Suffolk Churches – a series of journeys in a Mk 1 Cortina by Bernard Butler – Chapter 1

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]During our recent post on our visit to Morston Hall we mentioned meeting Bernard and his wife who had, at home, a Mk1 Ford Cortina.

Bernard told me as a part of his retirement that he travels around Suffolk and visits our churches and photographs his car with the church and writes about the experience.

We are very pleased to be able to share with you their fascinating story. All of the experiences you read of below are from Bernard Butler. Bridge Classic Cars do not claim ownership in any way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Suffolk Churches – a series of journeys in a Mk 1 Cortina – by Bernard Butler”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Chapter 1

This adventure, with its crazy ambition of visiting every church in Suffolk (and then on into Norfolk!) began on a sunny morning in April. Leaving home in Worlingworth soon after 9 o’clock, I set off on the first of what would hopefully become many journeys into the beautiful Suffolk countryside.

I had planned each journey to take in about five churches, gradually casting the net further and further away from base. Initially the journeys would be relatively local and therefore could be “circular”, but eventually they would have to take the format of “travel out – local exploration – travel home”.

I took the Cortina rather than a modern car as it symbolised for me the timelessness of the journeys, many of the churches having stood, little changed, for centuries.

I do not intend to write detailed accounts of the churches I visit – these can be found in many scholarly publications – but rather to keep a historical record of the journeys themselves. To achieve this I am taking digital photographs of every church visited, including the Cortina somewhere in the picture if at all possible.

The first church was Tannington, where I chatted with an “old boy” who was amazed by the car!

Tannington

Then on to Dennington where it was my turn to be amazed! Please visit this gem if you can – inside is a wonderful mixture of fascinating history.

Dennington

At the remote church in Brundish I met my first problem – the church was locked, although there was a notice detailing key-holders in the village. However, the south porch door is rather worse for wear and I was able to squint into the building through a hole in it, although I saw little.

Perhaps I will return one day for a proper look.

Brundish

Fourth on my list was Badingham – a village I had not previously visited.

It turned out to be a church built on a steep hill. It was so difficult to level the ground at the top of the hill for the building of the church that they just got on with it. The result is a very unusual feature in that the nave rises over two feet from the west end to the east end. You really are going “up” to the altar!

Badingham

Finally to Laxfield, where a couple of curious folk appeared and asked about the car.

Inside the rather plain church was a set of stepped box-pews, each marked with who they were for – “men only”, “boys only”, and “young men only”! Foolishly, instead of putting the boys at the front so their behaviour could be monitored, theirs is the rearmost one, and so it is quite understandably  covered in their graffiti!

Laxfield

I returned home after three hours, during which I had travelled down a number of previously unexplored byroads, giving me an even greater appreciation of the beauty and timelessness of the Suffolk countryside.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2 to follow soon…

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The reference book I am using throughout my tours is: “Suffolk Churches and their Treasures” by H. Munro Cautley – 1954 edition.

It would be inappropriate to use a Sat Nav for these journeys, so I rely on maps from the Landranger O.S. series, which are much more fun anyway![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Andy Frost, reliving his racing days…

Whilst sorting through the back offices in preparation for the new office makeover, Andy has dug out a photo album from his youth.

We have a champion working here, at Bridge MOT Centre, a brilliant story…

Surprise success for teenage driver

Teenage autocross driver Andrew Frost had never driven a car in a race until last year.

But winning quickly became a habit, as he finished in front in sox races and took the Crownwheel Junior Autocross Championship.

Now Andrew, of Lower Crescent, Barham, is looking forward to the start of the new season in April and to defending his title.

Andrew, 15, a Claydon High School pupil, said he was a little surprised by his success, which has left the sideboard at his home groaning under the weight of seven trophies.

“I just went along for the ride at the first meeting, but I started winning and after that I got the hang of it,” he said.

So far Andrew has had no serious accidents in the autocross races, which are held on grass and stubble fields.

“Safety standards are pretty strict and autocross is a non-contact sport,” he said, “although I have had a couple of prangs.”

One happened when a former junior champion was trying overtake him.

“He was trying to get past on the inside,” said Andrew, “but I wouldn’t let him and I got a bit of a dented wing.”

Andrew bought his car, an 850cc Mini for £23 in a scrapyard, and, with the help of his mother’s boyfriend, Maurice Debenham, he restored it to winning condition.

When he leaves school this summer he plans to be a mechanic – “Anything to do with cars,” he says.

Andrew’s driving skills are possibly inherited from his mother, Janet Frost, who is an ambulance driver working in Bramford.

“I love driving” she said.

Now the whole family is autocross crazy. Maurice Debenham is taking up the sport this year and Andrew’s sister, Michelle, also wants to have a go.

“We went to every meeting last year,” said Janet. “It’s so exciting and it’s great fun.”

The cars are out on the hottest day so far.

A night’s relaxation at Morston Hall in Holt, Norfolk is always a lovely experience with it’s Michelin Star cuisine and beautiful grounds. And it’s even more of a pleasure to have Head Chef and owner Galton Blackiston drifting in and out of the beautiful rooms making you all feel very special.

Upon arrival I saw this lovely Rolls Royce Silver Cloud 111. I soon tracked down the owner Tony Yallond and had had a fifteen minute, very interesting chat about his car and garage experiences.

Tony also has a Chinese eye at home in the garage.

Former market trader Tony seemed very relaxed after his lunch at Morston with his very elegant wife and companion.

Tony followed us out to let us see inside his lovely Rolls and upon opening the door of his well used car the smell of old leather and wood set us up for the day.

We said goodbye to Tony and headed for a walk by the sea to be approached by this lovely Alvis wafting up the drive.

After a short conversation with the owner we carried on our walk to the car park area where we saw the immaculate MGA sitting resplendent in the April sun with its picnic table and chairs it was surround by various boats of all shapes and sizes.

Briefly I asked the owner if he wanted to be famous and let me put it on our websites which he replied with a smile that he was already famous.

Walking round the other side of the car park we came across this very unusual and rare Dodge Coronet. It’s rarity was in its right hand drive and with an absent owner I could only guess that it hit these shores via somewhere like Australia.

Earlier in the day, whilst tracking down the owner of the Rolls I had a very interesting conversation with a gentleman and his wife who said the Rolls was sadly not theirs but he did have at home a Mk1 Ford Cortina.

When I asked him if he used it much he told me as a part of his retirement that he travels around Suffolk and visits our churches and photographs his car with the church and writes about the experience.

I left all our details with him and I hope he gets in touch as I would love to run this very interesting story on our website.

‘Gordon’

Inspecting our new arrival

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Having taken the long trip down the M6 from Nantwich, our newest arrival, a 1973 Reliant Scimitar is now with us at Bridge Classic Cars.

Immediately we see that the paint is in need of some TLC. Whether we look to respray it or to keep the ‘patina’ finish and just carry out a thorough detail, something will be done.

One of the exhaust brackets has also come loose but once we get her in the workshops on Monday we’ll carry out a full assessment and put a plan into place.

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Andy visits Bridge Classic Cars in his new toy

It is always nice when like minded friends visit us at Bridge Classic Cars.

I have known Andy Kenward since my days at Guinness Runcorn in 1996 and we have kept in touch ever since.

Andy is a true Classic Car enthusiast and has had to his credit some beautiful cars.

Andy had a beautiful Ferrari 348 until recently and a gorgeous yellow triumph stag.

In the days of the Norwich Union Rally which became later the Aviva Classic Car rally we drove our cars from Norwich to Silverstone.

I competed in my fully restored 1938 Vauxhall 14 J Type registration COD 623 in maroon with black wings (where are you now?)

Andy’s recent visit, he brought one of his toys, this pristine Vauxhall VX220 Turbo with it lovely reg.

After the customary tour of the factory we headed off to the Levington Ship for a burger lunch. A lunch and venue I can truly recommend.

Open top, very sunny day and a very fast car. Lovely.

…Gordon