Dorset Group News 2023 Page 1
Sunday 1st January 2023 - Haselbury Mill
The first event for a few of our Group members was a trip to Haselbury Mill near Crewkerne in Somerset. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't the best with drizzle most of the morning, putting off many exhibitors. But it was good to see Colin and Ruth Hughes with their lovely little 2CV. The only A35 I saw belonged to the owner of the Mill. It looks quite tidy with an immaculate interior. The bodywork needs work as the
wing piping is missing but the tyres were inflated and all in all a good project. I don't know the fate of any of vehicles located in and around the Mill. At the time the owner was in hospital. Some of you may have read my story about David Lipski in The Austin Express. David used to own my A35 Frank. David also owned the little A55 that is very close to the A35. David sold it at the S.W.V.A. and hadn't seen or heard of it in ages. Left are a few photographs of the vehicles on show and scattered around the Mill.
Tuesday 17th January 2023 Dorset Group A.G.M.
More detailed minutes of the meeting are published in the Spring 2023 Austin Express.
A brief outline from Kim.
After a general discussion and reports from the group ‘officials’ on finances (positive) and membership (less so!), it was proposed, seconded and voted (by a majority vote of those present) that the subs for our Dorset Group will increase from £6 per year to £10 from 1st January 2024, to take account of increased postage and newsletter printing costs (now that the newsletter is once again normally being distributed in ‘paper’ form rather than by e-mail).
Kim Henson had been proposed, seconded, and voted in unanimously to take over as Chairman from Rob Stanley, who wished to stand down and who had specifically asked Kim if he would stand again as Chairman.
Kim outlined his vision for the Group for 2023, with emphasis being on consolidation and rebuilding the membership after several years of difficulties, notably relating to Covid. He also suggested moving the bi-monthly meetings away from the Hamworthy Club, to save a total of nearly £60 per meeting for room hire.
A revised Committee was then set up, with the approval of those present.
Keith suggested that he would draft a new constitution for the Group.
At the end of the evening, it was agreed among those present that enthusiasm levels were high as the Dorset Group looked ahead towards a new future.
Tuesday 21st March 2023 Dorset Group Meet at The Cock and Bottle Inn
The meeting started with many members partaking of food at the pub, which had been specially opened for us by the landlord Paul, for our meeting.
In due course a total of 24 people arrived, including two new potential members (who subsequently joined), and Kim welcomed Chris from Gillingham plus Jeremy from the ‘Far East’ (Southampton area).
During the evening there was a happy ‘buzz’ of conversation among those present, and Kim thanked Paul the landlord for kindly accommodating us for the evening, with no charge for hire of the meeting room.
The latest edition of our printed Group newsletter was distributed among members present, saving postage costs, and Kim thanked Jeff for his hard work on the newsletter and the Group website.
Kim thanked everyone for attending and for their positivity, re-iterating that during his year of Chairmanship in 2023 he was keen on rebuilding the membership base and encouraging members ‘old and new’.
Kim also thanked Elaine for her tireless efforts in contacting past members of our Group and for building paid-up membership numbers from 14 in November 2022 to more than 35 in March 2023.
In addition, Kim reported that Keith’s new draft constitution for our Group had been carefully considered by the Committee, but the overwhelming majority wished to retain our original Constitution, drafted in 1984 and still applicable.
At the end of the evening everyone seemed very happy with the get-together and enthusiastic about our Group’s future.
Kim Henson.
P.S. It is hoped that the Group may soon enjoy the bennefits of online banking. Watch this space
April 16th 2023 British Made Car Club Run.
An excellent turn out for our joint run with the British Made Car Club. This year it was the turn of the B.M.C.C. to organise the route. Starting from the Pub Car Park, The White Hart, Old Romsey Road, Cadnam. Alas the sat nav sent me to the rear of the pub and by the time we had found the main carpark it was almost time to leave. So not many "before" photographs. We were very well represented after Dave Mallett had kindly taken on the challenge of organising us. Four Austins, one Volkswagon Golf convertable, one Renault Captur, driven by me (I promise that I will drive a British Made Car soon...... ) and one fairly modern Range Rover driven by my brother who had made the journey form Gillingham to join in. Other
vehicles included the obligatory Morris Minors, a very tidy Mini Cooper and a cracking Triumph Dolemite Sprint. Despite a few us us getting lost during the route whilst following Mike Farrell we found the end point and enjoyed a lovely carvery. Many thanks to Dave from the B.M.C.C. and Dave Mallett. We look forward to next year when it will be our turn to organise the route.
Saturday 13th May 2023. Beaulieu Spring Autojumble
Early May saw me receiving a phone call from Kim. "Are you busy next Saturday? I've got two tickets to the Beaulieu Autojumble. Elaine can't make it, it's Rachel's hen night. Would you like to come?" How could I say no? "Brilliant, meet me at mine at 8.30 and can you please bring your camera?" Upon arriving at Kim's he was busy rushing around as ever. "You don't mind going up in BRU do you?" BRU is Kim's Morris Ital Estate and I wasn't going to argue about going to Beaulieu in a classic. We settled into the journey and Kim told me that he may have to attend a couple of press meetings. Meet a couple of motoring journalists etc. and just chat with a few people. Oh, and Kim always writes an article about the Spring Autojumble for his website Wheels-Alive. "Would you mind taking a few photographs of some of the vehicles for sale along with some shots of the stall holders." There was a plan hatching. "Oh and I need to pick up the paint for Grasshopper. Elaine has bought me a cart, but I'm not sure if it will all fit in one go. You don't mind do you? One more thing. I've offered to look after a stall for a freind for a while. Just incase he needs a coffee or the loo." Well, it looks like this is going to be a busy day then.
Upon arriving at the car park we were suprised to see Harry and Sue Douglas pull up beside us. They were both on Robert Prinn's stand, Austin Motors, representing the International Club. Left: The Austin Motors Stand. Richard Stricklands beautiful van also made an appearance on Robert's stand.
I had never been to the autojumble before and wasn't sure what to expect. But after entering the gate I thought, this is going to be a very long day. The site is huge, although Kim tells me that the September jumble is probably twice the size. The first task was to try and find Chris Adamsom. This proved harder than it seemed, like I say the site is huge. We did find the journalists area so we settled down for a coffee. Just after our coffee stop, we left we bumped into Dave Mallet. Dave was hoping to find a rear lamp for his V.W. Golf convertible. We then ventured off to find Chris. As it happens we weren't that far away from Chris, but the numbering of the stall holders was a little confusing. Chris was delighted to see us and soon told us that his stall had been busy, most of the stock had a price on it. The rest was priced to sell but negotionable. Like I said, this was my first autojumble and I really wasn't sure about what to expect. But what seemed like crowds of people flocked around us and everyone wanted to buy something. It was quite a buzz. Then out of the blue I spotted Paul and Lisa Harcourt. Lisa owns Lizzie the little 2 door A35 that attended our first picnic. Apparently Paul had to be pursuaded not to buy an engine. He's good at buying "lumps of blooming metal" Lisa's word, not mine. Upon Chris' return he was quite surprised to see quite a lot of his stock had been sold. The best bit, all of it sold for the asking prices. He was quite pleased. This selling game is simple........ Kim also sold a couple of items of his own into the bargain. While manning the stand it was great to catch up with Mike North from the printers of the National Club magazine. Mike did mention that he maybe attending and said that he would look us up.
Kim handed Chris the rather full money bag and we went on our way. Kim's next task was to try and find some bits for his Standard.
Below: Standard parts a plenty. They do say that if you can't find what you are looking for at Beaulieu, then it probably doesn't exist.
Next and the adgenda was a quick visit to Robert prinn and Austin Motors. Upon reaching the stand Robert was very busy as ever and we only managed a quick hello. Onwards then to pick up the paint for Grasshopper.
Left: Ken, from Ken and Lyn's Restoration Factors proudly displaying his award for long standing services to the Autojumble. Ken also supplied the paint for Grasshopper's repaint. Despite Kim having a trolley, it still took two trips to pick everything up. Alas, the second trip, Kim had to do alone as I was shattered.
Many thanks to Kim for a cracking day out. If you've not been to the Autojumble, then give it a go. It's very hard work, but well worth the effort. Below are a few photographs. Jeff
Here is Kim website report: https://www.wheels-alive.co.uk/beaulieus-sun-bathed-2023-spring-autojumble-ticks-all-the-boxes-for-classic-enthusiasts/
May 16th 2023. Cars in the field/carpark
Our ever popular cars in the field event made a welcome return for our May Group get together. A wide variety of vehicles including Land Rovers, Riley, Citroen, VW's and Volvos along with a fantastic turnout of Baby Austins. We also had a motorcycle, although it was brand new, it was great to see Steve join us. Somewhere between new and classic were myself and Harry who arrived in Scooby the Skoda. Scooby will become a classic one day, trust me. Pete and Denise Legg bought along their son's now rare Volvo 480 ES. Dave and Elaine Mallet arrived in a mint Mk1 Volks Wagon Golf Convertable, alas I didn't get a chance to meet the owner of the Riley or either of the Land Rovers. Ruth and Colin Hughes arived in their beautiful green Citroen 2CV. Austins were also out in force. Kim and Elaine (Henson) bought along "Snowflake". John Bellows arrived in his one family owned A30. Alan and Barbara Hilling, who were the founding members of the Dorset Group, bought there lovely A35. New Group members, Paul and Sarah Bredda bought their low milage A35 van. Although not without a minor technical hitch. The brake light switch had failed. So Paul had wired in a manual switch that Sarah had to press everytime Paul applied the brakes. But the plan seemed to work well enough. Rachel and Ian finally arived in "Ozzie" Rachel's van conversion. It was a lovely evening at The Halfway Inn between Corfe and Wareham, and thanks to the landlord Paul for allowing us to use his car park. Below is a gallery of most of the vehicles.
Tuesday July 18th 2023
Our normal Purbeck run took a slightly different direction in July and it saw us all meeting up at the Green Man Inn in Wimborne. Kim and Elaine had arranged a lovely trip through some of the small villages that suround Wimborne. Several members turned up and we all have a very enjoyable run and a chat back at the pub afterwards. Below is a gallery of most of the vehicles. Colin and Ruth bought along their recently aquired Citroen Traction Avant. Unfortunately Chris Howards little Austin failed to start in the carpark at the begining of the run. So he, along with Rob Stanley jumped into the back of Pete and Denise's B.M.W. convertible. Upon returning to the pub about an hour and a half later Chris' Baby Austin sprang into life at the first turn of the key. After several members suggesting what may have been the cause, Chris has changed the coil. This seems to have worked and has also managed to cure a minor misfire. Chris is very grateful for all of the help and suggestions. It just go to show what a freindly, helpful Group we are. A gallery of vehicles appears below. Many thanks again to Kim and Elaine.
Sunday 20th August 2023
Sunday 20th August saw a joint Dorset / Southwest Group road run and picnic. Several Group members were already in Fairfield car park in Dorchester when Nicky, Harry and I arrived. Lisa and Paul had traveled down from Sparkford with Lizzie, Lisa's two door A35. Steve and Mary Neathey had come down from Bath in Steve's modified A30. It was great to see Russell Lewis and some of his family as he was visiting Corine and Derek and joined us for an afternoon out. Derek had bought along his little A30. John Bellows also bought his lovely little A30. New member Chris Jenkins came along in a beautiful little MGB. Chris owns an Austin, but it's currenlty undergoing some major surgery. Chris also used to own "Jack" who is now owned by Paul and Sarah Bredda. Richard Strickland had arrived in his stunning van. Not quite standard, but all the modifications make sense and it's just stunning. Yes, I am a bit jealous. Dave, Elaine, Denise and Peter all turned up with their tops down. Mike and Anne bought along Mivvie.
All Group Members ready for the off on a trip around Southwest Dorset and Somerset. Photographs: Jeff Carter, Steve and Mary Neathey
Part one of the route saw us arriving at the Hardy Monument just outside Martinstown. As we entered the car park, we could see a gaggle of other classic vehicles. These we all of Triumph variants and looked stunning under the shadow of the monument. Paul was particularly interested in the colour of a TR4. He's hoping to paint his Lee Francis in a similar colour. Derek remarked that his little Austin had struggled on one or two of the hills. Just wait until we start climbing out of Abbotsbury on the coast road Derek.... 20 minutes or so later we were all suitably refreshed and the wind had a chill to it, so we made our way toward Abbotsbury. Just before the small village is a steep and winding road that offers outsatnding veiws across to Weymouth and Portland to the left. Chesil Beach in front and St Catherine's chappel high on the hill to the right. We meandered through Abbotsbury and picked up on the coast road heading toward Bridport. I think we may have upset a few motorcyclists, as they seemed to be in much
Mary Neathey captured Baby Austins heading into Abbotsbury.
more of a hurry than us. I decided to leave the coast road just outside Burton Bradstock and head into the small town of West Bay. The town was busy with visitors and I was glad that I had changed my mind about stopping here for our picnic. The picnic stop was actually opposite Morrisons in Bridport. A very quiet little area that accomodated us all very easily. Part way through our picnic, we were very surprised to see Drew Sanderson from the Gloucestershire Group. Drew had been visiting his sister, taken her car to the car wash in Morrisons and saw a group of Austins. Good to see you Drew and thanks for popping over.