That was apparently on the old Birdlip Hill, which has now been by-passed by the 30 year old dual carraigeway (A417).
Back in July 1988 I was driving to Gloucester for a stag weekend. Taking it easy as I was going to be there first and listening to TMS, when I hit a patch of oil, slid sideways down the hill and hit an oncoming Volvo. Writing off my Astra and braking my ankle and 3 toes. Spent most of Friday evening in casualty and most of the weekend in my hotel room.
I still get the shivers when I drive near there and so my heart goes out to Psycho, who is a very entertaining listen on Talksyhte.
Remember sitting in my Ford Cortina watching the world slide by as I went down there having hit a patch of ice
Years later going up the hill the wonderful Austin automatic gearbox changed to 1st at 60mph
Both times a very expensive tow ttruck home.
Horrible horrible piece of road
I am muh more saddened than I should be at the news that Don Hewlett passed away last week.
Don was THE heartbeat of Coombe Bissett Cricket Club, being reformed back in the late 70’s. The club used to be down alongside Blandford Road - the pitch being in the Coombe of the same name.
They had tried to move up “on top of the hill” but folded very soon after.
Don (and Gerald Bundy) were the modern drivvers of reforming the club, Don taking on the role of Groundsman (amongst many others) and rotating the wickets 90 degrees.
We always had one of the best wickets in the area, we were badgered and shoved to help out with duties, we took a disused hiccken Shed and turned it into our Pavilion (My wooden benches are still around)
Don was our never needed in the team so he took up umpiring and got up to Southern League level, umpiring at the old Hampshire Grounds & South Wilts.
After I left he was a key part driving the building of our new Pavilion.
He stayed in touch through Facebook, only this June chatting with me about my Grandson’s technique
If you ever pass through Coombe - Pop up to the Village Hall, step up to the field and know how lucky I was to spend Sundays (and some Tuesdays) freezing to death/burning up.
Somewhere out there in the Chalke Valley is some poor unlucky sod who features in one of our old score books.
Caught Hewlett, Bowled Hughes.
IF you attend any Southern Brave home matches next season, his Grandson Will Hewlett will be part of the team doing crowd interviews. He was so proud of him for that and for being a damned fine young cricketer
I also read of his failing health. Spent a lot of time watching him at the County Ground. RIP, a great batsman.