Athelhampton
Having decided that we would make Athelhampton an official register event for
2009, the register committee were hopeful that we would be able to encourage a
few Magnettes along to the event which is run each year by Nigel Hedges who has
a reputation for putting on a good event. Not only was it a very enjoyable
event, but we managed to get more cars in attendance than anticipated!.
By late morning, we had eleven cars present in the shape of 2 ZA's, 2 ZB'S & 7
ZBV's which made a very fine display indeed all parked up in a line on the front
lawn of Athelphampton House on what was a very fine summers day. We then had a
whole host of things available to us from the usual MG networking to a tour of
Athelhampton house itself, a wander around the extensive gardens, & even
watching a plastic duck race on the river Piddle that runs through the estate!
(I gather that it is an annual ritual with each duck carrying a number & having
a bet placed on it with the winner pocketing £30) - there was a lot of very
excited MG owners watching the race & cheering their duck on I can tell you.
Unfortunately, the winner was not a Magnette owner on this occasion!.
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One car present that I had not seen before, was the Island Green ZA belonging to
Richard Smailles. This name may be familiar to some as Richard has come to a few
of our events over the last few years in a variety of very original unmolested
cars, these being a black ZB, a two tone blue ZBV & a grey Wolseley 15/50. All
three had been owned by Richard & his father for a long time & have now since
been sold on following a need to thin down the collection. Richard assured me
that the Island Green ZA is the last one he still has which will not be sold as
it holds particularly fond memories for him having been taken to school in it as
a child. In keeping with the other 3 cars mentioned, it is fantastically
original & a definite "time warp" car. How many of us for instance can boast
that our cars are still running on the original clutch, never had the engine
taken out & have all original trim including carpets & furflex trim around the
doors?. Great to see & a big thanks to Richard for bringing it a long.
All in all, a really good event which now just leaves us with this season's
final event which is our usual curtain closer at Norwich. It promises to be as
good as ever this year with Lou & John having the usual "open house" on the
Saturday, a run organised for the Saturday afternoon by John & Cynthia Harris, a
meal at a local eatery Saturday evening & then of course the showground event on
the Sunday!. If you haven't booked in for the event yet, it's not too late. Just
get in touch with the Mark Bunce on 01264-736099 or email mark@soll3.co.uk & he
will assist.
Peter Martin
