THAMES VALLEY REGION NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2021

Happy New Year to everyone … not that it feels very happy at the moment but it will one day!

NEXT MEETING. Because of Lockdown No.3 , our social meetings have been temporarily curtailed. The next meeting should have been Wed 27th January. We will endeavour to start our meetings again as soon as we are able.

A reminder that our meetings are usually on the last Wednesday of the month at The Crooked Billet, London Road, Hook, Hants, RG27 9EH from 8pm. The current venue may be subject to change in the near future. 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.

As is to be expected, Brooklands Museum’s event calendar remains on hold until larger gatherings are permitted so it’s highly unlikely that Brooklands Mini day will happen in March 2021, but who knows what is going to happen? It’s a waiting game, I’m afraid.

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.

This year’s Minis to the Alps expedition is scheduled for 17th – 24th September 2021. If this is of interest to you then you will find all the details on page 10 of Januaray’s CooperWorld.

For the technically minded amongst you, there is an excellent article in January’s CooperWorld about Skinners Union carburettors, also known as our favourite carb … the S.U. Our local member, Richard Pengelly, has come up trumps again with his “Technical Topics” series of articles.

The MCR club shop is up and running at full efficiency ….if you can’t find what you’re looking for then contact the shop and ask…they are very helpful and accommodating. Have a look at the website Mini Cooper Register and click on club shop.

PLEASE REMEMBER 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).

Good news for members. Mini Sport have confirmed that they are continuing to take and despatch orders during the current lockdown. All the normal channels (MCR members-only website, e-mail and telephone) are open with the single exception of the shop itself. No excuses then for not finishing that overdue project!
Follow the link for more details: https://mcr.minisport.com/

DIARY DATES:

ALL EVENTS ARE VERY 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

March2021 (TBC) Brooklands Mini Day

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

NEW DATE 16th May 2021 LSMOC London to Brighton Run

NEW DATE 13th June 2021 Beaulieu National Mini Day

NEW DATE TBC July 2021 Thames Valley Tour. Entry form and event regulation are available from the entries secretary, Clive Brooks brooks.c2@sky.com 01189 868280

August 2021 Ham Sandwich Run Kent. Contact: events@minicooper.org for further details

That’s all for now. Keep up with those LOCKDOWN JOBS!
Stay safe everyone and keep your distance! HANDS, FACE, SPACE!

Lorraine: thames_valley@minicooper.org

Ken: thames_valley@minicooper.org