Chairman’s Report IOWMMOC 2024 Rally Weekend

 Chairman’s Report IOWMMOC 2024 Rally Weekend 

The weekend started as previous years with a Drive-Out on the Saturday afternoon from Havenstreet Steam Railway car park to a local attraction. With many of the car owners coming from the mainland the club produced a special Saturday pass in order that they could use the Steam Railway’s facilities without paying an entrance fee as in previous years. At 1pm the Drive-Out was marshalled expertly by the Cochrans, our latest committee members with twenty-seven Morris Minor cars leaving and twenty-eight Morris Minor cars arriving at Goddards Brewery! Not quite sure how they did it but I’m not complaining. We were met on the green by Bob Simpson the managing director of Goddards who was very informative and passionate about his job. After a small talk he led two groups for a tour around the brewery. Afterwards, we all headed upstairs for a bite to eat and a taste of their fine beer. Later that evening, lighting up at about 6pm we had our traditional Rally BBQ in the Havenstreet events field. With many of our overseas friends joining us for the get together. I even got given a glass of champers! This year we were able to ask for the railway to leave the flood lights on for us which was great to be able to see our burnt offerings. I must remember to ask for the lights to stay on again next year. Sunday Rally Day started at about 8am for the committee members setting up. With many more stalls joining us at this year's rally and the weather looking to be kind to us, the rally promised to be better than ever this year. All went like clockwork with cars arriving, stalls setting up even Paul Robinson and the Old Girl open top bus arrived in plenty of time this year! In all we had forty-eight Morris Minors, forty-five Classic cars, four steam engines, three buses, a lorry (left over from the week before I think, but all counts) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. With the PA up and running lent kindly and set up by Paul, Andy set about kicking off the day with the announcements, Dave B worked hard playing his guitar with three sets during the day. The Old Girl set out for two mystery tours packed to the gunnels generating much needed £445 cash for the Bus and Coach Museum. Being locked in until 4.30pm while the trains were running feels like a privilege to me, but there is always someone wanting to leave early. But on the whole I think everyone knew the score and accepted the strict rules on car movement. The falconry birds did their thing, and at times the field was packed with visitors surveying the cars. Later in the day it did warm up some and it was good to have the gazebo for some shade. At 3pm we had the awards given to: 

Best Visiting Car Austin Swallow GT 3521 Keith Buckett (IOW)

 Best In Show Minor Million 880 KYD Gevin White (Horsham) 

Best Island Car MM Split Windscreen KDL 756 Paul Robinson

Chairman's Choice MM four Door CYK 612H Jim Scott (Reading) 

For Services to IOWMMOCC Malcolm and Mary Jones (IOW) 

 The committee were pleased to award Malcolm & Mary Jones this special award for their continued commitment, support, advice, help and kindness over the years towards the IOW Club. Be it for ensuring the hard copies of this news letter are sent out each month, from collecting raffle prizes and ensuring that we are always represented with a tree at the Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival to name but a few. Malcolm and Mary, co-founders of the IOW Club of nearly forty years, established back in 1986 and loyal members of some forty three years in the National Club, are now retired from the Chair and committee duties but are still much valued and cherished members of the club. 

After the awards we had our Raffle that went on and on and on. Every year we say we must try and shorten it somehow and every year it gets longer and longer! In all £220 was raised by the Raffle for Ryde Inshore Rescue. There were some great cars at the rally this year, too many to describe here. I hope you all got to see them on our Facebook Page (a few are posred below). Hopefully the pictures taken speak for themselves. Sunday from 6.30pm we had our after rally meal at the Appley Hotel Ryde with about twenty or so very worn out and tired but happy rally goers. Here's to next year!