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2nd BLACK PUDDING RUN | |
The crowd were due to meet at the Ainsworth Arms at 8:30am - your secretary being very early for the 2nd year running. Before we'd had chance to erect all the road signs, banners and prepared the pub for the arrival of some 103 MG's, two of them arrived - about an hour earlier than anticipated.
Over the next hour we saw the arrival of almost 100 cars, who were expertly parked by Ted and Evelyn. All the entrants checked in, purchased plenty of raffle tickets and enjoyed refreshments, bacon sandwiches and kitkats. We had nearly 40 raffle prizes on offer and were amazed by everyone's generosity, as we sold £375 worth of tickets - over double what we managed last year! A very big and special thank you to David and Barbara who ran the raffle and to everyone for digging so deep into their wallets.
Once again we were blessed with sunshine and everyone enjoyed looking around all the cars on show - and there were some real beauties including a 1934 Magnette and a Midget with a very special twin cam.
Our guest for the morning viewed all the cars on show, looking for the one that he would choose as 'Best On Run'. Without knowing who won last year, he selected a shortlist and after much deliberation opted for a red MGA - the very same winner as last year.
The cars started to head off and followed the picturesque 75 mile route through the Lancashire and West Yorkshire countryside. The route took them through Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall and over the moors towards Hebden Bridge. Then again it was over the moors in the sunshine to Burnley, Sabden, Stonyhurst College and then into the grounds of Hoghton Tower near Preston. Here they gained entry to the 13th Lancashire Classic Car Show, where they parked on the hillside over looking the showground.
At the show, all the entrants checked into our gazebo and were given their finishing souvenirs - a fridge magnet and the choice of hot and cold black puddings from the Bury Black Pudding Company. A big thank you to the Al and Mal show for organising the cooking of the puddings. The winning raffle prizes were also collected, despite certain punters doing their best to enter the non-existent tombola.
We also handed out prizes to our three winners on the day, who's cars were displayed in front of the gazebo;
'Furthest From Home' went to George and Joy Elliott from Amesbury in Wilshire with their 1977 MGB.
'Oldest Car' went to Malcolm Bailey with his 1934 MG ND Magnette.
'Best On Run' went to Michelle and Steve Brown with their red 1958 MGA.
The Best On Run car on display at the show
The entire day was a great success for the club and built upon the inaugural run we staged in 2003. We raised £1,000 for the Bury Hospice, a good cause that many of the entrants commented upon. Unlike last year we didn't have any rain showers to dodge, in fact the day got hotter and sunnier as it went on.
Thank you to everyone who attended, everyone who supported us and everyone involved with Bury MGOC. Already plans are afoot to stage the 3rd Black Pudding Run next year on Sunday 17th July. We hope that you will be joining us.
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