Following the death of former Western Group member Claire Bowen, a number of former colleagues from the Group have shared their memories of Claire.
Alyson Marlow recalls that Claire was one of the kindest, most well-respected, liked, and adventurous people she had ever met, and their lives were happily entwined for many years.
“Claire loved motoring, and motorsport in particular. She was always first to volunteer for anything most people would consider slightly crazy, from ice racing in France to rally driving. She just loved driving fast, sitting alongside world class motorsport drivers or driving a little more slowly if it was a 4×4 adventure.
“Her love of travel and expertise in foreign languages were particularly useful on some of our rally adventures. The Col de Turini is the best spot to watch Rallye Monte Carlo from and despite all hotels being fully booked months in advance, Claire managed to charm one hotel manager to not only create space for us to stay that evening but also to lay on a five-course dinner between the rally car runs. Her French negotiating skills were rewarded with the bed, while I happily slept on a camp bed!
“We enjoyed competing in a works Ford Ka in the Welsh Forests on one of the wettest rallies I have ever known and her impressive motorsport CV also included co-driving on the Network Q RAC Rally, requiring extreme patience to deal with an obstinate, arrogant driver.
“Claire also championed the role of women in motoring journalism and was a great role model for anyone looking to join the male-dominated ranks. She introduced me to the Western Group and we enjoyed many group events over the years, both work-related and during the time when there were so many social events. Both having freelance photographers as husbands meant we had much in common.
“Claire was also a patron of WOMAC for many years and an enthusiastic advocate for the charity. She will be sadly missed by the many people whose paths she crossed in the motoring world.”
Retired member Andrew Morland recalls her love of Italy, “She learnt to speak Italian many years ago on a cookery course in Sicily and she continued to visit as often as she could. She was Chairman of the Western Group several times. I was on the committee at the same time, and I was always impressed how much work she did for the group, in particular organising the Group’s PR Driving Day at Castle Combe.
Importantly, she managed to persuade manufacturers to hold local car launches in the West Country. Long committee meetings at Claire’s house or often in our back garden were so thorough but always enjoyable. At car launches with partners, Claire and Bob were always such good company and I will always remember the laughter, helped by Bob’s entertaining sense of humour. So glad to have known her.”
Retired member Denis Rea recalls sharing a car with Claire on a number of launches, “She was always excellent company and I always enjoyed that lovely Irish brogue and mischievous sense of humour.
“True I occasionally got us lost! My excuse, I think, was that it was that wicked sense of humour distracting my attention. I also remember driving with her, I think through Hungary, en route to Bratislava, with Claire insisting that the helicopter overhead was shadowing us and practising her “I know nothing” response to an expected interrogation – an entirely fanciful event of course!
“She was always such good and lively company at the Western Group’s various events, together with husband Bob at our social gatherings. Her expertise variously as Group Secretary and Chairman both served the Group excellently and contributed greatly to the Group’s extremely good standing within the motoring industry. We were all especially fond of Claire, and she will be sorely missed.”
Dave Moss also has fond memories of Claire’s work to support the Western Group, “Joining the Western Group in 1988, Claire quickly made a positive impression, bringing gentle humility, wide ranging knowledge, and a friendly, professional approach, which shone through particularly during group meetings, especially when “in the chair”. She was eternally good company on car launches, in interminable plastic lounges waiting for eternally delayed aircraft, or – once started on learning her favourite language – somehow even when discussing the finer points of Italian grammar, with help from the waiter, on the plural of Capuccino, after dinner in a smart Italian hotel.
“As newly elected Group secretary, feeling my way in her footsteps after Claire moved up to take command, I quickly learnt the ropes, and found admonishment, when things went wrong, dealt with in a uniquely patient, friendly and forgiving manner – with that glorious soft Irish lilt.
“Her time as group Chairman gradually revealed ever more hidden skills, amongst them talents for organisation, negotiation and persuasion, all of which repeatedly proved invaluable for the long list of Western Group PR Driving Days she masterminded over months, sometimes near-singlehandedly, but always uncomplainingly – and on schedule.
“She was efficient, charming and skilful, whatever the task in hand, bringing a period of stability to the group, and quickly becoming well respected right across he motoring arena. If ever one person could possibly embody the phrase “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”, that person is surely Claire Bowen.”
Details of Claire’s funeral are not yet known but will be circulated when available.
