Oxon & Berks MMOC Branch Events 2015 Reports
Chearsley Classic and Vintage Car and Fun Day. 13th September 2015
The branch was represented by three cars, all side valves at the Chearsley village fete on the 13th September. There was a wide variety of around 100 classic cars along with other attractions that included an hour long tour off the local villages in a 1961 Leyland coach, all topped of by a spitfire aeroplane display that did a four passes flyover in good weather. Wonderful stuff .
Written by Frank McDonagh
Written by Frank McDonagh
Robin McStay's Lovely Morris. July 2015
On his way to the Minors On Tour UK event to Norfolk in July this year, one of our members, had a spot of bother in his Minor.
"Travelling along the A11 towards Thetford, I lost control and rolled it over and finished on its side in the middle of the carriageway. Luckily, nobody hit me. I walked away from it unscathed, the ambulance crew passed me fit. The ambulance man made the comment that he was going to get a Minor next with them sturdy built as that. The Police arranged for it to a secure compound and I had a lift with a fellow Morris Minor who was also going to the MOT UK event at Cromer. The Insurance Company arranged for the Minor to go to a Salvage Company on Canvey Island. Didn't like the idea but not much choice when you're away from home. The Insurance Company gave it a Cat B failure meaning I couldn't put it on the road again. My Minor colleague thinks its repairable and get it on the road again. Trying to get the Insurance Company to change it to a Cat C without much success. Haven't give hope yet."
This is a photo of the car after the accident. There's an obvious dent in the roof but otherwise it looks fit for purpose on the outside. The saga continues but we all hope that Robin will be reunited with his beloved Minor very soon.
"Travelling along the A11 towards Thetford, I lost control and rolled it over and finished on its side in the middle of the carriageway. Luckily, nobody hit me. I walked away from it unscathed, the ambulance crew passed me fit. The ambulance man made the comment that he was going to get a Minor next with them sturdy built as that. The Police arranged for it to a secure compound and I had a lift with a fellow Morris Minor who was also going to the MOT UK event at Cromer. The Insurance Company arranged for the Minor to go to a Salvage Company on Canvey Island. Didn't like the idea but not much choice when you're away from home. The Insurance Company gave it a Cat B failure meaning I couldn't put it on the road again. My Minor colleague thinks its repairable and get it on the road again. Trying to get the Insurance Company to change it to a Cat C without much success. Haven't give hope yet."
This is a photo of the car after the accident. There's an obvious dent in the roof but otherwise it looks fit for purpose on the outside. The saga continues but we all hope that Robin will be reunited with his beloved Minor very soon.
Drive It Day at Bicester Heritage. 26th April 2015
Photoshoot with The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band. 25th April 2015
The Oxford based band The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band contacted us initially about one year ago to see if we could offer a Morris Minor for a photo shoot. It didn't happen in 2014 but in April 2015 it did. We had recently enjoyed glorious weather with beautiful sunsets so we were all excited about creating some special photos. However, just as we set off on our merry way to the Plum Pudding pub in Milton, the heavens opened and didn't relent.
In true British fashion we carried on regardless and arranged our three cars in front of the rather grand Milton Manor House. We watched the band have group shoots and individual photos taken sat in the car. It was lovely to be part of this and support a band who are proud to be from Oxford and everything that is Oxford.
For more photos of our cars and the band, please visit The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band's website.
Pictured here to the left you can see Robin very kindly sheltering the photographer from the rain - great job Robin!
The three photos below were taken by Dawn Fletcher-Park of DFP Photographic, the band's professional photographer.
In true British fashion we carried on regardless and arranged our three cars in front of the rather grand Milton Manor House. We watched the band have group shoots and individual photos taken sat in the car. It was lovely to be part of this and support a band who are proud to be from Oxford and everything that is Oxford.
For more photos of our cars and the band, please visit The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band's website.
Pictured here to the left you can see Robin very kindly sheltering the photographer from the rain - great job Robin!
The three photos below were taken by Dawn Fletcher-Park of DFP Photographic, the band's professional photographer.
Oxon & Berks MMOC AGM. 6th May 2015
A very successful AGM was held at The Eight Bells in Eaton on Wednesday. It was an important meeting as we had to find a replacement for our current secretary Matt Tomkins as he is moving away from the area. Thankfully, Tony has kindly taken on the role with offers of help from Frank and John.
With this sorted we are now looking forward to another year of exciting events and adventures with club. We have a strong membership and it has been great to see some 'old' faces returning to the club and catching up with everyone.
We are all very sad to see Matt Tomkins leave the club, although he assures us that he will keep in contact and visit us when he can. Matt will definitely not be disappearing from the Morris Minor scene any time soon and we're sure we'll bump into him at a show or see him in one of the classic car magazines winning yet another award for his exceptional skill and dedication to the Morris Minor! Many, many thanks for all your efforts Matt. Thanks for bringing the club into the 21st Century and helping us to promote and encourage our club which has been running since 1979. We wish you lots of luck for the future and for any other smoke grey Morris Minors you take under you wing!
With this sorted we are now looking forward to another year of exciting events and adventures with club. We have a strong membership and it has been great to see some 'old' faces returning to the club and catching up with everyone.
We are all very sad to see Matt Tomkins leave the club, although he assures us that he will keep in contact and visit us when he can. Matt will definitely not be disappearing from the Morris Minor scene any time soon and we're sure we'll bump into him at a show or see him in one of the classic car magazines winning yet another award for his exceptional skill and dedication to the Morris Minor! Many, many thanks for all your efforts Matt. Thanks for bringing the club into the 21st Century and helping us to promote and encourage our club which has been running since 1979. We wish you lots of luck for the future and for any other smoke grey Morris Minors you take under you wing!
Austin/Morris Day, Brooklands. 8th March 2015
Once again, our annual visit to Brooklands in Surrey provided the ‘season opener’ for the first Branch outing of the year. Four of our Branch cars were present amongst the large contingent of interesting cars from all eras of vehicle production of the Austin and Morris companies, as well as some vehicles from other associated sources who also joined us for the day.
Graham and Frank travelled from Reading in their two lowlight ‘MM’s and were joined by Mick with his later ‘MM’ at Bracknell for the remainder of the journey. Sometime after their arrival they were joined by Matt in his ‘1000’ Traveller and together were just a small part of the many Issigonis Minors present on the day.
Upon arrival on site they were directed to parking places at the top of the incline of the ‘finishing straight’ of the original racing circuit which gave a good view of the entire site. This area had been allocated for most of the post-1945 types and comprised various Minors of all years, a high number of 1100/1300 Series, many examples of the Maestro, but just one Marina. Pre-1939 types were, appropriately, placed adjacent to the original Clubhouse and other types were to be seen elsewhere around the site.
Brooklands has always had a unique atmosphere and this year was no exception. We were all soon engaged in conversations with strangers and then meeting old friends and comparing notes.
As has been the case for the last few years a Classic Car Auction has been held at the site during the week prior to this event. So, in addition to viewing the regular ‘Morris /Austin’ vehicles it was good to visit the auction area and see some fine examples of British motoring history. Amongst the more glamorous and rare sporting types we were delighted to see 2 examples of the Series II Minor and uniquely a Morris Minor 1000000, which had reportedly just been sold for £23,000.
An essential part of the agenda for the day was the early afternoon grand parade and – for those of a sporting inclination (sorry about the pun!) – an attempt at completing the test hill course. One of our group took part in this and was seen to be grinning from ear to ear after a successful first attempt! No prizes for guessing who!
A visit to this historic site is well worthwhile and with so much going on it was almost impossible to see everything. Apart from the Classic Car interest we also explored the various displays of Aircraft and Aero artifacts, the London Bus Museum, the original Clubhouse from 1907, the Historic vehicle collection and even found time to see the cycle collection.
The dry weather and early spring sunshine certainly provided a superb backdrop to this ideal location and all too soon we were aware that the time had come for our departure. We look forward to a return visit next year -- or maybe even earlier!
Written by Graham Holt.
Graham and Frank travelled from Reading in their two lowlight ‘MM’s and were joined by Mick with his later ‘MM’ at Bracknell for the remainder of the journey. Sometime after their arrival they were joined by Matt in his ‘1000’ Traveller and together were just a small part of the many Issigonis Minors present on the day.
Upon arrival on site they were directed to parking places at the top of the incline of the ‘finishing straight’ of the original racing circuit which gave a good view of the entire site. This area had been allocated for most of the post-1945 types and comprised various Minors of all years, a high number of 1100/1300 Series, many examples of the Maestro, but just one Marina. Pre-1939 types were, appropriately, placed adjacent to the original Clubhouse and other types were to be seen elsewhere around the site.
Brooklands has always had a unique atmosphere and this year was no exception. We were all soon engaged in conversations with strangers and then meeting old friends and comparing notes.
As has been the case for the last few years a Classic Car Auction has been held at the site during the week prior to this event. So, in addition to viewing the regular ‘Morris /Austin’ vehicles it was good to visit the auction area and see some fine examples of British motoring history. Amongst the more glamorous and rare sporting types we were delighted to see 2 examples of the Series II Minor and uniquely a Morris Minor 1000000, which had reportedly just been sold for £23,000.
An essential part of the agenda for the day was the early afternoon grand parade and – for those of a sporting inclination (sorry about the pun!) – an attempt at completing the test hill course. One of our group took part in this and was seen to be grinning from ear to ear after a successful first attempt! No prizes for guessing who!
A visit to this historic site is well worthwhile and with so much going on it was almost impossible to see everything. Apart from the Classic Car interest we also explored the various displays of Aircraft and Aero artifacts, the London Bus Museum, the original Clubhouse from 1907, the Historic vehicle collection and even found time to see the cycle collection.
The dry weather and early spring sunshine certainly provided a superb backdrop to this ideal location and all too soon we were aware that the time had come for our departure. We look forward to a return visit next year -- or maybe even earlier!
Written by Graham Holt.
