On Sunday, September 14th 2025 we all gathered at the Feathered Nest, hosted by the wonderful Adam Taylor and his team, to kick off Kate’s Cotswold Rally 2025.

You were challenged with some tricky (only joking!) questions, then had to navigate your way—using those interesting instructions!—to the Pit Stop at Sally and Peter Green’s home in Upper Swell. There, the owners and a team from Kate’s took great care of our intrepid rally drivers.

Next came the final stretch to the Finish Line at the Classic Motor Hub in Ablington, where Martin Chisholm’s team had prepared a lovely space for us. We were treated to a delicious meal and drinks by the excellent Chef Matt Weedon.

The Questions (and answers!)

Since the event, you’ve been wondering about the answers to those questions...

Here they are at last!

Text Questions

Q1: How many staddle stones are there en route (stop counting after Wyck Rissington)

A: 28

Q2: what style of cross is the war memorial

A: Celtic

Q3: You have entered a NEW SHIRE! What is it?

A: Fastershire - Fastershire is a joint project between the local authorities Gloucestershire and Herefordshire to extend superfast broadband to more homes and businesses in the two counties

Q4: Someone’s bottom is up!

A: Wild Rabbits drinks trailer

Q5: Where is Ben Knights Garden Ltd?

A: Threshers’ Yard No 7

Q6: Find Postbox GR - when is it emptied?

A: Monday - Friday 9 am and Saturday 7 am

Q7: Anagram: BOOM HARM FRAME

A: BORAM HOME FARM

Q8: Is there a Mephitis Mephitis somewhere?

A: Yes, Junk Skunk

Q9: You find this usually in the South of France!

A: Lavender

Q10: Who’s vegetables are for sale?

A: Pauline’s

Q11: How much are 12 eggs in Taddinton?

A: £4 at Carey’s Farm. This is a simple multiplication and not what the Farmer told you on the day. (6 for £2 is what the sign said = 12 for £4)

Q12: Name the Church and where are the services listed?

A: Saint Mary and in the porch

Q13: Anagram: RAFAELA DON GWYNETH

A: HEART OF ENGLAND WAY

Q14: What is the emblem of the Slaughter Manor House?

A: A fox’s mask

Q15: There is a hospital for…?

A: Horses ( Equine also ok)

Q16: This fierce sounding place does not treat knights but their antagonists - name this place

A: The Dragon Vet in Upper Rissington

Q17: What date is the little cottage after the fields?

A: 1869

Q18: There is a new Piggy in town - what was it called before and who was the famous gardener owner years ago?

A: Barnsley House and Rosemary Verey

Q19: Name the river

A: The river Colne

Q20: Who wants you to close the gate?

A: John Brown at John Brown’s Cottage

Picture Questions

Picture: 1

A: The weather vane on the green in Bledington

Picture: 2

A: The rocking horse in the upstairs window in Kingham, straight after the Wild Rabbit

Picture: 3

A: Kingham Hill School

Picture: 4

A: Driving through Chadlington on the right hand side

Picture: 5

A: The bench around the Chestnut tree in Colne St Aldwyns

Picture: 6

A: Sign in Ablington

The Winners!

…and the winners were 🥁

2nd

BENZ IN THE ROAD

MERCEDES • PLATE 34

1st

OXFIELD EXPLORERS

AUSTIN HEALEY • PLATE 28

3rd

CHISSYLICIOUS

MASERATI • PLATE 48

A Big Thank You

I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making this rally happen.

First and foremost—you, the participants. Thank you so much for joining us this year!

Special thanks also to:

Adam Taylor – for hosting the start of the rally with a lovely breakfast in a most beautiful setting, The Feathered Nest
Peter and Sally Green – for organising a great halfway house and a croquet competition in their wonderful garden.
Nicky and Asad Noorani plus Jane and David Pickup Pit stop angels
Martin Chisholm – with his team of valiant helpers, for providing this fantastic venue, and making us so very welcome.
Matt, Rachel, and Charlie Weedon – for putting on this wonderful lunch.
James Pether, who provided the amazing venison haunches
All the volunteers and everyone from Kate’s charity team – your work makes this possible.
And my partner in crime Sarah Pether, counting the points achieve.
Every single one of you played a part—thank you all so much.