Group Organiser: Barbara Wood

Venue: Various Venues - as listed under Meet Ups and Locations

When: Listed under Meet Ups and Locations 2026 below

The group is for like minded members who share an interest in motoring and transport in general to enjoy a variety of social events and outings.

It is not a prerequisite to own any motor vehicle at all, just an enthusiasm for automotives and all things connected. Lifts can be arranged!

The aim is to provide diverse activities with wide ranging appeal. We have visited Aviation museums, Motoring and Transport museums, enjoyed free guided tours of National Trust properties, Heritage sites, canal boat trips and held a photographic competition. Members suggest trips for the group, and our range of interest is wide.

We have recently started a 'Meet to Eat'-'Brake Fast' group, all themed to motoring or transport venues. We have several new locations for 2026. We hope to include the occasional 'Extra Treat' from time to time.

Our planned meet-up and outings for 2026 are as follows:

First monthly meet up was at the newly relocated Industry and Supply. Specially opened up for us - usual refreshments available. We had members from Brackley and Towcester joining us to discuss the set up of a motoring group for Brackley. An extremely interesting exchange of ideas took place.

Second monthly meet up DATE CHANGE 10th March at White Horse, Silverstone - lots of memorabilia, and lunch. We somehow managed to squash 16 members into the 'Legend Room' where we all enjoyed a very keenly priced menu which worked out at £9 for the main and because it was Tuesday just £1 for puds.

For our Extra Treat this month we had access, via Zoom, to a talk given by Dr Keith Mitchell, retired consultant and specialist on Bluebird called 'Into the Water Barrier' it contained numerous photographs of the development of all the 'Bluebirds' from the early '30s onward. We also caught a glimpse of the sometimes glamorous lifestyle of the Campbells.

First outing for 2026 - April 14th Catesby Tunnel in Charwelton. Meet on site for 3.30pm tour. Donation required for local charity £10. A very popular visit indeed. 18 turned up to hear a talk from Rob Lewis on how a Victorian Railway tunnel has evolved into a world class aerodynamic testing facility. We all had a ride down the tunnel, a spin on the turntable, and return to base!

April 23rd at midday - Meet up and Eat up - Fox and Hounds Charwelton (very close to Catesby) choice of 2 items from set menu for £10.

May 28th The Piston Club - Stratford upon Avon - cancelled due to a mix of high temperature and road works. Report of 40 minute delays.

June 9th VBE Restorations. Offering a unique range of restoration skills, all in house, including upholstery, body framing, sheet metal work plus engine, axle and gearbox rebuilding. Vintage Bentley and other marques. Flecknoe. This was a real eye opener - so much to interest us and the owners were very generous with their time. Absolutely fascinating place and not open to the general public.

June 23rd Jacks Hill Café - Towcester Meet to Eat. A Bakers Dozen made it here - and we sat in the air conditioned canteen style eatery. All food freshly cooked, and iced coffee very welcome. This also has a large Truck Stop at rear, along with a gym with showers and toilets. Although we ladies needed to be contortionists to get into and out of the ladies cubicles!!

July 9th - Mini Road Trip - We headed off to Kingsley Café in Eynsham for Brunch, then off to Diddly Squat Farm (Clarkson) for a look see, and ended up at Hook Norton Pottery for afternoon tea. The brunch at Eynsham was freshly cooked and enjoyed by all. There was much of interest to see, including the vast covered area which has a stage and huge screen (currently showing the football). Diddly Squat was packed with visitors, we had seriously underestimated its' popularity. Queue for shop was too long for us to join in the heat of the day, so we moved onto the pottery where we were lucky enough to secure a nice tented area for refreshments. Again the food was very tasty. We had an opportunity to visit the workshops and all the 'potters' were happy to talk to us. The gardens were an added bonus, and full of exotic colour.

August 7th - Motorsportopia was an adventure to find - due to several SAT NAVS sending us straight by and into the village. A very bemused dog walker directed me to this venue, which had a good mix of eating with a selection of motor memorabilia on display. A last chance to get some great shots for the Photo Competition - this year a slight change as we will not be looking for technical expertise. Just submit 3 pictures that are your favourite shots - from any of our visits in the last 12 months. We will all have a vote and the winner will be announced at the September community meetings and as usual get a prize!!

September 9th outing - RAF Halton - Trenchard Museum. A replacement event due to the postponement/cancellation of the microlight event. This is a private guided tour - start time 1.30pm. As this is a military base visitors have to preregister for admission. If I don't have your details you will not be admitted.

September 23rd Meet Up - Crankshaft Coffee - a new venue in Woodford Halse (NN11 3UB) 11am. A chance to discuss possible Christmas Meal venues and date for late November.

October 7th - Armourgeddon Military Museum - Husbands Bosworth. Meet at 11am. A chance to drive or be a passenger in a selection of military vehicles (including tanks). Passenger rides at £31.50pp normally alongside a paying driving experience. Tank rides £40pp. This will be a Spectator day when vehicles are being manoeuvred around site.

Outings and Meet ups for 2027 currently being planned to inlcude:

The National Space Centre. Let's Boldly Go!! We can take a group tour entitled Jupiter Mission Package for just £20.95 as long as 15 of us go. Lunch packages start at £7.50 and tea/coffee plus cake is just £5.50. I am assured we will not be blasting off into outer space.

Another Duckett Day of Discovery!! Wendy has very kindly planned another very interesting mini road trip. The last one being very popular.

Proposed outings to consider -Transport Museum - for buses and workshop. Bus rides with tickets from 'clippie'. Wythall, Solihull. Great Central Railways (Loughborough), Rocks by Rail Rutland former quarry, Great British Driving Experience - cars from the 50's. 60's and 70's. Onsite café - Wednesdays only - £54 up to 3hrs. Ambergate Derbyshire. A little further afield but could be great fun!

For the more nimble - Nuclear Bunker at Broadway Tower - access via ladder. Home to one of the '3 minute warning' stations. A longer drive but spectacular views from tower - possibility to include in mini road trip?

Also plans to 'revisit' some of the very first outings - as newer members missed out on these. Suggestions were - Coventry Transport museum, Cotswold Toy and Motor museum (included in mini road trip), Hot Rods, Tuthill Porsche and Skid Pad.

Make this the year to enjoy your membership of u3a Daventry. Come join us to swap stories and plan outings at our regular meet ups.

CONTACT DETAILS

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