The Chambers Car
In the early 1930s, when the sight of an aeroplane was still rare, people would run outside if they heard the sound of one. In Strangford [a small village in County Down] we children would run outside for another unusual sound - the doctor's car. It came down the hill in Castle Street at what seemed excessive speed and making a great noise. It was a glittering sight, the Chambers car, all shining green paintwork and acres of brass. Sometimes Dr McLoughlin drove - he loved to use the huge klaxon horn if he recognised anyone and, of course, he knew the entire village! Sometimes his hitherto coachman, Sam, drove, looking rather self-conscious but proud all the same. The car seemed very high and the ladies were swathed in veils and wrapped up in rugs.
On Sunday mornings, the doctor drove to the local parish church at Ballyculter, just outside the village. It was usual for parishioners to bicycle or walk to and from church and the doctor, being a kindly man, would stop to give anyone a lift along the way. For some, this was a doubtful pleasure. My aunts told me that they found the whole thing so mortifying that, when they heard the car in the distance, they would hide in a hedge or behind a tree until it went past! It was not so bad going out, but coming back through the village was just too embarrassing.
So many of these beautiful vehicles just disappeared and it was always nice to see one of them in the Ulster Museum.
DG, Strangford