Derek Christian had open doors at his place in banks on Monday January 1st. While the rest of you were nursing your hangovers, Ralph, David Bryant, Noel & Gill , Cyril & Joyce and John, Alison and Andrew Dickenson were driving out in their classic MGs to Derek's. Cath put on refreshments with all donations going to the Air Ambulance appeal.
photos - Alison Dickenson
"Nice little motor sir - one careful owner -- and 20 careless ones." Darren shows off his latest acquisition.
David chats to a bike owner.
"I want that one" - Andrew tries to persuade John to make a swap for his MGC.
No John, you can't have it - you got enough toys for Xmas.
Ralph and Gill inspect another of Derek's cars.
FEBRUARY 25TH - STONLEIGH M.G. SPARES DAY
Richard Sherman tries a new MGA chassis out for size.
Richard, Ralph and Noel check out their bargains.
Could this really be an MGF with a built in jaccuzzi?
April 5th - SHIP INN - LATHOM
MAY 3RD 2007 - RAINFORD
JUNE 7TH - MOULDSWORTH MOTOR MUSEUM
This is the 2nd club visit to the museum and record numbers of club cars turned out.
By 8p.m. there were 17 MGs parked on the museum grassed areas and car park . After an hour of wandering round the exhibits in the museum , the owner,Jim Peacoup , gave the assembled throng an excellent talk on collectable car bonnet mascots and showed us some quite rare items including a Lallique . Many thanks to Lisa for the good idea of bringing the gas cooker for a welcome brew during the evening and also to Jamie for the excellent idea of calling in to the chippy in Frodsham on the way home.
Club cars parked up outside the Museum
Jim Peacoup gives his talk to the enthralled club members
A pleasant evening was had by all at the Bottle & Glass pub just off the Rainford by pass at Windle. Despite the excellent chat with MG friends , I am told that the highlight of the evening was the guest appearance of the famous "Old Speckled Hen" who perched in a tree watching the proceedings. Photos - Andrew Dickenson
The first pub outing of the year on a chilly but bright spring evening - photos - Andrew Dickenson
JULY 5TH - AN EVENING AT THE CHRISTIANS
The damp weather kept a lot of MGs in their garages but the rain stayed away for the couple of hours while we were at Dereks back yard - long enough to have another very enjoyable even ing . Many thanks once again to Cath and Lisa for the BBQ and buffet and to Derek and Darren for showing us their collection. Photo shows some of the club MGs that braved the wet weather, gathered in the corner of Derek's yard. "Proper" cars had to be left out on the road!! Photo - Andrew Dickenson
AUGUST 2ND - LEGH ARMS - MERE BROW
The weather stayed fine and bright for our August pub gathering. This brought out the biggest gathering of the year with over 20 club cars packed into the small car park at the front of the pub. The landlord was good enough to lay on a plentiful supply of sandwiches for a nominal fee so keeping everyone happy.
SEPTEMBER 6TH -THE RAILWAY TAVERN - HOSCAR
A very pleasant evening at the Railway with around 10 MGs turning out. We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset and a balmy late summer's evening as we sat and talked on the patio of the Railway - serenaded by the occasional express train passing through the adjacent station. With sandwiches provided by the landlord (free)it was a pity more members didn't take advantage of the opportunity of the convivial surroundings.
Early arrivals parked up just before the sun set.
OCTOBER 4TH -BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS
Perfect weather greeted the 9 club cars that gathered on the car park of the Bay Tree Restaurant in Tarleton. ( see photo left) It was good to see new members Paul with his TD and Ken with his Midget joining the run for the first time and bringing their partners along too. By 7.15pm it was dusk and we were ready for the off as the sun set over Southport
With a short stop just outside Blackpool whilst we waited for the convoy to get together again (Chris decided his car needed servicing so Jamie and Ray obliged) we arrived at the North end of the sea front in Bispham. With Jamie saying that he needed some chips soon - we ignored his plaintive cries and the convoy set off south down the promenade. We managed the 3 mile journey without any major traffic jams (although those who were heading in the opposite direction were not so lucky ). We gathered the convoy together again at the south end (see photo) and let the cars cool down ( and strangely some drivers dived into the nearest bushes!). Then time to find the chippy - Jamie was smiling again -and enjoy a snack before setting off for the scenic route home through Lytham St. Annes.
NOVEMBER 2ND - BOWLING IN SOUTHPORT
This was our 5th annual bowling evening at the Southport Plaza Bowl. With 24 club members and friends it was a good turn out. After an excellent buffet there followed 2 games and after the first round Darren was in the lead with a score of 151 and Margaret Pagett and hennie were joint highest scoring ladies with 120. The second round continued immediately after and most people seemed to be flagging but with only one end to go Darren was still highest scorer. Then Geoff Grover put in a fantastic finish to score 156 only to be pipped at the post as Jamie stormed into the lead after a flurry of spares and a strike to finish on a total of 166. The ladies weren't to be outdone and Margaret bettered her first round score with a 132 closely followed by Gill Skinner on 123 with Hennie on 120. I wasn't looking for a "booby " score until Joyce came up to me at the end and asked if I had noticed her terrible score - don't worry i said - I won't tell anyone.
photo left - Jamie and Geoff - 1st and 2nd places at the end of the evening
