Message sent by Lorraine Hampson
THAMES VALLEY REGION NEWSLETTER MARCH – APRIL 2020by Lorraine Hampson THAMES VALLEY REGION NEWSLETTERMARCH – APRIL 2020Well, how things have changed within a few weeks!ALL SOCIAL MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A reminder that our meetings are on the last Wednesday of the month at The Crooked Billet, London Road, Hook, Hants, RG27 9EH from 8pm. All members are very welcome, you don’t have to own a Mini Cooper – any Mini will do! It doesn’t matter if you turn up without your Mini either….just come along for a drink and a chat with other members…..we’re quite a friendly bunch of people. If you have any technical queries about your Minis then there is bound to be somebody at the meeting who can help you. If you are a new member then please do come along. NEXT MEETING –the next meeting at Hook would have been on Wednesday 25th March 2020. Brooklands Mini Day would have been on the 22nd March 2020 and this has now, rightly but very disappointly, been postponed until the Autumn, hopefully. All types of Mini (including the modern BMW) are invited to this annual event, so expect displays in all areas of the Museum site. From the oldest to the newest, this year’s event will see some of the earliest examples nestling among hundreds of Minis and their variations including vans and pickups. As always Test Hill will be in action in the morning and afternoon. Following the success of last year’s event the Thames Valley Region will again have an MCR Club Stand at the Popham Classic Car Show. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE TO 15th AUGUST. This is a thoroughly enjoyable day out with trade stalls and an impressive aircraft display and fly-in. Contact Ken Hunter for further details. Make a note in your diary for this year’s Thames Valley Tour, the 19th July. A route through the Thames Valley countryside, of about 100 miles with navigation using an easy to follow road book. Places of interest to visit on the way including the lunch stop at a National Trust venue. The event starts with a “rally breakfast” at the White Lion Antiques, Hartley Wintney and will finish at The Raven Hotel, Hook. Please contact the entries secretary, Clive Brooks brooks.c2@sky.com 01189 868280 March’s CooperWorld shows the 2nd in the Technical Topics series by Thames Valley Region regular, Richard Pengelly. The article talks about the various electrical issues relative to our Minis and suggests useful ways of making our cars more reliable. Part 3 is next month. From gearknobs and clothing to stickers and badges, you can find celebratory Mini 60th Anniversary items in our club shop and more goodies are being added on a regular basis….if you can’t find what you’re looking for then please ask. Have a look at the website Mini Cooper Register and click on club shop. DIARY DATES: ALL EVENTS ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE OF DATE OR CANCELLATION SO PLEASE CHECK BEFORE ATTENDING 1st Sunday of each “summer” month: Bill Rawles Classic Cars Natter & Nibbles 10am-1pm Unit 2, Dukes Mill, Station Approach, Medstead, GU34 5EN First Sunday of every month in the summer between April to September, a coffee morning and consequently classic car show. This relaxed and informal event is open to any make and model, whether you are a customer or not, we don’t mind as we are just car enthusiasts too who enjoy the show. Bacon rolls, tea, coffee and cake is supplied (free for a charity donation). 1st Sunday of each “summer” month: Classic Car Sunday at the Departure Lounge, Alton All pre 1990 classic cars are welcome to the Classic Car Sunday meets that take place on the first Sunday of each month during the summer. The free meet starts from 2.00pm, where owners can take part in a chilled and relaxed Sunday afternoon classic car gathering. The site has ample free parking on a dedicated event field. The Cafe has full facilities. POSTPONED 22nd March 2020 Brooklands Mini Day 9am-5pm We will be having our usual stand at this event. If you would like your name to be added to the reserve display list, please contact Lorraine or Ken or Clive. POSTPONED, TO BE RE-SCHEDULED. 27th – 29th March 2020 The Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show is the show to attend to kick-start the classic car season. Whether you are looking to ignite your passion to a finish restoration project or simply want to reminisce with family and friends over the beautiful completed classic cars on display, you should visit the NEC Birmingham in March. 26 April FBHVC DRIVE IT DAY Drive it Day 2020 will continue to be celebrated on Sunday 26th April. This being closest to the date in 1900 when the One Thousand Mile Trial organised by the Automobile Club started from London on April 23rd and travelled via Bristol, Birmingham, Derby, Manchester, Kendal, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Sheffield, Lincoln, Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton and back to London in order to prove the viability of the motor car. Currently, UK government are advising against all non-essential social contact. Our current general guidance to car clubs, that can be found on the website at https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/news/article/coronavirus , encourages the cancellation or postponement of meets, events and gatherings of people. However, there seems no reason why enthusiasts could not take their vehicles out for a drive on Drive it Day, waving to each other from a discrete distance, so long as that drive avoids physical social contact. 16-17 May LSMOC London to Brighton Run Although tickets are sold out for this event, if you keep an eye on social media, you may be lucky to find some for sale. Even so, it’s still worth a visit to Brighton and is a great day out at the seaside! 14 June Beaulieu National Mini Day The event of the year! We will be having our regional stand and will be hoping to win the Best Regional Stand Award again! 19 July Thames Valley Tour 2020. Entry form and event regulation are available from the entries secretary, Clive Brooks brooks.c2@sky.com 01189 868280 15 Aug Popham Classic Car Show and Vintage Fly-in 10am-5pm. Contact Ken Hunter if you are interested. That’s all for now. Enjoy your Minis however you can in these difficult times! Lorraine: thames_valley@minicooper.org Ken: thames_valley@minicooper.org
Reply to Lorraine Hampson | Mar 19,2020 |
|
