THAMES VALLEY REGION NEWSLETTER

JULY-AUGUST 2020

Hi all, hopefully, most of you will have been able to get out and about in your Minis and make the most of the good weather as much as you can.

ALL SOCIAL MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

It appears that our usual monthly meeting place is for sale, although is still currently open with reduced opening times so we’ll have to see how that develops.

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 29th July 2020.

Brooklands Mini Day was cancelled and should have been on the 22nd March 2020, this has now been RE-SCHEDULED to 1st November 2020, fingers crossed! Social event restrictions do seem to change on a regular basis and (if you listen to any news reports at all) it seems we might have to be prepared for a CoronaVirus resurgence in the winter months. However, we’ll wait and see what happens.

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.
There will be a variety of trade stands offering mini parts, spares and memorabilia.

The rescheduled Popham Classic Car Show has been cancelled and will now be on 3rd May 2021. This is a thoroughly enjoyable day out with trade stalls and an impressive aircraft display and fly-in. Contact Ken Hunter for further details.

A decision was made to cancel this year’s Thames Valley Tour which would have been on the 19th July. Looking forward to next year’s event!

July’s CooperWorld’s Technical Topics series by Thames Valley Region regular, Richard Pengelly, explains how to fix your droopy door handles, if you’re lucky enough to own a car that might suffer from this.

You couldn’t fail to notice the cover photo of Thames Valley Region member, Robert Clayson’s, Rover Mini. There is also an interesting accompanying article of the 1996 Mini Monte Classic Rally – part two.

Also in CooperWorld is an article on making your stop/tail lights brighter by replacing them with LEDs.

The MCR club shop is up and running at full efficiency ….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.

DON’T FORGET that because of the lack of events and therefore event reports in CooperWorld magazine, the Editor is welcoming any interesting and/or noteworthy articles for inclusion in the magazine so don’t be shy … get writing (or typing).

DIARY DATES:

ALL EVENTS ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE OF DATE OR CANCELLATION SO PLEASE CHECK BY PHONING THE RELEVANT LOCATION OR BY CHECKING THEIR WEBSITE 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.

CANCELLED 19th July Thames Valley Tour 2020. Entry form and event regulation are available from the entries secretary, Clive Brooks brooks.c2@sky.com 01189 868280

NEW DATE 3rd May 2021 Popham Classic Car Show and Vintage Fly-in 10am-5pm. Contact Ken Hunter if you are interested.

CANCELLED Beaulieu National Mini Day
Chairman Robert Young announced that, in the light of continuing measures to combat Covid-19, the club’s flagship event, expected to attract 3,000 people, has been cancelled for this year.

NEW DATE 11th October LSMOC London to Brighton Run At the time of writing, this is still scheduled to go ahead but a final decision will be made in August. 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!

NEW DATE 1st November 2020 Brooklands Mini Day 9am-5pm Depending on local member’s views we may 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.

That’s all for now. Stay safe everyone and keep your distance!

Lorraine: thames_valley@minicooper.org

Ken: thames_valley@minicooper.org

Reply to Lorraine Hampson | Jul 20,2020 |