Preston & District MG Enthusiasts club. Established 1980 november newsletter. Firework display 2015 PAUL HEYES

Transcription

1 Preston & District MG Enthusiasts club Established 1980 november 2015 newsletter Firework display 2015 PAUL HEYES 1

2 Chairman s Chat Hi, Only last month I thought we were getting into autumn, but with the changing of the hour it is quickly looking like winter, dark when going to work and from work and over the past week its hardly stopped raining. In late August colleagues at work suggested starting up a mountain bike club and so after work one day a week we try and get to the MTB trails that are in Clayton Vale Park just behind the Velodrome in Manchester. After the first session I decided it was great fun, but neither I nor the hybrid bike was quite up to the job without some changes, I need to get fitter and the bike would need some changes. So instead of being in the garage working on the MGA I have been swapping wheels, tyres and gear ratios on the bike and with each visit the bike has been getting better and slowly I think I am getting fitter. Since the clocks were put back, the darkness has added to the challenge of getting up and down the steep sections, round all the hairpin bends and through the trees and has led to the need for lighting. The picture below shows what will hopefully be the final setup with a triple LED unit on the handle bars (for the straight bits) and a double LED on the helmet so that I can see round the corners. AGM We only have one more club night and newsletter before it s the AGM on Tuesday the 26 th January. So that we can send out the official notice for the AGM with the list of nominees for the 2016 committee, we need the names of anyone who is willing to volunteer or be nominated (assuming they agree) to stand and therefore please pass them onto a member of the present committee by the 12 th December. Events. Since the last Newsletter we have only had the club night with guest speaker (with a talk on the Eagle Comic) and the bonfire night at the Schultz estate. 2

3 For those who made it to the Bonfire night I am sure you will agree that it was a great night with a roaring fire, impressive fireworks and hearty supper, which included a selection of hot pots, stews, red cabbage, pickles, parkin, cup cakes and treacle toffee. I am sure that you will join me in thanking the members who were kind enough to take the time and effort to prepare the supper and especially Carole and Andy Schultz for hosting the evening. Newsletter. Well what can I say; great news and thank you, the editor has received a number of articles which will be included in this and following Newsletters. Club Regalia. Now available at very reasonable prices; Umbrellas Baseball Caps Announcements / reminders Membership. For those who haven t renewed please note, it is now way overdue. Please see included in the newsletter the renewal form. Annual Dinner. For those who haven t booked, it s a great evening, not to be missed. Please get your booking into the committee along with menu choices and payment as soon as possible. Please see the menu later in the newsletter. November Club Night. This year s Annual Quiz will be organized by Elizabeth & Roger Schofield. December 27 th. Cold Turkey Run. Starting at Guys Thatched Hamlet and finishing in Lytham. New Members. I would like to welcome new members Graham Chandler with his MGA and Graham Taylor with his MGB Roadster. Well that s all for now, hopefully see you all at the next club night. Tony 3

4 Secretary s Scribbles Well, it s November already, and yet again that big event is looming up Christmas! It comes round far too fast these days, that s for sure. I m hoping that Mrs Dennis might treat me and put a nice MGA roadster on the drive but pigs don t fly, and if it did happen it would only be an MGA of the miniature variety. Ah well, I can dream. I nearly went to the Classic Car show at the NEC Birmingham, after saying two years ago that I d never go again because of the nightmare road congestion getting there, and the huge crowds on the trains. Also and as usual, the prices have been bumped up by 20%, and all in all with a dodgy left knee, I decided to give it a miss. I heard a whisper that John Titterington s lovely MG Midget was on display this year at the show, courtesy of the Sprite/Midget club. Great stuff, John I ve finally got round to having my RV8 dashboard & door cappings re-veneered. The RV8s that went to Japan all suffered from hairline cracks in the veneer due to the intense sunlight and the car is presently in the capable hands of that man Andy Schultz at the moment. I was always going to do the job myself over the winter months, but dodgy knees sort of get in the way when you are trying to fiddle about under the dashboard. And you ll be glad to know that the brake fluid will be getting changed soon! It s always nice to put photographs of members cars in the club newsletter, so if you have a nice one of your car on the computer, do send it to Paul Heyes or myself and we ll get it into one of the forthcoming editions. It s good to see that we now have 4 MGAs in the club. We were down to one with Bill Bradshaw s Iris Blue, but Howard Sturridge s Dove Grey is coming on, and new members Brian Roberts & Graham Chandler have each brought an MGA into the club. (I d still love one as a 2 nd MG) Bonfire Night was a belter again, with a quite warm night, no rain a great bonfire, a great fireworks display and a great hot pot supper. Great job, girls! And thank you Andy & Carole once again for all the hard work in setting it up. We now look forward to the Christmas Dinner & Awards night on the 5 th December with some 40 attendees. Should be good craic. Then we have our last event of the year on Sunday the 27 th December the Cold Turkey Run (with a bit of lunch after). I will broadcast details nearer the time. Looking ahead to 2016, we kick the year off with the club s AGM on Tuesday the 26 th January at the Railway. The AGM is normally a fairly short affair but a necessary one, and it s a good opportunity to raise any matter of interest or concern for the club. I hope there will be a good turnout. In accordance with the club rules the Agenda has to be publicised well beforehand and so I ve included it within my Scribbles. See below Finally I ve produced a DRAFT Events Calendar for I emphasise that it is a draft only, and therefore subject to change. The committee feels that our club should support other club runs as they do ours, and you will see the local club runs are included (dates to be advised). If there are any changes / amendments / deletions you would like to see, do raise them at the club s AGM or sooner. GODFREY 4

5 Preston & District MG Enthusiasts Club Agenda for the Annual General Meeting to be held at the Railway at Leyland, on Tuesday the 26 th January 2016, commencing 8.30pm Opening remarks by the Chairman Reading of Minutes of 2015 AGM by Secretary Following agreement that these are a true and accurate record, proposal & second that these be accepted. Matters arising Financial Report by Treasurer Following agreement that these are a true and accurate record, proposal & second that these be accepted. Matters arising Election of Committee Members The list below shows the 2015 committee. Any other nominations can be accepted at this meeting, followed by election if numbers exceed those specified in club constitution Officers Chairman Tony Sharples (nominated for 2015) Secretary Godfrey Dennis (nominated for 2015) Treasurer Mick Bamber (nominated for 2015) Election of General Committee Kevin Doran Vice Chairman (nominated for 2015) Gordon Mallett Membership Secretary (nominated for 2015) Michael Hart webmaster (nominated for 2015) Paul Heyes (Newsletter Editor) - (nominated for 2015) Any other nominations Events programme Membership Renewal Fees The committee would like to suggest that the membership fee should remain at 15 per year, renewable in October. Note: Our club fees are based on a family membership, which could include husband & wife, boyfriend and girlfriend or partners Lancashire Lanes Run - nominations for committee. (Tony Sharples nominated as Chairman for 2015) Appointment of Honorary Club President Any Other Business To ALL club members it is your club and the AGM is a special chance to have your say. PLEASE support your committee and club by attending and getting involved. 5

6 PRESTON & DISTRICT MGEC DRAFT Calendar of Club Events 2016 Jan 26th AGM Feb 23rd Club Night - Bowling at Lakeside 8.30pm start Mar 29th Club Night - Speaker Apr 10th Run & Lunch 24th Drive It Day - inc. Treasure Hunt 26th Club Night - including a quiz May 7th Arley Hall Car Show 10th Club Run 24th Club Night - Evening Run Jun 3/6th NTBHWE - Northumberland 12th Classic Car Show - Hoghton Tower 9.00 B&Q 19th Cobblestone Run - North Manchester 26th Classic Car Show - Towneley Park, Burnley 9.00 B&Q 28th Autotest - Schultz Palace Jul 2nd Lostock Hall Carnival (5 cars wanted) 3rd Leighton Hall Classic Car Show 9.00 Phantom 10th Club Run & Lunch TBA 17th 14th Black Pudding Run - Bury 17th Fleetwood Tram Day 9.30 Ribble Pilot 17th Yorkshire Pudding Run 24th 24th Pendle Run 26th Club Night - SYCO Aug 7th Northern National, Pateley Bridge 9.00 TBA 14th Sunday Run & Lunch 21st Lancashire Lanes Run 27th Oulton Park Gold Cup Meeting (Show) 30th Club Night Sep 10th Oulton Park - MG Race Meeting 11th Fairhaven Classic - Lunch after 11th (Optional) - 34th Hoghton Tower Car Show 18th Canberra Club meeting BAE 27th Club Night Oct 9th Sunday Run & Lunch 25th Club Night (with possible speaker) Nov 5th Bonfire, fireworks at the Schultz Estate 29th Club Night - Natter/Noggin, inc Elizabeth's Christmas Quiz Dec 3rd Annual Dinner - Ashton & Lea GC 29th Cold Turkey Run 6

7 The Durkins trip to France September 2015 The Circuit Des Ramparts Car Festival - Angouleme We started off with a fabulous overnight Sail with Brittany Ferries to Saint Malo which was very comfortable, a brilliant start to our 10-day holiday. Day 1 We decided to take the west coast route to La Rochelle to break up the journey. Just a 3- hour drive on marvellous roads, arriving in La Rochelle mid-afternoon. We stayed at one of the Kyriad Hotels which was very good (we will definitely stay there again), had afternoon tea in the busy town centre a short walk from the hotel, taking in the marinas and clocking a nice restaurant for our evening meal later on. Day 2 (the start of the Festival) After a pleasant continental breakfast at the Kyriad we headed south for a 4-hour relaxing drive across to Angouleme, on stress-free roads, arriving mid-afternoon for a 3-night stay in the Hotel Epi d Or, a really comfortable hotel which was ideally situated for access to the festival and run by a wonderful young French lady named Alex whose English was perfect (luckily for us, as our knowledge of the French language is very limited). After settling in we walked into the town centre (a 10 to 15-minute walk) and settled ourselves at an outside bar at the side of the main road where all the classics had to pass on their way to their destinations fabulous spot. John bought his wrist band from the Hotel de Ville to give him access to the racing and the paddocks for the weekend. A walk back to the hotel for a rest and then back into town for the opening evening parade in the Place Du Champ de Mars. What an extravaganza although we didn t understand a word as it was all in French but we got the gist. 3 hours later we managed to squeeze ourselves into a pizzeria for pizza and wine before walking back to the hotel, exhausted. Day 3 (Day 2 of the Festival) Breakfast was served every day until 11am (luxury) - early starts were not on the itinerary here thank goodness. The classics taking part in the country-run had set off from the start point about 9am (apparently) and weren t due back in Angouleme until mid-afternoon, so we decided to take a relaxed meander around Angouleme, coming across a Saturday morning market just a few yards away from our hotel. It was only small but the produce was amazing and the view from the market over the Ramparts was lovely. I managed to purchase a punnet of strawberries (les fraise) from a very nice man on one of the stalls who seemed quite taken with my very gauche attempt at French and felt that he wanted to give me a little gift of, for some reason, one shallot! We walked around the Ramparts on the outside of the old town taking in the views and eventually found our way into another square near the indoor market where more classics were parked. A nearby outside bar beckoned us for a couple of hours before we set off again on our walkabout, walking along some of the streets that would be part of the next day s racing. Back to the Hotel de Ville area and John had a couple of hours in the paddock with his camera, whilst I had a well-earned rest at yet another roadside bar where I managed (all on my own) to ask the waitress for a welcome glass of white wine (un verre de vin s il vous plait merci beaucoup). As I was still sitting alone when my wine glass emptied (!?), I was able to ask for the same again (la meme) which is basically all the French I could remember. Having said that it really didn t matter; as long as you attempted a little of the language everyone was very helpful. 7

8 John decided to attend church on Saturday evening at St Martin s, a lovely church in the town centre, leaving the following day free for us to watch the racing. Day 4 (Day 3 of the Festival) After another lazy breakfast we decided to walk through the town together the plan being that I would leave John to his race-watching whilst I visited a few places that I d pinpointed on the map, and meet up later on. However, as we passed the main square we were surprised to see that it was packed with an overwhelming array of amazing classics from all over Europe, so we stayed for a couple of hours, taking in lunch, before heading onwards and upwards towards the racing. However, every road we came to was adorned with every kind of classic car ever made, from Bugatti s to minis, and everything in-between. John was bowled over. Eventually we got to a racing viewpoint by the cathedral and John enjoyed the atmosphere and the racing, whilst I found myself a seat to sit and read my book et voila! we were both happy! The atmosphere everywhere was buzzing, and carried on into the evening in the bars and restaurants. Days 5 and 6 Monday morning, and after another lazy breakfast we packed and departed The Hotel Epi d or and Angouleme, and drove for about 3 hours to Poitiers. What a lovely town but, unfortunately for us, not many English speakers. We managed ok, but the restaurants were the trickiest, as we were not quite sure what we were ordering. Neither of us are foodies by any means and are not picky eaters, but what we were concerned about inadvertently ordering a raw meat dish something neither of us would be able to cope with. We decided to stay just 2 nights in the hotel L Europe, an excellent hotel in the centre of town, before driving 3 hours to Saint Malo. Days 7, 8 and 9 What a fabulous place! It was certainly not just the ferry port that we had imagined it to be. We stayed for 3 nights in the Escale Oceania Hotel which was fine, but next time it will be the Kyriad or the Alba which are both on the prom with fantastic sea views. The old town surrounded by the ramparts was just so quaint, with quirky little streets and a splendid choice of restaurants and places to eat and drink. We walked along the promenades around the harbour and marinas in lovely sunshine, unexpectedly spotting a white egret and a kingfisher feeding in the rockpools. We then carried on up the hillside to the 2 nd World War German fortifications built as part of Hitler s Atlantic Wall. It was fascinating to learn of the events there during and after the D-Day invasion. Day 10 Up bright and early and onto the ferry in dazzling sunshine for the 10:30am 8-hour day-crossing, which again was very pleasant, arriving in Portsmouth around 6:30pm. Rather than staying overnight in the Portsmouth area John decided he would rather drive straight home, getting in at around midnight. A fantastic holiday with near-perfect weather. We would, without doubt, love to have a similar foreign jaunt next year, either to France or elsewhere, and if anyone else is interested in doing the same we would be pleased to hear from them. Santé, John and Carolyn 8

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10 Article by Pam Brown on a recent motoring based trip Visit to Bubble Car Museum and MGOC HQ Many years ago, Michael owned a bubble car (an Isetta 300). A couple of years ago I read about a bubble car museum in Lincolnshire and thought it would make a nice birthday trip for him. I then realised that Cambridge wasn t too far away so a visit to the MGOC HQ at Swavesey could be included in the trip, and as Ellie the LE had just joined the MGOC, she could take advantage of the free inspection offered to new members in the first year. It was Ellie s first big trip out since the unfortunate incident of the clutch failing as we arrived at the Mill Café in April for our first outing with the PDMGEC, when instead of joining the run we spent an ignominious (and cold) hour at the traffic lights at B&Q in Bamber Bridge waiting for the breakdown truck. The new (and expensive) clutch behaved, however, and we arrived safely at Sleaford Travelodge ready to go on to the Bubble Car museum the following day. This turned out to be a gem of a place; we had a very nice late breakfast in their little café then a look round the museum where, as can be seen in the photo, there is much more than just bubble cars. These are well represented, of course, but there are many other makes (the overall theme is Micro cars), memorabilia from the various periods of these cars, and upstairs is a floor dedicated to motor bikes from various eras. The photo shows the car most like the one that Michael owned. 10

11 The next part of our trip was to Cambridge, ready for Ellie s inspection at the MGOC HQ in a couple of days time. This time we stayed at the Swavesey Travelodge, not really recommended as the exit was straight onto the very busy A14 teeming with huge lorries; rather intimidating for a little TF who was once run off the M6 by an HGV whose radar clearly wasn t low enough to catch diminutive sports cars. We made it to the Cambridge Park & Ride, however, and had a very pleasant day there on the Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. We set off for home the following morning via the MGOC for the eagerly anticipated inspection. This was very thorough, including a test drive that was so long we would have been forgiven for thinking that the mechanic had made off with the car, except for the fact that he could have had his pick of better/faster/flashier ones in the workshop. We entertained ourselves meanwhile with free coffee and a thorough look round the shop which stocks all the essentials: MG mugs, MG clothes, MG teddy bears and spare parts too. The mechanic came back eventually however and presented us with a report of the items needing attention (see below). I also had a few queries, one of which was how to get hold of the right paint to touch up a number of irritating patches where it had flaked off. Now came the pièce de résistance, as he disappeared into the workshop again and came out with the remains of a tin of Intense Blue which they no longer needed, making the 400-mile trip even more worth it! in my case, re-joining as I had been a member from with Mac the Tartan Red MGB Roadster), but it still makes for a nice visit to combine with a trip in that part of Sadly, the inspection is only available within the first year of joining the MGOC (or the country. Here is the Inspection Report we received: Interior LE badge missing (yes, someone had swiped the Limited Edition badge from the central pillar before I bought the car) Front badge de-laminating N/S badge loose on wing N/S screen washer jet partially blocked Rear indicator bulbs showing white Boot loom loose on boot hinge Paint flaking on fuel filler Grommets missing on scuttle panel ABS pump bracket rusty 11

12 Battery loose Paint flaking on rear bumper Stone chips on leading edge of sills behind front wheels N/S front track rod end worn Front brake pads worn to 5mm Rear brake pads at approx 4mm Front tyres showing age cracks (aren t we all ) Nail/screw in n/s rear tyre Front suspension inner pivots require greasing Rear ABS wire unclipped and signs of rubbing on driver shaft (now clipped into place) O/S mirror screw cap missing Just as well I m not trying to sell the car! Pam Brown ******************* Firework display 2016?? Our treasurer presents John with the Austerity trophy, with thanks for his demonstration of how we could cut the cost of next years display. 12

13 Message from Conrad Beumont I`ve been a member for about 8 years but have not made as many runs and club nights as I'd have liked owing to a busy job and other boring life pressures etc, but I've got a 1971 mg midget with road race engine. I've had it re sprayed at Classic Vehicle Restorations by Jeff Ball in Limbrick Chorley. He is on Facebook and has around 30 years experience of restoring vehicles I have photographs now as a picture paints a thousand words and also I suppose the interest may be there for other club members. My friend at work is currently having his 1974 American Oldsmobile re- sprayed at Jeffs after seeing the work to mine, and again this is on Facebook. Jeff has done a fantastic job my car and its now re-born, it will be nice to bring along a shiny mg midget as opposed to a scruffy one or worse still a 2011 black Ford Focus sport on a club run. However despite the wrong cars being brought along to the runs in the past I've really enjoyed and continue to enjoy the laughs and friendships the club offers. Here's to many more future runs and with the right car.. So here are a few photos of the work progressing. Before 13

14 During After 14

15 From the archive This months photo is a little easier, surely someone knows this former MG enthusiast? and finally, an acceleration challenge that the MGB might actually win. 15

16 Preston & District MG Enthusiasts Club Annual Awards & Christmas Dinner Evening Menu options. Name Selection Choice Starters Duck & orange pate served with a warm apple & ale chutney. Chef s homemade thick vegetable soup. Deep fried brie wedges with caramelised onion chutney. Mains Choice Roast striploin of beef with Yorkshire pudding. Roast breast of turkey with the traditional trimmings. Poached loin of cod served with a rich and spicy tomato sauce. Desserts Choice Xmas pudding and brandy sauce. Lemon tartlet with fresh cream. Warm chocolate sponge and custard. As soon as possible could you please confirm whether you wish to attend the annual dinner and if so forward your menu choices along with the payment (Cheque or cash to the value of per person) to; Mick Bamber mick@mcbamber.com If you can t make it to a club night please post the menu choices and cheque to; Tony Sharples 31 Riverside Avenue, Farington Moss, Leyland, PR26 6RQ 16

17 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM 1. NEW 2. RENEWAL Est Membership Secretary Gordon Mallett. 28 Northwood Close, Burnley, BB12 0JR, Tel Mob Name Address Telephone address Car details or changes (if any) I wish to renew my annual subscription and enclose herewith my cheque / postal order in the sum of made payable to: - Preston & District MGEC. Signed: Date:

18 Date Club Event Time Start / Meet Tue 24 Feb Tenpin Bowling Lakeside Preston Sun 22 Mar Club Run & Lunch New hall tavern PR5 0XA Tue 31 Mar Club Night (Speaker) Railway at Leyland Sun 12 Apr Club Run & Lunch The Mill cafe Sun 26 Apr Drive It Day (inc. Treasure Hunt) Booths car park Garstang Tue 28 Apr Club Night (inc. Quiz) Railway at Leyland Sun 3 May Club run and lunch Start at Mitton Hall Tue 26 May Club Night Evening Run Lang's of Longton PR45BF 5/8 June NTBHWE - Derbyshire TBA Sun 14 Jun Classic Car Show Hoghton Tower B&Q Bamber Bridge Tue 30 Jun Autotest Schultz Palace Sun 28 Jun Classic Car Show Townley Park B&Q Bamber Bridge Sat 4 Jul Lostock Hall Carnival (5 cars) Gas Works Rd. Lostock H Sun 5 Jul Leighton Hall Classic Car Show Phantom Winger Sun 12 Jul Club Run & Lunch Plough, Runshaw Ln. PR7 6HB Sun 19 Jul Fleetwood Tram Day Ribble Pilot Car Park Tue 28 Jul Club Night - SYCO Railway at Leyland Sun 9 Aug Northern National Pateley Bridge Salmesbury Hotel PR5 0UL Sun 16 Aug Club Run & Lunch TBA Sun 23 Aug Lancashire Lanes Run Dobbies. Blackpool Road Tue 25 Aug Club Night Evening Run? Leyland Park (car park) Sat 12 Sep Oulton Park MG Race Meeting Charnock Richard Services Sun 13 Sep Fairhaven Classic Car Show/Lunch Cancelled Sun 20 Sep Canberra Club Classic Car Show BAE premises, Samlesbury Tue 29 Sep Club Night Railway at Leyland Sun 11 Oct Club Run & Lunch Phantom Winger Tue 27 Oct Club Night Railway at Leyland Sat 7 Nov Bonfire Night + Hotpot Schultz Palace Tue 24 Nov Club Night, Elizabeths xmas quiz Railway at Leyland Sat 5 Dec Annual Dinner & Awards Ashton & Lea Golf Club Sun 27 Dec Cold Turkey Run Guy`s Thatched Hamlet UPDATED 17/11/

19 Committee, Contacts and Useful Information Chairman Tony Sharples Tel: Mobile: Secretary Godfrey Dennis Tel: Mobile: Treasurer Mick Bamber Tel: Mobile: Membership Gordon Mallett Tel: Mobile: Vice Chairman Kevin Doran Tel: Mobile: General Paul Heyes Tel: Mobile: General Michael Hart Tel: Mobile: Newsletter Editor: Paul Heyes 61 Turks Road, Radcliffe, Manchester M26 4GA all articles to the editor by 15 th of the month by e mail or post Honorary president Bill Ryding Tel Mobile william.ryding@virginmedia.com Webmaster Michael Hart Tel: Mobile: blue_icarian_wings@hotmail.com Trading Members Andy Schultz Cuerden Classics (the club s technical consultant) Tel: Mobile: andy@pr55xq.freeserve.co.uk 19