Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Riley Blue]

Just read the news of Lord Montagu's death on BBC. A sad day
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[Rick]

Indeed so - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34106225

RJ
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[kevin2306]

Yeah it is a sad day, been to Beaulieu twice this year, great place.

Kev

[Rootes75]

It is sad, a great advocate for our interests.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Rootes75]

Just read the article, why does the BBC need to go into why he went to prison etc?

Not defending what he has done (or didn't do) but that's not something we really need to do is it?

My daughter was reading the article with me and its not nice having to explain things like that to a child.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Ray White]

I am sorry to hear the sad news. Lord Montague was hugely influential in shaping the way we think about our motoring heritage. He was also a Gentleman in the true sense of the word but never allowed his status come between him and ordinary working people.
I shall never forget how he courteously welcomed our family to Palace House in the early days when he opened what was then the Montage Motor Museum. He and my father were interested in early motor cars and found much to chat about.

He organised afternoon tea and left a lasting impression on us all. As I have mentioned in a previous thread, I was quite young at the time and was awestruck when his Lordship sat me behind the wheel of the magnificent Golden Arrow land speed record car that he had saved- along with Bluebird - and which remains a centrepiece of the National Motor Museum.

We shall never see his kind again.

[62rebel]

the media, regardless of where they are, are soulless wastes of air. I recognise his contributions to our hobby and dismiss anything he may have done otherwise. a sad day for all.
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nothing is ever so far gone as to be unsalvageable. see this bolt?.....

[clan chieftain]

TV companies and newspapers always dish up some dirt on people no matter who they are or how much good they have done.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Ray White]

One important fact that I am sure is completely lost on 'The Media' is that in 1954 certain men could be jailed for their sexual orientation. Lord Montague's high profile case shone a light on the then homophobic discrimination exercised by the Courts. As a result, the law was changed. A good thing for justice and society as a whole.

Rather than trawl over salacious stories from the distant past for merely prurient obsession, the news Media would be better employed in celebrating the life of a good man who has given so much to this country.

[Penman]

Hi

Obits regularly tell the story "warts and all".

While the written article doesn't mention it, the filmed interviews linked to that page have him clearly talking about both cases himself and also acknowledging the part the second had in bringing about a change in the law.
So I think on this particular occasion he may well have accepted the reasons for including this facet of his life.
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Brian M]

A personal memory of Lord Montague.
Back in the 90's I was giving a presentation to the Annual Conference of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs on the subject of "Multi-Make local Classic Car Clubs" and spoke to Lord Montague over lunch.
The Chairman of the Conference had a word with me before I went on and told me not to worry if his Lordship fell asleep as he had just had a good lunch!
As he was the President, Lord Montague was seated in the centre of the front row and I was conscious of his presence. About ten minutes in, I cracked a joke about car shows that consisted of a row of 100 identical MGB's and I saw Lord Montague roar with laughter, I relaxed as I thought I had got his attention, but as predicted, five minutes later he had nodded off and slept soundly until he woke up to join in the applause at the end of my speech!
As has been said he did a lot in support of classic motoring.
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

[peter scott]

Excuse the OT..

When I was working one of the department heads used to nod off at meetings complete with relaxed breathing sounds but rather surprisingly if someone asked him a question he would wake up and answer sensibly.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Riley Blue]

From the Beaulieu website's tribute to Lord Montagu:

"The infamous Montagu trials of 1953 and 1954 resulted in the peer being charged with homosexual acts, which were then illegal. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted and given a twelve-month sentence. On his release, he immediately went about rebuilding his life and developing the estate. While not wanting to hide his bisexuality, he was also determined to keep his private life private and refused to comment on the events of the trial, a silence broken only in 2002 with the publication of his autobiography Wheels within Wheels."

If that source is happy to mention his sexuality, I think some of the comments here regarding the media are misplaced.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[Ashley]

To be fair the Boy Scout was fourteen years old.

[Penman]

Hi