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Yorkshire Dales Classic Car Club

 

Event Report

 

2017 Run To Pendragon Castle - 21st June 2017

Report by Jim Hadfield
 

 

At 10.00am 25 members met at Bedale Golf Club for the June run organised by Jim Hadfield.


After coffee and biscuits, the cars were flagged off at 10.30 for a 46 mile run through Wensleydale, Swaledale, Garsdale and eventually over the Cumbrian border to Ravenstonedale. Indifferent weather didn’t stop Ian and Julie from persisting with the hood down on the MG, but others were not so brave.


The route went to Leyburn, then by a minor road over to Grinton, where a badly placed signpost misled one or two people to continue to Reeth before realising where the turn should have been made. From Harkerside to Askrigg, past Hardraw Force and the Green Dragon Inn led to the Garsdale road beyond Appersett and the climb over the Pennines. At the Moorcock Inn it rained as the support team took photographs as the right hand turn slowed the cars down. This little-known road threads its way up the valley towards Kirkby Stephen, alternating with the Settle and Carlisle railway. Before then came Pendragon Castle, a site associated with King Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon.

 

  

 

Unfortunately in the rain and overcast sky, the castle looked much like the grey limestone crags around, and it was easy to miss. From here a delightful little moorland road climbed over to the road between Kirkby Stephen and Sedbergh, at the back of the Howgill Fells. On joining this road, a mile and a half on saw us arriving at our destination and lunch stop, the Fat Lamb Inn.

 

  


A good varied menu was provided which everybody seemed to enjoy, along with some good draught beers and cider. The proprietor of the Fat lamb is a classic car enthusiast and he has an Austin Healey and a Mark 2 Jaguar, which unfortunately were not on display. A room at the back of the inn contained a collection of classic car memorabilia, and an impressive display of banners of clubs which have made the pilgrimage there, or passed through on rallies.


Members then made their own ways home, though some roads were impeded by travellers dispersing from their annual Appleby Fair.