Lady Mairi's DB4

Charles Villiers told me about his grandmother's green Aston Martin DB4, now in Germany.

The DB4 model was produced by Aston Martin between 1958 and 1963.

THE LADY MAIRI BURY, of Mount Stewart, County Down, youngest child of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Londonderry, once drove over the Alps in this grand tourer with a cine-camera mounted on the dashboard.

The resultant film was very dramatic, and his grandmother occasionally screened it after dinner at Mount Stewart.

Charles saw it a couple of times.

The Lady Mairi Bury wearing her favourite emerald green evening dress

Lady Mairi took delivery of the Aston Martin in Spring, 1960.

The further history of the car is said to be well documented, and even the original Registration Book exists.

In 2013 the car was bought by a German enthusiast.

It was extensively restored and "optimized' in the Aston Martin workshop.

The whole work is documented with many invoices.

Lady Mairi had a particular fondness for the colour green, and used to take her grandson, Charles, for DRIVING LESSONS on the Mount Stewart estate roads in her Rover.

First published in January, 2020.

Phantom Revival

Eureka! I wondered what had become of the City of Belfast's Rolls-Royce Phantom VI limousine.

David Irvine discovered it.

The navy blue colour partly remains, though the car is now painted two-tone, grey on the sides.

The car was re-registered as WVO 338G.

The stately automobile was probably ordered at Stanley Harvey & Company Limited, Clarence Street West, Belfast.

Note the well-upholstered leather hide seating, with occasional seats.

The upholstery befits, and has supported, many illustrious and esteemed posteriors...

...and the drinks cabinet: The Bristol Cream or a wee dram today, my Lord Mayor?

It is known that the car was for sale on Ebay years ago.

Its last sighting was in Florida, USA.

First published in August, 2012.

Belfast's Phantom VI

In the late sixties and seventies, the Lord Mayor of Belfast's official mode of transport was a stately Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.

This car was, without doubt, the finest mode of transport the first citizen has ever used; and it has been peerless ever since.

I have attempted, in vain, to obtain information from Belfast City Council about earlier civic transport; perhaps First Citizens used their own forms of transport.

Sorry about the grainy image above: do any readers have better photographs?

Remarkably enough, I gather that the Lord Mayor's was the very first Phantom VI ever produced and was the official mayoral car from 1968 until 1978, when Belfast City Council sold it. 

I believe that the Lord Mayor of London still has a Phantom VI as official transport; as does the Royal Family in its fleet within the Royal Mews.

The then Councillor David Cook may have been Belfast's last mayoral occupant of the Phantom VI, which was navy blue in colour with the first citizen's registration number 1 WZ.

It even had a little pennant on the bonnet and a coat-of-arms mounted on its roof.

The Royal Family still has a few trusty Phantoms, including at least two Phantom VI state limousines.

As a boy I was in awe of this car, a true symbol of authority, power and presence.

It really was quite a spectacle to behold.

It must have been quite similar in appearance to the Monarch's car, a 1977 Phantom VI presented to Queen Elizabeth II for Her late Majesty's Silver Jubilee.

The Phantom VI was manufactured from 1968 until 1991 and a mere 374 of them were made.

The mayoral transport gradually diminished in stature when the Phantom VI was sold.

The Council subsequently bought a Daimler Limousine for the first citizen; then another Daimler; a Jaguar; etc.

What is the mayoral mode of transport today?

First published in June, 2008.

Historic Ballydugan

In May, 2017, I paid a visit to Inch Abbey, Downpatrick and Ballydugan.

It is such a long time since I have visited Inch Abbey, that extensive, ruined monastic site on the banks of the river Quoile, just outside Downpatrick, county town of County Down.

These visits always fill me with a sense of nostalgia, a taste of former times, picnicking, glorious meadows in the summer.

Inch Abbey, by the way, is an idyllic picnic spot, if the weather is clement enough.

It was a monastery from about 1180 till 1541, when it was dissolved by HENRY VIII.

The graveyard adjacent to the little car-park at Inch Abbey is dominated by the tomb or vault of the Perceval-Maxwells of FINNEBROGUE.

They were the landowners and presented Inch Abbey to the state in 1910.

Thence I jumped into the two-seater and made my jolly way in a south-easterly direction, over the river, to the historic town of Downpatrick.

Down Cathedral stands proudly to the extreme west of the town, overlooking Inch Abbey across the river Quoile.

I made a bee-line for Down County Museum, which is located in the historic buildings of the former County Gaol of Down.

The Gaol was opened in 1796 until its closure in 1830, when it became a military barracks.

I ambled up the hill to the cathedral.

The cathedral's graveyard lies directly opposite the west front.

The most commanding vault, almost like a little chapel itself, boasts stone pinnacles (larger versions of which adorn the cathedral) and stands at a corner of the graveyard directly overlooking the cathedral's west front.

It has an inscription in capital letters, viz. HASTINGS.

A black cat was sleeping on a grave further along.

Any reader who knows me shall be aware that I never pass a cat without greeting it cordially, and this occasion happened to be no exception.

In fact I persevered and at length my feline devotee was roused and befriended me; to the extent that it followed me into a field and up to the threshold of the cathedral.

Incidentally, the Perceval-Maxwells, like many other landed families of County Down, were patrons of Down Cathedral.

Their armorial bearings are resplendent on large, carved, colourful plaques along the walls of the nave.

Thereafter I motored in a south-westerly direction towards the townland of Ballydugan, a truly heavenly spot in the county.

Ballydugan is a hop, skip and jump away from Downpatrick; yet you are struck by its tranquillity and "olde worlde" charm.

A cursory glance at the map shall indicate that we are within riding-distance of Downpatrick Racecourse.

I have already written about BALLYDUGAN HOUSE.

The old flour mill of Ballydugan is now a guesthouse and undertakes weddings and other functions.

It was built in 1792 by one John Auchinleck of Strangford, County Down.

Rubble masonry was used in its construction.

It is six bays in width and six storeys in height, plus two attic storeys; an impressive, stone-walled forecourt and a gatehouse.

A lofty, tapered brick chimney stands behind the mill.

A mere thirty or forty yards along the road from the mill stands the Lakeside Inn, a former coaching inn, post-office and spirit grocer's.

Margaret Ferguson, whose family owns the inn, has traced the building back to 1840.

Margaret has run the inn for seven years, since the death of her mother Meta.

Her grandfather, Thomas Hutton, ran it in 1899; and his brother, Bernard, took over till 1890.

It came into the family in 1925 when Margaret's grandfather, Thomas Hutton, bought it after 26 years working there.

He died in 1959, and his daughter Meta ran it thereafter.

Meta Hutton died in 2012 and Margaret with her husband Geoffrey have taken the helm.

The two-seater was parked beside the charming little lake at Ballydugan.

I strolled along the road on its eastern side and several hundred yards further along The Old Town emerged.

It was almost akin to stepping back in time.

This is what the Irish call a clachan, a small cluster of buildings huddled together, usually inhabited formerly by extended families and neighbours.

A Christian community known as The Old Town Community is based here.

Ballydugan Cottages have been turned into holiday accommodation.

The Old Town overlooks Ballydugan Lake.

A wooden sign nailed to a tree declares that Belfast Anglers Club has the fishing rights.

Back at the lakeside car-park, I munched my sandwiches and gave a few crumbs to the sparrows outside.

The Lake House in 2014

At the north side of the lake stands an old cottage known variously as Lake Cottage, Ballydugan Cottage, and Lake House.

Its address is Drumcullan Road.

This building and its location interest me, and I intend to write an article about it and its inhabitants soon.

First published in May, 2017.

Orlock Visit

I motored down the County Down coast today towards Groomsport.

Parking on a lay-by near Orlock Point, I strolled along the coast for about half an hour.

It's quite picturesque here: the Copeland Islands were clearly visible today.

Looking inland, there is an ugly structure of some sort on top of the hill beside Portavo Reservoir.

This building ought not to have been granted planning permission in its current form: at least it could have been camouflaged in some way, or made less conspicuous.

It is a blot on the landscape.

I drove further along the coast to the little village of Groomsport, where there was a folk group playing at Cockle Row cottages.

County Londonderry Visit

Ballyronan House

I arose from the heavenly slumber about seven-thirty this morning, made the customary breakfast of tea and toast, and decided it was time to pay Ballyronan, County Londonderry, a visit.

Ballyronan lies on the north-western shore of Lough Neagh, the largest inshore lake in the British Isles.

Ballyronan is, or has been, a charming little village of sorts.

Its nucleus seems to be at Ballyronan House, former seat of the Guassens, which itself is close to the shoreline.

I ambled for perhaps half an hour, wandering over to the main street, where there are several public bars and a little supermarket.

I might have stayed for lunch, though, since no particular hostelry appealed to me, I motored onwards towards Springhill.

Springhill from the rear

Springhill, in the same county, is, of course, the property of the National Trust.

Old Market-house, Moneymore

It is close to the village of Moneymore, itself a delightful little village possessing considerable charm; though traffic seems to pass right through the main street, at a steady pace, without stopping.

New Market-house, Moneymore

Moneymore, to my mind, has always afforded great potential, given its heritage, including two market-houses, a former dispensary, the manor house, and former inn or public bar opposite the new market-house.

Springhill demesne is a few minutes' drive from Moneymore.

The new visitor centre, housed in a former barn, is beside the car-park.

Incidentally, they have free BT wifi.

I chatted with a number of staff, in the barn, the tea-room, and the House itself.

I lunched in the tea-room and enjoyed a delicious bowl of thick soup, viz. carrot and coriander, with a generous, thick slice of Ulster wheaten bread and butter.

This was well worth its £3.50.

The house tour guide was particularly witty and enthusiastic. We all appreciated her fascinating tour, especially her rapport with the kids.

Thence I walked up the slope to the old corn mill at the top of the hill; and onwards along the Sawpit Hill Walk, a distance of one mile.

I passed the former walled garden here, which now seems to be used as allotments.

Having browsed briefly in the second-hand book-shop, in a little gate-lodge, I headed home.

Magilligan Drive

This morning I drove across the bridge at the River Bann, at Coleraine, County Londonderry, and towards Bellarena, passing the Desmonds' admirable Bellarena estate (above).

Magilligan Point isn't far from here, so I made a detour towards the little ferry terminus.

There's a fine Martello tower of 1812 here, close to the beginning of Lough Foyle.

I stopped at Downhill, the property of the National Trust, and admired the grounds.

I made a point of visiting the mausoleum, built between 1779-83, in memory of George William [Hervey], 2nd Earl of Bristol, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1766, brother of the Earl Bishop.

The mausoleum stands proud, though many of its finely-carved stone blocks lie on the ground.

Would this edifice make a future project for the Follies Trust?

Mussenden Temple

A reader informed me that the centaur statue, which used to greet visitors to Downhill Palace (or Castle), is now at Spencer House, in London.

Little Grey

Little Grey will be due it's annual service shortly. I've been receiving reminders from it's computer.

According to one Internet blog, Service A  costs £249 or thereabouts.

Mercedes dealerships presumably charge a standard fee for this. I suppose it amounts to an oil change and a pimp.

And, of course, it includes transport to one's home or office.

The mileage is under 6,000, so the computer obviously knows Little Grey's age (a year old).

Doubtless I'll be assured that warranty updates, and so on, are "activated".

Al's Breath Test

In a chapter of Back Fire entitled Cloisters Alan Clark tells us of his encounter with a red Hillman in central London.

It was January, 1981.

He inadvertently intercepted the Hillman, only to be flagged down by the occupants, who had put on their police caps.

They proceeded to breath-test Alan. The result was negative.

Later that evening, Al went down to the bar at Pratt's and none other than the Secretary of State for the Home Department (William Whitelaw) was holding a whisky and soda "dark as a piece of mahogany veneer".

Willie was splendid, indignant that the police should dare to detain Alan, "monstrous...where did it happen...on what grounds" etc.

Alan's final comment on the matter: "The Drinker's Union".

Splendid stuff. Sheer brilliance.

Classic MG

It has been an interesting morning. An old acquaintance called me and I paid him a visit fifteen minutes ago.

This gentleman has been a scholar, school-master, local politician, historian and clergyman in his time.

He has stopped driving and, to my surprise, today he gave me virtually first refusal on his classic 1967 MGB GT motor car.

It is British Racing Green and has chrome features. I was apprised that it has been "round the clock" twice; though it has been well maintained and my chum is the only owner since new.

I asked him how much he wanted for it.

He chuckled and asked me to look it up on the Internet.

How much is it worth? Should I consider purchasing it? Would it be a burden? Would it stay in my garage?

Road Tax is unnecessary because the old jalopy is over thirty years old.

Shoulder of Lamb

Slowly cooked shoulder of lamb is the bill of fare at Belmont GHQ this evening.

It has been cooking since ten o'clock this morning, with whole shallots, carrots, parsnips and thyme sprigs.

It literally falls off the bone, like snow from a ditch.

Pudding will be home-made blackberry sponge with crème fraîche.


LAST NIGHT I motored into town in the two-seater and endeavoured - in vain -  to find an on-street parking space.

The intention had been to spend the evening listening to the live musician in Bert's bar at the Merchant Hotel.

Despite circling round the block thrice, there were no available spaces at Skipper Street, High Street, Bridge Street, or Waring Street.

I threw in the towel and drove home.

Sunday Drive

LOWRY'S WOOD

I went for a drive in the new jalopy today, to Groomsport and Bangor, both in County Down.

The new two-seater drives beautifully. It is even smoother, more refined, more efficient, and quieter than my last one.

This model has no hand-brake. Instead, it has an electric parking brake which engages on a button and disengages when Drive or Reverse is selected.

The new car is lighter, with more use of aluminium and a perspex roof.

The "eco" feature contributes to more efficient motoring and thereby reduces the cost of Road Tax from £280 in the older model to £180.

The computer is extraordinary in what it can do, from "Distronic" to "Speedtronic" and lots of safety features.

JUST beyond Groomsport I stopped at the National Trust's two year-old plantation, Lowry's Wood, which is beside Portavo Reservoir.

The saplings seem to be growing satisfactorily, though there is much undergrowth.

Rolls-Royce Phantom II

The BBC reports that the son of the first owner of a 1933 Rolls-Royce will finally see the car over seventy years after it was sold.

Gustave-Alain Miesegaes has travelled from his home near Geneva, Switzerland to attend a motor show in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, on Sunday, where he will see the vehicle.

Mr Miesegaes, whose father bought the Phantom II Continental when it was new, stumbled upon a picture of it on the show's website.

The car's current owner, Roger Head, has agreed to show it at the festival.

Mr Miesegaes said:

"Touching the car will be something quite exciting. I've only ever seen black and white photographs of the car until I found the one on the website. I always thought the car would be beige or pale yellow, and I was surprised to see its real colour which is a blue, light grey."

Mr Miesegaes father, Gustaaf Miesegaes, sold the car in the late 1930s.

"I have a few things I'd like to give to the new owner, because I think these archives belong to the car," Mr Miesegaes added.

The car will be on display at the Tewkesbury Classic Car Festival.

Mr Head, who bought the car about seven years ago, said: "He'll be impressed with it. It's in immaculate condition. It had a complete rebuild about twelve years ago."

Hot Seats!

I motored across Belfast this morning, to Motor City, aka Balmoral and Boucher Roads.

The purpose of my journey was to have a look at a Mercedes-Benz 250SLK, automatic, metallic blue, sports pack.

It had no parking sensors, nor heated seats! My own jalopy has those additives and I'm highly reluctant to cough up any funds on a replacement without those essentials.

'Twas a jolly appealing automobile, mind you. It had "oyster" leather seats with red stitching.

The "sports pack" merely adds to the running costs. Any car with those words merely adds to the ridiculous insurance bill.

Timothy Belmont will bide his time and pounce at the appropriate moment.

New Jalopy?

I have expressed an interest in the new version of the trusty two-seater sports model I get about in, despite a brief visit to the vet's about a respiratory ailment - viz. the air conditioning.

I've been in touch with a dealership on the Mainland.

I have to confess that I am not hugely impressed with the local Mercedes-Benz dealership in Northern Ireland. I have been in contact with them regularly though they never reciprocate, which comes close to complacency in my book.

What we need in the Province is another Mercedes dealership in competition with the present establishment.

The car I've been eyeing is a red two-seater convertible, automatic of course, with black leather, parking sensors, heated seats, cruise control and so on.

My own jalopy, which has graced the road for 19,000 miles, has all these features.

Killyleagh Sights

I visited Gibb's Island and Killyleagh, in County Down, today.

The tiny island - now virtually a peninsula - is looking well. A large tree has fallen across the path in the wood.

I enjoyed a packed lunch, consisting of corned-beef sandwiches with salad-cream and onion chutney.

At Killyleagh, I ambled up to the parish church (St John the Evangelist), where I strolled round the old graveyard.

A few of the graves date from the late 16th century. There are a few Sloans, though I couldn't see any Sloanes or ancestors of Sir Hans Sloane Bt, the village's most celebrated son.

The Heron mausoleum is the finest in the graveyard.

Near the harbour is a statue in memory of Sir Hans, unveiled in 2002 by Prince Andrew, Baron Killyleagh.

Air Conditioning

Whilst out on the open roads in the two-seater last weekend, I turned on the air conditioning.

Despite turning the knob fully to its lowest setting, warm air blew out.

I asked a pal about this and he suggested that the air conditioning unit needed to be "gassed".

Consequently, I drove this morning to a local garage which specialises in such matters.

They plugged the air conditioning into a machine which does the requisite business, and after about twenty-five minutes Hey Presto! It was re-filled.

The problem for me was that this did not fix the problem. It continues to blow hot air.

If I wish the air conditioning to be fixed, I shall need to have the two-seater booked in again.

The "gassing" cost £50. I shudder to imagine what the next bill will be.


INCIDENTALLY, a rather flashy Bentley saloon passed me in County Fermanagh, on the road to Crom. It was a silvery grey, with the distinctive registration number "W1".

Broughshane Visit

Two years ago I paid a visit to the picturesque little village of Broughshane, County Antrim. I wrote a bit about the White memorial in the church graveyard.

What a fine village Broughshane is. It's very close to Ballymena in County Antrim. I parked the two-seater on the main street and went "walkabout".

One of the local hostelries, The Thatch Inn, was the first place to catch my eye (at this point I can hear regular followers gasping and thinking his lordship craves a gin).

As the name indicates, it is thatched (though does not have a website at time of writing); it is atmospheric.

The arms of the 1st Earl O'Neill (1779-1841) proudly adorn the front of the inn. The landlord obtained consent from the present Lord O'Neill (4th Baron) to display the arms.

The village has always enjoyed a close association with the O'Neills: Lord and Lady O'Neill live at the Shane's Castle estate; while Lord and Lady Rathcavan's home is Cleggan Lodge, from where the Cleggan Shoot is based.

I ventured in, ordered a fruit juice (!) and had a brief chat with staff behind the counter.

On leaving the inn, I ambled up the street and saw a notice pointing to the village pond.

This is directly behind the 1st Presbyterian Church; and the pond is a haven of peace and tranquillity abounding with various water-fowl (name those birds above!).

In the 1st Presbyterian Church's graveyard there is a memorial to Field Marshal Sir George White VC GCB OM GCSI GCIE GCVO JP DL (1835-1912), whose ancestral home was at Broughshane.

White was probably the most highly decorated officer in the Army.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

The White plot is, unfortunately, somewhat neglected and in need of attention; a good dose of "tender loving care" and a liberal lick of paint would do wonders.

The heavy iron railings, the gate, the flag-stones, the stone cross and the memorials could all be spruced up.

The White Memorial must be one of the most important features of heritage in the village.

First published in April, 2011.

Triumph Roadster

This lovely Triumph two-seater was parked outside The Cuan Inn yesterday.