Branch Rally Report

IOW BRANCH RALLY.

 

The Isle of Wight Morris Minor club held a successful 30th anniversary at Havenstreet Station on the 3rd and 4th of September.

 

Saturday afternoon saw 37 Minors set off from Havenstreet

 

to Wolverton Manor.

 

The day before the run, with route maps ready, we were told that a major part of our route was closed, for re-surfacing. Our Chairman called in to Island Roads office, and was told the road would be fully open. It was with dismay then, that we started seeing signs saying “Road ahead closed”, and eventually, “Road Closed”. Luckily, we decided to go on, and we could get through, all be it having to zigzag around large barriers. A police car racing along this narrow country road must have had quite a shock, to be met by a convoy of Minors!

At Wolverton Manor we had kindly been granted free entry; a collection was made, half of which half went to Wolverton, and half to Marie Curie. 

The usual BBQ was held at Havenstreet; we had to improvise a bit because it poured with rain! We were entertained by Local group

 

 

“Sounds of the 70s”, in which committee member Will Sprack plays, and a 30th anniversary cake was cut.

 

 

 

Luckily, we had the use of a marquee, and we cooked on the BBQ that the railway has built under cover.

 

 

Sunday morning saw a lot of activity, as we set up for the main event. We attracted 53 Minors, and 23 other Classic cars. This was rather low, but Beaulieu Autojumble was held the same

day.

We were entertained during the day by Shanklin Town Youth Brass Band, Haven Falconry, and several teams of Morris Dancers. There was also mystery bus trips on The Old Girl, a 1939 open top bus, kindly loaned by Southern Vectis, and discounted train rides.

Our event we consider more of a gathering, not competitive, and so we do not have class judging.

There are, however, a few awards, as follows.

BEST IN SHOW FYB 595 K, a green Traveller,

BEST ISLAND CAR 843 ADL, also a green Traveller,

CHAIRMAN'S CHOICE WFD 890H, a red sign-written van, from the Birmingham branch.

In the evening we held a post rally dinner at the Woodman Arms, Wootton, attended by 27 Minor devotees.

We would like to thank IOW Railway for hosting us, WBS for donated printing, Price's Garage for cups and trophies, Southern Vectis for use of the Old Girl, and of course our main sponsor, Tim Lang Classics, of Taunton.

 

 

 

 

And finally here is the Steam Railway's report in their magazine: