Northumbrian

February 2015

John Mitchell receives one of the 2014 Pride of

Ownership awards from Dave Stokoe at the January
clubnight.

16

www.mgnorthumbria.org

Chairmans Chat
Welcome back to another quiet winter month. As soon as
there's a glimpse of sunshine its a chance to get the old car out
and warm up the oil. Ive been out a couple of times in the MG,
but Ive also been out on my bike twice and done more miles.
This is not part of any new years resolution type health kick.
At the January club night I presented Peter Craigen with a
framed copy of his picture that won the photo competition. Dont
forget it could be you this year when Peter will be the judge.
Any photo with some connection to your car, this club, MG's etc
is eligible, but must have been taken after 6/9/14 and no later
than the Heritage Run on 6/9/15.
Earlier in the month I had a trip to London to visit the 1st London
Classic Car Show at the Excel. This worked well having collected the Chronicle vouchers to get there for 12 each way. This
was the windy weekend, 9-10th, and the train was late getting
into London. I took the river bus to North Greenwich and visited
the Emirates Aviation experience at the south end of the cable
car, quite interesting. By the time I left the cable car had
stopped running, due to the winds, so I had to get the tube
across the river. I arrived at the Excel west entrance and
walked to the show at the east entrance to collect a show guide
and then walked back to the west entrance where I thought the
Travelodge was. Wrong, it was near the east entrance, I couldnt face the walk again so got back on the DLR.
The show opened on Saturday and I headed straight to James
Mays 13 cars that changed the world exhibition. It included a
Model T, a Prius, a Mini, the Mars Rover, then after no 12 there
was a series of quotes from celebrities about whether they had
one or wanted one before behind the black curtain there it was
no 13 a Corgi Aston Martin DB5 James Bond car.

15

Wingrove & MG Newcastle

Wingrove motor company are pleased to bring the all new MG to
the North East. Wingrove was founded in 1925 by John Myers Dalkin Snr a local cattle auctioneer. Wingrove pride themselves on being a family owned business, with five generations in the business.
Having stood the test of time overcoming issues such as the devastating WW11 and the major changes in the automobile industry,
Wingroves latest venture comes in the form of becoming the sole
North East provider of MG.
Unbelievably starting at 8,399, for the entry model. The real value
lies in the mid-spec 3Form because it starts at 9,299, with spec including iPod connection, DAB radio, aircon, Bluetooth and steering
wheel audio controls. The top-spec 3Style adds parking sensors,
cruise control auto wiper/lights and diamond cut alloys.
MG Newcastle are the dealer for Newcastle at Fox & Hounds 388
West Road Newcastle NE51ER and fully trained service and after
sales department. Follow us on Facebook MGNewcastle. Call on
0191 2288025

The main highlight was the Grand Avenue, a full scale road
down the centre of the site and twice a day a selection of cars
from the last 80 years drove up and down, the cars and noise
was fantastic. There were other sections devoted to the career
of Adrian Newey, Le Mans cars and Motorsport. The traders
were mainly high end restoration and specialists but it was a
good day out. There was one trader turning the side of a car
about 3 deep into a wall hanging, now thats an idea if my car
fails its MOT this year.
The car show group met for the first time to start planning this
years show, our 15th show!! We have discussed the feedback
and will include it in our planning. Issues like insufficient catering
arent helped when 2 caterers didnt turn up on the day, and the
one access point will always be a problem although we will try to
improve things on site to speed up flows.
Last year we didnt have our own club bric a brac stall. If there is
anyone interested in running one this year please let me know.

Tim Cook
14

Pams Great North Run

It all started back in January 2014, when Pam & Shaun booked their entry
into the BUPA Great North Run, to be completed in Pam's Wheelchair. The
first job was to modify the wheelchair, as Shaun, our Son-in Law, who was
pushing the chair is over 6ft 5ins tall, found that he had to stoop, to push the
chair, so I fitted raised raised handles, and a padded crossbar to assist
Shaun's pushing. Next job was to fit two drinks bottle holders, so back into
the workshop again. With these "mods" carried out it was back to the training sessions, and as the weather improved, these distances got longer and
quicker. Then one night in May, whilst returning home, during a training run,
the front wheels of the chair, hit a raised paving stone on the footpath, and at
speed, the chair veered to the left, and crashed off the footpath, and turned
right over, ending up, upside down on the road, with Pam underneath the
chair, and Shaun on top of both. Pam ended up with a split head, and a
black eye for a couple of weeks and Shaun ended up with badly bruised
legs, OOPS. After this "incident" it was back to the workshop for more
modifications, this time to fit seat belts to the wheelchair, although in this
incident, seat belts would not have helped, but the belts made Pam feel
more secure.

Established 1983
-------

A few days after the "crash" a friend offered the loan of a lightweight "sports"
wheelchair, as he plays wheelchair basketball, and his old chair was in his
garage at home as a spare. This chair was already damaged and in need of
some repairs, so it was back to the workshop, to carry out these repairs,
transfer all of the modifications onto this new chair, and to fit the MG Badges. This chair was a lot lighter, easier to push, and a lot more "sporty" with
its MG badges, therefore the times on the training runs were getting a lot
quicker. Shaun, who is VERY competitive, was now looking forward to a
very good time on the actual event!!!

Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts.
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- [email protected]
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

13

After the demise of the paper tax disc this year, from 1 January this
year the DVLA will no longer be issuing paper counterparts to
photocard driving licences.
Car rental companies currently use the paper part of a driving licence to verify customer identities, but the online service that will
be used in place of this system may not be ready for the changeover at New Year. Instead, companies will be obliged to use a premium rate phone number to perform the same function, which could
lead to delays and higher prices for customers renting cars. The
telephone service costs 51 pence per minute, which is likely to be
passed on to customers. Drivers can access their DVLA records
online without charge and a similar service is set to be launched for
car rental agencies, but there are fears that this service will not be
in place by 1 January. In the meantime, customers can choose to
share their driver records online via a smartphone or by printing off
the same details for rental agencies.
Furthermore, the DVLA has issued a warning about online fraudsters who issue emails requesting people to verify their driving licences by clicking on a link. Those who do, could allow fraudsters
access to their bank details and other personal information, leaving
them open to theft and identity fraud. The message purports to be
from the DVLA but the agency has warned anyone receiving these
emails to delete them immediately.
Along with ceasing to issue paper counterparts with new licences,
the DVLA says that existing paper driving licence counterparts can
be destroyed as they will no longer serve any purpose. Drivers using pre-1998 driving licences which are paper only can keep
using these until they need to update their details, such as
name and address, or renew their licence for any other reason.
12

So to the big day, Sunday 7th September, I had to miss the MG Northumbria's Heritage Run to arrive at the start early at Newcastles Exhibition Park.
dropped off Pam & Shaun and the wheelchair, Then to drive down to the finish at South Shields, which took me over 3 and a half hours, as the queues
for the car parks in South Shields, started in the Tyne Tunnel. After a very
long delay to actually start the run, as the pushed wheelchairs have to start at
the back, so as not to get in the way of the "fun runners", Pam and Shaun
set off at quite a quick pace, and proceeded down the central motorway and
crossed the Tyne Bridge, already making up a lot of places. Next it was down
the Felling By-Pass to White Mare Pool and onto Leam Lane to Jarrow, by
now Shaun & Pam were really "motoring" overtaking hundreds of runners
with Pam having to blow her Whistle like an Express train. Next it was up the
John Reed Road through Haton and onto the Sea Front at Marsden then
along the front to the finish at South Shields. As Shaun is very competitive,
he had increased their speed for this last section and was shouted at by one
of the runners that this was a fun run, not a f_____g race. Still Pam & Shaun
reached the finish in a fantastic time of 2 hours 08 minutes 24 seconds Shaun said that he could have done it in under two hours, but spent a
lot of the run avoiding and overtaking the slower runners.
To date Pam has raised approx 2,500 for MSRRF in Morpeth.
Many thanks to all who donated to Pam's Charity appeal, the Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund, including members of MG Northumbria; staff
at MG Newcastle; and MG Motors at Longbridge, Birmingham.

Established 1983
-------

Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts.
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- [email protected]
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

Les Davison

Both a short (81miles) and long (114 miles) route are on offer,
both returning to Skipton at which time members may enjoy a
very pleasant early evening stroll around town or choose to return directly to the Premier Inn and wander along the banks of

4th Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm

the canal.
After a relaxed breakfast on Monday morning, we drive home
taking your own route at your leisure.
The Premier Inn can be booked with a full refund if cancelled up
to 1pm on day of arrival should your circumstances change. Also, payment is taken when you check-in and NOT when you

2015 Club Subscription

book. This is a popular Premier Inn (telephone 0871 5278980 or

Just a reminder that the subs for 2015 are now

be sure of a room.

due. These are 8 club plus 10 Backworth

Emphasis on this weekend is to both do your own thing at your

membership.

own pace and to enjoy the countryside.

Please see George Dalgarno at clubnight or send

book on-line) so please consider reserving as soon as possible to

John Mitchell

your cheque to him at:

Denecroft
Wallridge Drive
Holywell Village
Whitley Bay

11

MG Northumbria in the Yorkshire Dales

September 12th 14th 2015
A proposed short break this year, as most of you already know,

This years Restoration and Classic Car Show is

being held at the NEC Birmingham on 28/29 March
2015.
Entrance is 12 advance ( 11 for over 65s) or15
on the day (no age reduction).

is to the Yorkshire Dales

Departure is on Saturday 12th September, returning home
Monday 14th Septemberi.e. two nights. Some members may
opt to partially explore the planned route then return home on

For full details you can visit website at

necrestorationshow.com
Thanks to David Dodds for this .

Sunday, but hopefully most will enjoy the full weekend.

The idea would be to meet at Washington Services
(Southbound) at about 10am then set off for Scotch Corner and
a short toilet break. Some may opt for a suggested route
through glorious countryside avoiding the A1 to the Premier Inn
at Gargrave, about 4.5 miles NW of Skipton, arriving whenever
you do. There are some lovely towns and stops en-route to
wander and enjoy.
The hotel is in a scenic location adjacent to the LeedsLiverpool
Canal with a Brewers Fayre restaurant adjoining.
After an early breakfast on Sunday we make the short drive to
Skipton where members will meet in The Bay Horse car park to
receive Route Instructions and attend the safety briefing before

Driving test anniversary

2015 marks the 80th anniversary of the introduction of the driving
test in the UK, thanks to Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, who
created the 1934 Road Traffic Act to tackle the high number of road
deaths. The first test took place in April 1935, with the first pass
certificate being awarded to one Mr J Beene, at a cost of 7/6d, the
equivalent of about 37p.
Testing became compulsory by June of the same year, with a core
of 250 examiners dealing with between 9 and 16 tests every day.
Until specialist test centres were introduced, candidates would
meet instructors in public places, such as railway stations. The
DVLA took over the licensing and testing system in the UK in 1965,
introducing a dedicated test for automatics a few years later. By
1970, the price of a test had gone up to 1 and 15 shillings, or
about 1.75 in modern money.

setting off.

10

Our favourite Engine?

The K series engine has just celebrated its 25th birthday, and it is still going
strong in the MG6 in turbo charged form.
It was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show (now thats a blast from the
past) in a Rover 214, so as a 1400cc capacity motor. I have read that it was
only envisaged as a 1000cc and 1400cc engine until its potential was realised, it was then signed off for 1600cc but was later stretched to 1800.
I remember the hype for this new engine, a multi layer construction that
tightened itself up as it got hot.
Apparently the original idea came as a replacement for the A series engine in
1984. Following on from a plastic design (now thats a tie breaker question if
even there was one) split vertically motor cycle style.

And the Winner Is

Congratulations to Kevin Prosser for winning the
EMMA award (pictured) with John Mitchell coming a close second, John also won the Pride of
Ownership award for the Abington category, with
Mike Mitchell winning the post Abington category

Anyway, love it or hate it the K is a great engine that likes being revved, just
make sure that the oil is up to temperature before doing so.
The engine has found itself powering Caterham, Landrover and Lotus and
had been modified by Frontline developments. It has found its way into
Midgets, MGBs and the Gibbs Aquada amphibious car, as well as two hovercraft.
It was a piece of British engineering brilliance with some of its design innovations being used in engines today. It is without doubt the most significant engine since the unveiling of the A series, something of which we
should all be proud. Colin Grant
With thanks to Safety Fast for idea and details.

Bob Heslop

Our favourite Engine?

The K series engine has just celebrated its 25th birthday, and it is still going
strong in the MG6 in turbo charged form.
It was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show (now thats a blast from the
past) in a Rover 214, so as a 1400cc capacity motor. I have read that it was
only envisaged as a 1000cc and 1400cc engine until its potential was realised, it was then signed off for 1600cc but was later stretched to 1800.
I remember the hype for this new engine, a multi layer construction that
tightened itself up as it got hot.
Apparently the original idea came as a replacement for the A series engine in
1984. Following on from a plastic design (now thats a tie breaker question if
even there was one) split vertically motor cycle style.

And the Winner Is

Congratulations to Kevin Prosser for winning the
EMMA award (pictured) with John Mitchell coming a close second, John also won the Pride of
Ownership award for the Abington category, with
Mike Mitchell winning the post Abington category

Anyway, love it or hate it the K is a great engine that likes being revved, just
make sure that the oil is up to temperature before doing so.
The engine has found itself powering Caterham, Landrover and Lotus and
had been modified by Frontline developments. It has found its way into
Midgets, MGBs and the Gibbs Aquada amphibious car, as well as two hovercraft.
It was a piece of British engineering brilliance with some of its design innovations being used in engines today. It is without doubt the most significant engine since the unveiling of the A series, something of which we
should all be proud. Colin Grant
With thanks to Safety Fast for idea and details.

Bob Heslop

MG Northumbria in the Yorkshire Dales

September 12th 14th 2015
A proposed short break this year, as most of you already know,

This years Restoration and Classic Car Show is

being held at the NEC Birmingham on 28/29 March
2015.
Entrance is 12 advance ( 11 for over 65s) or15
on the day (no age reduction).

is to the Yorkshire Dales

Departure is on Saturday 12th September, returning home
Monday 14th Septemberi.e. two nights. Some members may
opt to partially explore the planned route then return home on

For full details you can visit website at

necrestorationshow.com
Thanks to David Dodds for this .

Sunday, but hopefully most will enjoy the full weekend.

The idea would be to meet at Washington Services
(Southbound) at about 10am then set off for Scotch Corner and
a short toilet break. Some may opt for a suggested route
through glorious countryside avoiding the A1 to the Premier Inn
at Gargrave, about 4.5 miles NW of Skipton, arriving whenever
you do. There are some lovely towns and stops en-route to
wander and enjoy.
The hotel is in a scenic location adjacent to the LeedsLiverpool
Canal with a Brewers Fayre restaurant adjoining.
After an early breakfast on Sunday we make the short drive to
Skipton where members will meet in The Bay Horse car park to
receive Route Instructions and attend the safety briefing before

Driving test anniversary

2015 marks the 80th anniversary of the introduction of the driving
test in the UK, thanks to Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, who
created the 1934 Road Traffic Act to tackle the high number of road
deaths. The first test took place in April 1935, with the first pass
certificate being awarded to one Mr J Beene, at a cost of 7/6d, the
equivalent of about 37p.
Testing became compulsory by June of the same year, with a core
of 250 examiners dealing with between 9 and 16 tests every day.
Until specialist test centres were introduced, candidates would
meet instructors in public places, such as railway stations. The
DVLA took over the licensing and testing system in the UK in 1965,
introducing a dedicated test for automatics a few years later. By
1970, the price of a test had gone up to 1 and 15 shillings, or
about 1.75 in modern money.

setting off.

10

Both a short (81miles) and long (114 miles) route are on offer,
both returning to Skipton at which time members may enjoy a
very pleasant early evening stroll around town or choose to return directly to the Premier Inn and wander along the banks of

4th Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm

the canal.
After a relaxed breakfast on Monday morning, we drive home
taking your own route at your leisure.
The Premier Inn can be booked with a full refund if cancelled up
to 1pm on day of arrival should your circumstances change. Also, payment is taken when you check-in and NOT when you

2015 Club Subscription

book. This is a popular Premier Inn (telephone 0871 5278980 or

Just a reminder that the subs for 2015 are now

be sure of a room.

due. These are 8 club plus 10 Backworth

Emphasis on this weekend is to both do your own thing at your

membership.

own pace and to enjoy the countryside.

Please see George Dalgarno at clubnight or send

book on-line) so please consider reserving as soon as possible to

John Mitchell

your cheque to him at:

Denecroft
Wallridge Drive
Holywell Village
Whitley Bay

11

After the demise of the paper tax disc this year, from 1 January this
year the DVLA will no longer be issuing paper counterparts to
photocard driving licences.
Car rental companies currently use the paper part of a driving licence to verify customer identities, but the online service that will
be used in place of this system may not be ready for the changeover at New Year. Instead, companies will be obliged to use a premium rate phone number to perform the same function, which could
lead to delays and higher prices for customers renting cars. The
telephone service costs 51 pence per minute, which is likely to be
passed on to customers. Drivers can access their DVLA records
online without charge and a similar service is set to be launched for
car rental agencies, but there are fears that this service will not be
in place by 1 January. In the meantime, customers can choose to
share their driver records online via a smartphone or by printing off
the same details for rental agencies.
Furthermore, the DVLA has issued a warning about online fraudsters who issue emails requesting people to verify their driving licences by clicking on a link. Those who do, could allow fraudsters
access to their bank details and other personal information, leaving
them open to theft and identity fraud. The message purports to be
from the DVLA but the agency has warned anyone receiving these
emails to delete them immediately.
Along with ceasing to issue paper counterparts with new licences,
the DVLA says that existing paper driving licence counterparts can
be destroyed as they will no longer serve any purpose. Drivers using pre-1998 driving licences which are paper only can keep
using these until they need to update their details, such as
name and address, or renew their licence for any other reason.
12

So to the big day, Sunday 7th September, I had to miss the MG Northumbria's Heritage Run to arrive at the start early at Newcastles Exhibition Park.
dropped off Pam & Shaun and the wheelchair, Then to drive down to the finish at South Shields, which took me over 3 and a half hours, as the queues
for the car parks in South Shields, started in the Tyne Tunnel. After a very
long delay to actually start the run, as the pushed wheelchairs have to start at
the back, so as not to get in the way of the "fun runners", Pam and Shaun
set off at quite a quick pace, and proceeded down the central motorway and
crossed the Tyne Bridge, already making up a lot of places. Next it was down
the Felling By-Pass to White Mare Pool and onto Leam Lane to Jarrow, by
now Shaun & Pam were really "motoring" overtaking hundreds of runners
with Pam having to blow her Whistle like an Express train. Next it was up the
John Reed Road through Haton and onto the Sea Front at Marsden then
along the front to the finish at South Shields. As Shaun is very competitive,
he had increased their speed for this last section and was shouted at by one
of the runners that this was a fun run, not a f_____g race. Still Pam & Shaun
reached the finish in a fantastic time of 2 hours 08 minutes 24 seconds Shaun said that he could have done it in under two hours, but spent a
lot of the run avoiding and overtaking the slower runners.
To date Pam has raised approx 2,500 for MSRRF in Morpeth.
Many thanks to all who donated to Pam's Charity appeal, the Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund, including members of MG Northumbria; staff
at MG Newcastle; and MG Motors at Longbridge, Birmingham.

Established 1983
-------

Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts.
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- [email protected]
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

Les Davison

Pams Great North Run

It all started back in January 2014, when Pam & Shaun booked their entry
into the BUPA Great North Run, to be completed in Pam's Wheelchair. The
first job was to modify the wheelchair, as Shaun, our Son-in Law, who was
pushing the chair is over 6ft 5ins tall, found that he had to stoop, to push the
chair, so I fitted raised raised handles, and a padded crossbar to assist
Shaun's pushing. Next job was to fit two drinks bottle holders, so back into
the workshop again. With these "mods" carried out it was back to the training sessions, and as the weather improved, these distances got longer and
quicker. Then one night in May, whilst returning home, during a training run,
the front wheels of the chair, hit a raised paving stone on the footpath, and at
speed, the chair veered to the left, and crashed off the footpath, and turned
right over, ending up, upside down on the road, with Pam underneath the
chair, and Shaun on top of both. Pam ended up with a split head, and a
black eye for a couple of weeks and Shaun ended up with badly bruised
legs, OOPS. After this "incident" it was back to the workshop for more
modifications, this time to fit seat belts to the wheelchair, although in this
incident, seat belts would not have helped, but the belts made Pam feel
more secure.

Established 1983
-------

A few days after the "crash" a friend offered the loan of a lightweight "sports"
wheelchair, as he plays wheelchair basketball, and his old chair was in his
garage at home as a spare. This chair was already damaged and in need of
some repairs, so it was back to the workshop, to carry out these repairs,
transfer all of the modifications onto this new chair, and to fit the MG Badges. This chair was a lot lighter, easier to push, and a lot more "sporty" with
its MG badges, therefore the times on the training runs were getting a lot
quicker. Shaun, who is VERY competitive, was now looking forward to a
very good time on the actual event!!!

Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts.
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- [email protected]
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

13

Wingrove & MG Newcastle

Wingrove motor company are pleased to bring the all new MG to
the North East. Wingrove was founded in 1925 by John Myers Dalkin Snr a local cattle auctioneer. Wingrove pride themselves on being a family owned business, with five generations in the business.
Having stood the test of time overcoming issues such as the devastating WW11 and the major changes in the automobile industry,
Wingroves latest venture comes in the form of becoming the sole
North East provider of MG.
Unbelievably starting at 8,399, for the entry model. The real value
lies in the mid-spec 3Form because it starts at 9,299, with spec including iPod connection, DAB radio, aircon, Bluetooth and steering
wheel audio controls. The top-spec 3Style adds parking sensors,
cruise control auto wiper/lights and diamond cut alloys.
MG Newcastle are the dealer for Newcastle at Fox & Hounds 388
West Road Newcastle NE51ER and fully trained service and after
sales department. Follow us on Facebook MGNewcastle. Call on
0191 2288025

The main highlight was the Grand Avenue, a full scale road
down the centre of the site and twice a day a selection of cars
from the last 80 years drove up and down, the cars and noise
was fantastic. There were other sections devoted to the career
of Adrian Newey, Le Mans cars and Motorsport. The traders
were mainly high end restoration and specialists but it was a
good day out. There was one trader turning the side of a car
about 3 deep into a wall hanging, now thats an idea if my car
fails its MOT this year.
The car show group met for the first time to start planning this
years show, our 15th show!! We have discussed the feedback
and will include it in our planning. Issues like insufficient catering
arent helped when 2 caterers didnt turn up on the day, and the
one access point will always be a problem although we will try to
improve things on site to speed up flows.
Last year we didnt have our own club bric a brac stall. If there is
anyone interested in running one this year please let me know.

Tim Cook
14

Chairmans Chat
Welcome back to another quiet winter month. As soon as
there's a glimpse of sunshine its a chance to get the old car out
and warm up the oil. Ive been out a couple of times in the MG,
but Ive also been out on my bike twice and done more miles.
This is not part of any new years resolution type health kick.
At the January club night I presented Peter Craigen with a
framed copy of his picture that won the photo competition. Dont
forget it could be you this year when Peter will be the judge.
Any photo with some connection to your car, this club, MG's etc
is eligible, but must have been taken after 6/9/14 and no later
than the Heritage Run on 6/9/15.
Earlier in the month I had a trip to London to visit the 1st London
Classic Car Show at the Excel. This worked well having collected the Chronicle vouchers to get there for 12 each way. This
was the windy weekend, 9-10th, and the train was late getting
into London. I took the river bus to North Greenwich and visited
the Emirates Aviation experience at the south end of the cable
car, quite interesting. By the time I left the cable car had
stopped running, due to the winds, so I had to get the tube
across the river. I arrived at the Excel west entrance and
walked to the show at the east entrance to collect a show guide
and then walked back to the west entrance where I thought the
Travelodge was. Wrong, it was near the east entrance, I couldnt face the walk again so got back on the DLR.
The show opened on Saturday and I headed straight to James
Mays 13 cars that changed the world exhibition. It included a
Model T, a Prius, a Mini, the Mars Rover, then after no 12 there
was a series of quotes from celebrities about whether they had
one or wanted one before behind the black curtain there it was
no 13 a Corgi Aston Martin DB5 James Bond car.

15

Northumbrian
February 2015

John Mitchell receives one of the 2014 Pride of

Ownership awards from Dave Stokoe at the January
clubnight.

16

www.mgnorthumbria.org