Visits to West Hoathly Garage 8 May and 15 May 2024
Jeff Deere and Karen Dollery organised a visit to the wonderful West Hoathly garage in West Sussex. This was the first time I can remember that a Noggin has been spread over two dates because so many people wanted to go. It was the first time they had invited members of a car club to tour their premises, so we were very honoured..
Many of us have driven past this garage many times but not known what wonders were inside! Jeff had split the group into two with 28 people and 14 Morgans taking part on the 8th and 30 people with 16 Morgans on the 15th. We were welcomed by the garage with tea/coffee and cakes kindly provided by Mrs Ann Denne on arrival before starting off on our tour.
In 1929 the garage was established by J.C. Denne, originally in Sidcup but relocated to West Hoathly in 1967. Now run by sons James and Rupert it specialises in the servicing, refurbishing and maintenance of classic cars including Rolls Royce, Bentley, Packard, Jaguar etc. We were taken on a tour of the premises, a veritable tardis, with their own body shop, paint shop, spray booth and paint mixing and engine rebuild facilities. James and Rupert also took us to every corner of the workshops and showrooms, which have the most amazing and opulent classic cars we have ever seen. Classics undergoing restoration included a Rolls Royce Phantom 111; a Packard V12 limousine; a Bentley S2 and an Aston Martin DB6.
Many thanks to West Hoathly garage for allowing us access to all areas and to Jeff and Karen for organising the visits. Three hundred pounds was collected from members for the two charities supported by the garage, St Catherine’s Hospice and a Cancer Charity.
Lunch was at Tullys Farm afterwards on both occasions.
8th May
15th May
Photos, David Neary, Geoff Heath, Joan Endean, Geoff R.