Friday 11 September 2015

Branch Rally 2015 - Report


IOWMMOC RALLY.
 
We held another successful Rally, this being our 29th. On the Saturday 30 Minors and a few other Classics met up in
the main car park at Havenstreet Station, for a drive-out to Calbourne Water Mill, where we were given free entry. Unfortunately, soon after leaving the start point, I, as “Tail end Charlie” came across a Minor stationary in a gateway. I stopped, but soon ascertained that they were going to return home to Ryde, it seemed to be on three cylinders only. I rather suspect a blown head gasket, or at least I hope that was the extent of it. All the others arrived safely, but some were bemused that I managed to re-join in the middle of the convoy, having taken a short cut!

On Saturday evening we held our BBQ at Havenstreet Station, well attended by around 40 campers and IOW members.

On Sunday, the rally field still resembled the Somme, with deep ruts of mud, but at least it was dry mud! This, of course, was caused by bad weather coinciding with the Steam Rally held the preceding weekend, traction engines and a soggy field do not mix well!

In all, we had 57 Minors arrive, plus 28 visiting Classics of other makes. Clubs represented were IOWMMOC,

Dorset, East Sussex, West Sussex, Cambridge, Surrey /Hants, Malvern Hills, Runnymede, IOW Fords, IOW Minis, and Vectis Historic. Apologies if I missed anyone out!

We were entertained during the day by Morris Dancers, Haven Falconry, and Shanklin Town Youth Brass Band.

There were also three bus trips to the new IOW Bus and Coach Museum, these being run on the Southern Vectis “Old Girl” open top bus, dating from 1939.

All too soon it was time for prizes, raffle and competition time. The competition involved a painting of a Morris Dealer's forecourt in 1960, and contestants were asked to find any errors in it. They included a four door Minor Million, never made, plus Millions did not go on sale until 1961; an 1100, not introduced until 1962; a left hand
drive Minor was questionable, but curiously, many thought that a CND symbol on a girl's top was too early. In fact, the symbol was used by CND from 1958. We had to go to a tie-breaker between Alan Peeling and Barry
Allen to get a winner, Alan won! Alan also suggested the girl was attired wrongly for the time, she seemed to be wearing a bra!

Prizes were awarded as follows.

Best Restoration, Roxy, RMT 899 owned by Will Sprack.

Best Island car, Poppy, 6411 PO owned by Dave Gilliam

Best in Show, RTR 549, owned by Colin Mockett, of Dorset Branch

Chairman's Choice, a Morris Eight owned by Phil Woodward.

The raffle had a huge number of prizes, many kindly donated by businesses, but we did manage to whip through them pretty swiftly.

We closed proceedings with a meal at the Woodman Arms, Wootton, attended by over twenty people.

Many thanks to our sponsors, Tim Lang Restoration Centre, Taunton WBS Printers, Newport, and Price's Garage,

Newport without whom we would not be able to have a free Rally.
Next year's Rally, our 30th, will be held on the 3rd and 4th of September.

for pictures CLICK HERE

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