MGA-Register

Heartbeat Tour 2003

MGA REGISTER HEARTBEAT TOUR
SUNDAY 4 MAY 2003

This new event for 2003 was conceived by MGA Register Northern Representative, Stuart Mumby, with a view to attracting MGA owners to the delights of the North York Moors. 20 MGAs gathered in the Market Place of the popular market town of Helmsley, which nestles beneath the southern rim of the moors.

The 64 mile route took participants first to Rievaulx, past the majestic ruins of the 12^th century Cistercian Abbey. We then joined the B1257, which runs through beautiful Bilsdale, turning off at Chop Gate onto minor roads taking us over the escarpment of Carlton Bank with its stunning views over Teesdale. Kildale and Commondale followed, before we headed south towards Rosedale and into Little Fryup Dale to our lunch stop at the Moors Visitor Centre at Danby Lodge.

After lunch we continued to the delightful village of Leaholm, straddling the River Esk and on to Grosmont with its picturesque station serving the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway. From there we drove through the chocolate box hamlet of Beck Hole, with its timeless Birch Hall Inn, and finally to Goathland, made famous as Aidensfield in the Heartbeat TV series. There we had privileged parking at Goathland Garage, seen every week on TV as Bernie Scripps Garage and Funeral Services.

Owner Bob Wood frequently welcomes groups of classic cars to his forecourt and he threw himself enthusiastically into the task of directing traffic and ensuring we were all able to display our cars. We certainly made quite a fine sight, attracting large crowds of weekend trippers with cameras clicking from every direction. It seemed Iris Blue was the colour of the day, with no less than five examples, including two Coupes.

Several participants had brought their MGAs from outside of the county, some on their first visit to the North York Moors. Tim Gulliford came all the way from Somerset, with others coming from west of the Pennines. All were moved by the impressive scenery, made all the more magnificent by glorious sunshine that lasted all the day long. And not a Roadster hood in sight. Everyone was taken by the friendliness of the event and before the day ended requests were coming in for a repeat run next year.
Stuart Mumby



	pictures by Judy Owen