2014 Branch Rally Report

IOW MORRIS MINOR RALLY - report by Dave Gilliam

 

 

Over 40 Morris Minors plus other Classics left Havenstreet Railway station on Saturday afternoon, for a scenic drive to Seaview Wildlife Encounter, where we enjoyed afternoon tea whilst viewing all of the wildlife. I left Havenstreet with just Peter Wade behind me acting as tail-end Charlie. The

majority of cars managed to keep sight of the one in front, so kept together. A small group ahead of me took the left hand fork at Nettlestone Green, and one car that stopped to fill up with petrol in West Priory was gathered up by Peter. They also took the short cut, and were in the park before me!

In the car park at Seaview Wildlife

In the evening there was a large gathering at the Rally site for a BBQ.

 

This proved to be rather too successful, as space on the fire was at a premium; I resorted to flashing up the frying pan in our motor home! The party carried on long after dark.

 

 

Entry to the site was free, thanks to IOW Railway, there also being no rally fee, thanks to sponsorship from Tim Lang Classic Restorations,

 

 

and printing supplied by WBS of Newport. The heavy rain we had on Monday and Tuesday prior to the Rally caused us a bit of a headache, but

after the field was rolled on Saturday morning, all but one large patch became use-able. We were able to screen this off by placing all Island cars in front of it.

The main event started at 10am on Sunday, with a total of 64 Minors, 26 other Classic cars, 4 motor bikes, and 17 buses lined up for display. Dorset Branch was as usual well represented, as was Bridlington and Wolds, with others from Hampshire, West Sussex, Herts, Devon, and Essex that I

can remember. I apologise if I missed a Branch out! There was also good turnouts from IOW Fords, IOW Minis, and Vectis Historic.

We also had a few Steam Traction engines moving across the field on their way home, having been stranded after heavy rain on the Bank Holiday weekend. We were entertained by several Morris dance groups, Shanklin Town Brass Band, and a Falconry display by Haven Falconry. There was of

course mystery bus trips in the OLD GIRL kindly loaned by Southern Vectis, and a full range of trips on the trains.

The raffle was very well supported, raising £235.00. This was helped by the generous donation of items from the Bridlington and Wolds Branch, represented by four cars. We had two winners in the Identify the Cars competition, one a lady, the other a young lad. Come on men, do better next time!

Winners:

Chairman's Choice

David Holton Van EAB 204J, from Dorset Branch

Best Restoration

Andy Smith RDL 632 4 Door 'Clarence'

Best IOW Car

Best IOW car with Best in Show behind

Malcolm Worby KTH 829G

Best in Show

Roger Butler 477 BHR Traveller

All trophies were sponsored by Prices Garage, Newport, and Barry Price

My thanks go to all who helped make our 2014 Rally such a success, I will not name you all. I will,

however, mention Edward Joynes, our young Bus Controller, who sold all the tickets for the bus,

plus his knowledge and detail on all the other buses on display. When the rally closed he could not be found: he was helping clearing up the signs and other clutter of the rally!