News & Chat

Despite cold temperatures, fog in places and snow drifts on the higher ground our January Sunday Run had a good turnout of eight cars. It was an opportunity to be able to give the cars a good outing in the damp weather but the poor conditions certainly did not dampen our spirits.

The Cavalcade of Excellence travelled south into Cheshire along some varied roads to a final destination at a large garden centre near Knutsford. This was chosen enjoy dry and warm chopping and a good cuppa! Along the way we stopped for another cuppa at a visitor centre where Gary presented his wife Sharon with a birthday cake. Sharon was completely surprised and we all enjoyed the moment. We also enjoyed the Cake!

The last Sunday Run of the year took place in November and that brought us to the end of yet another varied and interesting programme of visits during 2009.

During the past twelve months we have had a lot of laughs and entertainment, and with the best of recollections, no really serious breakdowns. I suppose that would be an ideal year considering our MG's are no longer in their first flush of youth. I think that possibly Ian and Trudy's roadster can be awarded the accolade of most unexpected stops due to some ongoing electrical problem that even the most serious head-scratching and chin stroking sessions have failed to determine.

So, on a wet and windy Sunday in November, a joint route put together by Graham and Brian took us over the hills and into West Yorkshire. A stop-over at the pretty village of Holmefirth gave us an opportunity to get even older than we were already before venturing off over even more hills and into the small village of Shelley. At Shelley, the final destination, was a decent sized garden centre that had everything we all needed for the day - hot drinks, cakes, Christmas displays and toilets! We're easy to please.

2010 is just around the corner and we are already planning another season of events and outings that everyone can enjoy. To all MG owners in the North Manchester area who are not a "club" person we extend an invitation to join us on one or more of our Sunday Runs. Details are provided in Enjoying MG magazine or on our website. No fuss, just turn up and follow the printed route.

September Sunday Run

Due to work commitments Kelvin was unable to arrange Kelvin's Diesel Run so Graham stepped into the breach and came up with the Boats & Beams Run.

The run included part of a scenic car run published by the local Pendle Tourist Information office and it took us to two stops involving the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Now that would be were the "boats" bit comes in but we have no idea what the "beams" is. Anyway, no matter we had a splendid day out with some lovely scenery and brew stops to enjoy.

Well, the nights are drawing in and it's getting a bit fresher with the hoods down so it must be getting close to the eagerly awaited North Manchester MGOC Christmas Do! We are going back to the Fair View Inn for the meal like last year which turned out to be very enjoyable. All are welcome regulars or not, just give Graham a call for more info.

Happy motoring! In fact on the point of happy motoring we at North Manchester carry on throughout the year so, no need to put the MG into it's winter blanket, come along to any of our monthly Sunday Run's and enjoy the winter sunshine.

Congratulations to Brian & Debs and Dave & Fran for organising such a fantastic day for North Manchester's annual fun day and MG run. We had a good turnout and for most of the day good weather. The rain was nice by holding off until the fun and games started later in the afternoon. But nothing could spoil the fun!

The first part of the day was the Treasure Hunt. Talk about looking for a needle in a haystack! A good route all around Burnley and environs gave the Cavalcade of Excellence a good opportunity to blow out any cobwebs. We even took in places of interest such as Howarth Art Gallery, an antique's place a couple of textile museums and shops and for most a garden centre - but not for Graham & Pauline who never saw the Garden Centre due to poor navigation. However Pauline and Graham still managed third place in the treasure hunt which is amazing after missing out so many questions.

On arrival at Brian and Debs garden we all received a Pimms (or two) and then a meat and potato pie meal with all the trimmings. Followed by some lovely deserts and more Pimms. The "fun" part of this event is the games we play in order to win medals for our efforts. Such games as "pin the Badge on the MG badge (blindfolded), car racing with wooden cars and dice around the garden (that first corner is tricky), sticky darts and pass the parcel with prizes and forfeits. The Lancashire Lad gave us a recital or two.

Fantastic!

More again next year but don't wait for then to join us for a Sunday Run - just turn up on the day! You will be made very welcome.

Winners of the Treasure Hunt Brian and Beryl receive their fabulous prize and medals from Graham. Pin the Badge on the MG

An absolutely delightful outing took place recently when Ian and Trudy arranged our Sunday Run for July.

The only thing that didn't come up to spec was the weather - it was wet, windy and quite cool for the time of year. But, no matter because the Cavalcade of Excellence set off from the Spring Inn in an Easterly direction towards West Yorkshire with all participants ready for a great day's driving. We were not disappointed!

Before we made the first planned stop the Cavalcade was held up by a large single-decker bus that completely blocked the single-track road well up on the tops. It wasn't for moving or reversing! So, the MG's had to reverse in formation to make way.

Now this was great fun when viewed from the rear of the Cavalcade, maybe not so much fun for those trying to reverse in driving rain back up a narrow road with no places to pull into. Anyway, all was sorted and after a cheery wave from the bus driver we continued on our route.

We pulled into the Slack Top Alpines plant nursery which has won awards for it's alpine plants. We all made purchases - some after a bit of prompting!

The run continued with more rain and even more wind to the Coldwell Visitor Centre which lived up to its name. However, it did have all the requirements we needed such as a cafe, car parking facilities and toilets.

Skipton beckoned next but rain really stopped play here and a planned walk around the town and shops was cancelled in favour of a chat in the car park and a quick cuppa.

We are pleased to report a record attendance for our annual Cobblestones Run held this year on the 28th June.

We were blessed with a hot and sunny day and the new venue for the start and finish of the event turned out to be a the right decision.

A total of thirty six cars set off from the Fair View Inn and the Cavalcade of Excellence followed a route that took us through some breathtaking scenery around Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Various optional stops along the way allowed time for refreshments and breaks with the chance to talk to fellow MG and classic car enthusiasts.

The return to the Fair View Inn was greeted with a short sharp burst of heavy rain that only gave everyone a good laugh and certainly did not dampen any spirits.

The splendid carvery was served to all returning drivers and passengers who tucked into the fayre whilst the raffle tickets where drawn.

At North Manchester MGOC we all take turns in organising our monthly runs and this provides plenty of variety and routes to take. Our April run was the ever popular St Georges Day Run and was prepared by Jim and Joan Keating.

The day dawned to a spectacular sight as we entered the car park to see all the entrants lined up and ready for the off in brilliant sunshine.

Among this Cavalcade of Excellence were some welcome visitors with their classic cars including a three litre Austin Healey, an MGA, a Nissan Figaro, MGB's and a Midget - fantastic!

Our route took us into the Cheshire countryside with pre-planned stops at a large garden centre and a country park and with a final destination of the Lion Salt Works near Northwich. At the salt works we were treated to a narration about the salt making process and the background to the Lion works. Sounds boring but it was very interesting indeed!

What set this outing as a special day was the opportunity to meet new friends whom we hope to see again in the future. We really all had a great day out.

GRAHAM TAYLOR

At last warmer weather is returning which means it's more fun driving our MG's. But here at North Manchester we go out throughout the year anyway!

For example in March we all went on a outing entitled Harvey's Run. Now Harvey is only five years old but he is a regular on our Sunday run's accompanied by his parents Gary & Sharon and his younger sister Rebecca. So, where do you think the final destination point for Harvey's Run was? An ice cream parlour of course!

Harvey's Run took us over the Pennine's into Holmfirth and via our new favourite road down onto the A628 towards Barnsley. A cracking road and the Cavalcade of Excellence was in full throttle for a goodly few miles.

We arrived at the Yummy Ice Cream Parlour at Delph House Farm and we were greeted by hens and chickens running around the car park and the mooing of a herd of cows. A highlight of the visit however, was meeting up by chance with a fellow MG enthusiast from, I think, the Sheffield club who just happened to be visiting the farm in his immaculate bright red Jaguar 120. A nice chap and a nice car!

Our photo tells it all. A great day and great company.

Harvey is second from the right (front row)