The ‘Wales Early Drive it Day’ on Saturday, 25th April 2026

The ‘Wales Early Drive it Day’ on Saturday, 25th April 2026

This took place the day before the National ‘Drive It Day’ on the Sunday. The Wales Section Director, Tony Windos, plotted a route on a map initially. Then the route was tested on a couple of occasions for any necessary amendments. Sadly, despite the announcement details of this event in the April Calendar, only 4 Members with 3 Alvis met at our starting point venue. This was parallel to the Main entrance of the Chepstow Racecourse.

The designed route was absolutely delightful. Our first ‘landmark’ was the very impressive Tintern Abbey, and then a long climb up into the hills and the wild woodlands above the Wye valley, which were carpeted throughout with an amazing display of ‘Bluebells’ We crossed the Wye River over the elderly, single-file, ‘Bigsweir’ bridge. After nearly 16 miles we stopped at our coffee stop, the ‘Orepool Inn’. The coffee was really superb.

We arrived just as the pub opened. Then, we travelled into the RoyalForest of Dean and through the towns of Coleford and Cinderford, passing the famous ‘Speech House’, initially a ‘Verderer’s Court’, built by the King in 1676, for the Foresters. After just over 50 miles we arrived at our Luncheon destination. This was at ‘The Old Court Hotel’ at Symonds Yat (West). There, pre-arranged, we met up with Hugh Stirling and Candy, and some friends from the Leominster area. The Hotel offered an extensive menu at fair value. Afterwards we had a photo shoot in front of the 1570 hotel façade, featuring 4 Alvis, 1 Daimler and an early, pretty MG convertible. We shall be keeping this very beautiful route for another event in the future.