Contrary to what it is apparently stated on the Amazon website, Kim's book IS very definitely still available... just not via Amazon! For anyone interested, it is available directly from Kim, copies all sent by First Class post.
AGM January 15th 2019
The Dorset Group's AGM was held at the Bridge House Hotel, Ferndown January 15th 2019. An excellent turn out of group members old and new turned up and it was great to see so many taking an interest in the group's future. Rob Stanley outlined some of the events that were visited last year and he thanked everyone who took part. Rob also highlighted a few events that will be happening this year. Of course, this includes the International Rally that is being held in Wareham. Things are progressing nicely and quite a lot of the arrangements have already been booked. Derek Lewis has now taken over from Ian Aggas as the Club's treasurer and reported that the club is in a healthy financial state. He also thanked Ian for all of his hard work and was pleased to find the club in such a good position financially. Len Jeane announced that the membership was doing well, with 39 members currently subscribed. Although a few members still haven't signed the GDPR form. It has been decided that for a trial period of three years the group will fund the hosting of a proper domain name for the website. The cost for this will be £35.00 per annum. Various other events will be added to the website as and when details become available, but it has been confirmed that Alan and Leonora Armson have again agreed to hold the 3rd BBQ in the grounds of their stunning garden, Sunday 30th June 2019. More details will follow. At the end of the meeting, it was decided unanimously to re-elect all of the committee en-masse. This leaves Rob Stanley as chairman. Stan Chatterton as vice chairman. Derek Lewis as treasurer. Len Jeane as membership secretary. Spares project, Keith Bennett. Events coordinator is Jeff Carter. Webmaster, Jeff Carter. John Bellows as a committee member. Elaine Henson as a non-committee post as newsletter editor. Rob thanked everyone for attending.
After the AGM, Stan Chatterton had devised a somewhat unusual quiz. Various household objects had been placed in old socks and judging by feel alone the group had to decide what each sock contained. This was surprising a lot harder than it sounds. In all 18 objects had to be identified. But with Stan's harsh judging rules, the winning team ended up with 13 1/2 points out of 18. A great event that may very well make an appearance at the International Rally. For the second part of Stan's test, he took the guessing game another step further. Stan had arranged 8 or so objects that were fitted to Austin A30 and A35. Each group member trying to guess what each object was. Again this was very hard with no one guessing everything. This is something that will be making its debut at the International Rally. Many thanks to Stan for making the evening a fun and interesting evening for all.
Tuesday 19th March 2019
Tuesday 19th March 2019 saw the Dorset Group hosting another very well attended auction evening. Three people from the South West Group joined us and it was great to see them all. A special mention to Ray Martin who had recently spent a short whilst in hospital. It was great to see you, Brian Ireland and Les Parker and we hope you enjoyed the evening along with a vast majority of raffle prizes !!!! Shane and Terrie Fenton also travelled down from Radstock with Shane bringing one of his homemade, Austin, wheel hub clocks. Jokes abound about being second hand and being a helping hand during a puncture was par for the course. Well, you have to hand it to them really. All in all a wheely great night and one to remember. Many thanks must go to Stan, the auctioneer for the evening, who, as ever, made people stick their hands in their pockets. Also to Keith who was Stan's able assistant and helped keep things under control. Along with the 2 dozen or so eggs, it was another cracking evening.
Annual New Forest run 7th April 2019
Kim Henson
Today we enjoyed one of our 'classic' highlights each year – the annual joint 'New Forest' run between our local Dorset Group of diminutive Austins and the Hampshire Group of the British Made Car Club. The event started 32 years ago and so far we have only missed one (as we were away last year).
This year the BMCC arranged the excursion and did us proud; grateful thanks to them.
With a varied selection of cars (in addition to our Austins) including a Dolomite Sprint, a 'normal' Dolomite, a rare Wolseley 4/44 and an early Wolseley 1500, also a 16/60, plus a Humber Hawk, Stag, Minor 1000 Traveller and many others, we followed a scenic route that took us through the forest and on other winding roads just outside it; idyllic countryside on a lovely sunny day, and we passed many very early classics on various runs, coming in the opposite direction.
With much chinwagging during happy stops for coffee and a Sunday roast, our day's outing was complete; a real tonic!
This year Elaine and I took my old faithful A30, 'Pru', the old Austin seemed happy to be out and about too!
Left: Please click the image for a slide show of the B.M.C.C. run.
May 2019. The Jurassic International Rally
This was the big one. Something that had taking somewhere in the region of 15 months of planning and organisation. But we pulled it off. A full Rally report is available by clicking the link below. Much of early 2019 has been dedicated to the International Rally that was held in Wareham. A huge amount of hard work, preparation and negotiating skills by all of the Rally Committee meant that the Rally was a huge success. We had in the region of 170 Club Members pre-book to attend bringing along nearly 130 Austin A30 and A35s. Other Club
Members bought moderns and or another classic vehicle. Non-pre-booked members also turned up on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and boosted the number of A30 and A35 close to 145 vehicles. Along with the Bournemouth and Poole Car Club, Transport of Yesteryear and many local enthusiasts who just happened to hear about our Rally the total number of vehicles is just short of 250. One of the largest Rallies to have been held in recent times. As a committee, we would like to thank you all for attending and making it a Rally to remember.
Wheels Alive: Kim Henson
Many of our Club Members will know the name, Kim Henson. Kim is the author of many motoring related books and magazine articles. Kim also runs his website named Wheels Alive. Kim has very kindly written an article about the Austin A30 A35 International Rally being held in Wareham. Please click on the link below to see the article. Many thanks must go to Kim for taking time out of his busy schedule to produce such a piece. Thank you.