Vintage Minor Register


Vintage Minor Register Updates

Archived here are the (roughly) monthly news Updates sent to members by e-mail.

If you would like to receive copies via e-mail, please contact the Register.


Vintage Minor Register – Update Number 37
30th August 2005

Fellow Minorists and Minoristes,

The dust has now settled on our Summer Rally which, judging by the feedback received at VMR HQ, was another great weekend enjoyed by all.  A total of 16 vintage Minors supported the weekend, and 21 Minors of all valve configuration were to be seen at the Rally.  In addition, around 80 vintage and pre-war cars of all makes ascended Prescott (making a total of 251 climbs during the day) and over 30 cars entered the Navigation Rally on Sunday – and all this took place under cloudless summer skies.  Thanks go out to all who came along, and particularly those who helped make the weekend such a success, including our sponsors Sports & Vintage Motors and Burlen Fuel Systems and to our overseas members who traveled from afar to be with us.  Photographs of the weekend may be found at http://www.vintageminor.co.uk/summerrally2005/SummerRally2005.html and the results may be found at http://www.vintageminor.co.uk/summerrally2005/Results.xls.  (Yes, we lost the Lewis & Nicholson Trophy!)  A full report on the weekend will appear in M 120 next month, and members who attended will receive a CD of the best rally photos – over 2 gigabytes of which have been sent in to VMR HQ to date.

Looking ahead, next month we will be holding our traditional autumn Sunday lunchtime pub meets.  The meets, which are open to all vintage and pre-war cars, and members and non-members alike, will take place at the Green Man, Thriplow on Sunday 2nd October, the Cock Inn, Peatling Magna Sunday 9th October, and the meet at Hatchgate, Berkshire will take place Sunday, the 16th October.  Full details including directions may be found on the website at http://www.vintageminor.co.uk/events/events.html.  Do try to make it to one of these popular social gatherings if you can.

Also next month, there are two VSCC Light Car Section events – the trip to Hambye in France (Peter Stubberfield is taking his 1929 tourer and Paul Rogers his much-traveled 1930 saloon.  Clive Hamilton-Gould is taking his Citröen, and Richard Prest his Bullnose) and the Madresfield driving tests near Malvern.  Madresfield is a VSCC main club event, but is being heavily supported by the Light Car Section this year, so do try to make it if you can to this delightful event.   Full details of both events may be found on the LCES website at http://www.vintagelightcar.com.

Following Paul Rogers’ batch of front brake cables, we are now planning a batch of pulley type kingpins and pulley gear.  Prices depend critically on quantity ordered, so now would be a good time to express interest in these parts.  Once quantities and prices are established, those interested will be invited to place a firm order.

Our second Yearbook is now in stock.  An order form may be downloaded from the website at http://www.vintageminor.co.uk/magazine/2005_Yearbook.html.  Some copies of the 2004 Yearbook are also still available.

There are two interesting fabric saloons on the market at present.  One is the ex-Olive Willats fabric saloon which surfaced in Lincolnshire recently, after lying dormant for 20 years.  The other is the fully-restored example owned by Allen Jubb whose six foot plus frame requires the headroom of a tourer!  Full details of both cars may be found in Marketplace on the website.

With this Update, we welcome new members Frank Ashley, Colin Lambert, Cliff Bradshaw, Stephen Lloyd, John Haine, Derek Tew, Colin Biles, Andrew Perry, Paul Blizzard, Ray McCrary, Roy Cronin-Cook, Wreford and Lynda Fisher, George Rogers and James Ashford, who owns an OHC Minor chassis which turns out to be a genuine Semi-sports – bringing the world total of known OHC 2-seaters to 14.  Welcome one and all!

In other news, Wisconsin member Peter Caldwell visited VMR HQ recently – the first Register member to do so in the history of the Register!  Colin is about to embark on the complete restoration of his 1931 OHC fabric saloon.  Other members would be most welcome to pop in if they are passing this way!

Finally, two articles written by Jonathan Wood are about to be published in the Automobile which will be of direct interest to us.  The subject of the first is the pre-war Morris Minor (to be published in the November issue – on news stands mid October), and the second will cover the M Type MG (in the December issue).  Both make excellent reading, and include a ‘plug’ for the Register, which may well winkle out some ‘new’ vintage Minors, many of which are known to be out there, but which have gone to ground in recent years.

Happy autumn motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update Number 34
20th April 2005

Dear all,

The 2005 rally season has got off to a blistering start.  Twelve vintage Minors entered the VSCC Light Car Section’s Welsh weekend at the beginning of April, and ten completed the event.  Entering for the first time was Kate Rooney in the 1929 tourer ‘Dorothy’ – generously loaned for the season by Brain Maeers, and David Whittle in the ex-Paul Harris ’29 tourer.  Sue and Richard Woodward won a Second and the Llwynbarried Trophy in the trial and also came third in the Saturday tour.  David Roscoe is getting to grips with his Semi-sports and picked up a Third in the trial, ably bounced by Dave Cooksey, while the ubiquitous Rogers team collected the Kate Hutchings Memorial Trophy.  It should also be recorded that eight Minors entered the Trial – easily an all-time trials record for the Minor.  Well done, one and all!

Of the non-starters, Pam Knight’s very recently-acquired ’29 tourer was not quite ready in time, and Mike Jones was unable to attend for family reasons.  A photo gallery has been added to the website here and more action shots of the weekend may be viewed on the Light Car Section’s website at www.vintagelightcar.com.  Do stop by and take a look at this recently-launched site.  The Section’s Summer Rally will take place over the weekend of 25th/26th June in the Presteigne area and is expected to draw an even stronger vintage Minor contingent.  If you are not currently a member of the VSCC or its Light Car Section, do consider joining in the fun.

Then last weekend, we held our Inaugural Rally in Australia.  Hosted by Ewan and Jenny Lambess in the glorious Hunter Valley, attendees included Ian Hancock, Barry Neville, Max Dawkins, Gary Schulze, Glen Gay, Frank Church, Paul Mooney, Richard Allom and non-member Gary Kingston.  Ross Lloyd, Phil Sanders and Allan Coates trekked up from Victoria, and Denis Harding and non-member Paul Kingston arrived from New South Wales.  Additionally, a New Zealand party comprising Jack Blyth, Neville Wilson, John McDonald and Alex Dempster flew in from New Zealand for the event.  This represents a tremendous turnout when distances and the relatively small antipodean membership are considered.  Good on you all.  Early reports indicate that everyone had a fantastic weekend.  Further reports will be posted on the website and there will be a full report in M 120, plus a feature article in the Yearbook.  Attendees will receive a photo CD of the event with their Magazines.  A HUGE debt of gratitude goes out to Ewan and Jenny who spent over a year planning this unique and very special occasion.

On the trials front, Martin Redmond and his son Daniel have been busy muddying Martin’s new Semi-sports trials special as well as his other Minor and to date this year have entered the Exmoor, Herefordshire, Derbyshire and Scottish Trials.  Paul Rogers also entered his saloon in the Exmoor, driving it to and from deepest Devon from Kent.  Congratulations go to Kate Rooney who bravely entered the Derbyshire with Claire Rolfe bouncing – her first ever trial.  A fascinating report of her experience will be published in M 120.  Also worth a mention is our member Dr. Jonathan Rose who is having some trials success with his recently-completed 1930 Morris Major trials special.

Talking of specials, Bev Hicks and David Bick have recently inaugurated a Morris Specials Group and would be interested to hear from anyone with such a car – Minor or otherwise.  We are delighted to be hosting their first ever meet at our Summer Rally at Prescott, and a quite catholic collection of modified Morris machinery is anticipated.  Bev can be contacted on 01544/327338 and David is on 01531/820650.

The rest of the year is set to be no less busy as a number of vintage Minors have recently come into the hands of active VSCC members.  We eagerly anticipate the debut of Richard Sanders’ fabric saloon, Pam Knight’s tourer and the saloons of Wendy Fidler, Kevin Lee and Annabel Jones.  This list does not include new VSCC member Annabelle Swain who quickly responded to the last Update and bid for the Shannons Roadster in Sydney – and won it!  This fascinating Properts-bodied car is being collected from Tilbury docks in London tomorrow.

Next month we will be holding our traditional spring Sunday lunchtime pub meets.  The meets, which are open to all vintage and pre-war cars, amd members and non-members alike, will take place at the Cock Inn, Peatling Magna and the Green Man, Thriplow on Sunday 8th May, and the meet at Hatchgate, Berkshire will take place the following Sunday, the 15th May.  Full details including directions may be found on the website here.  Do try to make it to one of these popular social gatherings if you can.

And then there is our Summer Rally at Prescott.  Entries are beginning to arrive, and there are some very interesting cars among them.  If you are planning on attending, now would be a good time to send in your entry, as we have to send a hefty booking fee to the Bugatti Owner’s Club shortly.  The Navigation Rally route has been driven twice and the paperwork and map tracings will go to the RAC MSA and the local constabulary this week.  Grateful thanks go to Alastair Kinross and Peter Stubberfield for their excellent groundwork around the byways of Gloucestershire – not to mention the in-depth research of local hostelries where, happily, all the local ales were found to contain alcohol.  Paul Rogers has stepped forward to Captain the Minor Team for the Lewis and Nicholson Trophy challenge to the Sevens, which promises to be a real needle match.  More details of the weekend’s events continue to be added to the website here, where downloadable entry forms for both individual and team entries may be found.  If you know anyone who would like to join us, but who is not web-connected, please print off and pass along an entry form.  If you own a vintage Minor and have not entered a VMR Summer Rally before, do come along to this one – our biggest yet, where we will also be celebrating not only the Centenary of SU, but also our own Register’s 5th Anniversary.

Our second Yearbook is virtually complete and is selling well.  All proceeds are going towards the hire of Prescott.  Order forms were sent out with M 119, so send these back soon so that your copy can be sent to you with M 120 in June.  Once again, the Yearbook will double as a Rally Handbook.  An order form may also be found on the website here.  Copies of the 2004 Yearbook are still available, and several have recently been despatched after an enthusiastic review appeared in the VSCC Bulletin.  This year, we will also be offering Programmes at the gate at Prescott, which will include complete entry lists.  All proceeds from the sale of these Programmes will be donated to the Prescott marshals at the end of the day.  Without their selfless and highly professional support, there would be no hillclimbing at this historic venue.

In other news, Paul Rogers’ batch of front brake cables for cars with chassis up to M29527 is now ready and he will be contacting those who expressed an interest shortly.  If you would like a pair and have not already done so, please contact Paul or VMR HQ for further details.

With this Update, we welcome new members Kate Rooney, John Dixon, Mike Hawke, Kevin Lee, Annabel Jones and Wendy Fidler in the UK, John Bates, Des Holt and Michael Santin in Australia, Peter Field in New Zealand, Jorgen Bakka in Denmark, Frank van Voorst in Holland  (Frank will be joining us at Prescott in July) and Joseph Cardona in Malta.  We also welcome Annabelle Swain, Richard Prest, Terry Synnott, David Whittle and Pam Knight who inexplicably slipped through the cracks of the last Update.  Among these, congratulations go to Kevin Lee, Annabel Jones, Wendy Fidler, Frank van Voorst, Joseph Cardona, David Whittle, Annabelle Swain and Pam Knight for their recent Minor acquisitions.  Welcome one and all!

Happy Morris Motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update Number 33
3rd February 2005

Dear all,

Another vintage motoring season has already begun, and it is set to be the busiest yet for our Vintage Minors.

First and foremost, a very interesting 1929 Minor 2-seater is being auctioned next Monday – in Sydney by Shannons.  New member John Bates reports, “The car belongs to Austin Meredith who bought it at auction ten to twenty years ago.  It had belonged to "Cookie", a chef character in a pub restaurant in a Soapie on Sydney TV.  "Country Practice" was a long running show and very popular.  Cookie's twin brother seized the car and sold it to recover an unpaid debt and Austin purchased it.  I believe Cookie purchased the car in Taree from a service station proprietor late 60's or early 70's.”  With the current favourable exchange rate and a low guide price, this car might be a suitable candidate for import to the UK, where it would be sure to stop traffic at a Light Car section event.  Any takers?

Mention was made in the last Update of a 1929 tourer about to be auctioned on eBay.  Happily, David Whittle stepped forward and bought the car and is now the proud owner of WE 6554.

As reported in the last Update, Geoff Thornton has completed the rebuild of his 1929 tourer WL 6501 and this is now in the hands of new member Pam Knight.  And yet another 1929 tourer is in the news.  GC 2938 belongs to new member Terry Synnott of Sevenoaks.  Terry ran this car as a student in the early 1960’s since when it has been laid up.  He is now retired and is commenting a long-awaited rebuild.

The winter months have been a busy time at VMR HQ.  Apart from the regular tasks of Magazine preparation and website updating, planning has been progressing apace for our Summer Rally.  Details of the weekend are being regularly updated on the website, and a host of vintage and pre-war clubs have been invited to join us.  There will be a considerable quantity of silverware to be competed for this year, including a number of team awards.  In particular, a Captain is urgently sought to assemble and command a team of five Vintage Minors to challenge a similar team of Austin Sevens for the Lewis and Nicholson Trophy

In another development, it has been discovered that 2005 marks the centenary of Skinners Union, which is particularly apposite, since Annabelle Swain (daughter of Barbara Skinner and John Bolster) is to be our Guest of Honour at Prescott.  Plans are being laid to mount an exhibition of cars associated with her parents and Burlen Fuel Systems will be supporting our Saturday evening festivities by bringing along an SU exhibition stand.  This promises to be a unique and fascinating occasion.  For a potted history of SU, check out this link.  Matt Sanders is bringing along his Jazz Band to entertain us, and he will be joined by Mike Dowley on drums who will also be presenting the Sports & Vintage Cup which is awarded annually to the member who has done most to return his or her vintage Minor to the open road.

Full Summer Rally details may be found here including downloadable Entry Forms for both individual and team entries.

Ewan Lambess reports that he is about to distribute the final itinerary for our first ever rally in Australia to entrants, and an excellent entry has already been received for this gathering which will take place over the  weekend of 15th to 18th April.  The Rally will be based in the beautiful Hunter Valley which is located two hours north of Sydney, and will have something for everyone - cellar door tastings, historic villages, museums, antique shops and beautiful gardens.  For the more adventurous there is hiking, cycling and horse riding.  If you wish to take to the skies, there is hot air ballooning and Tiger Moth rides.  Steamfest brings Maitland Railway Station and the surroundings alive with displays of cars, trains and planes.  There is the race between a steam train and a Tiger Moth.  We will put our cars on display in Maitland Park with around 700 other cars on display.  If you have not yet booked, please contact Ewan at lambess@ozemail.com.au.

The VSCC Light Car Section will be holding their Welsh Weekend over the weekend of 2nd/3rd April, and another strong turnout of vintage Minors is expected. Here are the details and Entry Form.  Last year’s Welsh drew 11 vintage Minors, and we may well beat that number this year.

Our second Yearbook is currently being prepared.  If anyone has any articles or material that they think would be suitable for inclusion, please send them in.  Additionally, there will be space for advertisements, so if you would like to support the Register by advertising your business in the Yearbook, please contact VMR HQ for details and preferential rates.

VMR members have already been busy in January.  Clive Hamilton-Gould and Paul Rogers were at Brooklands for the VSCC New year’s driving tests.  Paul Rogers won his class and Clive got a Third.  Paul and Clive were also out on the Measham last weekend, and Paul won Best Novice – no mean feat.  Clive was in his Model A Ford on this occasion, and was also joined by Peter Stubberfield (1929 Minor tourer) and new VMR member Richard Prest (1926 Bullnose).  Paul Rogers’ next outing will be the Wessex Trial on 19th February, where he will probably be competing with David Roscoe and Daniel Redmond in the Semi-sports Minors.

Richard is currently looking for a 2-seater vintage Minor for his daughter.  Please contact him if you can help him.

After six years, Gren Strickland has decided to cease further work on his sidevalve Minor website.  He has passed custody to the VMR and the contents of the site will be archived on the VMR website.  Once this task is complete, the sidevalve site will be removed permanently from the Web.  Gren has worked long and hard in support of post-vintage Minors and is to be thanked for his tremendous efforts.  Those subscribers to the site who are not already VMR members are warmly invited to join the Vintage Minor Register.

In the late fifties and early sixties Bill Boddy, and subsequently Roy Hogg, organized Boxing Night runs to Devon  which followed the route of the pre-war M.C.C. Exeter Trials.  These runs were described in the Summer 2002 VMR Magazine (M 108) and there will be more in the next issue.  It is tempting, but probably quite impractical to think of resurrecting these runs.  However, it has been suggested that a Midsummer Night run might be fun.  Midsummer Night falls on a Tuesday this year, but the previous weekend is a distinct possibility, and the Register Celestial Mechanics Department reports that there will be 
the bonus of a nearly full moon that night.  The starting point would be the Hatchgate, Hampshire at closing time on Saturday evening, the 18th June (the Queen’s official Birthday) and would arrive in Devon for breakfast on Father’s Day.  A maximum of 12 places would be available, so as not to attract the attention of officialdom.  It should be possible to visit - and climb - some of the famous pre-war hills before returning to the Home Counties on Sunday afternoon.  Of course, West Country members would be welcome to join en route.  Anyone interested should contact the Register as soon as possible

Magazine M 119 is on the stocks and will be distributed towards the end of March.  Current plans are for M 120 to be the last ‘home made’ VMR Magazine.  Starting from M 121, it is hoped to have the Magazine professionally printed which will improve the graphics quality.  In order to support this important development the annual subscription must be raised.  The rate has remained at £15 for the last four years, but must now be adjusted to cover increased costs of Magazine production, posting, website hosting and other costs.  The UK subscription rate will be £20, Australia Au$55, New Zealand NZ$65 and the United States US$37-50.  These new rates compare very favourably with other clubs and registers and will come into effect immediately for new members, and with renewal notices to be sent out with M 119 for those existing members due to pay this quarter.

Paul Rogers’ batch of front brake cables for cars with chassis up to M29527 should be ready very soon now.  If have not already done so, please contact Paul or VMR HQ for further details.

After not being able to attend last year’s Summer Rally due to important exams in the USA, Jayne, William and I are eagerly looking forward to our visit to England and the Summer Rally this July.  We hope to welcome as many of you as possible over the weekend.

I should also add that our son William turns 18 next week.  He doesn’t know it yet, but he is to be sent on a little trip in June and July.  Grand Rapids, Chicago, London, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia (east and west coasts), then back to the UK for the Summer Rally and back to the USA.  He is to stay with Alex Dempster and Jack Blyth who have generously offered to host him in New Zealand, and it is hoped that he will also have the opportunity to meet other members in New Zealand and Australia.

Happy Motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update Number 32
23rd December 2004

Dear all,

Yuletide greetings from the frozen north!  Temperatures hit 9 degrees in Grand Rapids this week – that’s Fahrenheit!

First and foremost, a very important and urgent note regarding the impending sale of a very good, road sorted 1929 Minor tourer which is about to take place – on eBay!  The vehicle is located somewhere in the Home Counties.  Is there someone in the Register (or someone you know) who would be prepared to save this vehicle from the number plate dealers?  If so, please contact VMR HQ without delay for full details.  Perhaps you are looking for that elusive last-minute stocking filler?

(Talking of eBay, has anyone else noticed the latest money-grabbing ploy being used?  Some grab-grab merchants are tearing up pre-war motoring magazines to sell individual advert pages singly – thereby presumably hoping to turn a profit with total disregard for the donor magazines.  A good (or rather, bad) current example may be found at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3869&item=7121643735&rd=1 and is being offered by ‘auction dude’ – whoever he is.  Check out his other items for sale - he is also auctioning pages ripped from Victorian books!) 

Well, another year has passed, so quickly it seems.  Indeed, it feels as if the earth is gyrating around the sun so furiously these days that I am surprised that we don’t all get flung off into the dark abyss. 

This has been another excellent year of consolidation and growth for the Register (oh Lord, this is sounding like an annual report to shareholders).  Since the inauguration of the Register in August 2000, membership numbers have reached number 210, of which 26 have left, of which 14 sold their cars, 2 resigned, 1 had his car burn out, 8 were blackballed for non-payment of subs, and 1 died.  3 other members have died, but their cars (and membership numbers) have been passed on to their sons.  Therefore current membership stands at 210 – 26 = 178 members, of which there are 9 Honorary members.  There are 30 members in Australia (2 of which live in Tasmania), 8 in New Zealand, 6 in the USA, 4 in Northern Ireland, 3 in Scotland (1 of which lives on the Isle of Mull and one on Orkney), 1 in Germany, 1 in Sweden and 1 in Switzerland. 

There are 171 vintage Minors and 23 M Type MG’s currently owned by VMR members, of which 2 are replicas and 2 are genuine 12/12 Replicas.  The earliest vintage Minor in the Register is the tourer of Jock Mackay (MM596) (although a chassis owned by Matt Rose may be MM328 and the fabric saloon MM463 is believed to still be extant), and the youngest is Rudi Stettler’s Semi-sports (M34653) which left Cowley on 5th August 1931, three weeks after the last chassis was laid down (M34699, which became the last 5 cwt. van).  The last tourer to be built is owned by Register member John Smith (M34207).  There are 3 CMS Specials in the Register, one Maltby and one Duple van/tourer conversion.  There are 20 fabric saloons, 50 saloons, 11 Semi-sports (plus 3 replicas), 39 tourers, 2 vans and a variety of Australian-bodied cars.  There are also 11 Australian Y-chassis cars in the Register.

Our summer rally (our fourth) was another enjoyable weekend, and the popularity of our spring and autumn pub meets continues to grow with the number of roadworthy vintage Minors.  Once again, many members have entered their Minors in VSCC events – with some success, and the numbers entering Light Car section events has surprised the vintage world and encouraged others to acquire Minors, several of which will be out and about in the coming year.

Some of you may have seen on the website that Annabelle Swain has recently accepted Honorary membership of the Register.  Annabelle is the eldest daughter of John Bolster and Barbara Skinner.  John needs no introduction – he was the creator of a string of famous specials before the war, and Barbara, daughter of Carl Skinner – the founder of Skinners Union (SU) campaigned various specials before the war, including two Minors.  Annabelle has recently returned to the UK from Australia and is keen to write a biography of her parents.  The Register will give her every assistance with this worthy task she will joining us at our Summer Rally where she has kindly offered to present the awards.

Speaking of our Summer Rally, preliminary details have now been posted on our website.  The date is 15th to 17th July.  We shall be returning to Prescott and the Cotswolds – a formula which proved so popular in 2003.  This time, there will be several new features, including a regularity climb at Prescott with individual, team and inter-club awards, as well as a hillclimbing seminar presented by the Prescott Drivers School.  As before, there will also be untimed climbs for all, and a relaxed garden party atmosphere with the minimum of red tape.  On Saturday evening, we are planning to hold a formal VMR dinner with speakers, to which all our Honorary members will be invited as guests.  This will make an ideal opportunity to meet some of those who have been at the forefront of Minor motoring for many decades.  If you think you would be interested in attending this dinner, could you please let me know, so that a suitable venue can be booked and entry forms finalized.  Entry forms for the weekend will be posted on the website shortly, and also distributed with the Spring Magazine.

However, before Prescott, we shall be holding our first ever rally in Australia, and an excellent entry has already been received by Ewan Lambess who is organizing the gathering over the weekend of 15th to 18th April.  The Rally will be based in the beautiful Hunter Valley which is located two hours north of Sydney, and will have something for everyone - cellar door tastings, historic villages, museums, antique shops and beautiful gardens.  For the more adventurous there is hiking, cycling and horse riding.  If you wish to take to the skies, there is hot air ballooning and Tiger Moth rides.  Steamfest brings Maitland Railway Station and the surroundings alive with displays of cars, trains and planes.  There is the race between a steam train and a Tiger Moth.  We will put our cars on display in Maitland Park with around 700 other cars on display.  If you have not yet booked, please contact Ewan at lambess@ozemail.com.au.

We extend a warm welcome to Richard Allom of Brisbane who recently joined us with his SV Minor tourer.  Richard has sent in some fascinating photos of his Minor taken at Brisbane airport in the sixties, and these will be reproduced in the Spring Magazine.

Congratulations to Geoff Thornton who now has his 1929 tourer WL 6501 taxed and MoT’d after a bare chassis rebuild.  This car has languished in pieces since the sixties.  The Minor joins Geoff’s Bullnose tourer in his Cambridgeshire motor house.

A reminder that Paul Rogers is having a batch of front brake cables for cars with chassis up to M29527 made, as well as the pulleys and axle pulley posts.  If you would like to order a set, please contact Paul or VMR HQ for further details.  For those who have already expressed an interest, a price should be available shortly so that orders can be finalized.

We are running another photographic competition over the Christmas period.  We are looking for original and interesting photographs of your Minor taken over Christmas or New Year which show that your car was out and about over the festive season.  Perhaps you will be visiting a New Year's Day pub meet, or if you live down under, taking a trip to the beach!  The winning photograph will adorn the front cover of the Spring 2005 VMR Magazine, and there should be plenty of space for runner up inside.  Submissions by the end of January please.

Finally, may I wish every member, their families and friends a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous and roadworthy New Year.

Happy Yuletide motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update Number 31
16th November 2004

Fellow Minorists and Minoristes,

A few items to update you on, including the all-important news regarding Magazine M 117, which finally arrived with Bev Hicks last week and should be with all UK and European members by now.  However, the Australia and New Zealand Magazines have yet to arrive, but we have every expectation that they will be with Alex Dempster shortly.  Watch for an announcement in the website Stop Press.  Magazine M 118 is now complete and being printed.  If this manages to go by air, it should be with everyone in good time for Christmas.

The autumn pub meets proved popular once more, with the largest turnout being at our new southern venue at the Hatchgate, Bramshill which attracted nine vintage Minors plus other pre-war Morrises.  Simon Hodgins brought along his newly-acquired OHC-engined Jensen Minor.

As the year draws to a close, thoughts turn to next year, and our 5th Summer Rally.  This will take place over the weekend of 15th to 17th July and we will be returning to the glorious Cotswolds.  We will hold a Garden Party and Reliability Climb at Prescott on Saturday and a navigation rally on Sunday with social events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings for those who can stand the pace.  The Reliability Climb will be a timed event, the victor being he or she who makes two ascents in the most closely matching times.  There will be individual and team awards – for teams of three similar cars – and as many untimed climbs as we can fit into the day.  There will also be a seminar presented by the Prescott Driver’s School in the morning, followed by an instructional walk of the hill in the lunch break for those with more than a passing interest in hillclimbing.  As usual, a number of vintage and pre-war clubs are being invited to join us to make the day varied and interesting.  More news will be posted on the website and in future issues of the Magazine as they become available, but for now, please make a note of the dates and book your summer holidays in June or August!

Not to be forgotten is our Inaugural Australian Rally to be held in the beautiful Hunter Valley next April. This promises to be a very significant and historic occasion, and is attracting the largest gathering of vintage Minors on that continent since pre-war days.  Ewan Lambess is organizing the weekend and is eager to hear from anyone not yet booked in.  Please e-mail him without delay at lambess@ozemail.com.au.

This year we published our first ever Yearbook which has proved very popular.  The 2005 Yearbook is now on the stocks and will be published prior to our 2005 Summer Rally.  If you have any material which you think might be suitable for inclusion, please send it along post haste.  Period material as well as restoration reports are sought, as well as vehicle histories and technical articles.  Thanks to those who have already sent in some splendid material.  There is also space for advertising if you would like to promote your company or business.  Advertising helps greatly in covering the printing and distribution costs and also helps to fund our Summer Rally.

The Members’ Area of the website is currently being overhauled, and now includes a downloadable Excel spreadsheet detailing the dates of issue of all 2-letter index marks issued in Great Britain and Northern Ireland between 1929 and 1939.  This is an invaluable resource for dating pre-war registration numbers and locating their licensing authorities. It can also be used to help date pre-war photographs.  A downloadable VMR badge in pdf format has also been placed in the Member’s Area.  In addition, the members’ list, chassis register and progress book data are updated regularly, so please pass on any revisions or corrections so that these can be kept fully up to date.  In particular, please pass along any changes to e-mail addresses so that the e-mail circulation list can be accurately maintained.

A quick note regarding front brake cables for cars with chassis up to M29527.  Paul Rogers is having a batch of these made, as well as the pulleys and axle pulley posts.  If you would like to order a set, please contact Paul or VMR HQ for further details.

With Christmas hoving into sight, a reminder of all the VMR goodies which are available might be appropriate.  Back issues of all the VMR Magazines are available, and Magazines from M 111 are available on CD.  VMR sweatshirts are available in a number of colours with or without hoods and can be embroidered with your Minor’s registration number in silver below the VMR badge at no cost, making them a very smart item indeed.  Copies of the 2004 Yearbook are also still available at £12 each including postage and we still have a few chassis posters left.  Full ordering details for all these items may be found in the VMR shop on-line or in the Magazines.

With sadness, we must report the passing of Jimmy Mogge who joined the VMR last year with his SV 2-seater Minor.  Jimmy and his wife Joy joined us for our Summer Rally this year with their recently-acquired Minor which is similar to the one Jim owned when he married Joy 49 years ago.  Their son Martyn will be taking over custodianship of the car, along with his father’s VMR membership number, and we warmly welcome him to the Register.

With this issue, we also welcome a number of new members.  Hugh Mackintosh campaigns a Talbot 105 in VSCC hillclimbs and has acquired a 1929 tourer from Tony Gamble which he will be entering in VSCC trials.  Toby Sears joins us with his SV Minor, Richard Harland has joined with his 1929 tourer, Alex Norman joins us as a student member with his 1930 M Type and Allan Napier has acquired the 1930 fabric saloon FH 7004 from his brother-in-law and VMR member John Purser.  Welcome one and all.

Happy motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update Number 30
3rd October 2004

Folks,

A brief update to remind everyone of the upcoming VMR Autumn pub meets this month.  Here are the details:

Sunday 10th October The Hatchgate, Bramshill, Hampshire (Note new venue)

Sunday 17th October The Cock Inn, Peatling Magna, Leicestershire

Sunday 24th October The Green Man, Thriplow, Cambridgeshire (Note – lunch at the pub this time – Brian and Heidi deserve a rest after the Summer Rally!)

Full details and maps here: http://www.vintageminor.co.uk/events/events.htm

All vintage and pre-war cars, members or otherwise welcome.  Do please support one of these popular social meets if you can.

In other news, congratulations to Simon Hodgins for acquiring Henry Posner’s fascinating Jensen Minor hybrid special.  Although not VSCC eligible, Simon is joining the VSCC as he has a 1930 saloon and a 2-seater which are both eligible.

Congratulations also to Richard Sanders who has acquired the fabric saloon MU 3485 from Bill Chambers.  This car has languished in a Newcastle museum for years, and is not back on the road.

We extend a warm welcome to our new members, who include Della Rowbottom who has acquired the 1930 saloon JO 1445 from Bryan Davies, John and Josephine Nagle who own a 1931 OHC Family 8 and Hugh mackintosh who currently owns and campaigns a Talbot 105 and who is currently looking for a Minor tourer – if you can help him, please contact him at 01777/249127 or chrisnhugh@mackintosh3277.freeserve.co.uk

Magazine M 117 was shipped last week, so should be with you all shortly.  A second printing of the VMR Yearbook has just been completed, so copies are available again for those who have not yet ordered one.  Full details may be found here: http://www.vintageminor.co.uk/magazine/2004_Yearbook.html 

Happy autumn motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update Number 28
 6th July 2004

Folks,

Plenty to report on this time, so here goes.

First, there is still time to enter our Summer Rally if you have not already done so.  If you have already declared an interest, but have not sent in your paperwork, you should do this immediately, as post from the UK takes a week to reach VMR HQ.  A number of members are planning to camp at Manor Farm with Brian and Heidi Maeers – please call them on 0116/247/8284 or e-mail them at heidi@maeers11.fsnet.co.uk if you would like to camp.  Please support the Register by entering if you have not already done so, and please also invite any friends with vintage or pre-war cars to join us – all are most welcome.  An e-mail to VMR HQ at moffist@comcast.net will suffice to start the ball rolling.  All the entry paperwork is downloadable from the website.  For those who have entered, tickets and Final Instructions were posted with the latest Magazine and should be with you in a few days.  We are waiting for the Mallory Park tickets to arrive, and these will be posted on as soon as they are available.

Next, we have been formally invited to join the MG Car Club’s MMM Register at Prescott on Sunday 29th August for untimed climbs.  The invitation was extended in return for our invitation to the MMM Register last year.  This is another excellent opportunity to have a go at this famous hill.  Let’s see if we can have another fine turnout of vintage Minors and fly the flag for the VMR among our OHC cousins – or should it be our OHC nephews?  The Vintage and T Type Registers of the MGCC have also been invited, so a splendid day is in store.  Further details will be posted on the website as they become available.

Nine vintage Minors entered the VSCC Light Car Section’s Summer Rally in Tewksbury recently – another fine showing.  An excellent time was had by all, the worst problem being experienced by Ken Martin who lost all electrics 300 yards from the start when a grub screw fell out of his ammeter, which delayed him about 30 minutes, thereby destroying his chances of being in the money.  Hearty congratulations go to Laura Hamilton-Gould who was entering her father’s Minor in her first ever vintage event, and after just a few days behind the wheel of the tourer.  Ray and Chris Barnett won the Minor Competition in the ex-Terry Dickie tourer with a 2nd class award and Peter Stubberfield just missed an award in his tourer.  The Light Car Section’s next event will take place at Brooklands in September, which should be another good day out.

Magazine M 116 reached Bev Hicks in the UK today and will be posted on shortly.  Australian Magazines have been shipped directly to Ewan Lambess for onward posting, and the New Zealand Magazines have been posted to Alex Dempster.  The VMR Yearbooks were also shipped with the Magazines, and include a bonus CD, including an electronic/full colour version of the Yearbook, Magazine M 116, images from our recent rallies and much more.  If you have not already placed an order for your Yearbook, you are welcome to do so.  This first edition is certain to become priceless!  A downloadable order form may be found on the website.

Peter Stubberfield has distributed image CD’s to all those who entered the VSCC Light Car Section’s Welsh Rally.  The CD contains collected images from several Register members and non-members who attended this great weekend.

We extend a very warm welcome to Mrs. Olive Willats who joins us as an Honorary Member.  Olive drove her 1930 Minor fabric saloon to Venice in 1964 where she entered a three-day rally, and won a cup in the Concours.  David Roscoe has been to visit her in Devon and spent a delightful few hours reminiscing.  A full report on Olive and her exploits will appear in the VMR Magazine in due course.

A 1930 saloon has been unearthed in Sittingbourne, Kent, and will be visited shortly by Paul Rogers.  It will be offered for sale, so keep an eye on the Marketplace.  A 1931 saloon is also about to come on the market – that of John Fisher.

Congratulations go out to George Bryne who has his rare and original CMS Super-sports back on the road.  This now joins Roger Lucke’s example, and we now await the completion of George Burnell’s original CMS.  Perhaps we will be able to gather all three together before long.

Finally, your Editor took delivery of 1929 Minor tourer OF 4554 (M11505) from John Goans this weekend.  It arrived from Kansas City in an 80-foot transporter in the very good company of seven Porches returning from the 50th Anniversary rally for the Porsche 356 at Pebble Beach.  After two days of fettling, she is up and running and ready for the open road after last being driven over 35 years ago.

See you at the Summer Rally,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update 4th June 2004

Folks,

A quick update to keep in touch, as there is plenty going on as the season gets into full swing.

First, thanks to all who came along to our spring pub meets in May.  The weather was excellent, the turnout was our best ever, the beer was good and it was good to meet many new members and their cars for the first time.  We will meet again in the autumn.

As mentioned in the last Update, eleven vintage Minors entered the VSCC Light Car Section’s Welsh weekend, and the Section’s summer rally will be held on Sunday 27th June in the Tewkesbury area.  Currently there are six Minors entered (Roscoe, Rogers, Hamilton-Gould, Stubberfield, Barnett and Lambert – that famous firm of solicitors), and as of today the entry list is nearly full, so if you would like to enter – do so right now!  E-mail Duncan Buck directly if you wish to enter at duncan.buck@ntlworld.com.  If anyone is NOT a member of the Vintage Sports-car Club, you should undoubtedly consider joining this historic and friendly club – your OHC Minor, whether an open model or a saloon - will be made very welcome indeed.  Visit their website at www.vscc.co.uk or contact VMR HQ for details.

Now for our Summer Rally.  Entries are now flowing in at an encouraging rate and we could have a record number of vintage Minors present.  However, you do need to get those entry forms in the post ASAP so that planning can be finalized.  We also have a wide selection of other vintage cars booked in.  A number of members are planning to camp at Manor Farm with Brian and Heidi Maeers – please call them on 0116/247/8284 or e-mail them at heidi@maeers11.fsnet.co.uk if you would like to camp.  The rally route and clues for the navigation rally are being schemed, the hog is getting fat and Brian and Heidi have made outstanding arrangements for the Saturday night lakeside festivities at Manor Farm.  Please support them and your Register by entering if you have not already done so.  Please also invite any friends with vintage or pre-war cars to join us – all are most welcome.  An e-mail to VMR HQ at moffist@comcast.net will suffice to start the ball rolling.

Magazine M 116 is now complete and will be shipped towards the end of this month with the 2004 VMR Yearbooks to those who have ordered them.  These are proving very popular.  If you wish to purchase a Yearbook, please do so before the end of June to have yours before the summer rally, as the Yearbook also includes the rally programme.  Order forms were sent out with M 116 and are also downloadable from the website.  And thanks to everyone who sent in photographs in response to the front cover photographic competition.  Some splendid shots were received, and judging was extremely difficult.  As many entries as possible have been squeezed in to M 116, but you will have to wait to discover the worthy winner who will receive a free Yearbook.

In case anyone is wondering, these e-mailed Updates go out to two addressee lists, since my e-mail system has an upper limit on addressee numbers to combat spam (the split is quite arbitrary).  So the list of addresses you see at the top of this e-mail is only about half of the list!  These Updates are also archived on the website, where you can read every Update since our very first.  While on the subject of cyberspace, do take a look at www.talbotownersclub.co.uk.  Our member John Young has been instrumental in resurrecting the original pre-war Talbot Owners’ Club and they now have a very professional website in the making. Congratulations on a job very well done, John.

A word about adverts.  Many of the adverts on the website and in the Magazine are now long out of date.  The problem is that I do not usually know when Wanted or For Sale adverts have done their job.  I therefore plan to prune them shortly.  So if you still have an advert that you wish to keep running, simply let me know by e-mail.

Finally, we extend a very warm welcome to Barry Davis, Jim Mogge, David Hammond, Gordon Fowler and Christine Barnett who joined us recently.  For those entering the Light Car Section’s summer rally, please welcome Christine Barnett and her husband Ray who have recently acquired Terry Dickie’s outstanding 1930 tourer.  Christine is our latest member with a membership number of 197, so we are in grave danger of reaching 200 members in the coming weeks – a number that would not have been thought possible when the Register was formed four years ago.   Barry Davis has acquired Brian and Janet Denton’s rare 5 cwt. van, Jim Mogge owns a very nice 1931 SV 2-seater ‘Hundred Pound’ model, David Hammond is an old friend of John Young and owns an M Type MG, and Gordon Fowler has swapped his Series E Morris with the 1930 Minor saloon (CV 4912) of his neighbour Ralph Marriott.  Ralph wanted something younger and faster and Gordon wanted something older and slower!  We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at our Summer Rally in July.

In the meantime,

Happy summer motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update 14th April 2004

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz; I wonder where the Minors is?

They were all in Wales last month, where the VSCC Light Car Section’s Welsh jolly was a tremendous success.  Eleven vintage Minors entered and all turned up.  Most elected to tackle the full 140 miles of the 1924 RAC Small Car Trial retrospective run on Saturday which included ascending the highest mountain pass in Wales, while those who forgot their bottled oxygen took a 70-mile short cut.  All completed the day without incident.  David Roscoe very generously provided two specially engraved vintage Minor awards which were bestowed upon Paul and Barry Rogers for their heroic struggle in the face of almost overwhelming adversity to complete the Saturday run in Paul’s newly-rebuilt (or does that read nearly-rebuilt?) saloon.  Paul was spotted rebuilding his brakes in a lay-by on the way home to London on Sunday…

A quartet of Minors entered the trial on Sunday, half of them ending up in the money.  Suzanne and Richard Woodward (1930 2-seater) returned to top form with a solid performance in somewhat heavy going, gaining themselves a First Class award, while Clive Hamilton-Gould (1930 tourer) won a commendable Third.  Brian Maeers (1929 tourer) also finished well up the field in his first ever sporting trial with David Roscoe and bouncer/instructor Dave Cooksey (1929 Semi-sports rep.) close on their heels.  Though he has been a VSCC member for nearly forty years, Ken Martin (1930 saloon) thoroughly enjoyed his first ever VSCC outing and is eagerly looking forward to his next, which will hopefully be before the 2044 rally.  It should also be mentioned here that Clive won the prestigious Light Car Trophy for the second year running.  This trophy is awarded for the best overall performance during the previous year by a light car in VSCC main Club events.  Well done one and all!  All those VMR members who attended the weekend (including those unspeakable turncoats who entered in non-Minors) will be receiving a complementary VMR CD containing collected and wholly uncensored images of the weekend.  Thanks to Peter Stubberfield for preparing and posting these, and the various photographers who contributed.

The next Light Car Section rally will be held in the delightful Tewksbury area on 27th June, and will hopefully attract an even stronger vintage Minor contingent (won’t it, Wendy and Chris!).

Moving on, please do not forget our Spring social meets, which are now but a few weekends away.  The first will be our founding meet at the Shoulder of Mutton, Hazeley, North Hampshire on Sunday 9th May, starting, naturally, at opening time.  On Sunday 16th May, we will meet at the Cock Inn, Peatling Magna, Leicestershire and Brian and Heidi Maeers have very kindly offered to repeat their outstanding farmhouse lunch arrangements at Manor Farm.  RSVP to Brian and Heidi at heidi@maeers11.fsnet.co.uk if you would like to come for Sunday lunch.  Our third and final Spring Meet will take place on Sunday 23rd May at the Green Man, Thriplow, Cambridgeshire.  All owners of vintage, pre-war or otherwise notable cars are most welcome to join us at any or all of our meets, but we would be particularly pleased to see all vintage Minors and their owners, of course.  Who will be the first member ever to visit all three meets in his/her vintage Minor on successive weekends?

Also, please do not forget our Summer Rally which is also approaching fast.  Entry forms and full rally details were posted on the website in February, but to date, not a SINGLE entry has been received at VMR HQ.  This makes planning the weekend’s various activities extremely difficult!  If you are having problems downloading the forms, hard copies have been distributed with Magazine M 115 which should be arriving with Bev Hicks and Alex Dempster for onward posting in the next day or so.  Alternatively, simply e-mail VMR HQ and copies will be sent to you at the speed of light.  This year, we are going to try to beat the current VMR record of twelve vintage Minors at a Register gathering which was set at Prescott last July.  Although this was a record, it was a lamentable 75th Anniversary turnout – the Au**in S*v*n 75th Anniversary bash attracted over SIX HUNDRED of the little darlings!

This year, the Register will take another dramatic step forward by publishing its first ever Yearbook.  To be published in June, it will include the Summer Rally Programme together with some major new feature articles, a selection of the best articles from the first four years of VMR Magazines and other previously unpublished period material of vintage Minor interest.  Further details and a downloadable order form may be found on the website.  Proceeds will go towards covering the Summer Rally expenses, so why not order yours with your Summer Rally entry.

One more reminder.  On the website may be found details of the VMR Magazine photographic competition.  The winning entry will appear on the front cover of M 116.  This is your chance to get your Minor on the front cover and claim your fifteen minutes - well, actually three months of fame!

You may have noticed that the VMR website counter cruised effortlessly past 25,000 (yes – twenty five thousand!) a few days ago, which is getting very close to another Morris register I could mention and undoubtedly proves something, but I am not quite sure what!  I do know that, thanks to some very hard work undertaken by Gren Strickland, the Pre-War Morris Minor e-mail forum has been replaced by an excellent Internet bulletin board.  This may be accessed from the VMR website and has separate discussion areas for OHC Minors, SV Minors, and other related topics.  If you have not already done so, do take a look, register and feel free to post to it if you wish to opine on Minor matters.

Finally, there are a number of excellent vintage Minors currently offered for sale, details of which may be found (yes, you guessed) on the website, including a very good 1929 tourer offered by Brian Maeers, an extremely rare and original OHC 5 cwt. van and that pick-up which is back with Malcolm Elder for at least the third time.  If you know of anyone who is looking for a fine vintage light car for the season, perhaps you could point him or her in the right direction.

Happy springtime vintage motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update 9th March 2004

First and definitely foremost this time, the latest news on the Summer Rally.  Plans are progressing apace and the Rally Entry Form has been posted on the website for downloading.  Please return promptly if you intend to attend in order to assist in the planning of catering, accommodation, MSA Permit, etc.  More information, including accommodation options, will be posted on the website shortly – so keep checking back for updates.

Here is the latest on arrangements.  Early arrivers will be meeting for an informal reception on Friday 23th July at the Bath Hotel, Shearsby, near Peatling Magna.  The Navigation Rally will be run on Saturday and is open to all vintage and pre-war cars.  The rally will be run under RAC MSA Permit.  There will be a touring class with clear route instructions available to the navigationally challenged or those who may wish simply to tour and enjoy the scenic route.  There will be a number of class awards, including the prestigious Roy Hogg Trophy for best performance by a Vintage Minor.  This year we also hope to offer an additional class for sidevalve Minors if sufficient entries are received.  Rally invitations have also been sent to the VSCC, the Bullnose Morris Club, the Morris Register, the Early MG Society and the Vintage and MMM Registers of the MG Car Club.

On Saturday evening, Brian and Heidi Maeers will be hosting a Vintage Party and Hog Roast at Manor Farm, Peatling Magna, with a 7-piece band (Karl and his Music), and plenty of good food and company by the lake.  This promises to be the social occasion of the season and is not to be missed!

On Sunday morning, we will tour across to Mallory Park for a vintage picnic and informal concours while watching the VSCC Bob Gerard Memorial Race Meeting, which is certain to provide excellent vintage entertainment at this delightful track.  As has become our tradition, high quality vintage picnics will be delivered to Mallory Park against prior order – this time by Stones Restaurant, Leicester.  An order form will appear shortly on the website.  On Sunday evening, there will be a farewell run out to the Shires Inn, Peatling Parva.

The other great news is that we have ELEVEN vintage Minors booked in for the VSCC Light Car and Edwardian Section’s Welsh Weekend on 27th/28th March, which will include a unique celebration of the 1924 RAC Trial with a 140-mile road rally on Saturday and a reliability trial on Sunday.  Rumour has it that there will be a special vintage Minor award.  This impressive entry is the most vintage Minors to turn out for a road rally – ever!  Barry Rogers has kindly offered to bring a truckload of tools and spares and ‘sweep’ the route for us on Saturday.  If you have any useful running spares, please bring them along and lodge them with Barry for the day.  Good luck to all entrants, and please do not forget to pack your cameras!

Please do not also forget our Spring social meets in May, of which there are now three.  The first meet will be our founding meet at the Shoulder of Mutton, North Hampshire on Sunday 9th May, starting at noon.  On Sunday 16th May, we meet at the Cock Inn, Peatling Magna, and Brian and Heidi Maeers have very kindly offered to repeat their excellent farmhouse lunch arrangements at Manor Farm.  RSVP to Brian and Heidi at heidi@maeers11.fsnet.co.uk if you would like to come for lunch.  Our third Spring Meet will take place on Sunday 23rd May at the Green Man, Thriplow, Cambridgeshire.  All owners of vintage, pre-war or noteworthy post-war cars are most welcome to join us at any or all of our meets.

Magazine M 115 is nearing completion and will ship at the end of this month.  If you have any material for M 116, please send it in before the end of April.  Included with M 115 (and also included on the website) is a front cover photographic competition.  If you would like to see your vintage Minor on the front cover of M 116, get your camera out! 

Finally, we extend a very warm welcome to Richard and Bill McKellar, Nick Reeve, Bill Sullivan and Peter Baines who joined us recently.

Happy Motoring,

Ian


Vintage Minor Register – Update 31st January 2004

This is traditionally the quietest time of the vintage motoring year (at least in the northern hemisphere), so there is not a great deal to report right now.  This might therefore be an appropriate time to update members and friends on our plans for the coming vintage motoring season.  So reach for your diary and pencil in a few key dates.

First up for many of us will be the VSCC Light Car and Edwardian Section’s Welsh Weekend on 27th/28th March, and the VMR is making a special effort this year, since the weekend will include a unique celebration of the 1924 RAC Trial, with a 140-mile rally (with straightforward instructions), or an easier 70-mile route.  Those who complete the longer run will be awarded a specially minted medal and all runners will receive a garage plaque.  There will be a gentle sporting trial on Sunday.  Potential entrants may be teamed up by contacting VMR HQ.  A list has already been started and includes David Roscoe (1930 Semi-sports), Peter Stubberfield (1929 tourer), Paul Rogers (1930 saloon) and Ken Martin (1930 saloon).

Next will be our Spring social meets, of which there are now three.  The first meet will be our founding meet at the Shoulder of Mutton, North Hampshire on Sunday 9th May, starting at noon.  On Sunday 16th May, we meet at the Cock Inn, Peatling Magna, and Brian and Heidi Maeers have very kindly offered to repeat their excellent farmhouse lunch arrangements at Manor Farm.  RSVP to Brian and Heidi at heidi@maeers11.fsnet.co.uk if you would like to come for lunch.  Our third Spring Meet will take place on Sunday 23rd May at the Green Man, Thriplow, Cambridgeshire.  All owners of pre-war or interesting post-war cars are most welcome to join us at any or all of our meets.

Once again, our main event of the year will be our Summer Rally.  This is a roving event, ensuring fresh landscapes to be explored every year, while also enabling members from different areas of the country to have the opportunity to attend a local rally.  This year our Summer Rally will take place over the weekend of 23rd to 25th July and will be based in Leicestershire.

The Rally will follow the now-established formula of variety and interest, commencing with an informal pub reception on Friday evening for early arrivers.  The Navigation Rally will take place on Saturday, which will be combined with a parallel scenic run with clear route instructions for the navigationally challenged.  On Saturday evening, we have all been invited to a grand social function at Manor Farm, Peatling Magna, home of Brian and Heidi Maeers.  Plans are still at an early stage, but the evening is certain to be a memorable one.  On Sunday, we will tour across to Mallory Park for a day at the races with the VSCC at what is possibly the most scenic racing circuit in England.  As usual, vintage picnics will be prepared and delivered to order.  To round off the weekend, there will be a farewell pub run on Sunday evening.  As was the case last year, the VSCC, the MGCC, the BNMC and the EMGS will be invited to take part in any or all of the weekend’s activities.  This formula worked very well at Prescott last summer, attracting a wide variety of entrants and boosting entry numbers, thereby enabling more comprehensive events to be organized.

In order to assist in planning the various weekend activities, would recipients of this Update please send a brief e-mail reply to this Update, indicating which of the weekend’s events they are provisionally interested in intending.  Offers to marshal on the Saturday Navigation Rally would also be greatly appreciated.  Entry forms and further details including accommodation will be made available on the website and also distributed with the Spring Magazine.

Finally on the rally front, we have received an invitation from Alastair Kinross to take part in the Gloucestershire Morris Minor Group’s rally at Taurus Crafts near Lydney, Gloucestershire (on the A48) on 9th May.  It was Alastair and his members with their post-war Minors who generously turned out last July to help marshal our Navigation Rally.  Alastair says, “If any Morris Minor or any vintage vehicle would like to attend we would welcome them.  If they want to enter the open class competition for a bit of fun and get a rally plaque, we charge a 6 pound rally entry fee, otherwise they are welcome to just turn up as a spectator and enjoy themselves.”  Please contact VMR HQ if you would like an entry form or further details.  It would be good if some local members supported Alastair, as he and his team really did put in a great deal of time and effort behind the scenes to support our rally last summer, including a comprehensive reconnaissance of the rally route before the event.

Happy Motoring,

Ian
 

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