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October 2008
MONTH: October
SUBJECT: Fran & Dave's "Fuel for Thought Run"
CONTENTS: Ghosts, Henry the 8th, Christmas
goodies and flower style urinals in the gents! Wow!
A good crowd set off from the Spring Inn along with
Ken and Stuart, a couple of new friends from the Sheffield MGOC, who had made a
special journey over to us for the day, to top that we had two Ladies from
Kingston Ontario who had made the journey especially to be with us!
The weather was dry and the MG's were in
good order and the Cavalcade of Excellence wound its way through hills, villages
and towns in Lancashire over to the impressive Samlesbury Hall near Preston.
Here, Henry 8th, or someone who looked and talked like him, explained the finer
points of this fascinating stately home to anyone who would listen. It seems
that the place is haunted but nobody said boo to us!
Leaving the splendours of this 1325 AD built hall behind us we progressed on
further afield to the Barton Grange garden centre near Garstang. here the
Christmas displays made us all festive with cheer - and the cash tills did ring.
Now, one of the more unusual aspects of this centre is its unusual stand-up
plumbing arrangements in the gents toilets. Well, they're porcelain and shaped
like Lilies, Roses and Tulips and it's most peculiar - but fun!
Later with twilight fast approaching and the MG's asking to be tucked up in
their garages for the night it was a safe return journey home.
Thanks to Fran & Dave for a great day out.
Smiling faces outside Samlesbury Hall
September 2008
This September we enjoyed two great runs courtesy
of four of our north manchester members.
The first outing was an evening run organised by Brian and Debs that took our
cavalcade of excellence up and over the hills out of Lancashire and into West
Yorkshire. I think I can speak for all those who took part on the night in
extending our congratulations to Brian and Debs on an outstanding little route
that led us through some spectacular scenery and eventually onto the Pack Horse
Inn and a hearty hot meal. Lovely grub!
The second run was organised and planned by Ian and Trudy and took place on a
warm and dry Sunday late in September. By coincidence we left Lancashire again
and headed into West Yorkshire travelling through towns and villages and across
open expanses of moorland where we had a chance to open up the throttle a bit.
Lunch was at Shibden Hall and comprised of a picnic on the lawn. A tour of
this old building was undertaken but Brian and I just ate our ice-lollies on a
wooden bench and savoured a Last of the Summer Wine moment! We left the Hall
and proceeded still in formation over the hills again and arrived at Oxenhope
Steam Railway. Now we have been here before but you just can't miss the
opportunity to see an engine with a full head of steam performing and, true to
form, one arrived in the station platform while we were there. Superb!
Before leaving for the return leg we had the opportunity to come to the aid of a
biker who unfortunately had broken down in the station car park. Despite
valiant pushing by Brian and Graham the bike failed to proceed. However, Gary
came to the rescue with a set of jump leads produced from his car boot.
It was an unusual sight to see Gary's Midget starting a 750cc motorbike side be side. Nice to be able to help another enthusiast.
Picnic on the Grass
Now That's something you don't see very Often
August 2008 The Treasure Hunt and BBQ run
The day started fine and dry and continued to be so as, it must be said, a smaller than expected number of cars set off for our now annual Treasure Hunt and BBQ.
Jim and Joan did the honours this year mainly because they won the event last year.
So as you might imagine the idea of the Treasure Hunt is not to win, whilst still trying to make it look like you tried your best.
The questions this year really tested the entrants, with 4 stops en route, a garden centre two Exhibitions/Museums and an Aquarium.
The people on duty must have wondered what was going on as person after person asked the same questions.
I bet you didn’t know what substance Human Blood is chemically closest to?
Well it’s Seawater.
So it came to pass that the Cavalcade of excellence finally arrived at Jim and Joan’s residence. The BBQ was enjoyed and our version of the Birds nest stadium in Beijing waited for the start of the games.
We may not have expended as much energy as our glorious Olympians but we did have lots of fun competing in Darts, Lawn darts, Mini Golf and Quoits.
After the Gold Medals were awarded the only thing left to do was announce the winner of the Treasure Hunt.
Dam it was me, so next year the BBQ will be Hosted by Brian & Deb – mental note must try harder not to win.
Double Medal Winners from the MG Olympics
July 2008
Instead of organising our July monthly run we
joined our close friends and MG neighbours at Bury MGOC for their annual Black
Pudding Run. This was a prearranged swap because they had entered our
Cobblestones Run that took place during June. So we returned the favour.
I am sure I can speak for all the North Manchester crowd in thanking Bury MGOC
for the warm welcome we received at the event. The organisation was superb and
the run was great. The route took the Cavalcade of Excellence around all parts
of Lancashire with interesting views and places of interest and then back to the
start point for refreshments and a barbecue. The hot food was definitely
welcome after the bracing day due to high winds and low temperatures!
In order to maintain a long-standing tradition, Kelvin, who is one of our
members, managed to get a puncture by hitting a boulder that ran out into the
road before he could avoid it. This maintains his "will I break down again"
success rate of 100%.
All are welcome to join North Manchester MGOC for our monthly runs that take us
all around our area with interesting destinations and routes. Alternatively,
call in for a chat at our monthly meetings at the Spring Inn in Rochdale.
June 2008 - The Cobblestones Run
We are glad to report another great
Cobblestones Run held during June with a near record number of entries that
filled the car park at the Spring Inn start and finish point.
Despite a threatening sky the tenth
Cobblestones Run Cavalcade of Excellence proceeded on a route into Yorkshire and
around some picturesque scenery and interesting stop-off points including narrow
boats, steam trains, a heritage centre and retail shopping. Some were lucky and
missed a shower or two - some weren't!
However, all arrived back to a piping
hot meal in the restaurant to witness the raffle draw. What a draw, we had so
many prizes that it took about half an hour to get through all the winners and
to give out the prizes. The selected charity the Springhill Hospice, situated
just around the corner from the venue, benefitted from the generosity of all who
took part.
We trust that all who participated
enjoyed the event as much as North Manchester members did.
Well they look to be enjoying the day
May 2008
Anyone who owns a Midget and is sometimes
disappointed to see the model outshone by larger MGB's etc at shows and
concourse events will have had a field day at the Spridget 50 event at Heritage
Motor Centre at Gaydon In May.
The organisers expected around 1,000 Midgets
and Sprites to turn up and I for one would not doubt that they achieved their
goal. What a day and what an event - superb!
Notable cars where the many examples in
absolute first class condition and the V8 version that I wouldn't have thought
would be possible but there it was. But I personally liked just browsing around
the car parking areas and looking at all the smiling faces and everyday cars.
The museum itself is certainly worth a
visit and seems to have been changed since I last went some years ago. A full
history of autos from the early beginnings until the present day.
I took loads of photos and it is difficult
to select one to illustrate these words. So, to solve the problem I am showing
my own Midget on the crest of a hill plus a few others.
Just A Few of the Participants
April 2008
Our St Georges Run to Matlock (well quite
near Matlock) proved to be a much safer run than when we first took our
cavalcade of excellence down into Derbyshire one cold winters day last year.
This was the day when deep snow hampered our return progress back over the
hills. In fact Graham became an urban legend after this previous trip. But
enough of that because this time the snow didn't return - it fell as rain
instead!
The lure was retail therapy at a large shopping
outlet plus, of course, the fantastic journey ideal for our MG's through the
villages and along the fast country roads of the Peak District.
Meanwhile the organisation for our Cobblestones
Run is well under way and this year's route will be probably the best so far.
Don't forget to reserve your place.
We hold club runs every month and all are
welcome. Just turn up at the Spring Inn.
My Boot is Bigger than Yours! How Do we get out of here?
Final Destination Coffee Break en-Route
Let the women get on with the shopping
March 2008
Blustery winds and low temperatures failed
to halt our March outing that took us up and over the tops and into South
Yorkshire.
The cavalcade of excellence wound its way
through hills and valleys to its final destination at the Old Moor RSPB bird
reserve a route put together by Brian and Beryl that proved to be a great long
journey with plenty of opportunity to really drive the cars. We will repeat
this route on a warmer day.
Our annual Cobblestones Run is getting closer
once again and we hope that we will be blessed with good weather like previous
year's events.
Check out our website for more details or see
our advertisement.
That's all folks!
I must remember to take the camera out of my
pocket, it works better that way.
February 2008
The best reason for owning an MG is to drive
it regularly and that's why we hold monthly runs and events throughout the year.
In February our run was scheduled to be a trip
over the Pennines to the National Media Museum, Bradford and that was the plan
when we all met up at the Spring Inn in Rochdale. However, two thirds of the
way into Graham's preplanned journey (unusual because he had actually completed
the route before the day) changes were afoot! The scenery and stop over points
were so enjoyable we all decided to improvise and go "off piste" together and to
see where the day and the roads would take us.
COBBLESTONES RUN
Well the route is planned, the restaurant is
booked and the entries are arriving for our tenth annual event on the 22nd June.
I know we always say it will be the best ever, but, well, we do think that this
years run will be the best ever! A slightly shorter run than last year
but with some interesting stopovers and a really good opportunity to see some
stunning views. Best of all is the chance to meet old friends and fellow MG'ers
and to check out the cars. Where will we go? Well you can find out by logging
onto our website or contacting us for an entry form.
MONTHLY RUNS
As mentioned earlier, we get in our cars every
month for a good day driving around our region by taking turns to organise the
day. Best of all is our open door policy of "just turn up and go" on these
runs. No need to be a regular at our meetings if you are not into a club scene,
we don't mind we just like driving our cars. See you next time?
Our happy band of MG'ers
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