july 2011 - about northants mgoc · by les barras 4 days in jersey this year i made the decision to...

July 2011July 2011

Inside Front Cover Copyright © 2011 Northants MG Owners‟ Club Online Edition

Shirts, Jackets etc. With

Northants MGOC Logo

Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL

Colours: See Catalogue for colour choices

Northants MGOC Umbrellas

£ 12.00

Clothing

Tee shirts … £ 14.00

Polo shirts … Polo Shirts—100% Cotton

£ 18.00 £ 20.00

Sweatshirts … £ 19.00

Rugby shirts … £ 26.00

Fleece Jackets

Full Fleece £ 27.00

Gillett Fleece £ 26.00

Gillett Sport £ 30.00

Short Sleeve Shirts £ 24.00

Other items

Baseball Caps £9.00

Beanie Hat (Woolly Hat) £7.50

Rally Plaques … £ 5.00

Key Fobs … (while stocks lasts)

As below

Rose of the Shires 2009(trolley disc key ring) WNAA Northants MGOC (leather)

£ 2.00 £ 1.50 £ 1.00

Clocks.. (while stocks last)

£ 4.50

Colour photographs of the range can be found on our website, www.mgnorthants.org

To purchase or order any items or for any other enquiries regarding our exclusive regalia, please see Ed Scott at the next meeting or call him on

01604 882472 (Email: [email protected])

Committee contacts:

Cover picture:

Cover picture: MG owners being given a warm welcome at Coventry Transport Museum

Deadline for the next issue:

All submissions for the next issue should reach Bill Price (Email as above) by 18th July 2011

All online submissions should be sent to [email protected]

Club Secretary Steve Trafford 07825 643084 [email protected]

Treasurer Michael Port 01933 224019 [email protected]

Events Support Magazine editing and

publishing Bill Price 01536 742685 [email protected]

Membership Secretary

Adrian Higman [email protected]

Equipment/Regalia Edward Scott 01604 882472 07770 817017

[email protected]

Sports Events Stuart Simons 01933 674655 [email protected]

July 2011

Northants MG Owners’ Club

Club Secretary: Steve Trafford 63a Marshall Road, Raunds, Northants, NN9 6EY

Telephone: 07825 643084

E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.mgnorthants.org

Events Les Barras [email protected]

3 Copyright © 2011 Northants MG Owners‟ Club Online Edition

Welcome New Members

Here’s a list of what’s happening this and next month that may be of interest to Northants MGOC members.

Please don’t forget to check the ‘Blue Book’ at club meetings for details and if you’re interested in an upcoming event or wish to propose your own, please get in touch with Steve Trafford. Please read

‘Newslink’ for up to date details such as convoy starts, etc. if not given below.

What’s on?

July/August

July 13th Wednesday Club Night. BBQ & Treasure Hunt. Northampton Casuals RFC.

July 23rd Rolling Road Day. Marlin Motors, Bletchley. (£30 per car includes BBQ & tea/coffee)

Stuart Simons 01933 674655

August 7th

Bletchley Park Classic Car Show

Steve Trafford 07825 643084

August 13th/14th

Rougham Airshow

Mick Harley 01234 350335

August 21st

Middleton Hall

August 27 –29th

Rauceby 40s Weekend

Details in “The Blue Book”

4 Copyright © 2011 Northants MG Owners‟ Club

Peter Bainton. Mike Anthony. Bob & Carole Lacey and their MGs!

Online Edition

Newslink Well summer is here (I know this by

looking out the window and it’s raining)

and we have been very busy with

various events ranging from the

Coventry Transport Museum to a

leisurely Sunday drive to a local open

garden event. It was great to meet up

with members including a couple of

new arrivals.

What makes the MG Northants Club so

enjoyable is the variety of activities

which can range from organised road

rallies to performance track days etc.

The blue book is there for all to add

their own favourite or to view and see

what you would like to attend.

If you can’t make the regular meets but

would like to add your name to any of

the advertised listings or to suggest any

future events just drop anyone on the

committee an email or a phone call and

we will endeavour to arrange it.

Don’t forget our annual BBQ is on

Wednesday July 13th at The Casuals

with a treasure hunt beforehand. It’s a 7

o’clock start for the treasure hunt.

As mentioned in the last update we now

need to start planning for next year’s

main event the Return of the Rose of

the Shires which is confirmed for

Sunday May 20th 2012. We are going to form a specific

committee to run this, our main event of

the year and anyone who would like to

help please contact myself or anyone on

the committee. Proceeds will go to the

Air Ambulance. We have already had

some volunteers but more would be

welcome.

The run to Bletchley Park on August 7th

is filling up fast and as we are going to

travel down with Kilsby MG Club on

the day it should be an impressive sight.

There is still time to add your name to

the list which should be a great day out

with the combination of the classic car

rally and a tour around the famous

home of the code breakers of WWII.

A big thank you to those now receiving

the More Graffiti electronically and I

hope you are happy with the extra

content available. Should you still wish

to change over please let us know.

Electronic updates on what’s happening

are sent out to everyone who has given

us their e mail address and even if you

staying with the hard copy of the

magazine you can be on the e mail

listings for these by dropping us an e

mail requesting them.

We are always looking to members to

write up short articles for the magazine

– so please get writing about your cars,

events, or other subjects of interest.

Looking forward to a fun filled Summer

Steve Trafford Club Secretary.

Steve and Barbara Trafford


4 Days in Jersey by Les Barras

This year I made the decision to go

on my first MG Jersey Annual

Rally. Contact was made via Val

Arnold and fees duly paid. I then

made contact direct with the

organising committee, a very nice

lady, Sandra Buckley, we

exchanged e-mails and more money

and all was set up.

I agonised over the final

arrangements whether to stay

overnight on the Wednesday or

drive down in the early hours of

Thursday, I questioned one or two

of the members to get a feel for the

trip, in the end I settled for a night in

the Weymouth Premier Inn. For me

and my wife Sheila, this suited us as

it was a 130mile journey we had to

run down from Northampton, never

mind the expense.

Oh No I hear you say; ‘urgent’ was

the marking on the e-mail from Val,

after all the agonising and planning

the Weymouth ferry was cancelled

and we were diverted to Poole,

1400pm. Instead of the 0800am

from Weymouth. So I now had to

cancel the hotel and claim my

money back, still haven’t got it back

yet, so much for online booking.

The trip down, was very nice, a bit

breezy but very pleasant around

about 3hr 45m with a break at the

M27 services. My 1970 MGB

Roadster SBO 844 H, was running

sweet.

We managed to follow signs for the

ferry, until the very last few hundred

yards where we managed to go

around a round about for a couple of

times before latching on to another

MG, which we assumed was

heading towards the holiday isle,

luckily enough he was. We got

directed into a formal queue at about

1135am and sat there for ages. Then

all was disclosed by ‘yes you

guessed it’ a man in a Hi Viz jacket,

the booking in office had a power

failure and the clerks where hand

writing all the boarding passes.

Eventually at a snails pace we got to

the front and checked in. We

boarded the Hydro Foil High Speed

boat. After meeting up with Val and

John and other guests we settled

down to the journey. Thank God it

was a reasonable crossing, passing

by the other Channel Isles and

visiting Guernsey to allow other

travellers to alight.

Arrival Day one & evening, we

gathered our possessions and the car

and were directed to, a holding area

on shore where we met up with our

Island hosts. We appeared to be

lined up into the parties we should

be with, the West View Hotel party

I told my contact, we gathered our

welcome bag of goodies and after a

short while set off in convoy, but as

soon as we hit the streets and the

first set of traffic lights 2 of us got

separated, follow that MG Sheila


4 days in Jersey (cont)

said, well you have to listen to she

who has to be obeyed don’t you. We

latched onto the back of a nice

MGB GT. Get the instructions out

and find out if we are on the right

road, I said to be able navigator, but

by the time all the information was

to hand, we had arrived at the Hotel,

more by luck than judgement I

guess. Phil Hey and his staff met us

in reception and within minutes we

were booked in and in the room. A

quick wash then straight out for

dinner. By this time both me and

Sheila where obviously feeling the

pace, do this don’t do that, take care,

so many instructions. I must say we

were ready for the evening meal,

which was very nice indeed, no

complaints what so ever. The

standard was set. A quick after

dinner drink to mix and meet up

with other revellers and then of to

bed, day one at an end.

We had a free day on Friday and

planned to visit west of islands. This

was interrupted by a wedding which

clashed with our plans, so we started

the day watching television, took a

break for breakfast and continued to

watch the City of London’s

spectacle of the marriage of William

and Catherine.

When the time was right we took

ourselves out, we only got 5 minutes

down the road and came across

another Catherine—Miss Best by

name—a famous Guernsey

Designer Jeweller.

We took our time in the shop

looking at all the beautiful Gems

and Diamonds and Jewels, basically

we where keeping warm, as the

weather outside was cold and

overcast. The staff were pleased to

see us being the first to venture out

and visit them, but of course they

had been watching the wedding so

by the absence of crowds allowed

them to see the same as everyone

else. We split up, Sheila ad a

chaperone and I the other, During

conversations I found out the father

of the manageress was a MG Car

builder from the original factory in

Cowley, he was a body finisher,

small world isn’t it?

Then the next thing I hear is ‘oh it’s

lovely’ too late the pendant is

around Sheila’s neck and Leslie is

dipping in his wallet for the bank

card. Miss Catherine Best makes

another sale and Leslie’s bank

accounts a few quid lighter. We

were both happy with the Diamond

and 18 ct Gold pendant in the

modern shape of an ‘S’ this is an

early 25th Wedding anniversary

present for my wife.

We then travelled around to the west

coast and ended up at the Pearle

centre. We were tempted but the

chosen piece was too large for the

wrist of Sheila and as it was a bank

holiday no alterations could be

done. Phew! A close thing for the

bank account.


4 days in Jersey (cont)

Back to the Hotel, wash and brush

up, dinner and out to the Friday

night Vin De’ Honeur. A fine

welcome made by the ‘Constable’

Lord Mayor of St .Hel i e r .

Presentations for attendance and

long service were handed out, all

aided by the generosity of the

people of St.Helier and ample liquid

refreshment.

Attending the Saturday show and

walk about in St.Helier was fun, we

made our way down from the Hotel

and ended up at the Peoples Park,

officials manoeuvred us into our

sections and the show was on. My

first time entering a show, so not

being too familiar with the rules I

gave the car a quick wipe over and

left it at that. The winners were

polishing right up to the moment

they were asked to stop by the

visiting judges. John and Richard

Arnold along with Phil Hey took

trophies, the Edges and Mark

Tossell took the star prizes. Not to

be out done we went along to a

fantastic Saturday night party, a

mixture of music was being played

by the live band and I was keen to

get the dancing going, I start good

and fade away quickly these days.

As I said not to be out done,

Northants Jo and Ian took first prise

at the raffle and then later won the

fancy dress also. Well done to all

who took part.

So after falling into our cots at some

unreal hour a.m. The Sunday

driving skills, went ahead at

1000am. This was a low point for

me, I was so cold I wish I could

have switched on the central

heating, and snuggled up with a cup

of tea. A quick 40mph trip back to

the Hotel saved the day by

collecting the fur flying jacket and

scarf complete with gloves. I duly

parked on the tarmac car park and

went off to see some driving skills,

Upon my return to the car a crowd

was gathering around the MGB

Roadster, I thought wow they like it,

only to be told there was a big pool

of water flooding out of the engine

area and depositing it on the ground.

At this moment in time you really

want to go home, but you can’t

because you have a breakdown.

Les Barras


An Assorted Album of Jersey Jalopies!


BOADICEA RUN 22nd May 2011


Along with Steve & Barbara, we decided to do the Boadicea run which, this year, started at Ickworth House in the village of Horringer, near to Bury St. Edmunds. Having listened carefully to the weather forecast the night before and being told there could be rain, sun, clear skies, heavy cloud and high winds we packed for all eventualities apart from snow! Having had rain overnight, the day dawned bright but chilly so the hood stayed up! The A14 was remarkably quiet and after less than two hours we were soon pulling into the grounds of Ickworth House. After checking in and picking up our goodie bag and buying raffle tickets, we were treated to „breakfast‟ which comprised a choice of scones, fruit cakes, fairy cakes, biscuits etc + tea and coffee. Not quite the same as a good old bacon butty but very tasty nevertheless. Steve & Barbara had also arrived so having done the obligatory trip round the shop we were ready to leave. With hoods now down, we set off on a route that took us through many villages whose names we had never heard of (which I suppose is why we do these runs!). All the time we were keeping an eye on the weather as in between the sunshine rain clouds kept circling until eventually it did start to rain. We all pulled in but by the time the hoods had been put up the rain was clearing again. Typical! Undeterred, we carried on and by lunchtime we found ourselves in Long Melford which is the longest village in Suffolk. Having decided to brave the elements we pitched up at the top of a grassy area with a good view overlooking the green and had a picnic. Steve put on a brave face as he was hoping for a roast dinner somewhere! Before setting off again we had a look around the large church there, some parts of which date back to 1467. Once back in the cars we continued the journey which by now had become really windy so we were constantly having to avoid branches in the road. We arrived back at Ickworth House in time for a drink and a bite to eat, courtesy of the remains of our picnics! Steve kindly went off with all the tickets to see if we had won anything in the raffle and we were pleased to see him come back with three prizes, but only from their tickets as we hadn‟t been so lucky. Mmmm!! Well done Steve & Barbara. As the house closed at 5 o‟clock, we did a whistle-stop tour around it as we only had 45 minutes left.

BOADICEA RUN (cont)


The run itself was 85 miles long and by now we were tired and ready for home. It Ibeen a lovely day and the weather had been surprisingly kind but one of the highlights of the day was at the end when we filled up with petrol in Wellingborough on the way home at £1.28 a litre (with a 5p off Tesco voucher). How sad is that!

Chris & Viv Long

Beware fall-out from Iceland! It‟s not just air transport that was affected by the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland. Autoglym has warned that, the ash that spread over Britain deposited particles that can damage car paintwork. “During 2010, motorists saw heavy swirls on paintwork after they failed to take sufficient precautions when washing ash of their cars,” according to Paul Caller, CEO of Autoglym. “The latest ash cloud contained larger particles which can be even more damaging. So we are once again warning motorists to be especially vigilant and to take extra precautions when cleaning their cars.” Iceland‟s volcanoes are currently going through an unsettled period and further eruptions are likely.

SPA CLASSIC May 2011


Earlier this year, my son, Mark and I were planning a visit to the Belgium Grand Prix in August, when we came across the MGOC/Travel Destinations advert for the inaugural Spa Classic. This was a similar event to the Le Mans classic, held biannually. The Spa trip included a drive on the circuit in your own MG. A few weeks after booking, I was told I would need a major operation, so I hoped I would be fit again by Whitsun. While I was re-cooperating, we were also planning the route, preparing the car and getting all the camping equipment together, the list seemed endless but we packed it all in the MG. We choose an early channel tunnel crossing, which meant we could get to Spa to see part of the Friday afternoon practice sessions. It rained in France on the way down but was dry when we erected the tent, only 8 hours after leaving home. We were lucky not to have anymore rain until we got back into France on the way home. Saturday was very memorable, sunny, lovely old cars, beautiful track and we were going to drive around it at lunchtime with 15 MGs behind a safety car, without overtaking. We were waved though the crowds at l’Eau Rouge to drive up the hill to find no safety car but supercars overtaking ! I spent half a lap watching Porsches, Nissan GTRs and a Ford GT40 in my rear mirrors and overtaking on both sides of the track, while Mark was videoing it on my camera. We had no helmets and the roof was down, so many older MGs and Triumphs were driving a lot slower. The tyres soon warmed up, so I decided to up the revs and enjoy my MGF Trophy. We carefully overtook the slower cars and opened her up to 6500rpm, the big brakes and hard suspension were working fine in the chicane as we ended lap one and overtook a Jaguar XJS along the pit straight. On the second lap we caught an old Porsche going into Eau Rouge, dropped to 3rd gear/80mph and overtook him on the blind summit. I was really enjoying this now. However I did not want to end up in the gravel (as a Corvette did). We completed four hot laps before the chequered flag and returned to our paddock parking on cloud nine! It was a great experience driving at 100mph with no roof or speed cameras and my 14 year old son loved it.

SPA CLASSIC (cont)


The following day we left the campsite early and visited the Nurburgring, which is just over the border in Germany. We watched superbikes practising on the F1 circuit , an Autotest, and many mad drivers on the old seven mile circuit. After a drive back to Spa , we saw some more classic racing as well as the Monaco Grand Prix on TV. We returned home on Monday, stopping at Brussels and Bruge for a bit of sightseeing. A fabulous 1000 mile trip. Anybody fancy going to the Le Mans Classic in July 2012? Adrian Higman

PRIVATE & INSURANCE WORK

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CRASH REPAIR SPECIALIST

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Secure storage for your MG or other car in Creaton

Easily accessible from Northampton, M1& A14

Call John on 01604 505715 or email: [email protected]


Marketplace 1

If you have anything for sale or are trying to locate that elusive part, place an advertisement here.

Non-trade advertisements are FREE to members. Trade and non-member advertisers are asked for a small donation to club funds. Advertisements will only appear for a three

month period. If you wish to place an advertisement or continue / cancel your existing advertisement,

please contact any committee member or e-mail the club at [email protected]

FOR SALE

SECOND-HAND MGB SPARES

1.8 ENGINE - APPROX 27000 MILES

GEAR BOX

+ VARIOUS OTHER PARTS

(LIST AVAILABLE ON REQUEST)

********OFFERS********

*

CONTACT: MIKE HARLEY

01234 350335/07776 167838

SUPPORT YOUR CLUB BY

PURCHASING OUR

REGALIA Please see Ed Scott


Marketplace 2

If you have anything for sale or are trying to locate that elusive part, place an advertisement here.

Non-trade advertisements are FREE to members. Trade and non-member advertisers are asked for a small donation to club funds. Advertisements will only appear for a three

month period. If you wish to place an advertisement or continue / cancel your existing advertisement,

please contact any committee member or e-mail the club at [email protected]

1979 MG MGB ROADSTER

TARTAN RED

BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR

WALNUT DASH

CONVERTED TO CHROME BUMPER

CONTACT: MIKE HARLEY

01234 350335 07776 167838

Inside back cover Copyright © 2011 Northants MG Owners‟ Club Online Edition

Lights, Camera, Action! Ever wanted to have your MG shot in a proper drive-in photographic studio? Well now you can thanks to a photographic studio in Lincoln. For just £50, Double Red Studios will take professional images of your car in a white studio. The offer is subject to a maximum of 20 club members who book their cars for a day‟s session (9am – 6pm). Each car will have a 30min photo session under the lights. For more details email [email protected]

AND FINALLY!

A mate of mine recently admitted to being addicted to brake fluid. When

I quizzed him on it he reckoned he could stop any time.....

I went to the cemetery yesterday to lay some flowers on a grave.

As I was standing there I noticed 4 grave diggers walking about with a

coffin... 3 hours later and they're still walking about with it..

I thought to myself, these diggers have lost the plot!!

I was at a cash-point yesterday when a little old lady asked if I could

check her balance. Not being one to disappoint I pushed the old dear

over.

My son's been asking me for a pet spider for his birthday, so I went to

our local pet shop and they were £70!!! Too dear, I thought, I can get

one cheaper off the web.

mailto:[email protected]

july 2011 - about northants mgoc · by les barras 4 days in jersey this year i made the decision to...

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