Oxon & Berks MMOC Branch Events 2012 Reports
Harwell Feast. 26th May 2012.
After a lapse of 1 year this popular event was re-established to maintain the fund-raising for various village projects. As expected, the organisers retained the usual programme for the day, commencing with a Parade of Classic Vehicles and various entertainers through the village in the late morning, ending at the large sports field on the village outskirts to provide a part of the overall display for visitors to the Show.
However, we were pre-warned that our Branch would be restricted to a 3 car entry, due to the requirement of the organisers to have as large a variety of car types as possible on display.
Our entry comprised Graham and Pat in their ’50, ‘MM’ 2 dr Saloon: Derrick and Anne in their ’64, 4 dr Saloon and Louisa in her ’66 Traveller. Also with us were Robin who rode with Derrick & Anne and Frank who rode with Louisa and her friend Sue.
We all met at Robin’s house at Harwell and, in the spirit of the event, soon had some flags and pennants attached to the cars. We arrived in good time at the procession assembly area and enjoyed a preliminary walk-about to admire some historic cars, tractors and Steam Engines as well as speaking with other participants. Shortly before 11-00am the parade commenced and wound its way through the picturesque village to the applause of the many onlookers.
Upon arrival at the field the Classics formed up in a line and we were set for ‘Showtime”. At this point Robin, however, disappeared but soon returned in his ’66 Saloon to join our small contingent. Other vehicles to be seen included types ranging from a Model ‘T’ Ford thro’ to various saloon and sports cars of the 1930’s, ‘40’s and 50’s as well as some familiar, now Classic, types from the last 50 years.
During the day we spoke with many visitors and enjoyed performances by both a local Brass Band, alternating with some live Trad Jazz music from a local group. The Hog Roast proved to be very popular and a highlight of the show! In addition, there was country dancing, Morris dancing, various other displays of local interest, together with a large Car Boot sale where many bargains of country produce were on offer. Regretfully, there is a limit to how much can be stowed into a Minor!
The proceedings began to draw to close by late afternoon and it was soon time to depart after a very relaxing and enjoyable day.
Written by Graham Holt
However, we were pre-warned that our Branch would be restricted to a 3 car entry, due to the requirement of the organisers to have as large a variety of car types as possible on display.
Our entry comprised Graham and Pat in their ’50, ‘MM’ 2 dr Saloon: Derrick and Anne in their ’64, 4 dr Saloon and Louisa in her ’66 Traveller. Also with us were Robin who rode with Derrick & Anne and Frank who rode with Louisa and her friend Sue.
We all met at Robin’s house at Harwell and, in the spirit of the event, soon had some flags and pennants attached to the cars. We arrived in good time at the procession assembly area and enjoyed a preliminary walk-about to admire some historic cars, tractors and Steam Engines as well as speaking with other participants. Shortly before 11-00am the parade commenced and wound its way through the picturesque village to the applause of the many onlookers.
Upon arrival at the field the Classics formed up in a line and we were set for ‘Showtime”. At this point Robin, however, disappeared but soon returned in his ’66 Saloon to join our small contingent. Other vehicles to be seen included types ranging from a Model ‘T’ Ford thro’ to various saloon and sports cars of the 1930’s, ‘40’s and 50’s as well as some familiar, now Classic, types from the last 50 years.
During the day we spoke with many visitors and enjoyed performances by both a local Brass Band, alternating with some live Trad Jazz music from a local group. The Hog Roast proved to be very popular and a highlight of the show! In addition, there was country dancing, Morris dancing, various other displays of local interest, together with a large Car Boot sale where many bargains of country produce were on offer. Regretfully, there is a limit to how much can be stowed into a Minor!
The proceedings began to draw to close by late afternoon and it was soon time to depart after a very relaxing and enjoyable day.
Written by Graham Holt
June Jaunt 2012.
The 4th June Jaunt was an easy circular jaunt of 34 miles around the Oxfordshire countryside with the evening starting and finishing at The Coach & Horses in Chiselhampton.
This year there were no maps to study, just instructions such as ‘take the third exit onto Clacks Lane’ and ‘drive one mile then turn right signed Battlefield’. There were 18 questions about ‘things’ to be spotted in transit – for example ‘which town is twinned with Watlington’ and ’name the parliamentary deserter (John Urry)’ - so those drivers with three passengers had an advantage.
The route passed through the attractive villages of North and South Moreton, Cholsey, Crowmarsh, Ewelme, Britwell Salome, Watlington, Pyrton and Stadhampton – crossing both the River Thames and the River Thame. Amazing views of around 360ᴼ and distant Wittenham Clumps could be seen from Cholsey Hill, if our eyes were averted from the road! A small diversion took us to the 1643 site of the Battle of Chalgrove Field where John Hampden was mortally wounded.
Luckily there was nothing to spot in Clifton Hampden as the planned route across the River Thames had to be diverted to cross Culham Bridge, due to road works. The route had been carefully checked a few days beforehand. This caused great problems for the organisers Derrick and Anne as the printed route instructions had to be changed at the last minute. Only the very keen drivers took a trip into the village of Long Wittenham in search for answers.
There were 10 Morris Minor cars with 23 crew and the eventual winners were Frank and Mike who arrived back just before the deadline of 10pm. A bottle of wine was given to the navigator and a bottle of water was presented to the winning driver. Everyone agreed it had been a fun evening.
This year there were no maps to study, just instructions such as ‘take the third exit onto Clacks Lane’ and ‘drive one mile then turn right signed Battlefield’. There were 18 questions about ‘things’ to be spotted in transit – for example ‘which town is twinned with Watlington’ and ’name the parliamentary deserter (John Urry)’ - so those drivers with three passengers had an advantage.
The route passed through the attractive villages of North and South Moreton, Cholsey, Crowmarsh, Ewelme, Britwell Salome, Watlington, Pyrton and Stadhampton – crossing both the River Thames and the River Thame. Amazing views of around 360ᴼ and distant Wittenham Clumps could be seen from Cholsey Hill, if our eyes were averted from the road! A small diversion took us to the 1643 site of the Battle of Chalgrove Field where John Hampden was mortally wounded.
Luckily there was nothing to spot in Clifton Hampden as the planned route across the River Thames had to be diverted to cross Culham Bridge, due to road works. The route had been carefully checked a few days beforehand. This caused great problems for the organisers Derrick and Anne as the printed route instructions had to be changed at the last minute. Only the very keen drivers took a trip into the village of Long Wittenham in search for answers.
There were 10 Morris Minor cars with 23 crew and the eventual winners were Frank and Mike who arrived back just before the deadline of 10pm. A bottle of wine was given to the navigator and a bottle of water was presented to the winning driver. Everyone agreed it had been a fun evening.
MMOC National Rally 2012, Kelmarsh Hall. 30th June/1st July 2012.
Several Branch Members attended the National Rally at Kelmarsh Hall, Northants.
Graham and Pat in their Series ‘MM’ and Derrick and Anne in their ‘1000’ travelled on Friday and enjoyed a B&B accommodation nearby, ready for an early appearance on the Saturday morning for the start of the weekend event.
Upon arrival at the Rally Site, all entrants were allowed to park in an ‘as-arrived’ order resulting in a great mix of all types of Minor from all years of production, as well as some other vehicles of interest placed at random on the Rally Field. Unfortunately, and despite a sunny start, the day proved to be rather cold.
After viewing many of the other cars on site we next directed our attention to the many Autojumble Stalls where some useful purchases were made by Derrick and Graham. Later, some time was spent watching the popular demonstration of an ‘A’ Series Cylinder Head rebuild as well as checking out the other entertainments on offer. This even included a fly-over by the RAF’s Red Arrows. (We wondered if that was planned or just co-incidence!). Much of the afternoon was spent in wandering around the cars speaking to many of our MMOC friends as well as anyone else who just wanted to discuss various Club and motoring topics.
Derrick and Anne had to return home on Saturday but Graham and Pat were back again on the Sunday morning. Upon their arrival on site it was found that, as expected for the Sunday, all cars were to be parked in type order. Their Series ‘MM’ was just one of several of this rarer Minor on view.
Before long they welcomed the arrival of Tony and Ann, soon followed by Robin and Sandra and a little later by Frank and Louisa who had travelled together. A similar routine to the Saturday was followed but, in addition, the many cars exhibited with their bonnets open for the vehicle judging provided a good opportunity for gathering information and increasing our photo collections! With the weather becoming windy and much colder we were disappointed to be unable to visit the Hall and enjoy afternoon tea as planned. By mid-afternoon we were all ready to leave for the journey home. Because of the distance and the varied performances of our cars we chose not to travel together as we made our way south.
Graham and Pat in their Series ‘MM’ and Derrick and Anne in their ‘1000’ travelled on Friday and enjoyed a B&B accommodation nearby, ready for an early appearance on the Saturday morning for the start of the weekend event.
Upon arrival at the Rally Site, all entrants were allowed to park in an ‘as-arrived’ order resulting in a great mix of all types of Minor from all years of production, as well as some other vehicles of interest placed at random on the Rally Field. Unfortunately, and despite a sunny start, the day proved to be rather cold.
After viewing many of the other cars on site we next directed our attention to the many Autojumble Stalls where some useful purchases were made by Derrick and Graham. Later, some time was spent watching the popular demonstration of an ‘A’ Series Cylinder Head rebuild as well as checking out the other entertainments on offer. This even included a fly-over by the RAF’s Red Arrows. (We wondered if that was planned or just co-incidence!). Much of the afternoon was spent in wandering around the cars speaking to many of our MMOC friends as well as anyone else who just wanted to discuss various Club and motoring topics.
Derrick and Anne had to return home on Saturday but Graham and Pat were back again on the Sunday morning. Upon their arrival on site it was found that, as expected for the Sunday, all cars were to be parked in type order. Their Series ‘MM’ was just one of several of this rarer Minor on view.
Before long they welcomed the arrival of Tony and Ann, soon followed by Robin and Sandra and a little later by Frank and Louisa who had travelled together. A similar routine to the Saturday was followed but, in addition, the many cars exhibited with their bonnets open for the vehicle judging provided a good opportunity for gathering information and increasing our photo collections! With the weather becoming windy and much colder we were disappointed to be unable to visit the Hall and enjoy afternoon tea as planned. By mid-afternoon we were all ready to leave for the journey home. Because of the distance and the varied performances of our cars we chose not to travel together as we made our way south.
