Five cars assembled in Fall River Friday morning, tops down (for those who could) and headed out the 102 to Debert Timmys where we stopped briefly to meet John Fulton and then continued in sunny weather to Pugwash area for lunch. We then continued up through Port Elgin to Shediac and up 134 to Rexton. Linda Grandy flagged us down just north of Shediac and some went to see her summer cottage there.
Friday night there was a reception at the Bonar Law Historical Site in Rexton where there was a good selection of food like oysters, mussels, goats milk cheese and other interesting snacks. The mayors of Rexton's David L. Hanson, Richibucto's Meldric Mazerolle and Saint-Louis de Kent's Louis Arsenault as well as The Honourable Shawn Graham, Premier of New Brunswick were there to welcome us.
Heavy rain greeted us Saturday for the British car show at 10 AM (click here see images below) but it was wisely decided to move the event from the Bonar Law site indoors to the Rexton Curling Club nearby. There were 29 cars on display for the day and the venue was condusive to meeting and getting to know other British car owners from across New Brunswick.
Saturday evening was the excellent dinner provided by the Rexton Curling Club followed by the presentation of the impressive trophys by "Al Capone" as a reminder of the areas' Rum Running days during Prohibition.
People's Choice - Jurg and Elsbeth Pilgrim with their 1958 Jaguar XK 150
Participant's Choice - Bob & Pat Hamilton with their 1953 Sunbeam Alpine
Mayor's Choice - Jurg and Elsbeth Pilgrim with their 1923 Vauxhall Kingston Tourer 23/60
Longest Distance Travelled - Preston and Betti Ann Smith from Head of St. Margaret's Bay, NS
The sun returned Sunday for the Lion's Club Breakfast and R.C.M.P. escourted drive to Saint-Louis de Kent and the Daigle Park Family Camping for refreshments and final farewells by the host community mayors.
A few members then headed back home to NS while the Robertsons, Clevelands, Hamiltons, Gerry Hull and John Fulton headed to the beautiful home of B.A.T.A.N.S. members Annette Gallant and Ernst Zwahlen for an incredible afternoon BBQ dinner. We had steak (provided by Elsbeth Pilgrim), chicken, boiled edible seaweed (delicious!) topped off with home made pies! What a way to end a great weekend. Thanks again to Annette, Ernst and Elsbeth Pilgrim for a wonderful afternoon.
The entire weekend was a real treat and a special "Thank you" to all the hard work by Pierre Lemonde, Gisèle Richard and many others who helped put this weekend event together. We all looking forward to 2009!
Here are a few images from the weekend taken by Bob Hamilton.
Annette Gallant with Ernst Zwahlen, Honourable Shawn Graham and Pat Hamilton
British Cars on display in the Rexton Curling Club
Click on image for a larger view
1923 Vauxhall Kingston driven by Ernst Zwahlen with Annette and the three Mayors departing for the Sunday tour.
Saint-Louis de Kent Mayor Louis Arsenault, Richibucto Mayor Meldric Mazerolle, Ernst Zwahlen, Rexton Mayor David L. Hanson, with Pierre Lemonde at the Daigle Campground.
Jurg and Elsbeth Pilgrim's 1923 Vauxhall Kingston in the background.
Bob Hamilton and Preston Smith with Al Capone, Ernst Zwahlen giving trophy to Elsbeth Pilgrim and Lindsay Patriquin with Gisèle Richard, Development Officer for the Town of Rexton.
We had a great BBQ at Ernst and Annette's home in Mundleville
Another view from their comfortable deck.
On tour to Saint-Louis de Kent with R.C.M.P. Escort.
A line of fine British automobiles.
Lineup at Farewell Ceremonies in Saint-Louis de Kent.
10 AM the day of the Rexton Car Show!
Water is up to the sills on Rod Patriquin's MGB. Had to bail it out.
Rod's car sporting Mickey Mouse ears!
