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POTTERIES AND SOUTH CHESHIRE MG OWNERS CLUB
Charity Run
SUNDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 2007
Report By Helen Mollart
We were looking forward to the annual Charity Run this year, having attended many of the previous nine events; the day usually dawns bright and clear. The forecast this year was not so promising, yet we decided to brave the elements and ‘top-down’ it at least until the threatened rain arrived later in the day.
Clive and myself left the house at 8.20pm and headed off to Stapeley Water Gardens muster point (near Nantwich) in our 1962 MGB Roadster ‘Iris Blue', and were filmed and photographed as we arrived on site. The video footage was later put onto a CD diskette so we could have a permanent record of the event.
Meeting various MG friends on site, we proceeded to enjoy a cup of coffee and a comfort break in the Oasis Coffee lounge, and attach the rally plaque to Iris’ Blue’s bumper, before setting out in a convoy of four vehicles at about 9.10am. Iris Blue went first (myself navigating using the tulip map instructions included with the goody bag provided by the club), then Harry and Maureen Cadman, followed by a guest who we invited to come along with us as she was alone in the vehicle (difficult to navigate from a map and drive safely at the same time), and finally Rob and Jan bringing up the rear.
We were in contact with Harry and Maureen, Rob and Jan by using our CB Radios, which allowed me to give out clear and concise instructions regarding manoeuvres, hopefully well in advance of our having to make the turn!
By the time our convoy departed, the weather was sunny and mildly warm, so ‘top-down’ was the order of the day as we headed off towards Nantwich. We passed Reaseheath College and then turned right into the Cheshire countryside. Many of the ‘stately piles’ we passed illustrated just exactly how the ‘other half’ lives!
We met several ‘herds’ of cyclists en route (some professional, lycra-clad, sinuous, dedicated types who were going like the clappers and accompanied by police outriders, and some slower, more portly, ‘Sunday’ riders who looked as if the bike had been dusted off for its annual outing that very morning). In particular we came into contact with many of them in the picturesque village of Little Budworth, which was a tad over-populated at the time we threaded our way along the main street, with both cyclists and car drivers.
Travelling along the dual carriageway (A556) for a short while, we then turned left onto other unknown roads, with the weather beginning to turn colder and darker. We approached the back end of Northwich over a canal bridge, and shortly thereafter we lost the cyclists, several of whom had a very vague idea of road safety (especially their own!).
As we approached Culcheth, the joint decision
was made (thanks heavens for the CB radios) to head straight for the Coffee Stop
at Blakemere Craft Centre, Sandiway, Northwich, as we really felt that we needed
a ’comfort break’ (it was 10.30am after all), coffee and biscuits and to discuss
whether to 'top up' for the remainder of the run.
Clive therefore navigated us towards Blakemere along a road which had more speed bumps that I have had hot breakfasts! I was also incensed to pass a car boot sale (at speed!) and be unable to have a good rummage around!
My husband Clive works at the Blakemere Garden Centre and had mentioned to me several times over what was laughingly called the 'British Summer' than he had seen Stan and Jackie (Social/Events secretaries) and Bob and Mags (Chairman and Treasurer) on site at Blakemere, however they had quickly scuttled off after a cursory ’Hi’ and not returned. Obviously, they were not wishing to give the game away regarding the location of the Coffee Stop before the actual event, however Jackie and Stan both apologised to Clive before we left Stapeley that morning. Talk about ’Coals to Newcastle’!.
The owners of Blakemere allowed the cars on the Run (97 cars in total) to park on a grassed area and then the MG crowd had leisure time to look at the craft shops etc before setting off en route again. We took the opportunity to set up our little stove and brew a hot cup of coffee and then put the top up as it was beginning to 'precipitate'.
Our convoy left Blakemere with the intention of reaching Cholmondely Castle Classic Car Show at about 12.00midday, therefore we largely abandoned the exact instructions for the run and relied in Clive’s innate sense of direction. This seemed to require a convoy of 4 classic cars to turn around in a disused pub car-park on the Whitchurch road, due to a momentary lapse of reason from our navigator!
I myself was very nearly distracted from my CB ramblings, sorry, ‘clear and concise instructions‘, due to a business call being received on Clive’s mobile whilst we were in motion. I answered the call and politely explained that we could not offer assistance at that moment because I was navigating a convoy of 90 MG’s through the Cheshire countryside (slight exaggeration)!
We travelled through Beeston, and arrived at Cholmondely as planned, which allowed us a quick look around the Classic Car Show, jumble and stalls etc before brewing up a lovely lunch which consisted of bacon butties (truly food of the gods) and hazelnut and chocolate mousse (urgh - but not on the same plate, you understand!).
Although the rain did arrive as forecast in the afternoon, we sheltered with Harry and Mo, Rob and Jan, under the tree-line next to the lake (a lovely spot and well marshalled by members of our club), and it did not affect our enjoyment of the day. Indeed, after all that fresh air I needed an hour’s sleep when we arrived home!
Altogether a great day out, with a superb amount of money raised by donation, raffle and Run tickets for a very worthwhile charity. Our thanks go to our Committee, the Sponsors, the volunteer marshals, and everyone who contributed to the event.