New Year’s Day Run
Saturday 1st January
A Great Start to 2005 in Lincolnshire!
The First of January 2005 dawned early! It happens every year, but still takes us by surprise! It probably has something to do with the actual time we get into bed after the New Year’s Eve celebrations...
This year was different, however. We were the organisers of the New Year’s Day Gathering and needed to be fresh faced and bushy tailed to greet the MG enthusiasts from far and near...
We’d upped the publicity this year. In addition to ‘Safety Fast!’, the event had been publicised in the Lincolnshire Centre’s Newsletter, on the Lincolnshire Centre’s website, via email, and reminder slips in our Christmas cards! The result? Eighty MG friends (old and new) at the Abbey Lodge, Woodhall Spa, thirty four cars in the Pride of Ownership, forty cars on the Run and seventy people at the finish!
It was a lovely day with the sun shining at the start and everyone in good spirits. The Pride of Ownership competition was kindly judged by Chris Boddy, the Landlord of the Abbey Lodge. Winners rosettes were presented to Geoff Cook and his 1961 MGA 1600 MkII (3rd), Peter & Christine Tipton and their 1978 MGBV8 (2nd) and Robert & Hazel Taylor and their 1960 MGA (1st). A signed and mounted print of the delightful painting “A Good Start”, taken from an earlier January 1st Run from the Abbey Lodge by local artist Keith Tovey, was presented to Robert. Centre Chairman, Robert Welch, also presented Richard Davies with the Pride of Ownership Cup for 2004 in front of his MGRV8.
The Touring Assembly through the Lincolnshire Wolds negotiated some beautiful countryside including a few narrow lanes where we hoped we wouldn’t meet anyone!
After forty miles, we arrived at the Red Lion, Revesby, where another roaring open fire and a Hot Drink and Mince Pies were very welcome!
Special Thanks to Peter & Jane Hermite for being “Tail-end Charlies”, Chris Boddy at the Abbey Lodge and Richard & Sandy Jacomb at the Red Lion for their hospitality.
by John & Sheila Laurence