Event Roundup Autumn 2014

The MG Owners Club Northern Ireland enjoys a varied and interesting events calendar each year.  Thanks to all the members for their event reports, some of which are shown below.

Visit to Ulster Museum Botanic Gardens, Belfast Sunday 13th July 2014

This event was arranged by Florence and Alan Smyth. Meeting at the Ivanhoe the cars set off at 12.45pm travelling via country roads to the museum. All went well for at least a mile and then unfortunately John Curry’s MGA starting playing up, refusing to keep running at a few cross roads.

Plenty of help was around but as you can imagine various gaps started to appear in the convoy with some cars deciding to take the easy route straight to the museum. Happily everyone eventually arrived safely. Tea/coffee was available in the cafe and everyone enjoyed a leisurely walk around the exhibits before setting off to the Millbrooke Lodge Ballynahinch for a excellent evening meal. Thanks to Florence and Alan for the organisation of the event.

Glens Vintage Day Saturday 9th August 2014

The weather helped make this a very enjoyable day. There was a good turn out of club members and once again this was value for money day with sandwiches, etc., and a finishers award for all entrants.

Visit to Belfast Zoo Belfast Sunday 10th August 2014

We met at Corrs Corner and travelled the short distance to the Zoo where Derek had arranged for secure parking inside the the actual zoo grounds. He had also organised tea/coffee and tray bakes which were enjoyed in a private room which we had the use of for the afternoon.

The ‘peacock’ did make an appearance so it was a good decision not to park too close to the cafe. Apparently the peacock on occasions sees its refection in the panels of a shinny or wet car and decides to peck at it, not a good idea for MG’ members! Although the weather was poor most took the time to view the animals before we left the zoo at around 4.30pm driving to the Chimney Corner Hotel for the evening meal.

Rover 75 and MG ZT Owners Ireland 5th Annual Owners Day 31st August 2014

The Rover 75 and MG ZT Owners Ireland held their 5th annual owners day on the 31st of August and there was a good turnout of MGOC(NI) members. 8 Cars set off from the Ivanhoe for Tollymore Country Park to join up with the Rover 75 and Mg ZT club. We were all given a very warm and friendly welcome by their members upon our arrival. They had arranged a BBQ for anyone wishing to use it plus a range of soft drinks and snacks if we wanted them.

It was good to see that the more modern MG,s were in such good hands and being so well looked after by their owners. A lot of information and telephone numbers were exchanged between their members and ours and a great afternoon was had by all. Collin who organised the event showed interest in joining MGOC NI and said he would encourage others to do so as well. All in all it was well worth the visit in magnificent surroundings with the sun shining all day.

[Write up by Bob Sharpe]

Heritage Day Visit to the Harbour Office Belfast & The Gasworks ‘Flame’ Museum Carrickfergus Sunday 14th September 2014

This event was by club chairman Bob Sharpe. Twenty Eight Cars headed off on Heritage Day, the first stop being the Harbour Commissioners Office where a very informative tour was given of this historic building. We then made our way up to the Flame Gas Museum in Carrickfergus which proved very popular.

Noel Corry presented them with an old gas meter he had obviously been saving for such an occasion. Many of the old gas appliances on display were very familiar to many of us bringing back lots of memories. The day concluded with an enjoyable meal at the Fort William Golf Club.

Ballygowan Vintage Show Saturday 20th September 2014

The club received an invitation, which it had accepted, to put on a display of cars at this show. The theme of the show was the ‘MG Car’. Meeting on the Castlereagh Road ten cars set of on the short journey to Ballygowan village. Arriving at the site we were directed into a stand almost at the entrance to the field, a good location which suited everyone well.

Following a short delay the gazebo eventually arrived and was erected quite quickly although no doubt would have been faster had Moffett been there. By the way Moffett was correct, the gazebo does fit into an MGB on the passenger side albeit the passenger has to seek alternative transport. It was a good day and everyone enjoyed the jumble, the cars and yes the tractors.

Derek Gaw won a basket of fruit for ‘the best MG car’. Club member Charlie Annan is on the committee of the Ballygowan club and with this experience behind him must be a contender for our committee!

Laying Up Run Sunday 28th September 2014

We met at ‘The 45 Club’on Park Avenue Belfast at 1.30pm where tea/coffee and scones were served. It was a good way to start the day as everyone had the chance to catch up with old friends in a causal seating area in the club room. Leaving The 45 Club around 2.30pm we took a short run down the Bangor Road through Crawfordsburn – Bangor and on to the harbour at Groomsport. Unfortunately a short rain shower spoiled the tops down brigade and some stopped to put the hoods up. However the shower was short and had stopped by the time of the return trip to the 45 Club. Arriving back we all sat down to a greatevening meal before the prize giving.

For the record the award winners were:

• Mervyn Body for Best Attended Club Member
• The Most Enjoyable Event was the Galway Weekend for which Desie accepted the award
• The person who had assisted members with their problems mechanical or otherwise’ was awarded to Alan Smyth
• A difficult close decision as a few other guys did assist with members’ car problems during the year namely: Albert Reid, Alan Caldwell and Noel Corry.
• The Club Ambassador was awarded to Bob Sharpe, and
• The winner of the Secretary’s Cup was Florence Smyth

All in all this turned out to be a good day out with plenty of opportunity for chat etc. And I think we are on a winner with this one at least for a few years.

Thanks to Desie for the arrangements.

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