Out and About 2023

It is always great to have a Branch get together after the excesses of Christmas and this year was no exception. Forty-three members and friends enjoyed an excellent three course lunch at Ferraris Country House Hotel, Longridge and as always the staff welcomed us and provided great service. The weather was not good however and only two brave Morrises ventured out – good for them!

At this time of year recognition awards are given to members for services to the Branch.  This is normally at our AGM but on this occasion our “Hard Luck” award, provided by Richard Lancaster, was presented to Sid Bennett at the dinner for his tireless work on his father’s Traveller. Now great looking and back on the road Sid clearly loves driving his Traveller in memory of his dad.

Our Chairman Andrew Whittaker passed on a message from our Antipodean member Byron Littlewood who is keeping in touch and has now received his Traveller in Australia and obtained his historic number plates! He has wasted no time in joining with like-minded Moggie owners in New South Wales where he has been warmly welcomed.  

Our Branch members always look forward to this rally at the start of the season.  This is always a popular event for our Branch and LMMOC not only shows plenty of support for our friends at Manchester Branch, but we are usually represented in the awards at the end of the rally day. A ‘convoy’ of members met up at Rivington Services on the M61, . It was a bright morning with a clear view of Winter Hill to the East but it was too cold to give the cars the polishing they would normally receive whilst waiting for the complete convoy to arrive.  Nine Minors of LMMOC members attended the rally and several other Branch members were at the rally having arrived in their daily/modern cars. There were at least 45 Minors inside the hall and a few more outside along with a few other classic cars of other makes. We were made very welcome by the folks from Manchester Branch and there was a very sociable atmosphere generally with Minors and visitors from various parts of the North of England and Wales. Hot food and beverages were available and consumed throughout the day. The museum has a fantastic range of public service vehicles on display from a horse drawn double decker "bus" to almost modern Manchester trams and there are re-creations of transport ticket offices, meeting rooms etc.  Free vintage bus rides around various parts of Manchester were very popular until presentation time came

Five cars, including three Minors, met at the Phantom Winger pub in Fulwood, Preston and set off in convoy to the Spitfire Museum in Blaclpool.  We had left plenty of time to get to the Visitor Centre and when we arrived we had time for photos of the Minors which now numbered four with other members meeting us at the airport. 

We were welcomed by one of the Visitor Centre volunteers and guided into their impressive facility.  Our visit started in the Briefing Room and we found out that the hangar is original and saw active service during World War II.  They have worked hard to make the interior as reflective as possible of how it would have been at the time and there were period maps of the surrounding area and chalk boards completed with genuine data showing active flight information from the time. 

Our 22 members were split up into four groups and we visited each of the four stations within the hangar, where a guide gave us fascinating explanations of the exhibits and answered any questions we had.  They were passionate and very knowledgeable about the subject matter and the exhibits and it was particularly sobering to get ‘hands on’ with some of the ammunition of the time and think how the aluminium skin of the Spitfire and the aluminium/wooden frame of the Hurricane would offer no resistance at all to the projectiles and just how vulnerable the young, brave pilots were.  We heard how Blackpool played an important part in the training of Polish aircrew and the significant contribution that it had had to the war effort.

It was a gloriously sunny Good Friday and time for the Branch to make its annual visit to Bolton Abbey Station on the Embsay Steam Railway.  After meeting as usual at McDonalds on the A59 for a coffee, a chat and a comfort stop thirteen cars eventually arrived at Bolton Abbey Station to be parked in a specially reserved area in front of the magnificent station buildings.  The staff were welcoming and helpful as our cars were carefully positioned and displayed and they created the usual interest and admiration from the public young and old alike.

The railway was running an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ day so many of the volunteers were dressed in appropriate costumes including a very lively Mad Hatter! It all added to the atmosphere.  After cups of coffee and bacon butties members enjoyed a trip on the wonderful vintage train before enjoying picnics and in some cases an energetic walk to nearby Bolton Abbey!

Our friends at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum at Leyland organised their Spring Transport Festival for Sunday 16th April. They picked a good weekend for it as the roads were dry and, despite the threat of rain from the dark clouds that lingered all day, we only saw an odd spit and spot.

It was a well organised event and the marshalling was spot-on. It attracted a wide variety of vehicles from classic HGV tractor units, to motorbikes with a bit of something for everyone in between. 

The Lancashire Vehicle Club always organise a good show and this one at Astley Park in Chorley was no exception, There were 9 Minors at the show all belonging to Lancashire Branch members. 

As ever at an LVC show, there was a tremendous variety of vehicles to be seen and the public thoroughly enjoyed looking around the cars.  It was a lovely show in the beautiful setting of Astley Hall gardens.

It was a glorious sunny day for our annual Branch visit to Bleasdale Tower Open Day on Sunday 21st May. Set in magnificent gardens with stunning views across the plain Bleasdale is the perfect setting for a small gathering of classic cars.

After meeting at the Flower Bowl at Barton Grange, or driving directly there, our cars were grouped together on the field in front of the house along with other lovely vehicles including representatives of the local MG Club, an Armstrong Siddeley and a 1920s Rover.

A lovely 2-day event, held on our doorstep and not too far to travel.  Scorton Steam Fair is one of the North West’s biggest steam fairs, with over 600 exhibits of vehicles of all ages, shapes and sizes.

There were more cars there on Saturday than Sunday.  There was another classic car show on Lytham Green on the Sunday and quite a few cars that were at Scorton on Saturday had booked in to go there.

Entertainment on Sunday afternoon was provided by the Stag Owners Club, with 4 people demonstrating how not to put up the hood on a convertible.  They must have spent a good 10 minutes struggling to get the rear catch aligned before the hood could be locked into position.

The Main Ring attraction this year was the Steve Colley Motorcycle Stunt Show.  Steve did 2 x 30 minute shows each day.  He provides his own commentary via a helmet mounted microphone. The show consists of a full range of freestyle tricks, stunts, jumps and drops off his Mercedes Van.  He also has a mono bike - a normal trials bike with the front forks, suspension and wheel removed, on which he manages to complete a full circuit of the arena before riding up the ramp and parking it on top of his trailer.

Although not an organised Lancashire Branch supported event, there were several members of the Branch there, some with their Minors, some with their other cars.

The weather in the week leading up to the show had been terrible, thunder, lightning and heavy rain but the forecast for Saturday was sunshine, with periods of light rain. This show is a typical local agricultural show with classes for horses, sheep, cattle, handicrafts and horticulture.  One feature is the Pedigree Dog Show, with over 400 dogs and owners hoping to take home the Best in Show Award.  There is also a Pet Dog section for best biscuit catcher, puppy and most obedient etc. Sadly the variable weather forecast had reduced the number of entries in the Vintage Section for cars, commercials and tractors.  The display by the Blackpool and Fylde Land Rover Club had more vehicles than the whole of the Classic Car and Commercial sections put together.

In the Classic Car section, a 1951 Lea Francis was 1st, followed by a 1928 Austin 7 Chummy, with a 1977 Capri 3rd.  Our Branch was represented by 4 cars - two Travellers, one Saloon and an Austin Pickup. The Pickup won 1st in the Commercial Section for the 2nd year running and also the Philip Cowell Memorial Cup for “Best Exhibit in the Vintage Section”. The day proved to be a delightful local event.

Our Branch was represented  at the Manchester Airport event on Sunday 9th July, after the Manchester Branch kindly invited our members to join them there where they were given a very warm welcome by the chairman and other members of the Manchester Branch MMOC.. In spite of the forecast, we had sunny weather for most of the day. It was an interesting and exciting event. There was a mixture of modern classics, classics and some vintage vehicles. Our Minors were all parked very close to the perimeter fence this year (and also right next to the commentary box so it was quite loud at times!) meaning that the aircraft that were taxiing past were very close. It was amazing to see the really large jets passing so near to our cars! There was no charge for the event and it is well worth going if you get the chance.

Branch Member, Steve Rose, has been busy over the past few months organising with the East Lancashire Railway for us to attend their annual Classic Car Day.  Over the years, Steve has built up a very good relationship with the railway and, not only do they make us very welcome, they allocate us a lot of spaces at an always over-subscribed event.

As always when going to this event, we met at Rivington Services on the M61 to travel in convoy. We were very pleased to welcome some colleagues from the Leeds Branch MMOC who had left a sunny morning behind in Leeds to join us at the event.  There were five of them in four Minors (three saloons and a pick-up). 

Members boarded the 10.40am diesel-hauled train from Heywood Station and stopped off at Bury for a look around the station there and the Bury Transport Museum.  The railway kindly issue us with wristbands that give free travel on the full length of the line, as well as free access to the Transport Museum.  Many then caught the steam-hauled service all the way to Rawtenstall and back to Heywood.  That filled the day nicely, arriving back at Heywood for quarter-to-four (the event finished at 4pm).  At the end of the event, our chairman Andrew Whittaker was awarded third prize out of all the exhibits at the show for his lovely Traveller.  Congratulations, Andrew.  

The rally was planned and run by the South Cheshire Moggies (SCM) Branch of the MMOC. It was held over the weekend of 19/20th August at the Blakemere Village attraction near Northwich. The SCM folks did a brilliant job in creating a successful and friendly event. The Minors were arranged in a display by type of model in the show field adjacent to the Blakemere Village. Part of the Village is an excellent camping and caravan site where some members stayed for a few days and where there was also lots of entertainment, eating and retail opportunities in the Village.

On the Saturday evening local SCM members and others visitors who were staying at the caravan park, were treated to excellent live music and a meal in the "T.Pee" - a very large Teepee style tent which could easily hold 100 people and was busy. The sociable SCM folks and the venue created a very enjoyable evening.

The weather on the Saturday and more M6 closures to the North of Blakemere, may have deterred some Minor owners from coming to the rally on the Saturday. However, better weather and open motorways, seemed to have encouraged more owners of Minors and other cars to be displayed on the Sunday. Over the weekend, Lancashire MMOC was represented by 11 Morris Minor cars and vans. There were about 60 or more Minors displayed over the weekend along with several other classic cars. Lancashire Branch cars were chosen for two 'Best in Class Awards' - John for his two-door saloon and Maureen for "Fruity Franks" van.  They were each presented with a prestigious trophy and certificate - congratulations to them both.

Malham is always a lovely traditional country show and it is also a great show for Lancashire Branch MMOC as we are the only classic cars on display! This year was no exception.

Fifteen Morris Minors looked resplendent in the display area at the entrance to the show after meeting at MacDonalds on the A59 and driving in convoy to the event. What a sight that was especially along the very narrow Yorkshire lanes approaching the showground.  As in previous years the cars drew a great deal of interest and admiration from the public who reminisced about learning to drive in one, having one as their first car and so on, as we often hear.

Sunday 27th August was the day of the Branch summer lunch at Ferrari’s Country House Hotel, near Longridge. The arrangements with the hotel were impeccable thanks to the hard work of member Shirley who, over the years, has built up a great relationship with the Ferrari’s team. Forty five members attended the lunch and the food at the hotel was up to its usual high standard and there was a great atmosphere with members enjoying a good natter.

There were seven Minors lined up outside the hotel and they looked fantastic all together.

On the 1st Saturday of each month, the Lakeland Car Museum at Backbarrow hosts the monthly gathering of the Lakeland Historic Car Club.  This museum’s theme this month was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the post war Morris Minor, see https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/about/news/museums-rallying-cry-to-morris-minor-owners.

Some Branch members attended the meet and when they arrived there was reserved parking for Minors.  There were 18 Minors on display and two interesting vehicles, a customized flatbed Pickup with a non-standard engine and cut down Traveller, now masquerading as a Pickup.

As well as the featured Minors, there was a host of other classics on display, including a 1 family-owned Fiat 500, which was bought new in 1967.

It was a typical damp, overcast Lakeland Day.  The river Leven was in full flow and a group of kayakers provide the entertainment for the people on the café terrace.  In the back ground, we saw one of the steam engines on the Haverthwaite Railway chugging up and down the line, puffing out clouds of white smoke.  It all made a pleasing backdrop to the day’s events.

A classic car meet has been taking place every month at Heskin Hall, near Eccleston for some time now and this month there were over 100 cars at this event which was a thoroughly enjoyable and friendly event.

Just amongst the Minors there was much going on and we were very pleased to meet new branch members, Peter and Linda who were attending their first event. They have a lovely saloon that is in very good condition. We were also pleased to see another member Keith in his freshly renovated Traveller – a lovely example with which he is understandably pleased having finally taken delivery.