Chequers Inn

February "Newsletter"

This month we were rather blighted by the snow and fewer of our members ventured out to The Chequers in Well. However, Ron Neal has provided a follow-up to his excellent write-up last month about Mike Hawthorn's Memorial Parade.

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“ Mike Hawthorn Memorial Parade”
Farnham Surrey 25th January 2009

Photographs above
Mike Hawthorn enjoying His leisure time casually dressed (pipe and cap) as he would often be seen.

Well Mr Hawthorn, you have been busy lately haven’t you?

Thursday 20th November 2008 saw the signing of a new book to celebrate your life. And now a memorial parade of cars associated with your life and times. And a church service to boot! Unfortunately the only person who could not attend these events was Mike Hawthorn himself, having passed away, in those tragic circumstances, some 50years previous. But that did not matter to the hundreds who all gathered here in the streets of Farnham, on a dull Sunday afternoon to witness the spectacular that many of us will probably never see again, certainly not in my life time.

A church service had been arranged between 13.30 and 14.30 followed by a parade of period machinery, all in Mike’s honour; with a final graveside service in West Street Cemetery in the presence of distinguished guests, and the general public. I did not attend the church service having arrived in the town a little later than planned, but I made my way to where the parade of cars had gathered in a near by car park close to the river Wey and St Andrews Church, who’s bell tower is quite a well known land mark.

I spent some time taking pictures, video and talking to old friends before making my way up to the traffic island at the top of Downing Street which I though would be a good vantage point. Shortly after 14.30 the familiar sounds and smells of a bygone era came into earshot. The leading classic car of the parade was, and rightly so the Wolseley 6/90 police car, one of only a handful left in the whole of the U.K. Next what can only be described as an amazing parade of beautiful machinery from the past came slowly by.

Formula one cars from the 1950s, Jaguars from the sports XKS to the very big MK5-9 SALOONS, TR3S, Ferraris, Coopers, Sunbeams and of course the big Bentleys of the late 1920s, the list went on and on. After the second parade through the one way system I got ahead of the crowds and made my way to West Street Cemetery, stopping only to video Stirling Moss driving a ‘C’ Type Jaguar, closely followed by Damon Hill in a ‘D’ Type.

By now the skies were looking full of rain and threatening, but it remained dry; only just. By the time I had reached the cemetery, quite a large crowd had gathered around Mike’s grave, I noticed that Damon was already in attendance along with Mike’s former fiancée Jean Howarth and Stirling Moss was standing near by.

A short service was conducted with a laying of wreaths, concluding with a few minutes silence to Mike. All too soon it was time to depart, but not before an impromptu photo call with some well known faces from the motor racing past, these are all remarkable people that have lived remarkable lives.

It was at this moment I felt mixed emotions and a great wave of sadness that Mike could not be here in person to witness this incredible event. But if there is such a thing as a spirit force, I’m sure he was there somewhere.

One of the many tributes left to Mike that day read simply “Mike you won’t believe the price of Light and Bitter these days” I think the great man would have liked that, I know I did, it made me chuckle.

Mike where ever you are, it was nice to spend time in your company, on what was a very special day for one admirer. I’ll leave you a pint of Light and Bitter on the bar at the Barley Mow, the next time your there!

Ron Neal (MG & British made car clubs)
Bordon, Hants