2018 Crossley Register UK National Rally
Photos - Malcolm Asquith
The 2018 gathering of the UK Crossley faithful was based around Oswestry on the Welsh/English border and was ably organised by Jackie and John Naughton. Our base was the Wynnstay Hotel where we had our own reserved car parking.
Jackie had produced a magnificent brochure for us illustrated with extracts from old Crossley literature. As well as the programme for the weekend our organisers had also arranged for magnificent weather, if anything a little too hot for some of our cars.
Those arriving early on Friday were able to look round Oswestry prior to an initial meeting at the hotel at 4pm followed by an informal meal.
Saturday
The 9.30 departure seemed to be a bit better obeyed this year and off
we set for a 14 mile run to Llangollen where a boat was waiting to take
us on a trip over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct with the all important tea
and coffee (and biscuits). There was then time for a short exploration
of the area before it was back in the cars and off to Erdigg, a house
and gardens in the care of the National Trust. We were permitted to ark
on the grass at the front of the house where we were treated to a picnic
lunch. This was also the opportunity to judge the cars for the prize
giving in the evening.
Our usual master of ceremonies for the evening, Malcolm Hatfield, was unfortunately indisposed but his place was ably taken by John Warburton. There followed a piano recital by long time member of the Crossley Register Arthur Tipper.
Afterwards there was, of course, the bar.
Sunday
Our entertainment started with a short run to the British Iron Works. It's quite hard to know how to describe this establishment other than eclectic with its dragon on top of a Jaguar car and gorilla made entirely of spoons welded together.
From there it was a run of just under 30 miles to Combermere Abbey, the one time home of Sir Kenneth Crossley and now of his great-grandaughter Sarah Callander Beckett. We were greeted by Sarah, her husband and son and our cars were arranged outside the house which looked magnificent after its lengthy renovation. After Sarah gave a short welcoming address we settled in to another picnic followed by a tour of the house.
Several of our number departed for home from Combermere with the remainder returning to the hotel and its spa followed by an outing for a curry.
Monday
On Monday morning it was time to say our farewells but there was one final excursion to the fabric shop across the road with its seemingly endless collection of rooms. Several Crossleys were returning home with extra luggage.