Past News



We had our second visit to the Bembridge Lifeboat for our May club night. There was a good turn out and we all had a great time. Thanks to member Pete who is launcher for the lifeboat for organising and members of the crew who gave up their time to show us around.



Athough each crew member has a high tech computer work station......

...there is a proper wheel outside on top of the boat! Not used very often we were told.



New put away without a full valet!









Lots of securing for Pete to release before boat is launched.

Engine which powers winch for pulling boat back into boathouse.

Lifeboat has a lifeboat!









Boat sits on a tilting platform so it is almost level when in its resting position in the boathouse.

Powered by two 1000 hp CAT engines

2011 AGM

Our 2011 AGM was held on the 8^th of December at the Woodman Arms.

 

Chairman's report by Malcolm Jones:

Happy Anniversary! Yes it is 25 years since the IOWMMOC was formed by Mike Smith, Lester Elliott and myself. We’ve come a long way since our first meeting under the grandstand at Newport football club, which is now the site of M and S. Moving forward to 2005, we achieved 100 members, a figure that more or less stands today. The change of venue to the Woodman Arms for our monthly meetings proves to be very popular, we get more attending and the landlord makes us very welcome. This year’s programme of events saw good turn outs with new members attending, whom I hope were made welcome. In place of the out of date website we now have an up and running Blog which meets our needs and is proving popular; thanks, Alan. Looking forward to the 2012 rally I can confirm that Tim Lang, Wight Business Services, and Price’s Garage have again agreed to sponsor us. No arrangements have yet been finalised for the Saturday run. Dave Gilliam will be the organiser of the Rally, taking over from Clive Joynes, as decided at the last Committee meeting. Many thanks Clive for your work over the past two years. We have a few ideas for events for 2012 but more suggestions would be welcome! As in previous years I would like to thank the committee and members for their valuable contributions to the club. Lastly, Mary and I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Treasurers report by Alan Peeling

It has been yet another satisfactory year for the IOWMMOC, with funds at the year-end standing at a very healthy £1,767.7, after a loss of £10.27 for the year. However we have invested in regalia and stamps during the year with stocks at sale value of £405.40. The committee still feel that funds had been allowed to rise to an unnecessary level and the money was not being used to our members’ benefit, so we are happy to record this small loss.

Following the financial success of last few years free entry rally the committee approved the same for 2011, with a tight control kept on costs we even managed to make a modest profit of £81.69– an ideal result. The aim of the rally is for folk to enjoy themselves – it is not a money making exercise and we aim for break even. There still seems to be a national trend for attendance at branch rallies to be slowly decreasing so we are pleased to report that our figures seem to be holding firm. As usual we thank our sponsors: Tim Lang Classics (Minor Magic of Taunton) who donates the plaques and WBS of Newport who did the rally programs and posters free of charge.We also thank Island traders who donate raffle prizes and Barry Price (Price's Garage) who sponsors the trophies – without all this help the free rally would not be possible. The total value of this help is roundly £370. We are also grateful to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for free use of their Show Field: we do however always make a donation to this charity to show our appreciation. We also thank Southern Vectis for the loan of the 'Old Girl' which is an added attraction for visiters: this year we raised £96.00 for the Bus Museum from bus fares.

The cost to print and distribute the magazine is still around 30p per copy. Our thanks to all who deliver magazine for nothing and to those members who opt to have their magazine sent by email. The committee meets 3 or 4 times a year and attend various functions/meetings for the club but never make expense claims: we do it because we enjoy it!

Due to our healthy funds we feel justified in laying on the free eats at the AGM, and the subsidy for the annual dinner. Members’ suggestions for ways we can put our funds to members’ benefit are always welcome.

We always try to make a small charitable donation each year and last year we made a £150.00 donation to the Earl Moutbatten Hospice. This appears in this year’s accounts. As this years rally made a small surplus the committee recommends a £110.00 donation from club funds to the Hospice for this year. We will also add £40.00 donated by Tony and Lin Buckett of Rylestone Gardens Tea Gardens. If approved this total of £150.00 will appear in next year’s accounts.

After 5 years with membership totals at or above 100, last year being exactly 100, we fall slightly this year to 95.

Finally, with a healthy bank balance, the committee feels there is no need to alter the £6.00 subs rate, with a £1.00 reduction for on time renewals.

The Committee is sorry to have to report that our good friend, Brian Arnold died peacefully at St Mary's Hospital on 12th November 2011 after a long illness. Brian had been an active member of our branch and was a committee member until poor health forced him to step back from an active role in the club.

The club was well represented at his funeral and the hearse was followed by his own traveller and five other club cars pictured below:



Malcolm and Andy chat after the service and Matt stands by his traveller: Brian had helped Matt with its restoration.



Brian's Traveller -  Malcolm, Andy, Dave and Matt in background



Brian's Traveller (named Patricia after his wife) was a 1960 model which Brian purchased in 1963. He used it as his family transport and in 1993 he started an extensive restoration. He made the wood himself from an Ash tree felled in the great storm of 1987. He was justifiably very proud of the wood which was built to an improved design as shown in the photo below:



One of the many 'modifications': the outer window channel stops short of the rear upright to prevent water ingress.

The restoration was completed in March 1997 with Brian doing all the work, including the spraying, except the welding which a friend did. We all remember Brian telling us that having sprayed the car hinself he came to fit a wing mirror and the drill slipped meaning a complete wing respray - Brian said he took it out on ythe drill which had a speedy trip around the garage powered by his frustration!

We knew Brian as a Morris Minor man but he  was a family man and had been with his wife Pat for 57 years and had two children (Tracy and Elliot)and six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. We send them all our deepest sympathy. He was a past Police Officer (inspector) and master boat builder. He was also a keen fisherman:

Rest in peace, Brian, we will always remember you.



IW International
 Charity Classic Car Extravaganza Report (Ryde Seafront Sunday 18th September 2011)



Display of Minors in our usual place by Cornwall Slip pumping station(thanks to Dave Gilliam for picture)



My favourite car: a 1958 Series IV Morris Oxford Traveller

This car replaced the woody series III 2 door Traveller in 1957 and continued until  April 1960. The saloon version (still a series III as the IV designation was only ever applied to this traveller) was replaced by the Farina series V in March 1959.

A simply wonderful 1955 Ford Zephyr Six Convertible



1958 Ford Zodiac Mark 2 Convertible

 

1956 Series II Convertible

1964 Traveller - any suggestions to why there are chrome/stainless 'covers' over the bumper above the number plate?



An interesting 2 tone 1962 Minor

This Hillman Hunter had an interesting spare wheel mount and a Rover V8 engine!



Island Morris Mini Traveller - Cooperised and fitted with a 1275 engine



1966 1275cc Austin Mini Cooper S

 

1975 Renault 12 in amazing condition - why?!



A 1935 Morgan Super Sports three wheeler powered by a water cooled Matchless MX4 990cc V-Twin. This produced 42.5 BHP.  Next to it is its modern £30,000 counterpart! This time it gets a bespoke 115 bhp 1.8-litre motor, built by S&S in the States



  


Riley One-Point-Five Mark II  (1961)

As usual an excellent display of classic cars (and some not so classic modern cars like the Jaguar XJ above) which I viewed in the morning sunshine. Shame about the very heavy showers in the afternoon.

Alan

 
Rally Report

Despite the morning rain we had an excellent turnout with over 85 Minors and nearly as many visiting classics. The Autojumble had 12 stalls and we all enjoyed the band and Morris Dancers.


On Saturday afternoon over 50 Minors visited the Owl and Monkey Haven near Newport

As usual Tim Lang Restoration from Taunton supported the rally: this year he brought this immaculate restored Minor Million

Some of the prize winners

 

CHAIRMAN'S CHOICE (2nd from right)

Roy Gale (Dorset) 1000 Van WTT 609K

BEST ISLAND HOME RESTORATION (nearest camera)

Ken Charleston (Gurnard, IOW) 1000 4 Door ODL 926

BEST IN SHOW (3rd from right)

Colin Whiffen (Southampton) 1000 Traveller FYB 595K

BEST ISLAND CAR (not in picture)

Malcolm Jones (Parkhurst, IOW) 1000 Traveller MDL 750G

SPECIAL AWARD (furthest from camera)

Will Sprack (Carrisbrooke, IOW) Series II 4 door RRT 889

See article in County Press:

http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/motoring-news/morris-minors-converge-on-iw-40585.aspx





August Meeting: Rylstone Tea Gardens, Shanklin

There was a good turn out at our annual August visit to our friends Lin and Tony Buckett at Rylstone Tea Gardens Shanklin. Below are some photos of the cars parked outside the Tea Gardens:


Yes it is a Rolls Royce but it's owned by IOWMMOC member, John James

Barry Allen's and The Smith family Convertibles

Visiting Austin Seven

Chairman Malcolm 'inspects' the cars!




There was a good turn out for our monthly meeting at the Woodman Arms, Wootton on Thursday 14th July. As usual the Landlord provided us with ample and very tasty chips. As we have been made so welcome at our new venue it was agreed that we will use the Woodman Arms for our after rally dinner in September.

It also marked the unveiling of the latest home restored Minor. A black series II owned by Will Sprack, our youngest full member. Will was helped by Dad Graham and is eagerly awaiting his 17th birthday so he can drive his Minor which he is proudly standing by in the photo below, taken in the pub car park.