March 2013

Is camping a right old Carry On or a great way to attend this years must see events? See page 7!

www.mgnorthumbria.org

Chairmans Chat Welcome and happy new year, again. We've had the 2013 new year, the Chinese new year and now we are about to begin the MG Northumbria new year with another year of runs are about to begin on 13th March. Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to organise a run and lets hope their efforts are rewarded with both good turnouts and good weather. I also look forward to our closer ties with other clubs, supporting them and joining them at their events. I know many of you have been using your cars during the winter and I have seen some of you out and about. The highlight for me may have been my first ever trip in a B with the roof down and yes it was in February with snow still on the ground. Thanks to Emma this took place on the NECPWA breakfast run from Bradley Gardens. This was a well attended event and I can highly recommend the NECPWA season ticket at only 3, see George Dalgarno or Derek Cansfield.
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On 24th March I hope you will come on my first Chairmans Run. Even if you wouldnt normally do the run please read on as there is something else in it this year. The run will start from Vallum Farm tearooms, open from 10am, on the Military Road but in addition to the attractions of the tearooms they will also open the mini-museum, which is normally only open on a Saturday. So even if you dont do the run why not come to enjoy the start. The runners will leave around 11.30 for the run to Otterburn Castle where lunch will be available. Best wishes

Tim Cook

Confessions of an MG driver
Ive got a few questions about everyday motoring that have been puzzling me. If the answers are obvious to you, please pass them on. My excuse is that you cant know everything! To begin with, why is there a preponderance of vehicles driving about with defective headlights, and is it not an offence? I suppose its caused by either speed humps or potholes on Britains deteriorating roads. Theres nothing worse than being dazzled by some driver in a 10 x 8 (my dear wifes description, bless her!), approaching in either direction with skewed headlamps (some might say that theres nothing worse than these vehicles Full Stop!). Why do an increasing number of drivers (not just Volvos) insist on driving in daylight with their lights on? As a keen biker over many years, we mostly always have ridden with headlamps on by day it was to make us more obvious to other drivers and avoid sorry mate, I didnt see you epitaphs. If we (road users) are all lit up, all the time (I dont mean with drink), then surely that cancels everything out and nobody will notice anybody (such as jaywalking pedestrians, kids with mobiles or cyclists). If you cant see another vehicle in the daylight, you shouldnt be driving! Actually, I have a suspicion that all new vehicles have day - driving lights as standard. However, is it the law, and do we need it?

Finally, have any other drivers noticed that from time to time as we travel lifes highways, theres always someone who has to burn you off or just get in front (usually to no avail)? I mean, I expect it from some baseball-cappedblack windowed lower - suspensioned hatchback (with green wheels), driven by a bulbhead with an NVQ in stupidity, (or even his older brother in a blue and gold Yobbaru with or without stars!). Nor have we forgotten White Van man or even those ridiculous Smart shopping trolleys (!!). Is it just because weve got a vehicle with a bit of character which we enjoy using? Perhaps its only we MG sports car drivers who have to put up with this? Ill let you know if I ever buy an XK140! Happy motoring!

Dave Ellison
Final Call! If you havent renewed your membership yet you have until the end of this month to do so. 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.

Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm.

13 Colin and Ros Kelletts First of the Year run.

Starts from Callerton Parkway Metro car park at 6.30 pm. About 36 miles ending at the Wagon Inn be tween Ponteland and Belsay, where you will be able to have a meal if you wish. 24 Chairmans Run. Starting at the Vallum Farm Tea Room on the military road (B6318 about 1 mile past the Robin Hood pub going west). See Chairmans Chat on page 2.

You should have received the 2013 Events Calendar with this newsletter. If not, please let Alan know.

A member of MGOC is offering to give us 25% discount on his cottage in Heacham for holiday lets. If you are interested email Dave: johnson.david2@sky.com or call 07725 556578

It seems that the club now has a camping division, its director being none other than Les Davison. Our camping plans so far this year are:Saturday 15th June - Tuesday 25th June 24 Heures Du Mans Friday 12th July -Sunday 14th July MGOC 40th Birthday Week-end at Swavesey. Friday 26th July - Monday 29th July Silverstone Classic Week-end Friday 2nd August Sunday 4th August MGOC Northern National @ Pateley Bridge Anyone interested in joining us on any of these events, please get in touch with "The Camping Field Marshall, Les "Artois" Davison on 01670 797177 or L_DAVISON@sky.com. As you know we do not rough it when we camp, it is not quite "GLAMPING" but is not your basic boy scout type camping. [as long as you dont forget to do up the zips when it rains eh Les? Ed.]

The following message has been received from David Jamieson.

I have two MG Midgets for sale and was wondering if you could enquire from your members if anyone would be interested in purchasing them. One is a 1972 round wheel arch and is a complete car but has been off the road for several years and needs a fair bit of work to get it back in running condition. The other is a 1969 Midget and has been partially restored but has been dismantled. All the original parts are still available. I used to be a member of your club many years ago and do not want these cars fall into the hands of a scrap dealer but want them to go to someone who will restore them or use them for donor parts to keep another midget on the road. I am willing to discuss price should someone be interested. djamieson@newgate134.freeserve.co.uk and this has come in from Jim Clynes If any members are interested i have a MGB non-overdrive gearbox & back axle for sale if anyone is or knows somebody who is interested they can contact me on 01661 833072 or 07875120244 or e-mail me at jimclynes@talktalk.net

Dave Stokoe has sent in this recommendation, after having his BGT starter motor overhauled: Auto-Electrical Services, old CO-OP buildings, Shields Road, Bill Quay, Tyne and Wear Tel :- 0191 469 6003 All makes of Starters/Alternators New-Reconditioned-Repaired Diagnostic tests (20) All auto electrics checked and repaired 8

The photo competition will be running again this year. The rules are the same as last year so just e mail Tim with anything you wish to enter. He will then put it onto the club website (kept hidden from public view until the competition ends if you prefer). Anyone without e mail or needing digital transfer can just give them to Tim at club night or at a run. The winner will be chosen in the Autumn. So get clicking!

Coming Up

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.

If you were at the last club night you may have been tempted by some of the clothing items brought along by Emblematic. If you would like to see their full catalogue, this can be done online as shown below. The MG Northumbria logo can be added to any gar ment purchased.

EMBLEMATIC ORDERING GUIDE

You may order on line with our Internet Ordering Service. Simply visit www.emblematic.co.uk search under clubs & place your order. You may pay by debit/ credit card or a cheque posted to Emblematic Ltd, Unit 26, North Tyne Industrial Estate, Longbenton, Tyne & Wear NE12 9SZ You may wish to have your items delivered to your home. This will incur a small carriage charge.

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Beer Can Chicken

Ever open to new ideas [i.e. I print whatever I get my hands on Ed.] the newsletter is proud to include what is probably one of the first recipes to be suggested by a member. This one has been sent in by Bob Heslop. You need; 1 can of beer (or other drink, ginger ale is good and a tin of baked beans works), 11/2 kg chicken, 2 tsp oil, barbeque rubs/glazes (optional). Instructions; open beer, drink half (half mind you). Clean the chicken inside and out, stand the can upright in the birds cavity so the chicken sits upright. Drizzle the oil on to the bird, adding barbeque rub or glaze to taste. Roast for around two hours in a cast iron pot or camp oven. The beer steams the chicken from the inside. Fantastic! Let me know how it goes. Bob

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At the risk of starting off controversy, here is something sent in by Emma Allen.

An MG versus a man
The MG will happily stay outside your friends house while you have coffee and a chat and will never grumble about how long youve been. The MG will not disappear down the road on a Friday night and demand to be let in at stupid oclock in the morning. The MG will always be there when you need it. The MG LOVES shopping and will carry as many carrier bags as you want. The MG is happy to take children or grandchildren out for the whole day. The MG does not leave underwear on the bathroom floor, the milk out of the fridge or the top off the toothpaste. The MG will not answer you back or accuse you of nagging but will patiently listen to your grumbling. The MG will never ever go off with another woman. The MG will never insist on watching football when your favourite programme is on [but surely that is the football anyway? Ed.] Man v MG er, let me think for a while!

Emma

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