The South Eastern Section of The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club is probably the most exciting, the busiest and the friendliest section you could wish to be a member of. If you are privileged to live in the geographical area covered by the South Eastern Section you will be contacted by me, Stephen Fabman-Beker when you join the R-REC. The headquarters, The Hunt House, will process your application and inform me that you live in the Kent / Sussex, South London area and I will then welcome you to join us at any of our events. My letter will be sent to you with a complimentary section magazine and a calendar of events.

The South Eastern Section moved onto a higher plain in 2000 and it has been moving upwards ever since. For 2012, the committee has planned 31 events as well as an eight day French tour based in The Champagne Region staying in an hotel with wonderful lakeside views from every room. We will enjoy interesting trips, visit local beauty spots, historic towns and Chateau as well as some fine Champagne houses and a special lunch in a 2 Michelin star restaurant.

The ten-strong committee has produced a wonderful and diverse calendar of events for 2012, giving members the chance to use their motorcars at a variety of events, which include lunches, museums, historic aerodromes, Stately Homes and Country Houses. We will be attending the R-REC National Rally at Rockingham Castle, the South of England Rally at Elstree Public School, our section prize giving at Monks Horton and many more wonderful places. We will visit castles and other interesting places not usually open to visitors as well as attend hotel lunches, Carvery lunches, Christmas lunches and the AGM at Chart Hills Golf Club ~ such a success in 2011.

This is 2012, but what of the sections past, what of its history? Where did it all start? As with so much in the RREC, all may be revealed by asking member of our section and President of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club, Lt. Col. Eric Barrass who received his 50yr membership badge recently. What follows is taken from a conversation I had with Eric a few years ago when he kindly spend some time describing some key moments in the development of the RREC in its early years.

Eric joined 54 years ago, he became RREC Club Secretary, a position he held for 32 years, he was also the editor of The Bulletin for 26 years. He has seen the club grow to over 10.000 members. Eric formed the first Section called the South Eastern Section in 1965 by writing to every member located within 50 miles, calling a meeting at the Grasshopper Inn near Westerham. About 40 members turned up and a committee was formed. They organised the next event at the Bowles Fitness Centre on the Eridge Road just outside Tunbridge Wells. Returning to the present day, Eric continues to attend South Eastern Section events as often as he can but at 98 years of age, driving is a less regular occurance. Eric still owns his Rolls-Royce 25 /30, a motorcar he has owned for the past 40 years.

The committee would like to extend a very warm welcome to any member new or old who wishes to attend an event. If you do, you may find yourself attending them all year long! The committee's names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses are here for you to use so please contact them for more details. The section magazine is one of the very best, but then I would say that as Editor and Secretary. It is informative and is your publication, so if you are moved to say something, recommend a garage, share knowledge or write an article, this is the vehicle to use. It reaches your fellow section members and is sent to Hunt House and all section secretaries for their members to read and its audience is growing. We print over 500 per issue and reach RREC members who are dedicated owners and enthusiasts of both Rolls-Royce and Bentley motorcars in the UK and abroad. RREC members in Germany, France, Hong-Kong and the USA donate to the South Eastern Section in order to receive our full colour publication. Why wait? Join the RREC via The Hunt House and see what you are missing. A link to the main RREC web site may be found on the home page of this web site.

Stephen Fabman-Beker