I was delighted to be invited to P & A Wood for their book launch of The Story of P & A Wood which also turned into a tribute to the recently departed Paul Wood and his brother Andrew.
We were extremely lucky with the weather which rather than the recent rain was a very pleasant summers day, so my wife and I went in my 1947 Mk VI which I bought from P & A Wood and was at one time owned by Paul Wood.
After tea and cakes, meeting fellow Bentley Drivers Club members and chatting we had a look round the immaculate workshops, just time for a quick gin and tonic before taking our places ready for the book presentation which was done in the style of ‘This is your life’ by Andrew’s daughter.
A collection of various cars was paraded telling the story of their humble beginnings, from going to work in an Austin Seven and living in a caravan at the back of the garage to save money on travelling expenses.
Then moving on to the time they both, without the other knowing purchased Bond Bugs at the same time proving the bond between twins is very strong indeed.
Many beautiful cars passed before our eyes all of which had been restored by Paul and Andrew, here is a rather eye catching Bentley Continental for example.
The story continued with details of how they finally became dealers for Rolls-Royce and an appearance of the famous Napier Railton which is also looked after by the garage and was driven today by Paul’s daughter.
Finally a 1931 8 litre Gurney Nutting Sports Tourer owned by Sir Michael Kadoorie which was the first car to win Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance Best of Show which had been restored by a British company, P & A Wood.
The presentation finished with Sir Michael Kadoorie complimenting Paul and Andrew on their fantastic achievements from such humble beginnings.
The day ended with an air display of some the the planes owned by the twins and included a World War Two Hawker Hurricane, all great fun and next week we are off to the Goodwood Revival, how lucky am I?
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother who had dementia, hence the lack of acting work but shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
Very lucky indeed!