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About Us Finding Inspiration in Every Turn Guy Butcher : ‘silly Sussex born and bred’, attended schools in Sussex before becoming an undergraduate at Guy’s Hospital, London (1966). The first Austin 7 made its appearance in 1966 and there have been numerous different old cars (mostly Austins) since then. Progress through the ranks of the Hospital Dental Services ended with a consultant appointment in Plymouth (1989). As retirement approached he met and fell in love with Eunice Kratky who encouraged him to fulfill the dream of a long distance adventure in an Austin 7. Little did she know what she was letting herself in for ……… Eunice Kratky ; born and raised in Kenya of the 50’s and 60’s; educated in Kenya and the UK chose to study nursing at Great Ormond Street Hospital. A remarkable career in children's nursing, Social Services, education and the Child Development Centre, Plymouth also drew to a close about the same time as Guy’s career. The idea and practice of travel is a feature of their lives together. The possibilities for a shared big adventure seemed to hold great potential. Our Story This is a story of discovery. The life lesson that the ability to achieve almost anything in this life depends on the kindness of family and friends. But more importantly it depends on the amazing kindness of strangers. The often-awesome generosity of the people who we met on the road. The people who owed us nothing but showed a kindness that was/is breathtaking and inspiring. Intriguingly, it often felt that those with the least gave the most. All proceeds go to; Dame Hannah Rogers Trust Our Clients

Accessibility Page Bespk.com is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability. We aim to adhere as closely as possible to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0, Level AA), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines explain how to make Web content more accessible for people with disabilities. Conformance with these guidelines will help make the web more user friendly to everyone. Whilst bespk.com strive to adhere to the guidelines and standards for accessibility, it is not always possible to do so in all areas of the website and we are currently working to achieve this. Be aware that due to the dynamic nature of the website, minor issues may occasionally occur as it is updated regularly. We are continually seeking out solutions that will bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. If you have any comments and or suggestions relating to improving the accessibility of our site, please don't hesitate to contact our accessibility coordinator Guy Butcher by email bespkinfo@gmail.com . Your feedback will help us make improvements.

1/7 Howard Hughes An American business tycoon, investor, aviator, aerospace engineer, inventor, filmmaker and philanthropist. His father had invented the two-headed oil drill bit (the Sharp-Hughes Rock Bit) that revolutionised oil exploration in the early part of the 20th century. The bits were leased and remained the property of the Hughes Tool Company. Howard was the only child and perhaps a child prodigy; he built Houston’s first wireless radio transmitter at age 11. At 12 an article in the local newspaper reported that Howard had built a motorised bicycle. He had his first flying lesson at 14. His mother died as a complication of an ectopic pregnancy in 1922. His father died of a heart attack in 1924. Howard received 75% of his father’s estate. He was declared an emancipated minor on his 19th birthday. In his will written following his 19th birthday he included the creation of a medical research laboratory. A very enthusiastic golfer, he had a handicap of three during most of his twenties. He married Ella Rice on 05-06-1925. They moved to Los Angeles so that Howard could start a career in the film industry. The first two films are considered successful; indeed he won the first Academy Award for the Best Director of a comedy picture. Further films followed that were also nominated for Academy Awards. Perhaps one of his most famous films was ‘Hells Angels’, about World War l in the air. Originally filmed as a silent film; Howard decided to re-record much of the film with sound between 1927 and 1930. Parts were also colourised. Controversial, it was a very high grossing film for the time. However the investment was never fully recovered. Many other films were produced in subsequent years including ‘Scarface’ 1932, ‘The Outlaw’ 1943. For a while he was involved with RKO; Pictures, Studios, Theatres, and Radio Network. Another significant source of income for the Hughes Empire were the investments in real estate. He amassed significant undeveloped land around Las Vegas. Howard’s enthusiasm for flying, aeroplanes, record breaking, airlines, aerospace and the defence industry resulted in many awards, prizes and significant advances in design and construction. There was a near death accident whilst flying the XF 11 following the failure of the counter rotating propeller in July 1946. Recovery took many months; the doctors considered it a miracle whilst Howard put it down to the consumption of freshly squeezed orange juice. ‘Spruce Goose’ see above. Post-war Hughes extended Hughes Aircraft and formed Hughes Aerospace Group, the Hughes Space and Communication Group and the Hughes Space Systems Division. Over the subsequent years these groups changed their names and roles. Hughes quietly purchased a majority share in Trans World Airlines (TWA) during 1939. Having worked with Lockheed during his 1938 round the world record breaking flight he requested that the Company secretly design and build what we now know as the Constellation. TWA bought the first 40 off the production line. Due to various wranglings Hughes was forced to sell his holdings in TWA by a court ruling in 1966. In 1970 he purchased Air West, which he renamed Hughes Air West. This was acquired by and merged with Republic Airlines which in turn was acquired by Northwest Airlines and in turn merged into Delta Airlines. Hughes’ marriage to Ella failed when she filed for divorce in 1929. He infamously dated many famous women including Billie Dove, Bette Davis, Ava Gardener, Olivia de Haviland, Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers and Gene Tierney. He proposed to Joan Fontaine several times. In January 1957 he married Jean Peters. Howard Hughes Medical Institute was founded in 1953 and became an area of conflict between Hughes and the Internal Revenue Service, which he eventually won. Bizarrely here is a link between Howard Hughes, Richard Nixon and the Watergate Affair. Sadly Howard’s life ended in a certain amount of mystery associated with his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, physical decline, drug misuse, becoming a recluse and death. A remarkable life of a remarkable man. Wikipedia Link

Privacy Policy Last updated: June 14, 2022 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy has been created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator (https://www.freeprivacypolicy.com/free- privacy-policy-generator/). ​ Interpretation and Definitions ---------------- Interpretation -------------- The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. ​ Definitions ------------- For the purposes of this Privacy Policy: * Account means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. * Company (referred to as either "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our" in this Agreement) refers to bespk.com. * Cookies are small files that are placed on Your computer, mobile device or any other device by a website, containing the details of Your browsing history on that website among its many uses. * Country refers to: United Kingdom * Device means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a mobile phone or a digital tablet. * Personal Data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. * Service refers to the Website. * Service Provider means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Company. It refers to third-party companies or individuals employed by the Company to facilitate the Service, to provide the Service on behalf of the Company, to perform services related to the Service or to assist the Company in analysing how the Service is used. * Usage Data refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit). * Website refers to the book Austin 7 Around the Americas, accessible from http://www.bespk.com * You means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable. 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Contact us Please help our attempts to raise much needed funds for the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust (See www.discoverhannahs.org ). Our epic and inspirational book 'Austin 7 Around the Americas' may be ordered by completing the Contact Form below. Alternatively you can write us a letter or email. Thank you so much for your support! Address Guy Butcher, Unit 17, Moorlands Industrial Estate, Forge Lane, Saltash PL12 6LX ​​ Phone +44 (0)7974 024499 Email bespkinfo@gmail.com Social Media Contact Us First Name Last Name Address Email Write a message Submit Thanks for submitting to bespk The Newton Abbot Orchestra Concert to fundraise the cause with David Yandle. 23-05-2012 At Bob Brandon’s being introduced to the American Austin. 29-07-2012 We’re on our way from Joyce Beelman’s home after our enforced stop over. 12-09-2012 The Newton Abbot Orchestra Concert to fundraise the cause with David Yandle. 23-05-2012 1/3

19th - 24th July 2022 Austin 7 Centenary Rally BESPK team received a huge boost Report with photos 9th December 2022 To Date we have Raised £26.5k Treburley Garage Book & Raffle sales Report with photos

1/15 Hughes H4 Hercules ‘Spruce Goose’ Hughes H4 Hercules ‘Spruce Goose’ During WWII, U boat raids in the Atlantic were causing heavy losses of shipping, many of which were carrying war supplies to the Allies in Europe and beyond. In 1942 the US War Department issued a specification for an aircraft capable of flying the Atlantic with a large payload. No strategic materials were available for the construction of the plane. The design was the brainchild of Howard Hughes and Henry Kaiser (a leading Liberty ship builder and an expert in the use of plywood in construction). Originally described as the HK 1 reflecting the collaboration between the two men, the specification required the building of three aircraft in two years. Because there was no aluminium available the plane was constructed largely of birch ply. It was to be capable of carrying 150,000 lb (68039 kg): 750 fully equipped troops, or two 30 ton Sherman tanks. Development was extremely slow, in part due to Howard Hughes’ obsession with perfection and his attempts to acquire strategic materials. After 16 months Kaiser withdrew from the project. Hughes renegotiated the contract so that only one plane was to be built. Now designated Hughes H 4, progress was slow. The ‘Duramold’ process (a plywood and resin process of cold moulding plywood) was used. The specialised veneer was made by Roddis Manufacturing. Due to the slow rate of progress; Howard Hughes was accused of misusing Government money. During the court hearing Hughes stated that the plane was extremely complex, larger than any other airplane (until 2019), complicated in the use of plywood and the requirement to develop hydraulics for surface controls. the list went on… During a break in the court hearing Hughes returned to California to run the taxiing tests. Initially there were 36 people on board. Four press reporters left after the first two runs to file their reports. During the final run the plane became airborne at 135 mph (217 kph), flew at 70 ft (21 m) for about 1 mile (1.6 km). Thus Hughes exposed his detractors; his masterpiece flew, he had not misused Government funds. Spruce Goose never flew again. It was stored in an air conditioned hanger with a staff of 300 to maintain it in ‘flying’ condition. This was reduced to 50 in 1962 and ceased completely at Hughes’ death in 1976. The Aero Club of Southern California acquired Spruce Goose in 1980. The Walt Disney Company acquired the plane in 1988 parting with it in 1990 when it became part of the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Wikipedia Link

BESPK fundraising takes off at Austin 7 Centenary Rally Last week the BESPK team received a huge boost for their fundraising at the Austin 7 Centenary Rally, selling nearly £10,000 of books and raffle tickets. All of the money raised will go directly to Dame Hannahs, (see www.discoverhannahs.org ) a Plymouth based charity that supports children and young adults living with special needs and their families. Both Guy and Eunice had careers that involved supporting young people with special educational needs, and so the pair are passionate about raising as much money as possible for Dame Hannah’s. Someone said “We’re delighted to have raised so much already, but we’re hoping to be able to raise another £25,000 (making a target of £35,000), which will make a real difference to the young people and families who use Dame Hannahs. The money was raised by selling copies of “Austin 7 Around the Americas”, the recently published story of Guy Butcher and Eunice Kratky’s epic 20,000 mile journey from Baltimore to Alaska and then onto Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of Argentina in a 1920’s Austin 7, The book has just been given a 5 star review by Auto Express. If you would like to buy a book, you can do this by sending an email from the www.bespk.com website. The rally was held at Moreton in Marsh from 19-24th July 2022. The BESPK team was made up of Guy Butcher, Eunice Kratky, Hugh and Eve Gregg, Ruth and Charlie Murray. Guy drove the BESPK car on the 200 mile drive from his home in Cornwall, and Hugh drove Alice - one of Guy’s first Austin 7’s - 150 miles from Budleigh Salterton. The only drama on the drive up was a blocked carburettor jet on Alice which was quickly remedied. Guy said “I found driving the BESPK Austin really enjoyable - it still amazes me at how this car does anything and everything that I ask of it”. The BESPK team were also selling tickets for a raffle to win the Austin 7 that carried them on this incredible journey. The car - which is valued at about £18000 - was fully rebuilt before the trip and is in full running order and will be fully serviced and MOTed for the new owner. The winner will also receive all of the tools and spares carried on the Adventure to be able to maintain the car with minimal expenditure. If you would like to buy a raffle ticket, you can do this by visiting www.bespk.com and using the Just Giving page During the rally Guy was also able to meet up with many friends from his youth, including Chris Gould and Mike Hodgson. Guy learnt how to fettle Austin 7’s with them in various friends and family garages when he lived in Worthing, beginning to learn the skills that he would later use to keep the Austin going in the Americas. ​ ​

Treburley Garage Last Saturday, Rosamund and Richard Rowe opened their garage; Treburley Garage, to enable us to continue with our fundraising efforts. With the help of publicity (BBC Radio Devon; Pippa Quelsh 02-12-2022 14.00-18.00, the Cornish Times, Scarlett Hill-Brooks 03-12-2022), and various social media postings, there was a very good turnout. Indeed with the help of Rosamund's earlier book and raffle ticket sales, £1.1k was raised. Incredible! Thank you; everyone, for your great generosity. Our current total stands at £26.5k. Remember that the last day for buying raffle tickets will be Monday 12-12-2022.

Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum; the Austin outside the Exhibition hall with Spruce Go Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum; the Austin outside the Exhibition hall with Spruce Go 1/20 Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon. Most famously is the home of the Hughes H4 Hercules; ‘Spruce Goose’. The museum was originally the idea of Capt. Michael King Smith, the son of the founder of the Evergreen International Aviation. Originally a small collection of vintage aircraft. In 1990 the Disney Corporation announced the closure of the Long Beach site that housed ‘Spruce Goose’. The Evergreen Museum won the bid to house ‘Spruce Goose’. Between 1993 and 2001 volunteers undertook a detailed restoration. The refurbished plane and Museum opened to the public in June 2001. The Space Museum opened in 2008. Wikipedia Link

Eunice Kratky & Guy Butcher Bespk Austin 7 Around the Americas Book front cover Bespk Austin 7 Around the Americas Book back cover Bespk Austin 7 Around the Americas Book front cover 1/2 Austin 7 Around the Americas The book The amazing story of the design, rebuild and driving of a 1936/28 Austin 7 from Baltimore to Alaska to Punta Arenas in 2012/13. In the footsteps of Aime Tschiffely, John Coleman and many others! now Bespk. All the proceeds of the book are being donated to Dame Hannah Rogers Trust ( www.discoverhannahs.org ). A charity supporting young adults with learning disabilities and their families. The car is to be raffled (essentially as it returned from the adventure) with all the tools and spares to raise further funds for Dame Hannahs.

The Book Here is the story about a dream, a dream that first appeared soon after buying the first of many Austin 7’s in 1966. Inspired by Tschiffely's Ride (Buenos AIres to New York in 1925 with horses and mules), Coleman's Drive (Buenos Aires to New York in a 1925 Austin 7, 1959-60) and Austins over the Andes by Vince Leek. It tells of the designing, building and planning of the journey from Baltimore to Alaska and onto Punta Arenas in a 1936/28 Austin 7 during 2012/13 by the Authors. It takes the form of a diary: Eunice wrote a blog on the website and Guy used Facebook as a daily record. To reflect on the immense generosity of the many people without whom this would never have happened ALL the proceeds of the sales of the book are being donated to Dame Hannah Rogers Trust ( www.discoverhannahs.org ). Book Orders Copies of the book may be ordered from; Guy Butcher, Unit 17, Moorlands Industrial Estate, Forge Lane, Saltash PL12 6LX Email - bespkinfo@gmail.com Tel no - +44 (0)7974 024499 ​ Book Biography How do you build an 80 year old car with the idea of attempting to drive it the equivalent of circumnavigating the world (24,860 miles/40,007 km)? You ask a friend. In this case John Sutton. Having written the specification out you circulate it to knowledgeable friends. After a surprisingly brief time you hear from Vince Leek who’s found just the car. Having bought the car, you take it to bits and rebuild it as (effectively) a new car to optimise the chances of reliability. Remember you’re on your own! Attempts are made to identify any weaknesses before it’s placed in a container to be delivered to the USA. Collecting the car in Baltimore; following a route that appears roughly like a reversed 7 you drive to Alaska, catch the Ferry down the Inner Passage to Bellingham. Urgent repairs are completed before heading south along the Pacific coast of the USA. A race across Central America, to escape very challenging border crossings, with arrival in Panama. With more very generous help the car is placed into another container for transportation to Ecuador. Meanwhile we visit the Galapagos Islands. Unpackaged in Guayaquil, the adventure continues south through; Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, before ending in Punta Arenas. We missed the turning to Tierra del Fuego! ​ ​