Caper Review

Having avoided rain for the last few years, unfortunately this year the weather lived up to the forecast, which meant that all of the cars left the start point in Chalford near Stroud in pouring rain. Luckily the rain had gone by the halfway stop, allowing participants to eat their picnics in the sun. The afternoon was kinder, so people drove top down and fully appreciate the lovely Cotswold countryside. The rain did return later in the afternoon although by then most had returned to the sports club for tea, cakes and a glass of beer.

This was the 18th Caper, and proceeds go to support local charities. It is open to MG’s and other classic cars and this year’s entry of cars included MGs from the 1930’s up to the present day. The Caper has raised over £70k over the years for all sorts of worthy causes.

The 2024 charity was for Charlie’s Community Support, a local charity providing free holistic therapies, therapeutic and emotional support for those on a cancer journey and anyone affected by Cancer. This year we raised over £4,000 (final amount still to be confirmed) for the charity to support their Community Café programme. Thank you to everyone for making this possible.

The Caper started at Chalford Sports and Social Club and the Hillier Garden Centre near Lechlade provided the lunch stop. We had one hundred twelve entries registered from far and wide and on the day most of them turned up and completed the trip – it is always nicer when the sun shines all day, but this is an outdoor event and we are reliant on the good old British weather!

One of the highlights of the Caper start is to meet the glamorous ‘pink ladies’ of the club. The ‘pink ladies’ who seem to look younger every year, welcome the participants, sell the raffle tickets and with the clubhouse kitchen supplying coffee and bacon rolls, help to ensure a smooth start to the day. The Caper started at 9.30 with the first car being waved away by club chairman Rob Cotterill and Joanne Sutherland representing Charlies.

The route took the participants past Gatcombe Park, through Tetbury and past Highgrove and Westonbirt Arboretum. Heading eastwards via Crudwell, Eastcourt, Oaksey, and through the Cotswold Water Park where coffee could be taken. After the Water Park participants drove through Down Ampney, past RAF Fairford and onto the lunchtime stop at Hillier Garden Centre. The afternoon route took the cars east through Lechlade and turning north and then west via Southrop, Hatherop and through Bibury to Winson in the Coln Valley towards Colesbourne.

After meandering through some more lanes and past Aston Down Airfield the route arrived back at Chalford where some found their raffle prizes, tea and cakes and most importantly the bar!

Whilst in the bar, listening to the feedback and discussion it seemed that everyone had had a marvellous day out in the Cotswolds. We would like to thank everyone who supported the event by attending, our main sponsor Class, sub- sponsors Martin Pollard Bodyshop and Regent Street Garage, and the advertisers for their support. Also thanks to Keith Lewis who chaired the organising committee, Andy Carter for braving the rain and taking lots of photographs, the wonderful ‘Pink Ladies’ and the hardworking committee and club volunteers for putting on another successful Caper event. Last but not least, Trevor and Sue Panter, together with Paul Drewett stood down from the Caper Committee after last year’s event, with Steve Wood also standing down from his role as Caper photographer. We would like to thank them all for their massive contribution to the Caper organisation over many years.

A date for next year’s calendar – the event will be held on Sunday the 6th of July – please watch for details in Enjoying MG or at www.glosmgoc.co.uk.

To view more photos use this link