IOW MMOC: Branch Rally 2017

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather to make the day such fun!

Rally Report

Our two day rally followed our normal format of a run to a local attraction on the Saturday afternoon followed by a B B Q and a main event a Havenstreet on Sunday.

Our run was to The Monkey and Owl Sanctuary on the outskirts of Newport. We managed to negoyiate free entry to this award winning attraction with the promise of generous donations from those visiting. We congregated at Havenstreet ready for a departure at 2pm. It was an good route via Smallbrook and over the downs with the difficult right turns being roundabouts or traffic lights. Most cars kept in touch with their island chaperones and we failed to loose anyone! A total of just under 40 cars were on the run in very pleasant weather. The cafe was busy with indulgent cakes being devoured and we all had a leisurely look at the animals and birds.

After this many came along to Havenstreet for our traditional B B Q using the under cover outside seating of Granny Winters Pantry at Havensteet and would have gone on well into the evening if we had known how to turn on the lights!

The weather forecast for Sunday had been poor all week and in the end it was even worse than forecast. We basically had rain all day but at least the ground was dry to start with so the show field did not get too muddy!

We were lucky to have use of Havenstreet's tent where we had all our club stalls including the new for this year tombola. We thank Tim Lang for providing the plaques and Barry Price for the trophies, and WBS did the printing for the rally for free as well.

Total attendance was around 40 Minors and a number of visiting classics. We thank everyone who braved the weather and on a better day we would have expected at least another 20 cars. There were a few Autojumblers but again the weather was not on our side.

We had our usual visit from Shanklin Youth Town Band and they played in the Haven Falconry tent which was still positioned hear rally control where it was for the Havenstreet Steam Show.

Despite the weather we all felt it had been a good and enjoyable event. The use of the big tent mitigated the effect of the weather and a big thank you to the Steam Railway for allowing us to use it.

The best news is that despite the weather we made a small profit so it was not a financial disaster!

There was no entry in the best island restoration competition, the three remaining prize winners were:

Best in Show

Minor Telephone Van BYE 232B David Delauney from Dorset – he is a volunteer at the Steam railway.

Chairman's Choice

Minor crew cab KDL 241F Andy Smith from Ryde – most will know that this unique vehicle was restored and modified by its owner.

Best IOW Car

Minor series II KDL758 Paul Robinson from Ryde – this car has been lovingly restored by its owner and the attention to detail was the main reason for it winning.