Tonbridge Lions Car Tour – A Lovely Run Through Kent

On the 19^th of July the annual Tonbridge Lions car tour took place, this year with 44 cars taking part. The weather was perfect – no rain for the open cars, not too hot for the closed ones. As usual, the entrants gathered in the quad at Tonbridge School where the library was used to gather for refreshments, meeting friends, old and new, and getting the final briefing.

Our generous sponsors (Hadlow Stair Garage in Tonbridge and Sevens and Classics at Brands Hatch) not only contributed significantly to us raising over £1,000 towards local charities,  they also provided a number of entrants to support the event.

At 9:30 the Mayor – Kim Tanner, together with Lions President Richard Hill, waved the first car on its way – a blue Alpine – and the run was underway. The run weaved its way across Kent, through Brenchley and Flimwell, stopping near Swattenden after about an hour for a well-earned coffee. Then the route meandered on through Woodchurch, Wittersham and Playden before a nice long straight section up to Appledore and the Gusbourne Vineyards – our lunchtime rendezvous destination.

Ample reserved parking and a fantastic outdoor dining area set next to the vines awaited, its vicinity to Dungeness (visible in the distance) providing a nice cooling breeze on a hot day. People took refreshments, wandered around the estate or visited the shop before an excellent buffet lunch was served under the canopy in the private area reserved for the tour. The obligatory speeches were kept mercifully short and one lucky entrant won a bottle of sparkling wine donated by our generous Gusbourne hosts as we all enjoyed relaxing in the cool marquee.

At about 2 the first cars started on the journey back – a 40 mile, more direct route, through Tenterden, Benenden, Marden, Yalding and Golden Green, again beautiful Kent towns and villages for entrants to admire on their way back to the school.

The last cars arrived back at the school by 4:30 where scones overflowing with strawberry jam and cream, tea and coffee awaited. Apart from 1 car that needed to go home early, all 43 remaining cars returned safely to meet up finally and take a well-earned afternoon tea at the school before saying their goodbyes.