four years ago Peter Neumark, through his motor car business Classic Motor Cars Ltd (CMC), in Bridgnorth, began the painstaking restoration work from a large box of mangled metal parts. Many said it could not be done and that most of the parts, including the body panels, which had been bent beyond all recognition, could not be used.
However CMC’s team of dedicated restorers has returned the car to the condition it was in before the famous crash which tragically claimed the life of German racing driver Peter Lindner.
More than 5,000 hours went into restoring the body alone. Each individual panel was flattened, repaired and reformed into the original shape and the structure was riveted and spot welded together.
The painstaking work was assisted by members of Peter Lindner’s own family, who provided old photographs and cine footage of the car.
It was one of only 12 lightweight E-Types built by Jaguar in 1963, returning to Browns lane, Coventry, the following year where it was prepared as the company’s unofficial entry for Le Mans that year. Malcolm Sayer designed a special low drag body and work to the engine ensured that it was the most powerful Jaguar the competition department had ever produced and the last ever prepared at the works.
The car has now been invited to some of the most famous motoring events around the world including Italy and America.
“This is one of the most major restorations ever to take place in the world. Many said that it could not be done but we have proved them wrong,” said a delighted Mr Neumark.
Reggae artist set to star
A Shropshire music and arts festival is gearing up for its biggest event yet and has now secured a leading reggae artist to headline its main stage.
This summer’s Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival 2011 has extended to include more arts, comedy and acting classes, to bring the town alive with colour and culture.
The team behind the August event is delighted to have secured Brinsley Forde, singer from 1980’s band Aswad, to headline the outdoor stage in the
High Street on Sunday, 28 August.
Forde, who also appeared in the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever, scored a British number one chart hit with Don’t Turn Around in 1988, followed by another top 20 chart hit, Give A Little Love.
More recently, he starred with Dizzee Rascal on Later... with Jools Holland and as part of the Electric Proms in October 2009.
Organiser Kev Adams said he was delighted to have the singer on board for this year’s festival, which is a free event and runs from 26 August to 4 September.
“It’s great to have a leading star in the reggae world coming down to make his mark on Bridgnorth as part of this year’s festival,” he said.
Also playing the outdoor stage in the High Street on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday are local bands Madison, Fight The Bear, Threepoint2 and DC Fontana.
They will provide a varied line up to suit all tastes which organisers hope will bring even more people into the town. If you would like to get involved yourself visit www bridgnorthmusicfest.com or telephone on 07401 348797.
Celebrate the games
Wenlock Olympian Games Festival takes place in Much Wenlock on Saturday, 9 July.
The town’s Events Group invites you to join them for an entertaining evening including a procession of athletes through the town street, from 4pm to 9pm.
The festival celebrates the Wenlock Olympian Games, which will be in full swing over the weekend.
The free event will include street stalls, music and family entertainment.
Ladies splash into the history books
Bridgnorth Rowing Club’s Ladies squad made history for the town when they competed in a prestigious London competition for the first time in nearly two decades.
In March, the team stepped into their boat at Furnivall Sculling Club by Hammersmith Bridge and competed in the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race (WEHoRR) on The Tideway, London. It was a major achievement for the club who previously competed 19 years ago.
It was the highlight of a successful year for the rowers who covered the demanding 4.25-mile course from Mortlake to Putney in a time of 22.48 minutes, finishing in position 239.
The women had trained for this throughout the winter season on specialist rowing machines and by keeping fit using weights, circuit training and pounding the lanes of Bridgnorth. Not forgetting the hours spent on the Severn during the weekends.
The squad also kept up with competition in events against Chester, Worcester and Runcorn Heads and also a friendly at Pengwern Boat Club, in Shrewsbury.
The pinnacle of the British Winter Head season, however, was the WEHoRR event which attracts female crews from across the UK and abroad, ranging from Elite category crews to Novice. It was a huge occasion which attracted more than 300 entries from across the world.
Rowing for Bridgnorth were Charlotte Jukes, Barbara Webb, Liz Coulter, Claire Taylor, Lucy Wycherley, Sam Colclough, Leonie Nichol and Sarah Overton. Coxing the squad was Dale Bunning.
The club always welcomes new members, not only to join the women’s and men’s crews, but also for those interested in becoming a cox. There are Learn to Row courses available to beginners wishing to start messing about on the river.
It’s a great way to keep fit, using every large muscle group, according to squad member Leonie Nichol.
“I find rowing to be the best stress reliever out there. It’s definitely better than a punch bag!” she said.
“It requires focus and concentration and means that day-to-day stresses just have to be forgotten. You obviously have to put in a lot of physical effort too, but there’s no finer place to be than on the river on a glorious summer’s evening or seeing the mist disperse on a Sunday morning, hearing the church bells drift down from High Town,” she added.
The club is also a great way to socialise and events such as Bridgnorth Regatta at Severn Park are popular with members and nonmembers alike.
Don’t miss this year’s regatta on Saturday, 11 June. The day promises lots of boat races, teas, coffees, cakes, a barbecue and bar.
If you’re interested in starting to row or cox, or getting back into it, get in touch with the club by email newmembers@bridgnorthrc.co.uk
Blooming family fun grows on
Three generations of one family will be getting involved at this year’s flower festival at St Peter’s Church, Chelmarsh.
Show stalwart Marie Ellis has taken part in the event for the past 25 years and has been organising it for the last 15. Her daughter Sarah Rollings has made a sweet pea arch, using plants grown by local lady Althea Brookes, which has become a feature of the event.
This year, Marie is also pleased to be joined by her three-year-old grandaughter Maisie who is following in her granny’s footsteps and developing a keen interest in flowers.
Like Marie, many of the flower arrangers participating at the festival have grandchildren or are mothers and for that reason it was decided that this year’s theme would be ‘When we were very young’ to incorporate many of the nursery rhymes close to their hearts.
The event runs from 25 to 27 June.
There will be a refreshments tent as well as cake, produce and plant stalls.
The church will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Monday and from 10.30am to 6pm on Sunday with a Songs of Praise service at 7pm where everyone will be made very welcome.
Car wash for fund
Bridgnorth fire fighters are holding a charity car wash in aid of Cameron Brown’s Lasting Memory Fund at Asthma UK.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, 25 June from 9am to 4pm.
Cameron’s Fund was set up in February 2008 by his mother and father in memory of their two-year-old son. Currently they have raised nearly £30,000 through the generosity and support of many local people and businesses.
The car wash will be held at Bridgnorth Fire Station in Innage Lane. All sizes of vehicles are welcome and all they ask for is a donation towards the charity.
Flying the flag
The children of Bridgnorth Sta ge Academy took time out from a busy rehearsal schedule to sport red, white and blue and celebrate the Royal Wedding.
Between flag waving, club members were practising for a performance of musical The Pinafore Pirates, which will be staged at Bridgnorth Leisure Centre on 25 and 26 June. The talented youngsters also entertained revellers at the Morville Flower Festival. The Pinafore Pirates is described as a sparkling and amusing Gilbert & Sullivan-style musical which has an outstandingly tuneful score with script and lyrics bursting with wit and humour.
Tickets are priced at £6 (£4 concessions) and are on sale from BSA secretary Deb Lewis on 07944 255072 or visit www.bridgnorthstageacademy.co.uk for details.
Local Bee Directory 2011 correction
Please note the correct numbers:
Roger Evans & Associates, Architects, Much Wenlock (01952) 728678
SDS Carpets & Flooring, Much Wenlock (01952) 728492
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
