St Gregory's Church in Seaton sprung a surprise 97th birthday party for Captain Mike Cooke (Royal Artillery), a leading member of their congregation.

Captain Cooke was the son of the late Reverend Robert Cook, who was parish Priest at St Gregory'sfrom 1939 to 1957. Some members of the congregation still remember him, especially bell-ringer Ann Roberts whi was confirmed by him and has fond memories of his ministry in Seaton.

Apparently Mike had told his son Richard that he had renewed his driving licence just before his 97th birthday so Richard thought he must come up with something special to celebrate such wonderful achievement.

Bought first Austin 7 in 1952

Churchwarden Dave Bruce takes up the story: "Richard knew that his Dad bought his first car, an Austin 7, in Seaton in 1952 after returning from Army Service in Hong Kong. It was Mike's father, the Reverend Robert, who told him about the car. Mike told us he remembered it well, registration YY751. It was 20- years-old at the time, blue with a sliding roof . The reason for buying it was for him to get from home in Seaton to Larkhill in Wiltshire where he was stationed.

"Knowing how much that little Austin 7 meant to his Dad , Richard got in touch with the Devon Austin 7 Club with the hope of getting a ride for him. As a result he was put in touch with a local member, Michael Tabeart, in Seaton. Michael actually owns a 1932 Austin 7 RN Box saloon which, would you believe it, was the same as Captain Cooke's.

"He got in touch with some other members to see who could help and, as a result, Michael Tabeart, David Aylmore, Judith Dale and Chris Glover drove their Austin 7s into St Gregory's churchyard right outside our Grade 1 listed Church building.

"Richard and his sister Louise had already arranged to be there with their Dad. You should have seen the Captain's face when all these lovely Austin 7s suddenly turned up- A wonderful surprise for him.

"The Captain had a smashing time talking classic cars to all the Austin 7 members and was later treated to a ride in Michael Tabeart's Austin 7, the same model as his own back in 1952. Michael took the Captain for a drive through the Town, down the Harbour Road pass the Yacht Club over the bridge along the River Axe to Axmouth and then Musbury before turning back to home in Seaton via Colyford.

"My wife, Sharon and I got into good friend Phil Armour's restored Morris 8 to follow the procession. Everywhere we went we had lovely smiles and waving from interested members of the public all enjoying the spectacle of the long line of beautiful Austin 7s and one Morris 8."