Colin and Val’s Sunday run... November21st

With my dear wife, Patti playing navigator, we arrived at Gordano Services early, only to find a few MGs, already there.
We were met by Colin who promptly dished out the route, while Val gave us a menu from the “Rose and Crown” at Hinton Charterhouse, our ultimate destination.
A little later, Colin was approaching members, getting names for the “Party” night, and also for the “Cobweb run”. If you haven’t got your names down, do it...
Sad to say, the weather on the day was wet and not to warm, and while most of the hardier members were milling around outside, wifey and myself elected to stay in the warmth of “Molly’s” interior.
Gradually, our numbers grew, a few “strangers” included. We were followed most of the way by a BMW,
Eventually, the convoy started leaving around 11 a.m. Although I saw Chris dart of earlier. I think this was after someone said that the “Rose and Crown” were short of beer. We headed towards Failand before dropping down into Long Ashton.
Before I retired, I used to spend a considerable amount of time on the roads in the area and beyond, so I thought I knew the area reasonably well.....no I don’t.
As soon as Patti roared out the turning into Yanley Lane, I was lost and continued to stay that way the rest of the trip.
Fortunately Colin’s instructions were clear, and with Patti at times shouting to be heard above the sound of 1800cc of untamed fury emanating from under “Molly’s” bonnet, we meandered on our merry way.
To be fair, there wasn’t a great chance of going wrong, as I had three MGs in front of me, followed by a further three plus the BMW behind me. (England 7 – Germany 1). Surely we couldn’t all be wrong.
I am still relatively new to these runs, and perhaps I may get a bit blasé as time goes on, but I believe that the cars were made for journeys like this. Narrow lanes, not too much traffic to concern us with, no heroics as to who has the fastest car, just a lovely meander with like minded people. That’s how I see things, I hope you all agree.
Climbing up over Dundry and heading towards Chew Magna before eventually heading south on the A37 towards Mallet, we turned off towards Clutton, Timsbury and Tunley, before dropping down towards Peasedown St.John and eventually to Hinton Charterhouse and the “Rose and Crown”.
Colin did say at the meet, that the club had used the pub before, I can understand why.
The only problem I had on the day was that Patti doesn’t drive the MG, so I was limited to a pint and a J2O...shame. A nice pint of London Pride went down well, along with the most beautiful portion of Ham accompanied by a couple of runny eggs and chips and side salad.
Patti plumped for the Pork roast which was evidently gorgeous.
A nice gentle run out with a good nosh at the end, what more can we ask for.
Well done Colin and Val, and thanks to all of those who attended.

Ken Bovington

MG'S in SOUTH AFRICA

Tim and I have just had one of the best months in our lives. With all the travelling we do, the month in South Africa has been memorable to say the least.

Chasing leopards, seeing a leopard kill, riding an ostrich (then eating his cousin for lunch!!) swimming in the Zambesi and sitting at the edge of the Victoria falls all feature high in our experiences.

We were discussing hobbies and contemplating what it would be like to drive our MGB roadster in S.A. where it was brilliant weather in the most beautiful settings when we discovered that the tour guide was a proud owner of a 1973 MGB roadster exactly the same as ours, (only red not teale blue!). She is a member of the Port Elizabeth MG Owner's club.

We were staying in Knysna for a few nights, a beautiful small town on the south coast, enjoying a leisurely breakfast when the guide came up to us to tell us that there was a growing number of MGs on the car park. We went out and there they were, all types gathering for their Sunday Breakfast Run.

They were all so friendly and when Tim said we were there for a few days, one of the members said it was a pity we hadn't known of the run previously as he had three MGs and would have willingly lent us one so that we could have joined them on the run. They were all members of the South Cape Club.

However, much to our surprise we heard how limiting their routes were due to the continuous range of mountains running parallel to the coast all the way to the Cape.

It made us realise that the grass is not always greener and just how lucky we are here in Britain to enjoy our motoring in such varied and beautiful countryside, even if the weather is not always on our side!

I know many of our members have made contacts around the world as they travel. The MG, such a well known and well loved badge, is great for creating conversation with strangers.

The picture is of Leslie and Duncan who are members of the South Cape club and were the organisers of the breakfast run. They were immensely proud of their red MGA.

Looking forward to more travels abroad and meeting more MG owners, but more than that we are looking forward to yet another year of happy MGing in this great old country of ours!!

Happy Motoring for 2011, make the most of your car, friends and club.

All the very best
Janet and Tim PJ

SUNDAY LUNCH RUN – 17TH OCTOBER 2010

A beautiful Autumn morning. We all met up in Thornbury and what a good turn-out it was – 11 gleaming MGs – 7 of which were British Racing Green plus the odd foreigner BMW (sorry Bert).

Our hosts, Andy and Cath Rigler, gave us a typical test of many ?nooks and crannies? through dung-filled, tiny lanes with spectacular views when you least expected them.

Onwards and upwards through Cromhall, Leyhill and passing the reputedly oldest tree in Britain at Tortworth. On reaching North Nibley Monument there were beautiful panoramic views of the countryside looking splendid in its Autumn glow.

It never fails to amaze me when going through villages that you get all types of locals who gawp and wave – pleased to see a procession of MGs but you always get one who has to reverse 50 yards back up a lane with a thunderous look and muttering under his breath ?bloody MGs!?.

On through Berkeley, Cam and Dursley to Slimbridge where we saw a huge flock of geese in flight.

On reaching our destination at Sharpness Docks our thanks went to Andy and Cath for such an interesting run. We were made very welcome at the Dockers Club where we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch. I believe it was our first visit but I’m sure it won’t be our last!!

Colin & Val Wotley

Pendine Dash 8th August 2010

Due to a fortunate visit from our son for the week we were able to leave our dog at home and stayed on Saturday at the Ivy Bush Hotel in Carmarthan prior to the run on Sunday. The day of the run the weather was kind being warm and sunny. We arrived at the start at just after 9.a.m and met up with the Bristol contingent – a good turnout including Ian and Val`s two dogs. Because of the weather all the soft tops came down and the Bristol lot were amongst the first to start departing at 9.45a.m.

Leaving the Forge Inn we had a short run through St Clears on the A40 before forking off to Laugharne passing Browns Hotel (now closed) – Dylan Thomas`s favourite watering hole. Further on we stopped in a car park to view the remains of the castle, established in the early 12th century as an earth work castle it was rebuilt by the Anglo-Norman de Brian family during the 13th and early 14th centuries. Sir John Perrot later transformed it into a Tudor Mansion in the 16th century. We then walked along the estuary foreshore of the River Taf to the Boathouse where Dylan wrote some of his most famous works, including ?Under Milkwood?. Actually he didn`t write in the Boathouse but in the garage overlooking the estuary.

Peering through the window you enter into a time warp. His desk is there complete with a couple of empty bottles (one brown, presumably beer-he was notoriously a heavy drinker). Strewn under and around the desk were crumpled discarded pieces of hand written paper. No word processors then. Just inside the entrance door there was a chair with a newspaper laid upon it. The headline was the removal of King George VIth body from the palace to a chapel before his funeral cortege and burial – the date would have been February 1952.

We then visited the Museum of Speed on Pendine Sands. Much of the area behind the sands is used as a Firing Range by the MOD, You are warned not to pick up or tamper with any strange looking objects as they may be live ammunition.

The 7 mile stretch of Pendine Sands are famous for a number of reasons. Amy Johnson, the famous Aviator and her husband Jim made the first east to west transatlantic aircraft crossing against the prevailing winds. Their aircraft was so heavily loaded with fuel for the crossing that no airfield runway was capable of accommodating them so the sands was the only place with sufficient space for a take off.

The sands were also used in the 2nd World War as a landing strip for incoming American aircraft. The MOD Research Department was relocated at the start of the war from the south coast to the village of Pendine for security reasons.

But it is as a Land Speed Record site that the sands are most famous. In September 1924 the world land speed record was broken in the 27 litre V12 powered Sunbeam Bluebird. Unfortunately, in 1927 J.G. Parry Thomas was killed tying to beat Campbell‘s new record of 175mph in a car christened ?Babs?. ?Babs? remained buried in the sand until permission was granted to excavate her in 1969. Despite being surrounded by salt laden sand she was in a remarkable state of preservation. However, it still took 12 years to restore her. Many new parts had to be re-machined and a replacement American First World War Bomber Engine acquired. She now takes pride of place in the museum alongside a Brough Superior Motorbike-the Rolls Royce of motorbikes. D.H. Lawrence of Lawrence of Arabia fame owned several and met his untimely death riding one, also on display is a Douglas Motorbike built in Kingswood, Bristol. don`t you know!

The run then took us through a lovely wooded section before joining the A40 to St. Clears. This stage of the run was not picturesque and then Carmarthen. Carmarthen is a lovely old town, but the route took us around the outskirts, across several roundabouts before reaching farmland, the road actually taking us through the farmyard.

Here the views were very pretty and we even had glimpses of Worms Head at Rhossili on the Gower- the first area in the UK to be accorded the title as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a place much visited by us.

The next 5 miles were not unattractive but you could not see a lot because if the height of the banks and hedgerows bordering the road. At about 38 miles into the run we caught a glimpse of an engine under steam on the Carmarthan Steam Railway. Lots of concrete sleepers and rails were stored in various off road spaces. Presumably the enthusiasts have intentions of extending the line. There seemed to be enough material to take them all the way to Wrexham!

Again it was very pretty along this stretch of the run through woodland with a river burbling alongside the road. The countryside then opened up as we climbed passing a Wind Turbine Farm. Close up, these turbines appear to be sinister, almost threatening. Silently generating power but as though they are watching all that passes before them.

The road then lead us to Cenarth noting the presence of a Heron in the river on the way. Cenarth deserves a separate article in its own right. Waterfalls, a lovely bridge over the River Teifi and the National Coracle Centre. Coracle fishing pre-dates roman times and trips were available on the river. Of equal importance it was lunch time and after 57 miles the two pubs in Cenarth were a welcome sight.

After lunch we had another 35 miles to finish the run. This took us over moors with magnificent views, through a lovely Larch Forest into the village of Brechfa and on past other lovely views to the finish at Pontargothi for a welcome cup of tea, a thin slice of tea bread and a Welsh Cake.

Incidentally, and I must choose my words carefully here so as not to denigrate the Welsh language (my wife is of Welsh origin and my sister lives in North Wales) but I understand that the language has difficulty in assimilating modern terms. For example, I`m led to understand that the Welsh for a microwave oven is ?Tic, Tic Ding?!

Many thanks, particularly to Roy Thomas for organising such an interesting and fascinating run. We`ll be back next year.

Roy and Sue Clarke

SUNDAY LUNCH RUN – 17TH OCTOBER 2010

A beautiful Autumn morning. We all met up in Thornbury and what a good turn-out it was – 11 gleaming MGs – 7 of which were British Racing Green plus the odd foreigner BMW (sorry Bert).

Our hosts, Andy and Cath Rigler, gave us a typical test of many ?nooks and crannies? through dung-filled, tiny lanes with spectacular views when you least expected them.

Onwards and upwards through Cromhall, Leyhill and passing the reputedly oldest tree in Britain at Tortworth. On reaching North Nibley Monument there were beautiful panoramic views of the countryside looking splendid in its Autumn glow.

It never fails to amaze me when going through villages that you get all types of locals who gawp and wave – pleased to see a procession of MGs but you always get one who has to reverse 50 yards back up a lane with a thunderous look and muttering under his breath ?bloody MGs!?.

On through Berkeley, Cam and Dursley to Slimbridge where we saw a huge flock of geese in flight.

On reaching our destination at Sharpness Docks our thanks went to Andy and Cath for such an interesting run. We were made very welcome at the Dockers Club where we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch. I believe it was our first visit but I’m sure it won’t be our last!!

Colin & Val Wotley

Sunday Lunch Run 22 August

After the muggy, stormy Saturday, it was a pleasant surprise to be greeted with clear blue skies as we set off for Ken & Pat Bovington’s Sunday Lunch Run. We all met at Toghill and Ken provided us all with menu, route and a laminated collection of photos of all the Cotswold villages we would be visiting on the run. A lovely touch and great fun checking out all the landmarks as we drove along.

We turned off the A420 towards North Wraxall and almost immediately had to stop to allow three ladies to continue along the lane carrying what appeared to be a rabbit run - good job we were not in a hurry! We carried on through North Wraxall, past the valley where Ian and I used to go clay pigeon shooting, although it looked remarkable empty today, and on through the trees to Castle Combe – avoiding drenching the walkers as we ploughed through some muddy puddles. Castle Combe looked lovely as always, despite the tourists. I’m not sure how Ken managed to get a photo of the main street with no people on it – must have been early in the morning!

On through Luckington and past a brick kiln in the garden of a lovely lady, who bravely looked after Bosun & Q for us once when we came to Brunel. She had about ten other dogs at the same time, all in her house and all walked together over the fields. Bosun & Q had a wonderful time!

The sun was still shining as we drove along the pretty B4040, through Sherston, Pinkney and Easton Grey and on towards Malmesbury and eventually into Grittleton, a beautiful village with what I believe is a lovely pub – the Neeld Arms – although I have never been allowed to stop to check it out. True to form we carried on through the village without stopping again vowing to visit the pub another day!

Although these lanes are familiar stomping grounds for us ‘East Bristol’ folk, it was lovely to meander through some beautiful countryside and noticing, as ever, how much you are aware of the smells, some good and some bad, of the summer fields and hedgerows, with the roof down. We came down a very narrow, wooded lane and were grateful for Ken’s warning of the potholes. Then there was our destination in front of us. The White Hart is in a lovely setting and we all milled around the various patios and gardens whilst our food was being prepared and were well fed and looked after by the staff there. A lovely trip – well done Ken and Pat. Their first Sunday Lunch Run and a great success.

Val Scott

Martin had a little trouble with his car but that’s all part of the fun of MGs – helping each other out.

Friday evening was spent relaxing, eating and drinking as is normal at these events plus watching all the classic cars and bikes which were moving around the field – everyone having their own favourite or saying “I used to have one of those”.

Saturday morning dawned fair and Steve, Gerry and Martin put their MGs on show courtesy of the Exeter Club.

We all had a good wander around the showground. There were more trade-stands than last year so Chris found plenty to interest him. There were boxes of bits and bits of boxes, polishing supplies, jewellery, hats, marmalade, strawberries, books, flags, badges, chrome bits etc etc etc.

On Saturday evening we all went for a meal to The Atmospheric Railway pub in Starcross. This had Brunel associations as it was named after the railway designed by Brunel in 1846/7. One of the locals in the pub told us that the system worked with steam pumps operating vacuum pipes to pull the train along. Unfortunately, the leather flaps in the vacuum pipes were eaten by rats and the whole system became unworkable. [This is a slightly different story to that on http://www.exetermemories.co.uk/em/_events/atmospheric_railway.php for those who are interested].

After our return to the campsite for the usual hour or so of chatting, laughing, drinking etc, a loud cracking sound was heard as a large branch on a neighbouring beech tree decided that it had hung on long enough and headed for the ground! Luckily no-one was actually camped underneath it! We sat happily listening to the ‘sound of the 60s’ from the beer tent accompanied by the occasional outburst of whistles from the steam traction engines.

Apart from the MGs, I think the star of the show was a beautifully restored SS from the 30s. Chris got into a long (very long!) conversation with the owner about the paintwork but it was a lovely car. Even I chatted with some MX5 owners about improvements to my own little future-classic.

It rained during Saturday night but that didn’t put a damper on the weekend as Sunday was bright and breezy. After a last look around to make sure we hadn’t missed anything, we broke camp and headed for home.

An enjoyable, relaxing weekend all round. Maybe we can persuade some more members to join us next year?

Pauline

MG’s in Loire Valley

Hi to all our friends in Bristol MGOC, It was nice to see some of you on the Dragon Run & we agree with the comments in your newsletter that it was one of the best we have done for a long time. Not as good as the Brunel Run but pretty close! Thanks for including us in the posting list of your magazine, it’s always interesting to see what’s going on “up north”. Trev the Ed is always looking for articles for the Bristol mag., so we thought we’d send in this snippet from our latest foray.

We have just returned from a week in the Loire Valley, touring with the MG. Fabulous! Lovely country, lovely food, lovely wine & great driving roads. Where is everybody? We stayed on a Keycamp site in a mobile home, really nice. On site there was a good bar, restaurant, pool, in fact all you could want, & a big screen TV for the footie.

Finally got back to Montreuill Bellay on the Loire with this latest MGB. Some of the “Older” members of Exeter MGOC (RL in particular) might remember holidaying there in 1991, where we photographed our BRG Roadster outside a wine cellar under the chateau. A few years later we took our red Roadster there. It has now become a habit & we have just taken our 5th MG to the same spot!

We thought you might be interested to see all 5 photos. The BRG Roadster in 1991, the red Roadster in 1995, the silver MGF in 2001, the blue GT in 2003 & finally the aqua MGB in June this year 2010. For Roger and Pat's pics see Exeter's Newsletter at:
http://exetermgoc.co.uk/newsletters/072010.pdf where they can be seen in all their glory.

Has anybody else been or done anything unusual with their MG’s?
Looking forward now to the Brunel Weekend.

Roger & Pat Mayo (Exeter MGOC)

Cotswold Caper – Sunday 4th July 2010

The reception when you arrive at the Cotswold Caper is always outstanding. They have an impressive number of volunteers marshalling, raffling, bacon-buttying and tea-making. Everywhere you look someone is busy.

This year we made it to the start without incident – the MGC burbled up the motorway with ease and we arrived with time to meet up with other BAMGOC members – Jean and Alan Aldous, Val and Ian Scott complete with Bosun and Q. We were expecting other faces we knew but didn’t see them.

The departure was a bit of a queue but we were soon on the open road out of Stroud and into the countryside. We crossed Rodborough Common with it’s cows peacefully graz-ing and turned at Tom Long’s Post. I wondered why this signpost actually had a name and have found out since that it’s probably named after a suicide who was buried there.

For a while after this we were in a bit of a slow procession. Our heater was on full blast - burning my feet – and Chris was getting a bit hot under the collar but the couple of slow cars stopped for a chat so we were able to get a bit of wind in our hair. We passed about three breakdowns but those involved assured us that they were OK so we kept going.

One of the roads routed us through a magnificent avenue of huge trees and then to Leighterton where there was a poignant story of the graves of 22 pilots of the Australian Flying Corps who died whilst training during 1918 to 1920. Again I consulted Google after the run and found that their average age was just 24 – such a sad story. (Ed. Sadly none of them ever got to France)

Our lunch stop was at the Daneway Pub, a really traditional inn with chickens roaming the gardens. Bosun and Q (who own Val and Ian Scott) were extremely well behaved considering the temptation!

The rest of the run was just as pleasant – the countryside in this area is always worth seeing even though it had begun to cloud over. Eventually it started spitting with rain but the heater in the MGC was so over-efficient that the droplets were evaporating before they hit us!

The last few miles again became slow and we were getting a bit tired of 25 mph by the time we reached the final destination where a warm, well organised welcome awaited us.

All in all a good day out.

Pauline

Vales and Valleys Run 20th June 2010
By Bosun

It ’s early on Sunday morning and `Q’ and I are sat in the car waiting to go. Unfortunately we have to have the roof up as we are going down the motor-way even though the sun is shining. We set off about 7.30 so that we arrive in good time. About three quarters of the way there the car suddenly comes to a stop on the hard shoulder. Dad jumps out and fiddles under the bonnet and then gets back in and the car roars back into life and we set off again only to stop again about 5 miles further down the road. Dad jumps out and fiddles again. This time it takes a lot longer to get it to come back to life. We eventu-ally arrive at the start point in Porthcawl at 9.30.

We are all greeted by the organisers and it is not long before `Q’ and I are surrounded by people wanting to know how we fit in the car and my role as Navigator. Mum & Dad disappear to have coffee and do what grownups do!

We are all flagged off at just after 10 to start this 95 mile run. We head off first to Porthcawl for a look at the seafront and then turn inland towards Treorchy in the Rhondda valley. We started to rise up the valleys and climbed the steep road up the hills. Good job Dad had his eyes on the road as it was a long way down. You could see for miles across the valleys, all basking in the glo-rious sunshine.

We turned off the main road onto this small lane which was a bit rough, the car grounding its exhaust on the ruts. Then we crossed the cattle grid onto the moor with all those sheep for me to play with! When we got to the other side we were greeted by some great big cows with horns, I hid under the cover whilst Dad got them to move over. We then went off down this hill through a beautiful forest. When we got to the bottom we arrived at the rest stop at the Garwnant Visitor Centre. This is set in the trees with picnic sites, shaded car parks and a cafe. We stopped here so we could stretch are legs and for `Q’ to cool down as it was getting a bit hot for him down in the footwell. We again met up with others on the run but unfortunately there were no other four legged travellers out today.

After suitable refreshments we left and headed off onto the Brecon Beacons and to the mountain centre for another stop. Again plenty of sheep for me to look at. After this it was back up the hills, this time the road was narrow and the drops were even steeper. The views were again spectacular. We headed back down the valleys and arrived at our destination at Swansea Bay golf club. Here we had to stay in the car as we were not allowed in. So Mum & Dad went in for the raffle and drinks. We were not forgotten and a nice man came and took our pictures.

We set off for home at about 5 after a wonderful day. It was a very good run organised by very friendly humans who seemed very pleased to see us.

Bosun

A Day out in an MGB Roadster

The day looked reasonable although the forecast spoke of rain later, after all the sun we have had? Anyway, off we go with the hood down and the wind in our hair. The number 2 in the navigator’s position (she’s number 1 really) had packed the picnic and the wicker basket was on the boot rack looking very period.

Our destination was Henstridge Airfield in Somerset where we would meet up with other members of the MG Car Club and hopefully see some old aircraft flying as the Auster Club were due to fly in. We had been invited by some friends to join them and thought it would be great to see MG’s and old aircraft in one place, great way to spend a day.

So up Burrington Combe and across the Mendips, one of my favourite roads, through Shepton Mallet and on south. We passed the Royal Bath and West Showground where they were having a Truck Fest; I guess this is big lorries, and south through Castle Cary, Wincanton to Henstridge and to the airfield, which is hidden now by an industrial estate.

We were welcomed with Pimms or juice, which made a good start and got the brain back in gear after the blowy run down.

Being an airfield, and very open, the wind was fresh and quite strong which was precluding the Auster fly in so we first retired to the Mess Hut for coffee inside and a chat with various friends and new acquaintances.

A wander around the various cars that were parked, as you do, to see what was on display. A good turn out of MG’s old and new with some very nice examples of P types, TC’s, TD’s and a very nice TF, the old one, and some I didn’t recognise but very well maintained. The MGB’s were well rep-resented with a variety of standard and V8 versions.

Although the wind was still quite fresh we decided that Picnic Lunch was the order of the day, so out came the folding seats, folding tables, picnic bas-kets, plastic bags, polythene tubs and cool packs (white wine of course) and lunch was served. There were 8 of us grouped together so lunch was ac-companied by the usual laughter and ribald comments associated with these sorts of gatherings. I don’t know whether it’s the “MG influence” but you can always guarantee a good laugh amongst like-minded people.

We did eventually finish lunch because the message came round that we were being invited to tour the hangers where the aircraft are kept. I was off like a shot! We had to obtain air traffic control clearance to cross the runway, I think they waved to the people who were accompanying us, and there had been only one landing with the wind being as it was.

Very interesting; the 2 guys who showed us around were very knowledgeable and had information an almost every aircraft there. Some 60 aircraft are usually based there from micro lights to a Piper PA 28, which flew jockeys and owners around Europe. The Piper’s registration was very apt for jockeys being G-PUSI and would have been even better with Willie Carson’s aeroplane parked alongside as his registration is G-WILI, anyway enough of that.

The star aircraft for myself was a Miles Messenger of 1941 vintage; haven’t seen one in years, and it was in good airworthy condition; would be nice to see it flying sometime. Two Tiger Moths were being restored, the first aircraft I flew in, in what would have been 1960, and were coming together well. An excellent Beagle Pup was there; an English manufactured aircraft that was ahead of its time but proved too expensive to produce; where have we heard that before?

For me, and many of the others it was a very interesting visit.

OK, so time to pack the bags and head for home. We decided to bypass the Bath and West showground and avoid the traffic and Trucks that would be leaving the show so we planned a route around the back roads of Somerset to arrive in Wells. Navigator number 1 is an excellent OS map reader and with friends in tow we arrived in Wells after traversing some super quiet roads through lovely villages.

Over the Mendips again but by the time we reached Lower Langford decided that the hood would have to go on. Just as well because from there through Congresbury, Yatton and Clevedon the heavens did what they had promised and we would have been very wet!

A good day out with friends and a very interesting couple of hours wandering around aircraft; can’t be bad.

Happy Motoring.

Carolyn & Garry

MOLLY

So how did you become a classic car owner? I was fortunate (?) to have a son who decided to by an MGBGT to “do up”...his words not mine. “I’ve bought this car Dad but don’t have anywhere to put it. If I can keep it in your garage, I’ll put your name on the insurance.” Great. I started using it most days to trundle the couple of miles to work. I had never driven anything of this ilk in my life before, and I have to say it was an experience.

There always seemed to be plenty to put right on it, minor things, agreed, but it was an experience to me. In my youth I was a biker, and used to love stripping and rebuilding bikes, so playing with “Molly” was fun.

One morning, I backed the old girl out of the garage and she sounded terrible. Straight back in the garage and a walk to work was the order of the day. A phone call to the son and heir in the evening – “Don’t take the MG out, there’s something not right” The next time I saw the boy he was reversing out of the drive on the following Saturday.

Conversation goes something like – “What are you doing, there something wrong with the car”
“No it will be alright, I’m just going to Weston.” A short while later, a phone call. “I’ve broken down on the motorway”

A tow truck brings Molly home. After leaving her in the garage for a considerable amount of time, I started playing around with her. Rocker cover off, head off...one piston totally disintegrated. Oh dear. Price of repair, more than he could afford. So “Molly” sat in my garage for about fifteen months.

Then one day my dear wife said to me...”He’s never going to be able to afford to get it on the road, how about if I buy half of it for you, and that would help finance the rebuild?”

I made a wonderful choice when I married her all those years ago.

So “Molly” became half mine. This was the beginning of the big spend. By now the boy had lost almost complete interest, and the car became in effect all mine. Sad to say that the expenses also became all mine. But there you go, that’s what Dads are for isn’t it?

“Molly” trundled on for a few years. Each M.O.T. seemed to get more and more expensive, and the body work indicated she had received a cheap repair job and then a spray up. The doors started to bubble with rust, quickly followed by the back door. This was so bad that I managed to get a second hand one for a few quid and fitted it on. Rust started to show all along the bottom.

Finally in 2009, big failure on the M.O.T. Body work just about had it, sills gone, floor gone; at least it didn’t fail on the horn.

So where do we go from here? Well it was about this time that I retired having reached the ripe old age of 65, and with the retirement came my pension. I was able to take out a considerable sum to help finance the repairs and later renovation of the interior. Along comes Chris Leverett. “No problem, I can sort that out”. So “Molly” went away to the health clinic and beauty salon somewhere near Chelvey. Chris kept me in touch with what was happening, and let me come over to photograph the ongoing project whenever I wanted to, and sometime later, a gleaming Red MGBGT was ready to drive back home, having had god only knows how many new panels and so on replaced and been put through its yearly health check.

So the time came for my input. As I said, I used to tinker with bikes, but that was 40 years ago, and they didn’t have interiors, and didn’t have so much attached to the engine. So the fun began. I started looking at the ads for spares, MG owners club, MG Hive, Moss and so on. Worked out how much it was going to cost (Gulp), and worked out the sequence of the repairs. The interior was completely ripped out apart from the Mota Lita steering wheel, which was in good nick. Apart from that, it all had to go.

While “Molly” was camping out with Chris, it gave me the chance to rip the garage to bits and dump a lot of rubbish, so giving me a not large area to work in, but adequate. With the electric fire on, I spent most days over there for some weeks...or was it months?

“Molly” started to get her looks back. I had decided long ago that I didn’t want to go back to the original looks. I wanted the car that I wanted.

And so all the usual bits were added Walnut facia and console, Leather seats, carpets, door panels, roof, the list goes on. Nothing out of the ordinary, the sort of thing that a good many MG owners do. But the end product to my mind is worth the effort and time put in.

My wife didn’t go over the garage for the duration of the rebuild, until one day nearly at the end, I sent out an invitation. I think she was surprised to say the least. Likewise the son and heir when he was invited.

Wifey now comes out in “Molly” now and again. She was none too happy with it in its original guise, but the new seats are that much more comfortable than the originals, and she quite enjoys the occasional jolly.

Haven’t got to do too many Sunday runs yet, but I hope that will soon change. I would like to try my route planning skills on some of the members, just to see how many I can lose you understand.

So that’s roughly how I got involved with MGs. The dream is to get a 650 Bonneville on the drive to keep “Molly” company. I don’t think it will happen, but you have to have dreams don’t you.

Ken Bovington

Shetland Classic Car Show

Here in Shetland we have just had our Classic Car Show, and what a resounding and successful weekend. At the last count we estimated that just over 20% of the islands population had been to visit the show. The variety of vehicles was the best ever and the show rivalled anything the mainland can offer, and I have a few years experience to judge that. Around 180 cars were entered, from a 1903 Darracq up to a DB9 and a 550 Maranello, with all manner in between, also some 160 motorcycles, 30 plus commercials, Land Rovers, a magnificent cycle display, one hall devoted to models and this year we also had 8 Steam Traction engines.

A vintage bus was doing sterling service taking smiling passengers from the show to the pier and back again. All for only £4 and £2 concessions; magnifico!

From the Ed

“So, how many miles have you done in your MGF now?” asked Gerry at a recent club meeting. “Just over 38 and a half thousand,” I replied. “Ah, only another 1500 and your head gasket will go then!” he said. I burst out laughing and it was then that the mischievous smile we’re all so familiar with crept across his face. But, guess what? With 40,140 miles showing on the odometer, my 12 year old ‘F’ succumbed to the dreaded Head Gasket Failure, the scourge of the K series engine.

Chris, our esteemed chairman (that’s chair or chairperson for the PC brigade!), had already told me it was a pig of a job replacing the HG on a K series engine, so it was off to a place I saw advertised in the good old Yellow Pages. A youngish chap who used to work for an MG Rover dealer then branched out on his own, and now specialises in modern MGs, K series et al!

He repaired the HG by replacing it with the improved and strengthened version which Ford developed when they owned Landrover (it was used in the Freelander). I also asked him to pump up the hydrolastic suspension with the result that the car rides much better and I have less fear of speed humps catching the underside of the car.

I love driving ‘topless’ in most conditions except heavy rain, and on most roads, even the ‘cycle tracks’ that pass as thoroughfares chosen by our Sunday lunch run organisers! I greatly enjoy driving my MGF and, after letting a Toyota MR2 owning friend drive it, he was ‘surprised’ at how much he enjoyed it. Years ago, a then work colleague, a man over six feet tall, asked me if he could sit in the ‘F’ with the roof up. I obliged and he was delighted that his head didn’t touch the roof which was not the case when he’d tried an MX5.

Will I hang on to it like so many of our members have done with their, mainly, MGBs? It does depend on circumstances of course, and what the TF replacement, due in 2013, is like; perhaps I could start a collection!

Whatever transpires, remember, to paraphrase a well known RSPCA statement:
‘an MG is for life, not just for summer!!’

PAUL HENWOOD

It was an unexpected, beautiful spring day as we met in Thornbury for our March Sunday Lunch Run. We headed north through Thornbury, bringing back many memories of when we used to live there in the early 80s. As we drove through the country lanes it was good to see the daffodils eventually in bloom, about a month later than normal. The sun was shining, the roof was down and the west country was looking at its best. Unfortunately the cold winter which had delayed the daffodils had also left a legacy of many potholes – I can’t remember the roads being in such a state. But we MGers are made of stern stuff and we continued on through some remarkably narrow lanes with beautiful views towards the Nibley monument and even the Severn Bridge in the far distance. We managed to avoid the many cyclists, horse riders and even a cart being drawn by two horses, and were held up only momentarily by a young horse rider being led by his father who had already stopped the oncoming traffic. There was another young rider whose horse was well and truly spooked by the sight of several brightly coloured MGs blocking his path.

We travelled on through wooded lanes, with sun streaming through the trees, and negotiated the many minor junctions, despite Garry and Carolyn’s best efforts to get us lost by introducing a deliberate mistake in one of the tulip drawings. We seemed to be the only ones to get it right despite the many G & T’s consumed the night before by the navigator! I am sure the others enjoyed their slight detour!

We carried on towards Dursley, avoiding yet more potholes, and climbed many steep hills around Stinchcombe and Owlpen. A gorgeous part of our local countryside. Eventually we crossed over the A46 towards Tetbury and passed my favourite Spa and restaurant at Calcot Manor – worth a visit, ladies, as long as you don’t dwell on the prices! We travelled through Tetbury, always busy with tourists, and passed the market square, where the stallholders inexplicably seemed to be selling only wellies and suitcases.

We arrived safely at the Old Royal Ship at Luckington and after recounting our journey tales to each other out on the patio in the spring sun, we were well looked after and well fed by the staff at the pub. Our esteemed Chairman almost made it out of the car park without paying until it dawned on him – it happens to the best of us, Chris. He dived back in the pub and assured us he had paid this time!

Once again a lovely run and the weather just made it perfect. Thanks Garry and Carolyn.

Val Scott

Sunday Lunch Run - February 2010

Didn’t we have a luvverly day…….
…….the day we went on Pauline and Chris’s Sunday lunch run!

I refuse to be British and mention the weather – as it did not diminish the day at all – however, Steve and I did rock up in my convertible and not the MG!

Meeting at the resplendent Gordano Services, there was a good turnout for our February run. Initially I did feel smug as we actually went along lanes that I am familiar with. Pauline usually manages to amaze me from step one by finding routes that no one has ever dare tread before.

There were some lovely lanes that took us painlessly from Gordano to Cleeve, passing over the many the rhynes and causeways in this part of North Somerset. Our journey took us up Burrington Combe, with its deceptive turns, I have travelled up and down the Combe for years en route to my parent’s house in Dorset, be on the look out for deer – and they always travel in pairs!

We followed the route over the Mendip hills through Priddy and down through Cheddar Gorge, taking care not to frighten the goats. The route from Cheddar to Mark took us through Wedmore, and some very pretty scenery, and as Pauline had devised the route, some new lanes!

Our lunchtime destination was a real surprise, the speedway arena near Highbridge, they have a very attractive new restaurant called the Oaktree, which served a very scrummy Sunday Lunch, the food was piping hot, and because they have an uncomplicated menu, everyone was served in double quick time.

A nice, relaxing run, on pretty lanes to a good lunch venue – what more could you ask for (well, maybe a bit of sun!)

Hellie