Social

MGCC Midland Centre - Social

Midland Centre - Social

Following on from a the success of the Midland Centre's 2022 calendar of events, the committee have been hard at work planning even more interesting, social and sporting events for 2023.

Our history of Motorsport and Social events offers support and meetings throughout the eight Midlands counties and, together with our various local MG groups, we look forward to providing continued gatherings within the Midlands area.

For details of your local Natter, please click on the 'Natters' link above.

In total, the Midland Centre are planning 13 specific events during 2023 and we would really like as many of you to be involved with them, so take this opportunity to add them into your personal diary now

MG100 Cavalcade - Midland Centre

As part of our contribution to the MGCC`s historic John O` Groats to Lands End MG100 Cavalcade, the Midlands Centre welcomed its turn to transport the life size effigy of Cecil Kimber from Longbridge to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon.

On Tuesday 14 May some 22 cars gathered outside Q Gate at MGUK`s facility ready to record Cecil`s presence before embarking on a scenic tour of some 38 miles to the BMM. The weather was hood down for those that could, and sunny and warm for those that could not. Participants could not quite believe we could get to the BMM via a succession of gorgeous country roads but soon found out that no motorways were involved.

Upon arrival the party was able to gather round Cecil`s Old Number One, specially drawn out for us, and after some fiddling Cecil once again sat in the seat of his successful trials car. A fitting tribute from our Centre and recorded by numerous photographs.

Buxton Peaks 90th Anniversary Touring Rallye -

May 2023

As a Celebration weekend for the Midland Centre’s 90th Anniversary a reverse route of a previous Rallye around Buxton and the Peak District had been arranged for the weekend 19th to 21st May. A fine variety of 44 MG’s congregated at the Palace Hotel Buxton on the Friday afternoon.

At one minute intervals the cars left the hotel on Saturday and the 145 mile route took the cars via Dennis Knoll, The Duke of York, Longnor and the Manifold inn, with Lunch and Coffee stops along the way.

A Gala Dinner with a Magician on the Saturday evening topped off a wonderful day in the fabulous sunshine, a truly great driving experiance for all of the open top cars.

Sunday morning saw a relaxed choice of a walking tour or visit to local caves followed by Sunday lunch for majority of the guests.

A truly brilliant way to celebrate the 90 years of Midland Centre Friendships.

Photos of the event can be found on the Midland Centre Facebook Album Page HERE

….. and Photos by Dave Cook HERE

Drive-it-Day Toddington Road Run

Twelve MGs departed from Evesham Country Park to follow the 60 mile tulip roadbook scenic route prepared by Bob Blackstock. The weather was bright and sunny enabling a top-down start to the season for some.

The route took them via Bretforton and Saintbury to the top of Fish Hill above Broadway, sweeping down the hill to Childswickham. Then via Ashton-under-Hill to ElmleyCastle and skirting west around Bredon Hill to Kemertonwhere some stopped for a coffee break.

Continuing to Beckford and Alderton, before passingPrescott Hillclimb, where racing was in progress. The through Gretton and Greet to rise up past Hailes Abbey, where a good lunch was enjoyed by some, and via the gated Cotswold roads to the water splash at Kineton,before descending down the B road to the finish at Gloucester & Warwickshire Steam Railway Centre at Toddington.

Car models ranged from the MG TC of Martyn & HalvinaWallacott, the MGA of Kenneth and Sarah McNaught, three MGBs and two V8s, the RV8 of Jonathan & Barbara Browne and five MG F or TF including the LE500 of Andy & Christine Robson.

Welsh Touring Rallye Report 2022

The Midland Centre annual Welsh Rally over the weekend was a great success. The 50 MGs entered enjoyed two nights at the Telford Hotel and Golf Resort just outside Coalport. On Saturday they set forth on a 175 mile Rallye into Wales with breaks for coffee at Lakeside Montgomery, lunch at the Centre for Alternative Technology near Corris and afternoon tea at The Miners Arms at Priest Western. The scenic route had included Wenlock Edge, Dovey Forrest and Long Mynd.

Thanks go to our volunteer helpers – Adrian Tucker-Peake helped round up the cars to the starter, local - Roger Still, our old Chief Marshal, flagged them away and Simon Morris took the photos. In addition ex T Racer - Frank Vautier helped marshal the lunch stop in mid Wales and ex MCC trialers - Tony & Ann Rothin marshalled the Tea Stop at Priest Weston on the borders.

Drive-It-Day Report 2022

Twenty members and friends left the Malvern start on the morning of Sunday 24 April 2022. It was a wonderful sunny morning and a tulip roadbook, prepared by Bob Blackstock originally for the Triumph & MG Show last August, would guide them to drive the sixty miles and return to Malvern for a one-o’clock lunch.

Car models ranged from the 1934 MG PA of Andrew Isherwood, the MGA of Mary Billingham, a number of MGBs, the MGB GT V8, ex BL show car of John Fry, a couple of MGCs and a handful of MG TFs including the TF LE500 of Andy Robson.

The route took them across Castlemorton Common and out of Worcestershire, into Gloucestershire through Bromsberrow Heath and Dymock and then into Herefordshire at Much Marcle. A number of participants stopped at Westons Cider Mill for coffee before continuing west to Fownhope, followed by a loop through Haugh Woods to Mordiford.

The return along A438 passed through the historic market town of Ledbury and finally via Jubilee Way along the western side of the Malvern Hills. The finish was at the Bluebell Inn just outside Malvern where thirty of us enjoyed a Sunday Lunch.

MGCC & Triumph Weekend Malvern - August 2021

This event marked a historic collaboration between Triumph clubs and the MG Car Club to create the Triumph and MG Weekend which took place at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern 13 – 15 August 2021.

Set in the glorious area at the foot of the Malvern Hills, the event attracted hundreds of examples of the two marques, which were combinations of being pristine, interesting, loved and driven.

The event celebrated various Model Anniversaries, as it was the MG Midget's 60th, the MG Z Series 20th, the TR4's and the Triumph Herald's 60th and the Triumph Acclaim's 40th each having a significant display of cars within the halls.

The Midland Centre also arranged three short 50 miles runs to explore the splendor of the Malverns and Herefordshire’s rolling green countryside, with the option to visit a local cider mill.

An optional stop in 20 miles for coffee or lunch at Westons Cider Mills before heading towards the River Wye in Herefordshire and a drive through Haugh Wood, good for a picnic, to Mordiford, after 32 miles, which was combined with a lunch stop at The Moon Inn.

Shelsley Walsh Classic Nostalgia - July 2021

Well, as the tabloid 'redtops' might have put it, "Phew, wot a scorcha!" Those who visited Shelsley Walsh over the weekend of July 17 & 18 were treated not only to a superb display of vehicles, but also to some gloriously hot and sunny weather.

Too hot for some, in fact, and on the Sunday many folk had resorted to using rain umbrellas as parasols. Walking up to the Esses was hard work even for fit people. The Midland Centre had a presence on the Sunday, together with the MGB, MGC and Magnette Registers, representing the MG Car Club.

The now-familiar horde of rally cars entertained as ever, particularly the raucous Chevy V8-engined Vauxhall Firenza. One wonders how it gets past the scrutineers! Unfortunately, as with a recent Nostalgia, someone laid a trail of oil up most of the hill, necessitating a lengthy delay on Sunday afternoon while the marshals laid cement dust. Drivers - check your oil lines!

So now we will look forward to next year's event, when the Midland Centre will endeavour once again be there, and hopefully some new themes will emerge from the MAC. Thanks to all our local groups who turned up with us, it was nice to meet you all and to have a chat. Hope to see you next year.

Report by Andrew Robson..

First ‘SuperNatter’ June 2021

Midland Centre members were out in force on the First of our 'Super Natter' Evenings on Tuesday 8th June at the British Motor Museum’s event at Gaydon.

Under a clear blue sky and with the sun well and truly blazing away the first Midlands Centre Super Natter took place at the British Motor Museum`s June Summer Gathering. A very good turnout of MGs, the biggest single marque present, made for a delightful evening. Picnics and gourmet burgers were consumed, and for some, large ice creams as well!

The Midland Centre sail flags proudly flew in the gentle breeze under which members chatted away. The BMM put on a display of veteran cars that chugged amongst the hundreds of cars present. All contributed to a great summer atmosphere.

The next one will be on Tuesday 13th July. More information regarding tickets and entrance requirements will be announced on our Facebook page, Centre website and Centre Newsletter later this month. So why not make a date to join us.

Thanks to all for making this a great social occasion.
Link to Facebook Gallery Images of Event