Cornwall Austin Seven Club 

Event Reports
short reports of events, holidays and shows enjoyed
by our members in the past four months.

Our members are always out and about with their 'Sevens'

The main aim of CA7C is to encourage members to drive their 'Sevens' whenever possible, even throughout the winter months when, surprisingly, quite a few members do enjoy being out and about on the colder winter-time runs.  However, we do draw the line on the very wettest of days as there is no point driving in bad weather with the non-optional water entry around the ill-fitting windows and doors!   Mostly we are able to enjoy warm, sunny days with Cornwall's splendid inland and coastal scenery at its best whatever the season of the year.

These edited reports were written by members and are taken from our monthly magazine, Seven Focus.

West of England Steam Engine Society Rally - 16-18 August

This was the twenty-fourth consecutive year that our Club was organised a display at this show and we were fortunate to have fine weather for all three days of the event.  For many years CA7C has had the same location in the showground but the last few years the organisers have been trying out different layouts for the show and as a result we have been in a different location on the showground each year. 





This year was no different and our new location did us no favours.   However those of you that came with cars put on a good display for the visiting public. There were fourteen cars on Friday, twenty-three cars on Saturday and thirteen cars on Sunday.  Over the course of the weekend we also had visits from half a dozen or so members, without cars, who dropped in for a chat or to sample the refreshments.  There was a steady flow of visitors who came to look, ask questions or share A7 stories but unlike previous years we were not approached by anyone looking to become a Seven owner.  A few seeds were sown but whether they will germinate into ownership remains to be seen!    Many thanks to those who helped set up and pack up the site and marshal the cars, to those who brought their cars and finally those that provide a seemingly endless supply of cake to go with the tea and coffee available all weekend.  



The National Austin Seven Rally at Beaulieu  - 30 June



A dozen members took their Sevens, either by trailer or driving up from Cornwall.  Two had persistent problems on the drive up with one returning home with help from the rescue service.   A few members also attended without their Sevens.  There was ample chance to purchase spares; three members took home trophies.  An enjoyable weekend.





Wednesday Wanders
Every Wednesday morning about 8 Sevens appear at a meeting point somewhere in the Redruth area and enjoy a short run through the lanes before a coffee stop and/or picnic depending upon the weather.








Annual Rally - 14 July

Around 30 Sevens gathered ona fine, sunny day in the heart of the Cornish Countryside with splendid views over Stithians Reservoir.   Members, and our friends from the Netherlands making their annual trip to Cornwall, were soon enjoying a range of games driving their evens around various obstacles and attempting tasks.   A cooking range was available for those who wished to enjoy a BBQ; later came the presentation of a few Club awards and then a traditional Cornish Cream Tea.  A very enjoyable day.











Wednesday Wander - 12 June
Six cars enjoyed a run from Wheal Busy to Frogpool going the long way round; taking in a few more lanes.  One very experienced Ruby driver even managed to run out of fuel!





Run to Cape Cornwall - 9 June

For some members it was an early start travelling thirty-odd miles to the meeting place, Lelant Garden Centre.  After the usual catch up over a cup of coffee, we set off towards Carbis Bay eventually turning left heading to Nancledra and the south coast, stopping at a wonderful view point overlooking Mount’s Bay and St Michael’s Mount. At the time the air was not all that clear, but even so, the view was fantastic.

After a few minutes we continued on down through Gulval then onto the main Penzance road, past the Jubilee Pool along the promenade over to Newlyn before turning right towards St Just and our destination Cape Cornwall where we were met by a very enthusiastic National Trust lady. This is where we had our picnic lunch, the sea looking a little grey but while eating our lunch the sun came out and everything looked different with the sea turning a vibrant light blue.  





Suitably refreshed, we set off again back up to St Just and through Truthwall and along the coast road heading to St Ives. We passed the now closed Geevor tin mine and the world famous Botallack heritage site and also passing through several hamlets but by-passing Zennor.  

Nearly back at St Ives we turned right and then left taking us to Moomaid by the lake for one of their wonderful ice creams, after which we made our way home.   On reflection what a wonderful part of the world we live in, with the contrast of the fertile early growing area of a frost free Gulval on the south coast, and on the north its wind-swept granite in a part of the county separated by such a short distance.   The little car behaved well, with one little scare taking a corner too quick but luckily the wheels stayed on the tarmac, getting home just before 5 pm.  




Wednesday Wander - 5 June
This week six cars started in Frogpool and then went down through Gwennap to join the main road at Comford before turning off right through Merrymeeting and then off towards Stithians.  The leading RP Saloon took the group past Stithians Dam, but after Penhalvean going towards Four Lanes only then realised that the following car in view in the mirror. 


Stopping in a wide entrance to a farm he was surprised when another member appeared and pulled to say that told me he had a flat tyre and had been trying to flag me down.   Our leader hadn’t felt the flat at all or heard it above the rattle of the car. The rest of the convoy arrived and  made short work of changing the wheel, once a new, modern jack had been produced as between the rest of us we had a collection of incomplete ones. How did that happen?   The rest of the trip passed well and we had our picnics at Carn Brea Castle.  







A weekend break - Four Folks, a dog and two old cars

The participants were feeling the need for a refreshing break away, and with a Bank Holiday looming, a plan was hatched to spend the three days recuperating at a campsite retreat in East Cornwall.  It is the interesting fact that there are twenty-three, vehicle bridge river crossings of the river Tamar, just on our doorstep.  What a good idea it would be to travel over these crossings in the vintage Austins we just happened to have with us, and record them all photographically!!  




So it was that we spent the weekend flipping from one fine county in to another, only to flip back again, unable to decide on the cream/jam conundrum.  From the rather understated concrete pipe under the road at West Youlstone, near the source at Wolley moor, to the majestic suspension bridge at Saltash, we traversed the lot.  The order was organised such that we crossed the last bridge East to West, in other words the free direction!!   To complete said challenge, required navigation of most terrible minor roads, that can only be described as in post apocalyptic condition. Pot holes the size of planets, and surfaces that would challenge John Deeres’ best.  Nature was busy reclaiming these tarmac strips and succeeding.  However, our ninety-year old steeds, and occupants, took the punishment in their stride. Only requiring daily pre trip wheel nut tightening, and applications of Fixodent.    



East Roseland run - 12 May
Having thoroughly enjoyed the Roseland run in March we were looking forward to revisiting the Roseland.  As the day approached family events meant our making the trip down from Bodmin uncertain.  Optimistically, if a bit last minute, we prepped JOY, the AAL, the day before and gave a fellow Bodmin Sevener, a shout.  We arranged to travel down together to the start at Truro Waitrose. The forecast was sunny!!  

On the morning we loaded up dog and picnic and set off allowing plenty of time. In fact we had an uneventful trip down covering the twenty-one miles in about forty-five minutes. Remarkable really as we tangled with an old tractor outing as we turned onto the main road, several other car clubs and off-roaders on the way and a cycle race as we went through the Ladock Valley. A lovely quick run on a sunny morning down the old A30, Goss Moor, the usual Castle-an-Dinas/Blackacre wiggle, Fraddon and on, arriving to a car park with no Austin Sevens in sight. Not like us, but we seemed to be first!  

That soon changed as another dozen arrived.  After a bit of a catch up and some last minute picnic shopping, which allowed us time to put the top down, the convoy set off through Tresillian. Then just before Tresillian Bridge ‘Why are we turning left. The Roseland is that way.’ A bit of a detour on some suitably narrow lanes (grass down the middle) and some early hills to test us then we came back to the end of the Ladock Valley turning to pass through Probus and then on to Grampound. This time we failed to lose anyone as we turned right to Creed.  Some of these lanes now seemed familiar if somewhat drier than on the previous run.  In fact it was so dry it was sometimes difficult to see through the dust cloud kicked up by the vehicles in front. The submariners had become desert rats.


The pretty lanes through Carveth and Trevarrick were lined with early summer flowers, Queen Anne’s Lace, Bluebells and Pink Campion. Turning towards Gorran Haven we branched off to the right near Gorran High Lanes, or at least some of us did as we had finally managed to lose the back half of the convoy after earlier twists and turns had been successfully negotiated.  


We sat and waited tucked in to the side as tidily as we could whilst calls were made to try bringing us back together. Whilst waiting, two huge tractors pulling muck spreaders came up behind us. It is very disconcerting to look up at the huge tyres rolling by supporting a very mucky spreader when you are in an open topped seven!  

A huge sigh of relief when the others rejoined us and we drove on past Treveague campsite and on the most wonderful coastal, gated road (Lamledra Hill) to Gorran Haven. Somewhere in the next few twists and turns around Polkirt hill heading to Portmellon there were a number of unscheduled stops for a misfire due to a dodgy plug, a puncture and dirty points. The net result being that I sat marking a junction whilst the front headed into Portmellon and my passenger decided to walk back with the dog to let those behind know what was happening.  No sooner than some of us were mobile again heading to Portmellon than we met the front of the convoy heading back the other way. A quick U-turn further on and we were soon heading to our lunch stop at Heligan.  

We parked up after a little reshuffling next to another Seven, an Austin 10 and a Ford 105E Anglia, broke out the picnic chairs and settled to a relaxed lunch on a grassy patch in the shade.  Great to spend time catching up with old friends. Thankfully the farm shop also sold ice cream so no disappointment there either.  As the gathering started to break up and head home we took our leave choosing a nicer way home than along the A390 up Penpillick Hill as far as Lostwithiel.   We headed to the Mevagissey road turning left past Pentewan to St Austell where we turned right on the A390 but only as far as St Blazey Gate. Then a left to Bodelva, Luxulyan and Mena on some quiet country roads before turning right to parallel the A30 to Lanhydrock and finally back through Bodmin to home. Definitely quieter than following the A390 to Lostwithiel, and so much prettier.   What a great day, seventy-two miles without a hiccough.  

 

 

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