Lads that lunch
I WAS INVITED to a Friday Club lunch at the Classic Motor Hub in Bibury, Gloucestershire; the weather was good and the XK needed some exercise, so I elected to take the Jag.
The run out from London is always a pleasure and the XK cantered languidly along the A40, an old trunk route that flows past Eynsham, Witney and through Burford towards Bibury, which has been described as ‘the most beautiful village in England’.
Tucked away about two miles up a quiet country lane you come across the Classic Motor Hub, a former World War Two aerodrome. Recently taken over by classic car specialist Martin Chisholm, who has restored the derelict site back to pristine condition, it now houses the superb Cotswold Collectors Cars showrooms within a blister hangar, as well as an on-site workshop and car storage facility.
Best of all is the rebuilt Officers’ Mess, painted in RAF blue and with stuffed leather chairs in the corners, Persian rugs on the wooden floors, and emotive art on the wall – including photos of the local fighter aces of 87th Squadron, who flew from here – plus automobilia in every nook and cranny. The result will appeal to motorists and aviators alike. A number of other lunch guests had arrived in classic cars and the beautiful XK150 driven by Octane reader Anthony Thompson really caught my eye.
The Classic Motor Hub hosts Coffee & Classics meetings on the first Sunday of every month, as well as Supper Clubs and even a drive-in cinema, the next on 15 July. The Mess is an ideal location for catered meals; on my visit, its large table was laden with the full silver service, cut glass and a few bottles of vintage Claret. Blast, I should have taken the train.
The chefs produced a delicious organic lunch and much car chat ensued before I headed back to London. You really should take a drive out to Martin’s Classic Motor Hub: it is rather special. See www.classicmotorhub.com.