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The
Morris Eight Tourer Club
Armistice Day 11th November 2001
What a day! --- John Howard won the election, it was cold, wet and windy with some sunshine thrown in and we had organised a car run to the Hills.
We met at the car park opposite the TollGate and set off at 9:50 am. so that we would be at Littlehampton before 11 a.m. to have a short Remembrance Day memorial service. Up through the tunnels and over Waverley Ridge and into rain, Pearces and Triplows with their hoods down!.
We regrouped at Littlehampton and proceeded on to Liebelt's Farm and Platform One to be met by Glen and Karen Liebelt and children. Glen is 6th generation to live on the farm.
We split into two groups, Glen taking half to the model train for a ride around the property, and Karen taking the rest on a tour of the old German Farm House which they have partly set up as a Bed and Breakfast using as much of the antique stuff as possible. After our inspection of the house the groups changed over and we looked over the collection of rail memorabilia. Rail station signs, Complete front sections of steam engines, (the flower pot funnel was a bit sus.) Interiors of early rail carriages, signals, and even a TV station prop in the form of a steam engine with lights a blazing , standing by in Rail Station.
This prop was used in an early "Miss Personality Quest" presentation.
A few of us managed to talk Glen into letting us look around the old machines, stationery engines etc. and to start up an 8 h.p. engine used for wood cutting. Glen and Karen both proved to be real characters and I'm sure we all appreciated the hospitality and our visit
After lunch in an "Overland" carriage internally modified for dinner groups, we headed off to Balhannah to look for the Wicks family farm, some made it by reading their instructions and others followed our fearless leader and got lost!!
What a wonderful collection of vehicles and memorabilia! Mr. Wicks Senior has put together over forty years of restorations, in a large shed and a 100 year old cottage, Approximately 18 cars, trucks and motorbikes are in the shed all nicely restored.
Some are thought to be the only examples left in the world.
1928
Flanders Tourer, 1914 Gordon Cycle Car, Turcat Mery, 1928 Brocklebank,
to mention but a few.
The Gordon, we were told was on its way to the tip. Mr. Wicks sen. Happened to be following the "dumpee" stopped him and got the car for nothing.
We were also told that Gordon Armstrong have made unbelievable offers to aquire this one and only example left, to add to their collection
There is a lovely big Sunbeam stationary engine of 1931 which took my eye.
Sadly I would have to double the size of my shed to accommodate it.
The cottage with it's lean-to and cellar are full of yesteryear's goods and chattels, the cottage furnished as it would have been many years ago, The side lean-to and cellar were full of restored stationery engines, an old Fordson tractor, and lots of old parts.
We had a wonderful visit to both properties and it just goes to show that all the junk that our parents and ourselves have thrown out is most definitely someone else's treasure.
A big Thank you to the Liebelts and Wicks families for letting us share their history.
Those attending were:
B. Booth "Y" Ute, P. Wood Minor MM, S. & A. McNicol, Kerry & Michael 2 Oxfords, R & K. Prewett '49 "Z" Ute, J. & 1. Pearce Bullnose, P. & P. O'Sullivan Minor Ute, B. & F. Thomas Series II 8/40, R May Series II Minor, B. & D. Triplow Series II 8/40, M. Randell & Sue '27 Oxford, A. Porter 6/80 Wolseley, Nt & K. Kaehne Series 11 8/40, R. & J. Steen Modern, P. Burgess '41 Series "E", Peter Burgess