theminorsite.co.uk » Nifty Fifty!

admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:03:12 +0000

Throughout 2010, one of the thicker Lincs Branch members (ummm, that’d be me, then) attempted to set a record for the most number of events attended in a single year. The NiftyFifty challenge was a great laugh and I thoroughly enjoyed getting round to so many parts of the country, but it had a serious side too and raised a very healthy sum for Leuka in memory of Ian Portsmouth. I’d love to claim credit for that, but the reality is that the total wouldn’t have been half as high without the very very kind assistance of a number of lovely people lending their help. Here’s the mugshots of some of those responsible.

Brian Samways, who continued my challenge for me while I was in hospital

Sue Akrill, for persistent bucket-rattling at various events, and the odd snog

Chris Akrill, for more bucket rattling, and of course for loaning me his wife. Fool…

Thanks also, in no particular order, to; Brian Newham, Keith & Christine Haigh, Malcolm & Dorothy Bainbridge, Dave & Sue Cook, Lorraine Samways, Mike Baines, Rosie & Sandy Hamilton, Carol & David Frazer, Lou Edwards, Katharine & Robert Stewart, Matthew Dean, Natalie Dean, the MMOC committee, Lincs MMOC, and of course my better half Michelle.

50 – Ruddington End Of Season Day – October 10

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:49:21 +0000

So, we made it! Six months, three windscreens, one trip to hospital and thousands of miles, and we ended up celebrating the 50th event at Ruddington Heritage Centre’s end of season day. The MMOC’s secretary Ray Newell made the trip down to wave me through the gates, but let himself down badly by giving me another of his books afterwards. Still, you can always get rid of any old tat on Ebay… Great to get so many of my own branch there to see me finish off, and a good representation from many of the branches I’ve invaded over the year.
Michelle and I spent all of Friday blowing up balloons and filling the teardrop to raise a few extra pounds, and aided by some of the more eager from my branch we got over £80 on the day. A personal and enormously grateful thanks from me to all those who showed up on the day and helped me finish off the challenge in style.

49 – Leicester Branch Treasure Hunt – October 2

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:48:29 +0000

Penultimate day, and a Treasure Hunt around Wymeswold and the surrounding area. Only eight or ten Minors but still a jolly good laugh, and I had a giggle by turning round and going back the way we’d come just to confuse the cars leaving behind me. All’s fair in love and treasure hunts, right? Since nobody was daft enough to be my navigator I was on me tod, and having the teardrop meant reversing to see the clue you just missed was a bit tricky, I was very pleased not to come last. Mind you, I was second to last, and only because someone refused to hand their paper in ) .

For only the second time this year I left my camera at home, so for evidence you’ll have to settle for this quick snap I grabbed with my phone at the finishing point.

48 – Mermaid Out Of County Run – September 26

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:47:36 +0000

Number 48
Originally scheduled to be the Roses Run today, but circumstances (and co-drivers!) conspired to mean that this’ll have to wait for next year. Keen on the idea of a run though rather than a static event, so replaced this event with the Mermaid Out Of County Run organised by the Mablethorpe and District Motor Club. Felt like I had to go really – they put a photo of my car on the entry form as last years winner of ‘Car I want to take home’!
Rather poor weather, and more than a couple single track lanes with plenty of mud, so we finished with the car in so bad a state that I had to sacrifice one of my old chamois leathers to clean it up a bit. Had a superbly entertaining run over the last forty miles or so in tandem with a gorgeous Sunbeam Alpine, with a modified Midget struggling to keep up with us. Answered the usual “what the hell is under that” questions when we got to the finish line )

47 – Steam Up Clay Mills – September 25

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:46:58 +0000

Number 47
Disappointing turnout of cars after a long journey here (LOVED the 2CV pickup though!!), but still fascinating to wander round the works and see the restored pumps. Pretty appalling turnout of public visitors too really, but the people I spoke to reckoned its always busier on the Sunday. I hope they did get better turnout because the place is a tribute to the work the volunteers put into it, but I had another event to attend on Sunday…

46 – Midland Regional Rally – September 19

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:46:10 +0000

Number 46
Barring the odd ‘fish and chip run’ or similar, this was the very last MMOC event of the season, and the cars certainly turned out in force before getting ready for their winter hibernation. I didn’t actually get round to counting how many cars were in attendance but there were certainly thirty plus, including a couple that I’d not come across before. There was fierce competition for ‘wreck of the rally’ and I’ve included pics of both here so you can make your own mind up, and a beautifully signwritten van with, apparently, an Austin flat four engine. Eh? Wossat then? Weather stayed (mostly) fine but I was too knackered to put too much effort into polishing – I think I might have reached saturation point now. Still, just four more to do!

45 – Moseley Railway Trust – September 18

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:45:25 +0000

Number 45

Really, no make that hugely, disappointed to get to this event – having covered 120 miles each way – to find myself one of just FOUR cars to turn up – wish I’d saved the petrol really and had a day at home! The dearth of cars meant that most of the railway trust visitors just wandered straight past us into the ‘main’ event, but those that did stop to pass the time of the day had an enjoyable chat about our respective hobbies. Some of the layouts were very attractive and I did enjoy the short train ride. Mental note for the future – try and discover how well attended an event was LAST year before deciding to attend this year!

44 – East Midlands Branch – September 12

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:44:12 +0000

Number 44

Among the prettier venues of the season at Hardwick Hall, and a very healthy turnout of around 45 Minors and a couple of visiting classics. The Brid & Wolds lot were there in force and took great delight in reminding me how lousy I’d looked at last weeks rally, but made up for it by rattling the donation bucket and relieving those present of fifty quid to keep my grand total ticking over nicely. Spent a large part of the afternoon having a siesta in my deckchair, but came round for a stroll round the ruins.

43 – Castleton Show – September 11

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:43:33 +0000

Number 43
Originally had the Castleton Show in mind for today, but spotted a much nearer event at the Darley Dale Festival Of Transport. Despite the ominous clouds that unfortunately kept many prebooked cars at home we actually managed to get through the whole day without a shower, and spotted a rare mating pair of Cortina-based Starcraft motorhomes and a trio of De Loreans including the one that got a bit warm at last weeks carnival. On taking the car through the show arena while the organiser was doing a voiceover, he told everyone what a lovely Allegro I had. Unfortunately he managed to step back a bit before I got to run his foot over…

42 – Bridlington and Wolds Branch Run – September 5

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:42:49 +0000

Number 42

Word has reached me that an un-named person enjoyed the hospitality of the MMOC area co-ordinator and partook of the ample variety of alcholic beverages on offer on the night before this event. Unfortunately it seems he partook so amply that come the ‘park up and natter’ at Beverley this despicable chap climbed into the back of a handily parked lorry and grabbed 40 winks, and then proceeded to sleep through most of the event at Filey too. At this point I would like to say that I find these actions absolutely deplorable. And I promise not to do it again…

P.S. Don’t blame me for the lousier than normal pictures – I was struggling to focus my damn head, let alone a camera.