A look back: A move to Devon

It's been a couple of weeks since the last update. Some much needed down time over Easter was called for. However, it's time to pick up the story once again. You'll have already read about the origins of Bess, and met Mr Berkholz in the previous post.

For years, the Berkholz' lived and worked in and around London. However following a few years of retirement and the purchase of the Wyvern, it was time for a relocation. On the 12th May 1960, he and his wife relocated to South Molton, a small town just south east of Barnstaple in North Devon.Bess and the Berkholz made 17 Exeter Gate their home. It's easy to imagine that this would have represented a well earned break after years of working at London County Council.

Whilst there, the Wyvern was serviced at an independent garage, over an hour away in a small village on the South Devon coast. As the owner of any old car will tell you, servicing is a frequent requirement. It's quite remarkable to think that it would have often been driven this kind of distance for servicing work.

However, this arrangement didn't last long. Sadly, Frederick Berkholz died on 19th August 1961, just 15 months after their relocation and 5 years after retirement. His widow Winifred, would look to dispose of the Wyvern. Fortunately, it would be into familiar hands.

On the Tuesday 26th September 1961, the Wyvern was purchased from South Molton by the Oborn family. Stanley Oborn, his wife, father and mother, traveled to South Molton in their Austin A30. Stanley drove the Wyvern along the familiar route to the very garage that had been servicing it for it's year in Devon. Stanley's father, William Oborn, known as Len to friends and family, was the owner and proprietor of Townsend Garages on the edge of the beautiful sea side village of Beer. The business became the second owner of Bess.

The plan was to use the Wyvern as a courtesy vehicle and run around for customers who's cars were in for service work. It was clearly quite a step forward for the family business. The Wyvern joined a small fleet comprised of four Austins - two 18's and two 12's. Against these 30's/40's cars, the Wyvern was a considerable modernisation. So mush so, that it called for a photo shoot in South Molton, shortly after collection. In line with his apparent meticulous nature, Stanley noted the events of the day on the back of the photograph.

Some of you may be wondering how I came into the possession of this picture. Well, there will be more on that in the next blog update...