Join us for our monthly meeting

Queen of Speed – Mary Petre Bruce by Carey Chapman, Monday 11 May, 2.30pm

On Monday 11 May the not-to-be missed talk by Carey Chapman about BoA’s very own “Queen of Speed” Mary Petre Bruce. Dare devil aviatrix, racing driver and speed boat pilot she made her mark by breaking records in the air, on land and at sea. She careened through life full-tilt in determined pursuit of adventure and wealth.

From a comfortable childhood in Victorian England to the finish line in the Monte Carlo Rally – from convent schools to a crash-landing beside the shark-infested waters of the Persian Gulf – Mary allowed nothing to stand in the way of realizing her dreams. A fearless competitor, she set records and won prizes for speed and endurance in cars and speedboats.

Later Mary helped shape Britain’s air industry and reinvented herself as a manufacturing entrepreneur. Whilst living in Bradford on Avon between 1950 and 1985, Mrs Bruce apparently had frequent rows with neighbours and the Town Council but continued her love of speed. At 78 she test-drove a Ford Capri race car at 110 mph.  At 81, she promoted her autobiography by looping the loop in a small plane.