A road trip for David Bowen

[Dunc]

It just came up in conversation, it was a quiet moment at work and we probably should of been doing some maintenance or something but Nathan and I were doing what we do best.... talking   We had got onto the subject of Lord Horatio Nelson, that English Hero who beat the French at Trafalgar in HMS Victory .I was telling Nathan about a newspaper article I had read about a local man who along with two partners had bought 12 tonnes of wood from HMS Victory which was left over from its restoration re-fit in 1922.
     
     Fast forward a few days later and we all heard the tragic news of the death of David Bowens wife. I along with everyone else was touched by the generosity of multitool.org members who donated, raffled and auctioned things off for David.
   When I was next on with Nathan at work he couldn't wait to tell me an idea he had. “what if we were to get some wood from HMS Victory and make some scales for a Vic Classic and use it to raise money for David " Nathan said .He had been busy and had already made contact with the Gentleman who owned 4 tonnes of Victory oak (1 third share of the twelve tonnes purchased) and had arranged to meet him at his Gallery in North Norfolk. This is my favorite part of the county and I jumped at the chance to go with Nathan to meet David Burton and see some wood and articles made from Victory .So off we went with Nathan driving and me navigating as it was an unfamiliar area to him but one I knew quite well as I often stay up there with my family for short breaks. Nathans two girls and my oldest daughter came with us too .It was a pleasant drive up there and I think Nathan was very impressed with the scenery .We were heading for a village called Wells next the Sea, it’s a lovely place and Nelson himself spent time there .We found the gallery tucked away down the side street and was amazed at what was inside, beautiful things lined the walls and we spent a good hour looking round. David Burton was an extremely pleasant man who had an amazing passion for his work, Nathan had already explained the reason for our mission and he had a selected piece of oak Victory and had it waiting for us.He also donated a wine bottle stopper made from Victory oak that’s worth £19.99 .

   We left the Gallery and went to buy some dinner , Sausage and chips by the sea   Although Nathans sausage rolled off the plate and he done a kind of juggling act but sadly the sausage ended up on the floor after leaving a trail of sauce down his front lol . After we had eaten I suggested we made the short journey to Burnham Thorpe which is the birth place of Lord Nelson .We stopped there at the Nelson Pub and had a pint of beer before making our way home .

It was a good day and Nathan is great company and future road trip are planned .

Heres a link to the website for David Burton   http://www.victoryoak.co.uk/index.php

And now for some photos …….















































The auction can be found here http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,22035.new.html#new

[MultiMat]

Dunc that sounds like a great trip mate  .

Silly question Dunc why was there so much wood left over 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Nice trip, in a great cause

[MultiMat]

Dunc that sounds like a great trip mate  .

Silly question Dunc why was there so much wood left over 

Found the answer on David Burton's website ;

HMS Victory's original weight was 2,164 tons. 30 tons of scrap material was removed during her restoration which is only 1.25% of her total weight.

 

[Chako]

Nice to see the mugs are the same the world over. 

Lovely photographs. I just like history...and the UK sure has a lot of it doesn't it? 

[Neil]

Nice to see the mugs are the same the world over. 

Lovely photographs. I just like history...and the UK sure has a lot of it doesn't it? 

We just make it up as we go along ...

Great tale and pics Dunc.  Top idea for an auction; well done gents 

[BIG-TARGET]

I thought the hero of Trafalgar was Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubry?

But seriously, looking at the model of the HMS Victory.  THat little canoe definately packed some serious firepower!

[DaveK]

Nelson is my Hero, but a point of order, it was the combined French and Spanish fleets that he defeated at Trafalgar, and thank god he did, or we'd all be speaking French now!

Dunc (and Nathan) that's a fantastic idea and a fantastic story, well done for both thinking it up and getting hold of the wood. I've seen the pics on the auction thread and the Classic and the Wine Stopper are both fantastic items - I hope they raise a ton!

[Hedge Kid]

What a great idea Nathan and a tale well told Dunc 

I love the pic of the classic car and caravan.  Is it one of yours?

[nuphoria]

Brilliant idea all round 

I'd love some of that oak myself