R8 "The Graduate" re-run September 14/15th 2019

[GTiJohn]

As part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations we are going to re-run "The Graduate" TV launch advert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOAh4cj0iCI&t=6s - taking in as many of the original locations as possible, on September 14th/15th, with the option of an overnight stop in Thirsk on the night of the 14th.

It won't be a procession (and definately not a timed run !) but a chance to drive through the beautiful North York Moors and spot when scenes were filmed.

Unfortunately some locations are not available, for example at South Shields Town Hall, the location of the wedding ceremony, the area surrounding the steps is being refurbished and the Redcar Steelworks (the level-crossing scene) is now closed.

Attached is the proposed route:-
Starting from Thirsk, take the A170 via Sutton Bank and Helmsley (Nice town, possible stop).
At Keldholme take the road to Hutton Le Hole (Nice village with pub and tea shop and green, good photo opportunity)continue on the main road to Castleton. This is Blakey Ridge where the moorland shots were taken.
On the moors is a pub call "The Lion" with large car park. (Possibly a lunch stop?).
Then down in to Castleton. Take a left towards Guisborough.
Turn left on to A171 to Guisborough, then towards Middlesbough (still on A174).
Then left on to the A66. The Newport Bridge (used in the ad) is on the right at a roundabout, it is the A1032 signed to Haverton Hill.
In all its 82 miles.



If you would like to join in, please add your name to the list below and get booking a hotel in Thirsk

1. GTiJohn

Fingers crossed for good weather!

[Hammond]

This sounds fun, but a 4 hour journey by car to get to Thirsk may be a bit challenging

[cabriolet106]

Cabriolet106.

[Paul_1978_yorks]

Unfortunately I am working that weekend doing a disaster recovery test. I don’t work many weekends so it’s Sod’s law that it clashes with this event

[GTiJohn]

This is intended as an informal drive through the area with the opportunities to stop at various points around it for photos, tea and cake, lunch and convivial chats.

So we've identified suitable stops which means that the route it likely to take a bit longer than the 2~2 1/2 hours that a continuous drive would take.

Therefore leaving later in the morning means a return to Thirsk later in the afternoon reading to check into a hotel for those planning on doing so.

Depending on numbers, there may be an opportunity to meet up at a local hotel or visit the North Yorks Moors Railway - https://www.nymr.co.uk/

This is all 'weather permitting'!

So far we have
1. GTiJohn
2. Cabriolet106 plus 2 or 3 friends

[1234dist]

1. GTiJohn
2. Cabriolet106 plus 2 or 3 friends
3. 1234dist (pending working vehicle)

[engtmitc]

South Shields

Excellent chip shop @ Colmans NE33 2JQ if you like that sort of thing.......... front of the town hall is a bit awkward to stop at anyway as is a traffic light junction/double yellow lines. Whitby not too far away and another good place to visit/feed your face. The Stokesley-Helmsley road is a good driving road (the 'north yorks TT'). Lovely part of the country (apart from Middlesbrough itself, sorry).

Will see if mine's coolant leak is fixed in time....(sudden coolant loss = new water pump & housing needed at least).

[cabriolet106]

We are blessed with some of the best driving & motorbiking roads in the North East Of England with the North Yorkshire Moors & Yorkshire Dale's right on the doorstep. Even our towns are great, Middlesbrough has the iconic Transporter Bridge as well as Newport Bridge that featured in the Rover Advert. Middlesbrough also has the Riverside Football Stadium home to the football team and now used as a concert venue too, The Mima Art Gallery & Middlesbrough Town Hall host regular cultural events to. With other local Landmarks like Roseberry Topping , Captain Cooks Monument & Carlton Bank all affording great views over Middlesbrough, Stockton & Surrounding area.
Stockton has the widest High Street in the country and events are held throughout the year catering for all tastes. Also worth a visit is Redcar and just down the road is Saltburn with its Victorian architecture funicular railway down the cliff and pier. Slightly further north is Hartlepool with its Maritime Museum. So in a nutshell the North is definitely worth a visit.
If your here for the Rover weekend why not make a return visit and see some of these great places.

[Paul_1978_yorks]

Good news - it looks like my weekend working on 14th is cancelled! So.....

1. GTiJohn
2. Cabriolet106 plus 2 or 3 friends
3. 1234dist (pending working vehicle)
4. Paul_1978

[220 GSi turbo]

1. GTiJohn
2. Cabriolet106 plus 2 or 3 friends
3. 1234dist (pending working vehicle)
4. Paul_1978
5. 220 GSi turbo

[kevinwillis]

What time would the morning meet up point be in Thirsk?

[GTiJohn]

What time would the morning meet up point be in Thirsk?

Personally I'm not expecting to be there 'till about noon and use the afternoon for the drive but come back here tomorrow to hear an interesting optional 'addition' to this route

[GTiJohn]

We have had a very kind offer from Russ Swift to visit him at his home in Leyburn, which is about a 40min additional drive each way from the proposed route - basically driving west from Nortallerton on the return leg of the route down the A19.

Tea, a chat and a look at his collection of mementos will be involved, cars may also be present. There is also a very good pub 4 doors away which does excellent lunches - http://www.queensfinghall.co.uk

Rather than turn-up willy-nilly, can I suggest a target time of 4 pm on Saturday afternoon?

If you are interested in adding this to your route please PM me for the address.

[kevinwillis]

Now if that does not get people to come out for a drive nothing will.

[GTiJohn]

Now if that does not get people to come out for a drive nothing will.

We'll the rush has been....non-existent.

Is anyone else joining me for a cuppa with Russ?