A memory shared of the 2025 Stonehurst Rally

The Pre War Austin 7 Rally, Stonehurst Farm, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire 31st May - 1st June 2025 

Mick Ward 

Jean and I were delighted to drive our ’33 Tickford A7 to attend the second rally at this Farm in the middle of the large village! The whole farm comprises some old 1850s style buildings with at least two car museums full of vehicles and artefacts galore, a café, the many farm animals, a children’s activity and play area in the hay-bale filled barns, a courtyard for social gathering and surprisingly there is also a Michelin star restaurant occupying the front of the buildings! 

The Duffin Family who own the Farm also have a lovely vintage Commercar bus on solid rubber tyres, like the one driven by our club treasurer Mark Lewis at the Shuttleworth Collection. An additional attraction on the farm is a large and very steep grassy hill climb that some A7s attempted – not for me as I wanted to drive back the 100 miles to home. I would guess the incline to be approximately 1 in 4.

Unknown to us, Dave and Carol Lewis thought they’d try this rally and had driven both their 1934 PD, being a 2 door A7 tourer, and a modern carrying all their camping gear where they joined many others with tents or camper vans. 

Jean and I treated ourselves to a four-day long weekend in a three-star hotel in Quorn. I should say there are number of hotels to choose from, but The Quorn Grange was situated away from the main road in a quiet secluded location. Arriving back in our hotel car park we were pleasantly surprised to see so many other vintage cars, mainly Austin 7’s there.

The Rally was billed as a three-day event, with a delicious gourmet buffet available on the Friday night; it was a vast spread of food prepared by the Michelin chefs. You had the choice of the indoor café area or the courtyard setting; all providing a relaxed atmosphere for the start of this unusual weekend.

On the Saturday we enjoyed a sunny day and a run out with other A7 friends and their cars around the lovely countryside including Rutland Water. In the evening, we had choices, one being to attend the 1940s event taking place at the Great Central Railway station. In the huge yard and sidings so many of the railway enthusiasts had dressed up to dance to the swing bands with some food stalls on site selling out. Our small gathering chose to fetch fish and chips locally but bring it back to eat sitting alongside the railway sidings. There were some station benches as an alternative as it was a lovely summer’s evening.

We collected the fish and chips in my friends’ 1950 MG YA 4 door cream saloon. I must confess it’s well presented, especially the stylish interior seats, and a useful 1250 cc engine so ideal for modern motoring. A possible idea now I’ve sold my bus – don’t tell Jean.

On the Sunday, approximately 50 cars gathered on the Rally field – mostly A7s plus a few other vintage Austins. It was a surprise to see 12 an Austin 20 previously owned by member Sue and the late Gerald Walker. 

We also bumped into another member, Chris Kingsford-Curram who had driven over in a modern just for the Auto-jumble; like Hugh Dyson and his father did last year.

There was a special Centenary Cake for the celebration of the seven original 100-year-old A7s (all Pram Hood Chummies) belonging to pre-booked Pre-War A7 Club members: Phil Baildon (former Association Archivist), Nick Turley (former Association Chairman), David Cochrane (current Association Chairman), Graham Beckett, Peter Rowlands, Ian Brough, plus Tom and John Duffin (the farm owners) which were exhibited as pride of place in the main marquee. The Association’s Archivist, Gordon England, brought along some photograph albums which included some donated by Sue Walker. I stumbled across this lovely nostalgic black and white family photograph showing Sue and Gerald with his dad Ray.

Ray ran his garage in Perowne Street, off Mill Road Cambridge servicing members Austin 7s and those owned by students at the Cambridge University Colleges. It was where Gerald grew up learning so much about A7s. Gerald spent eight months preparing my A7 for our first Euro tour to Austria in 2017 – we got there and back all 2,100 miles.

Finally, my grateful thanks to all those at The Pre-War A7 Club for putting on a lovely, relaxed and informal Rally at this exclusive site, with the variety of facilities and attractions. Maybe a few other Cambridge A7s will care to join us to drive in asupportive convoy next year – the dates are 29th-31st May 2026.