April 2013

20th Anniversary Year

MG unveils new people carrier!

www.mgnorthumbria.org

Chairmans Chat
Hello, well here we are again at the start of a new season of runs and appropriately for a new season the first run was organised by first time planners, Colin & Ros Kellett. Many thanks for their run which saw 7 cars turn out despite the still wintery weather and a nice meal and natter at the Waggon, Ponteland. The second run was also a first, that is my first Chairmans Run. Having decided to move from our home for many years in Rothbury we found a new destination at Otterburn Castle. The route was planned and run a couple of times,thanks Katrina for your help. Planning a route at the start of the year is more challenging hoping that time planned in the calendar isnt spoilt by last minute weather. Thirty members in 16 cars, incl 5 classics, met at Vallum Farm Tearooms and despite the bitter wind found time to visit the small collection of models of tractors and farm machinery and a full size 1903 Ivel tractor, the oldest working tractor in the world. This collection was opened for us. The first part of the route was very rural, OK what I really mean is muddy, potholed and grass down the middle but as it got higher above Birtley & towards Bellingham it got increasingly white. Once at Otterburn Castle we had our own room nicely laid out for our lunches. I enjoyed my soup and lamb but unfortunately would have liked a bit more for my s. Please let me have your thoughts. Other news. I had an email from Antony Blevins who is restoring an MG A. He runs the Wild Trapeze tea rooms in the Old Coop Buildings on Heaton Road and hopes to become a member. Do visit him, share your MG experience and encourage him to join.

Graham Stokoe, Daves son, has volunteered to use his marketing, design & PR skills to help this club. We now have a twitter account, @mgnewcastle, in addition to the facebook and website. He is also working on a new website. I have enjoyed running current site over the last few years but am sometimes frustrated by the limits of the free software I have been using. The new version is miles better with loads of new features and will hopefully be available soon. And finally, if you havent entered your car yet for Classics in Corbridge taking place on 7th July please let me know. Thanks

Tim Cook

Have you ever thought about getting a portrait of your pride and joy? If so, you may like to have a look at this website : http://classiccarsart.wordpress.com/about/ The artist is based in the north west of England and will do a drawing of your car if you send a digital photo. The website does not quote the cost of this but if you are interested there is a link address for contacting her. Thanks to Dave Stokoe for this.

Hunter History
When the Editor needs to fill space, Alan asks for volunteers, once, twice, says its only a couple of hundred words on a subject of your choice, then coerces, pleads, [whats a few threats between friends? Ed.]then ok so its committee members in alphabetical order. So its G for George Hunter this month and next month L for Lorraine. So thats 59 words so far! Subject, well we have had it before, your first car. I think we missed that club night so mine was a G registration Wolseley 1300 Vanden -Plas Princess, 30k miles, full history, purchased in 1977 for 325. For a 7 year old car even then it was immaculate and very cheap. I bought it from a woman where I worked following the death of her mother. Unfortunately 9 months later I crashed it into a Ford Escort and pushed the Escort into a brand new Triumph Spitfire. Problem was they were both neighbours cars and only 3 doors from home. Foot slipped! Only Third Party cover and 200 to repair the Wolseley. Next car, I shared an office with a guy called John who had various Sprites in parts with 1 in very good order. In parts meant for him cleaning an engine in the bath, even though his flat was on the first floor! So in 1978 about 18 months later I sold the Wolseley for I think 400 to a new starter at work much to the disgust of the woman at work who remembered what I paid her for it. It was Johns influence that I bought NBR 325M, chrome bumper, British Racing Green, Midget for 975. Next problem, Third Party only insurance after the accident with the Wolseley was 360. John solved that by giving me a job in Cramlington which meant even though the office was in Forest Hall I qualified for a car allowance at 30 per month. Just enough!

In April 1979 after spending about 200 on wishbones and track rod ends the Midget was stolen one Wednesday night from outside the scout hut where I was a Leader. Two days later it was recovered on waste land near what is now the Royal Quays, splattered with mud, a hammer taken to the metal dashboard including the dials. John and I replaced the dash etc. and cleaned it up but it was never the same, so I sold it in the June of 1979. The next car, ex-company car from where I worked again, Fort Escort, P reg, 1976, 35k miles bought for 300. Three months later in September 1979, second or third date with Lorraine the Escort was written off in a head on smash in Wallsend, not my fault, argument followed with insurance company as I had it insured as market value and they offered me what I paid, we won. I got my 1,000 and it went as the part deposit on our first house. So then I was given a company car even though I was only 22 and most other company car drivers were 30+ probably as I couldnt afford the car insurance on my own. The next MG we bought was 15 years ago, Inca Yellow B Roadster and its still a MG Northumbria Member.

George Hunter

Apologies
Sorry for the mix up last month when the February edition was initially sent out instead of the March one., which itself contained two items from the previous month. Following severe punishment from the chairman steps have been taken to address the issue with the newsletter production staff. Alan
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3 Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm. Dave Ellison will be revisiting an old flame. 7 Durham Classic Cars Dust Off Run 14 Bellingham Heritage Day. This is not a club run but if you are think ing of going there will be cars leaving from Callerton Metro car park at 10.00 a.m. 21 Drive It Day - see below. 28 Durham MG Bobby Shafto run

Drive it Day Run on Sunday 21st April

Run In conjunction with NECPWA organized by Eileen and George Dalgarno. This run is to commemorate the 65 brave competitors who, in April 1900, took part in what was the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland (the forerunner of the RAC) Thousand Mile Trial. The Trial was in aid of the fledgling British Motor industry to publicly demonstrate that motors were, apart from being desirable and legitimate, reliable vehicles and not just rich boys toys. There was a wide variety of vehicles, petrol and steam powered, from one-person motor tricycles to large family wagonettes and even a Daimler bus, from voiturettes to 12HP giants such as CS Rolls Panhard, the fastest car in the country at that time. Drivers included Herbert Austin and JD Siddeley. The route started in London and travelling through England and Scotland via major towns and cities, was to finish back in London with only 49 competitors able to complete the Trial in 21 days. Bearing in mind that this was at a time when roads were poor, maximum legal speed limit was 12mph and 8mph through towns and villages, transport was mainly by train or horse and many people had never even seen a car, this was no mean feat. Leaving the Linskill Centre North Shields NE30 2AY at 10am sharp with a coffee stop and an optional train ride aranged at 12.15pm on a steam loco pulled train at the Tanfield Railway ending with Sunday lunch at the White Swan Dinnington at approx 4pm. The charge for the train is normally 9 per person, but if we can arrange 40 members we will only be charged 5. It might also be possible to take your tea or coffee onto the train. All Classics are invited as well as all models of MG's. Please contact George or Eileen if you wish to book a seat on the train before 7th April Tel 0191 2377146 email 42@talktalk.net 7

Subs
There still seems to be some confusion about how much these are for 2013. MG Northumbria membership is 8 plus 5 for membership of Backworth club. If you have no intention of attending club nights you can pay the MGN renewal only.
Please send your cheque, payable to MG Northumbria to: George Dalgarno, Denecroft, Wallridge Drive Holywell, Seaton Delaval NE25 0NN Please enclose SAE with your cheque.

The events calendar includes an entry for 13/14 April listed as MG North Event, Patterdale Hotel. Unfortunately the organisers of this event have since had to cancel it.

MGOC 40th Birthday Party 13th-14th July

MGOC would like to know how many cars will be attending this event from our club. This is because we will be allocated our own area where we can all park together, bring tables and banners and display club info. Could people please let me know if they are planning on going so that I can pass exact numbers on to them. Either email me secretary@mgnorthumbria.org, ring/txt me: 07807641393 or let me know on club night. We will still need to complete a ticket booking form (you do this individually), which should be available in April's Enjoying MG and is on their website now - go to '40th Anniversary' section. The MG Owners' Club are also asking for volunteers to help on the day (marshalling, fund raising etc) so if anyone is interested please let me know. Katrina

Just a reminder that Tim has entry forms available for the Durham Classic Cars Dust Off Run on 7th April and Durham MG s Bobby Shafto Run on 28th April. Please see Tim at club night or email him.

Richards Pendolino
With Alans words ringing in my ears, it doesnt have to be car related, I thought about putting pen to paper for a piece in the newsletter. This topic came to me as I sat on a train speeding towards Carlisle, and noticed the horizon gently rise and fall as I gazed out of the window. Despite feeling mildly sea-sick I marveled at the technology that gradually tilted the whole carriage to enable the train to take curves at higher than normal speeds. I was, of course, travelling on a Virgin Trains Pendolino, the Italian tilting train. The idea behind this was born in the mid 2oth century when railway operators wondered how to achieve faster journey times on 19th century track systems, without the need for dedicated straight routes. By tilting to counteract the centripetal forces generated higher speeds could be attained without discomfort to passengers.

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In 1969 an Italian manufacturer pioneered a carriage with tilting seats, and this was the first to be christened Pendolino, from the Italian for pendulum, pendelo. A complete car set was introduced into service in 1975 called ETR 401, though it was generally considered to be a travelling laboratory. Some readers may recall that about this time us Brits were developing a similar system, called the Advanced Passenger Train (catchy eh) that was a failure due to typical British apathy and lack of investment. The Italians seized the opportunity and obtained the patents, developed the system correctly and put the worlds first passenger tilting train in to revenue earning service in 1982. Ten years on and the developments came thick and fast with ETR 460 bringing improvements to the bogie design which improved passenger comfort despite reducing the tilt angle from 13 degrees to just 8. This allowed the train to reach speeds of 250 Km/hr and corner 35% faster than conventional fixed trains. In 2002 Virgin Trains introduced Pendolino on its West Coast Main Line (WCML) service, the 53, 9 car trains being constructed by Alstrom who had bought the Italian manufacturer in 2000. Once on British soil however the ghosts of Brunel and Stephenson haunted the proposals to run at the design speed of 140 mph, due to the WCML lack of in cab signalling. As a result of the lines Victorian origins the Pendolino are restricted, currently, to 125mph.I know Alan did say that any contributions to the mag need not be car related, however there is a twist, or should that be tilt, to the tale. The Italian manufacturer - Fiat Ferroviavia and the designer involved in the styling of ETR 460 Giorgetto Giugiaro. Paul Humphries
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Time on your hands? The perfect present for the MG enthusiast is now available. German watch maker MeisterSinger has brought out a watch shown belowwhich is modelled on the MG TD from the 1950s. There are 3 colour combinations available, Abingdon, Cecil Kimber and Cream Cracker. Only 1,000 of these will be made per year and one will cost you 1405. Details can be seen at www.mg-watch.com

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Established 1983
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Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts. MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award . Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken. Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares. Fast & efficient Mail Order service -----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND E-mail :- sales@chicdoig.com Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

Classic Coachcraft. Classic vehicle specialists.

Dave Bush 16 Riverdale Court Newburn Haugh Ind Est Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8SG Tel/Fax: 0191 264 8600 Mobile: 07940 919 670 classiccoachcraft@googlemail.com

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Macintyre's of Gosforth Classic Cars Unit 6 Strand Business Centre Locomotion Way Killingworth Tyne & Wear NE12 5US 0191 221 2889 0191 268 8100 07587 190 222 Restoration of Classic Cars Fabrication Engine Rebuilds Resprays Service Upholstery

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