SAVE THE DATE!

BARD’S DRIVE 2024:
AT FOXCOTE HOUSE, ILMINGTON
Saturday, 13th July 2024

We are delighted to announce that Bard’s Drive 2024 will be held at Foxcote House in the Cotswold village of Ilmington, Warwickshire, next year. 

The owners of this wonderful Grade II-listed 18th-century manor house have kindly agreed that Bard’s Drive can meet at Foxcote House for next year’s charity fundraising Classic Car Rally, with refreshments in the former Catholic chapel.

As it is a privately owned home and access to the Foxcote estate is only rarely given, the number of registered cars will be restricted. More details about registration will be announced in early 2024. 

If you haven’t joined us for Bard’s Drive before or are not on our mailing list, please email us as soon as possible at info@bardsdrive.co.uk to let us know you are interested in taking part in Bard’s Drive at Foxcote. We will then send you details of registration as soon as it opens.

After the meeting at Foxcote, participants can take part, if they wish, in a rally (with a quiz) around churches in the area. 

The Trustees of the Warwickshire and Coventry Historic Churches Trust are very grateful for the owners’ generous permission to hold Bard’s Drive at Foxcote. All profits will go to our charity,  the Warwickshire and Coventry Historic Churches Trust so that we can give grants to restore and maintain Warwickshire churches and chapels, preserving them for future generations.

 

 

BARD’S DRIVE  JULY 2023
Bard’s Drive 2023 took place on Saturday 22nd July 2023 at Honington Hall (near Shipston-on-Stour). In spite of the weather, we had a great turnout and everyone enjoyed meeting other classic car enthusiasts.

The Trust was very grateful to Benjamin Wiggin for his kind permission for cars to meet in the grounds of Honington Hall –  a stunning 17th century country  house.  James Kerr, a professional photographer, took some great photos of Bard’s Drive participants and their wonderful cars in front of it. Maps and Quiz sheets were provided for those wishing to tour around 5 of Warwickshire’s historic churches and / or classic car venues in the area (The British Motor Museum or Caffeine and Machine at Ettington).

CHURCHES INCLUDED: Honington (All Saints)  CV36 5AA; Shipston-on-Stour (St Edmunds) CV36 4AP; Barcheston (St Martins;) Brailes (St Georges) CV35 0SG; Brailes (St Peter and St Catholic Church);  Ratley  (St Peter ad Vincula) OX15 6DS; Pillerton Hersey (St Mary the Virgin) CV35 0QJ

Click to see  James Kerr’s photos 
If you would like to purchase digital photos, please take a note of the photo number(s) you are interested in and email info@bardsdrive.co.uk      Prices are: 2 photos for £10;  5 photos for 20;   8 photos for £25`
Our thanks to James Kerr for donating profits from the sale of these photos to the  Trust.

 

BARD’S DRIVE 2022

We had an amazing sunny day with bright blue skies on Sunday for Bard’s Drive 2022 on Sunday 19th July 2022.  A variety of  wonderful cars joined us in the courtyard of 14th century Maxstoke Castle to start the Rally.

After chatting, refreshments and taking photos, the cars were waved off with a flag!

Participants visited historic churches of their choice in the area, including Polesworth Abbey;  St Peter’s Mancetter; St Edith’s, Monks Kirby; St John the Baptist and St Anne’s at Wappenbury; St Nicholas, Kenilworth; St Peter and St Paul’s, Coleshilll; St Michael’s and All Angels, Maxstoke –  and took part in our fun Church Quiz and Photo Competition.

Our grateful thanks to George and Edwina Fetherston-Dilke, who generously let us use their home, Maxstoke Castle, as the starting venue.

Thanks too to everyone who took part, the churches for welcoming our rally drivers and all those who helped make it a day to remember.

Photos by Jamie Wright (info@jddigital.co.uk)