A house-keeping note to start: the date for the 2009 Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation at Limpley Stoke Hotel has been changed to Saturday 14 March 2009.
Wye Valley Social Run Sunday 18th May
Some twenty six MGs gathered at the Maze Car Park in Symonds Yat for the Annual
Wye Valley Run on May 18th. Vic and Sandra Lockley had devised an interesting
route to the book town of Hay on Wye taking the cars along the narrow lanes in
the beautiful Herefordshire countryside. Participants were given time to picnic
and to explore the book and antique shops and sample the home-made ices in Hay
before returning on a different, yet still interesting route, for an early
evening meal at the Paddocks Hotel on the banks of the river Wye back in Symonds
Yat. It was an enjoyable day not at all marred by the actions of Railtrack
closing one of the country lanes for maintenance work - Vic’s quick thinking and
expertise soon found an alternative route. The photos taken at the start show
Bob and Lynne Channon in their MG TF and an attractive, but alas unidentified
MGA.
Three Midgets from the Ring O'Bells natter enjoyed a glorious round trip to the Spridget 50 Birthday Party at Gaydon on 24 May. There can't ever have been so many Midgets and Sprites gathered in one place before. I heard the organisers ran out entry packs at 1100 and still more cars turned up. The Party was officially opened by Peter Healey, his father was taken ill recently and Peter, who was our guest at the annual Dinner in 2006, stepped in.
New Centre Chairman Peter Jones and Victoria put on a splendid Bath Gymkhana on 1 June at Charmy Down. A threatening storm seemed to skirt around our hilltop venue although the rest of north Wiltshire was badly hit by floods. The entry list of 15 included new faces. Overall winner was Russ Morgan in a Midget. Full results can be found on the Centre website and a spread of photos is available, courtesy of Jim Lott here.
MG AutoAero Day 6 July has moved to a new venue at Henstridge near Templecombe in Dorset. More details on the website or contact Tony Blake directly on 0117 790108, there may time for a last minute entry.
Pucklechurch Gymkhana 13 July Gymkhanas have always been one of the Centre's more popular events. Essentially it's a driving test on grass with an equal number of judgement tests. Subject to a good spell of weather the farmer will have cut the grass by the time you read this. Organised by Jon Pittard 01275 879632, he can provide entry details or visit the website. (later this event had to be cancelled)
Dorset Day Out 20 July starts at The Sparkford Inn near Yeovil in Somerset and is organised by Derek Richards 01935 862180. There is some wonderful, picturesque scenery in south Somerset and Derek usually selects an interesting route through it.
Chew Valley Gymkhana 3 August arranged by Dave Coppock in the Chew Valley, North Somerset and not far from the lake of the same name. Nor is it too far from the wonderfully named Nempnet Thrubwell. Dave can be reached on 01934 834429. I believe entry on the day will be possible.
South West MGA Day 10 August Terry Drinkwater 01934 732248 has planned a route from his garage on the A38 at Lower Weare, across the Somerset levels to Montacute House Nr Yeovil belonging to The National Trust. The cars will be parked in front of the house, although entry is not included.
Pendine Dash, 10 August will start at the Forge Hotel, St Clears in Pembrokeshire and finish at Scolton Manor. Entries are limited to 120 MGs and cost £16.50 per car including tulip style route book. All proceeds go to the charities McMillan Cancer Trust and Cars for Carers. It's a very popular event and Entries close by 10 July. Contact Neil Thomas for more information at pendinedash((atat))hotmail.co.uk or at on 07980 726201
And finally MGs-on-track have a Track Day at Castle Combe on 8th Sept. There will be separate session for Midgets, MGBs, V8s & ZTs. See www.mgs-on-track.com for details.
johnbird@fsmail.net
