Skip to main content

News / Articles

Area 10 - July 2026 update

Area 10 Rep - Jeff Sears | Published on 7/1/2026

Area 10 News July 2026



June started with the Pangbourne Classic Car Show – I was otherwise engaged at a surprise birthday party but I hear that there were a dozen Astons on display.

The following day featured Wheeler Dealer Live at Bicester Motion – Mark & Wendy Pilling coordinated the Astons there – a modest display of six cars, but much-admired by the public as they headed to and from the demo zone.

About a dozen Area 10 Astons headed north for the Spring Concours at Alnwick Castle.  The weather behaved itself for the weekend even if my car didn’t, and the whole weekend was a great success.

The weather did not behave itself for our June meeting at The Crown Inn, Penn, and so we declined the use of the open-air terrace and settled into the Crown Room as usual.

My car received a complete software update in time for our attendance at the Odney Club in Cookham.  There were 17 Astons on display, 16 of them arranged in a horseshoe.  The grounds extend to 96 acres and so there was a lot to explore, and there was the opportunity to take out a rowing boat.  We will probably be invited back next year.

We had 10 Astons and 19 Members attending our visit to Summerdown Farm.  After welcome refreshments we were led on a 90-minute walking tour of the farm, led by their Master of the Mint, Ian Margetts.  He told us about the crops, the land management and the wildlife, focussing on their Black Mitcham Peppermint, lavender and camomile which they process into products such as chocolates, teas, soaps and oils.  The visit concluded with an excellent lunch and an opportunity to sample and purchase products.

25 Astons were registered for the Yattendon Classic Vehicle Day amongst the estimated 600 vehicle present on the day.



Visit to Summerdown Farm



Summerdown Farm 2026


Future Events



As I write I am looking forward to our joint lunch meet with Area 13 at Winchester Auto Barn on Tuesday 30 June.  The venue put a limit on our numbers, so I am expecting there to be 15 Members from each Area.

The next day, the annual Area 10 Ladies Lunch is being held at Gerrards Cross Golf Club

Simon Newton, Area 12 Rep, says that spaces are still available for the Hatfield House event on Sunday 5 July. If you would like to come along, you can email him at area12@amoc.org to let me know.

Our Area 10 visit to the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge on Thursday 9 July is fully subscribed – afterwards Steve Johnson has arranged for the group to optionally visit The Apple Tree, Gerrards Cross, SL9 7AH where we will also be holding our Area 10 monthly meeting for July.

On Saturday 18 July the Hellfire Motor Vehicle Club is holding its annual The Big Meet in West Wycombe raising funds for men’s mental health.  I have booked an AMOC display stand.  The entry fee is £10 for your Aston and all occupants. For more info and to book your ticket visit: The Big Meet 2026 | Men with Machines CIC | MatterPay.  Please let me know if you plan to attend.

Graham Maidlow has arranged for us to visit Jenners Café in Maidenhead for brunch on Sunday 19 July. As it is under threat of closure, we are having an earlier gathering this year. If you would like to join us in this final Jenner's event, please email Graham: grahammaidlow@gmail.com



I am now collecting names for our annual Tom May Special Meeting at the Eton Dorney Rowing Lake on Thursday 6 August.  In case you did not receive the flyer, I am including a link to the event details here Area 10 - Tom May Special Eton Dorney Rowing Lake - 06/08/2026

So far I have over 60 people coming but I expect to double that.  So please book your places promptly now as I have to guarantee fairly high minimum numbers for the venue– I can always refund you if you inform me that you cannot attend up to two weeks before the event.


We have been invited to the RAF Benson Families Day which is being held on Thursday 13 August.  They are being slow with the details, but please let me know if you might be interested in attending with your Aston. Last year we were treated to some excellent flying displays.

Simply Aston Martin is scheduled for Sunday 23 August – for information on tickets and to request to park with fellow Area 10 Members, visit Beaulieu Simply Aston Martin - Events - Aston Martin Owners Club

On Wednesday 26 August we will be visiting Rycote Park and Waterperry Gardens.  We will meet at Rycote Park at 10:30am for refreshments and an introductory talk by the owner.  This will be followed by a guided tour of the Capability Brown gardens, the renovated barn and the 15th Century chapel.  After the tour we will drive to the nearby Waterperry Gardens where we have arranged for segregated parking and lunch in their “Tea Shop”.  The cost to join us is just £15 per person for the visit and tour of Rycote Park.  Lunch is extra at cost, and you might wish to visit the gardens themselves.  Please contact Jo Sears (josears24@hotmail.com) to confirm your place and for payment details.

We have again been invited to exhibit our Astons at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Auto Fest on bank holiday Monday 31 August.  They welcome cars, motorbikes, vans, buses, fire engines, bicycles to be displayed, but our Astons will have a special area reserved by the Visitor Centre. Steam train rides and all the fun of their heritage railway will be on offer as well.  There is a suggested (but not obligatory) donation of £6 per car for exhibitors.  To register please click on the link and let me know when you have done so.

Auto Fest 2026 Buckinghamshire Rail Centre – Fill in form

The Kop Hill hillclimb event at Princes Risborough is being held over the weekend of 12/13 September.  It is an annual 2-day event in aid of local charities.  Area 10 Member Mark Pilling has arranged for the AMOC to have a stand there and so if you wish to go up the hill or simply display your Aston, you can elect to park in the AMOC area - see Home - Kophill Climb




Other News


We have some Members who are new to Area 10 over the past month – I would like to welcome John Twydle, Patrick Quirke, Vimal Popat, Neil Watt, Steve Wintle, Andy & Christine Cole, David Wright, Tom Schofield and Donald & Catherine Flatt.