Happy New Year to one and all. With 2009 now behind us we can start all over again doing all those things we love to do in our Austins. It was only when we sat down at our last club night and watched the video of last year’s events that we fully appreciated just how much fun we had. Some months there were events every weekend with several of them involving overnight stays. Our ever resourceful Sue Pocock was always there to organise super accommodation for us. It is so much better ambling home on Mondays rather than dashing back Sunday evenings, which can often spoil the enjoyment, especially when a journey of a hundred miles or so is involved. Our furthest trip north took us to Whitchurch in Shropshire and of course the most southerly was Brighton. Well yes, OK, the Isle of Wight is the most southerly but it is not so far from Portway territory.
I think my personal favourite must be taking part in the club’s 40th Anniversary London to Brighton Run in my faithful Chummy. This is a car I would love to have owned back in 1969 when I could only afford £25 for a box saloon with £75 being needed for a Chummy. It was great to see many old faces on the run still enjoying their Sevening after 40 plus years, some even driving the same cars!!!
As ever we have had great support over the year from several members who organised events and trips for our enjoyment. In particular I would like to thank Sue and Steve Pocock for the Snowdrop Run, Drive It Day, The Windmill Run and our trip to Shropshire for the ATDC National Rally. Plus of course, seeking out hotels for all of our overnight stays. Chris Surtell organised a super picnic at Highclere Castle and has been a great help in taking video of events to edit in with mine to produce our year’s events film. He also purchased a multimedia projector and made this available for our groups use at club nights. Barry Mulroy as ever organised our Ladies Driving Tests which counted heavily towards the Fred loveless Memorial Trophy.
Gordon