The Midlands Lotus Owners Club (MLOC) would like to welcome Lotus owners everywhere to our annual summer event in Derbyshire over the weekend of Saturday 11th July and Sunday 12th.
The format of the event remains as before – we have a Saturday evening meet at a great Derbyshire pub in a beautiful location. Although informal and relaxed this year we have a theme of “cravats and high heels” for those that fancy dressing up a little!
The main event is on Sunday and begins early with an organised (and MSA approved) run through some of the very best roads passing through some of the most spectacular countryside in the Derbyshire peaks and dales. Numbers for the run are limited to 90 on a first come first served basis - we had 80 last year so book early to avoid disappointment!
The run includes a stop at an excellent café for pre-ordered breakfast cobs before a 90 plus car procession in to the magnificent Chatsworth Park where we gather in a dedicated area in front of Chatsworth House itself. At Chatsworth we have a pre-ordered summer buffet, there will be a very well supported raffle and our now famous Car of the Day vote. A link will be posted in the next few days to a short film that describes the day much better than we can here. We try hard to make it a good day out for all the family rather than simply cars in a field and there are lots of other attractions at Chatsworth including a fantastic adventure playground for the kids, the House, ornamental gardens and maze.
Attendees can take part in the whole event or pick and choose which parts to get involved in, but breakfast, the summer buffet and the organised run must all be ordered in advance via the online shop on the MLOC site (a link will be posted when details are finalised). While you are there have a browse in the gallery for photographs of previous years.
We had quite a few visitors from different parts of the UK last year which was fantastic (big-up the Wessex crew!) and even one from Romania which added to the fun enormously, so we are very keen to attract more intrepid Lotus drivers from further afield this time. As well as being very beautiful the Derbyshire Peak District has the attraction of being central so we hope to tempt some cars down from Scotland and across from Wales as well as up from the south. We will be setting up a thread on MLOC with recommendations for B&Bs, hotels and campsites. With any luck we may even persuade some mainland Europeans across. It will make for a fabulous weekend break we promise you.
The event is now in its fourth consecutive year, with numbers increasing each time. Year one saw 56 cars, year two 98 and last year we had 156 – and would almost certainly have had more had we not clashed with the Silverstone Classic meeting. This year we realistically expect over 200 cars, weather permitting and hope to see examples of every Lotus model. There was a very good turnout of Excels and Eclats last year and a fantastic looking array of s1 Exiges parked in formation, as well as the expected Elises. There were also a smattering of Elans and Esprits but disappointingly no Cortinas, Carltons and Sunbeams – come on you tin-top boys and girls, where are you?
All Lotus models are welcome but they must be Lotuses, so unfortunately Caterhams and VX220s will not be allowed to park with us, although they can still park in the public car park.
It really is a great fun event. We hope to see you there so put the date in your diary now
Goodness me this is an exclusive club - I applied to register two full weeks ago (swear down) and only got my approval today!
It was easier to get security clearance to get on to Stirling Lines I shit you not!!
Anyway I’m here now and it is terrific to see the enthusiasm shown for this little event. Mr Pesky has been a stalwart supporter from the start, and likewise JonnyFox, top men that they are, and it was good to meet Benj last year. Even if he did totally show my motor up by parking Brocky next to it. I also have fond memories of a wonderful line of s1 Exiges formation parked at Chatsworth.
I am sensing a little more excitement around the Saturday night entertainment this year - in case you hadn’t noticed there is a theme (optional) at The Dev, Beeley, of “cravats and high heels”. Jonnyfox, I feel, is a man born to wear a cravat. Pesky, on the other hand, just isn’t dressed without his Manolos.
Mrs B and I have booked in for the Friday and Saturday at The Dev so hope to see some of you there!
Its down to me that bit…
Sadly I don’t have time to sit all day long approving applications so many apologies for that. Honestly its not exclusive at all, the more the merrier
Its when I remember that I need to look, Yesterday 7 people where approved and I think yours was the oldest…
Anyway a warm welcome.
Can I tempt some of you chaps to book in to The Devonshire at Beeley? Don’t worry, I ain’t on commission or nuthin’, but the Saturday night “Warm Up” is there and those of us that stay over can have a beer. I still feel an itch of responsibility that the place you lot stayed in last year wasn’t great…Mrs B and I have a room at The Dev booked for the Friday and Saturday night and are really looking forward to it. It’s a bit on the dear side but nice.
Benj thanks for your kind words mate but it is a team effort - this year more than ever.
Get your names down on MLOC for the run folks. You must buy the event from the MLOC online store to secure your place, and they are selling fast.
If a few of you are up for it I will try and stick you in the same group.
You will love it I promise!
I’m stopping at home ( sawley) then will be heading up to matlock for the run first thing, if anyone’s heading the same way?.. Starting it nice and early should keep the neighbours on their toes.
