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Created on Sunday, 03 September 2006 16:13

Norwich Event 2006

Once again, a very successful "Norwich" meeting was held over the first weekend in September with good numbers attending despite us losing a number of regular attendees to the very popular Goodwood revival meeting.

We don't alway's clash with this event, but did so this year unfortunately which is unavoidable as our date is set by Norfolk constabulary who host the event. What we have found however in recent years is that more people have made a weekend of the event rather than just attending the main day on the Sunday.

An informal gathering had been arranged on the Friday evening at the Bridge pub which is opposite the end of John & Lou Shorten's road in Lenwade. A dozen people enjoyed a good evening with a meal in the pub's restuarant before having a drink & chat in the bar. This was very successful as the food was excellent with David Long declaring that his steak was cooked to absolute perfection which he made no hesitation to tell the bar maid in order that he could secure himself a very large sweet to follow - you old charmer David!!. And with the wife with you as well - incredible!. Dave Nightingale both along some great pictures of his newly restored TA which now looks absolutely lovely in it's bright red paint & shiny chrome work. Dave will be the first to admit that it's not been the fastest restoration in living history - he purchased the car in 1968 as an impoverished student for the princely sum of £20 (those were the day's!) & has now restored it to it's former glory as a retirement project. Well done David - I'm sure you will be very glad to be out & about in ther car again after years of it being off the road - just don't sell the Magnette!.

Saturday was the traditional "open" day at John & Lou Shorten's combined with an event organised by the register by John & Cynthia Harris & another informal gathering in the evening. Lou had worked hard on cooking sausage rolls etc on the Friday evening - you never go short of food & drink at the Shorten's!. Throughout the day many people called in & enjoyed the hospitality. A special mention must go to Greg & Jill Thornton & Pauline Stimson who worked very hard with the food preparation & making sure that no one went hungry. Greg & Jill had unfortunately experienced an overheating problem with their car after setting out which necessitated turning back for a "modern" given they were coming all the way down from East Yorkshire towing a caravan. Thank you for your perseverance Greg & Jill. A dozen people enjoyed the seal trip which had been meticulously organised by John and Cythia Harris despite an emergency hospital scare for John the week before which unfortunately will keep him from the wheel of his Magnette for a while - John & Cynthia made the weekend with Cynthia driving their modern Z series MG. Again, a big thank you for alot of hard work in organising a very good event. When we arrived for the seal trip, it was raining hard. We did however have approximately half an hours wait before setting sail, in which time the weather dried up completely for the whole trip unless of course you had chosen to sit right up the front of the boat like new committee member Mark Bunce & his son Steve. You'll know for next time Mark & Steve - I recon youi just wanted to test those very fetching "plastic bag" rain cagoules you both purchased just before we set sail!!.The evening was two informal gathering's due to numbers - the first was at the Fish & Chip restaurant just down the road from the Norfolk showground & the second was in the restauarnt adjoining the Travel Lodge opposite the showground - both were very successful by all accounts!.

The main day on the Sunday dawned wet & windy!. The rain cleared up very quickly however, altthough the very high wind stayed with us all day on what was a hot & sunny day. We had a pleasing turnout of virtually 30 Magnettes alone (there was more accross the weekend as some had only been able to attend on the Saturday) together with various other classics spear headed by John & Lou's arrival in John's 1931 F1 Magna. We did an absolute roaring trade in Regalia & raffle tickets - a big thank you to everyones generousity which helps swell the registers funds which will ultimately benefit all of us!.
Finally, congratulations must go to Bev Croft for picking up the car of the show award for his very nice Varitone. Because of his age & health, Bev has to put in a tremendous amount of effort to attend Norwich which he has done over a number of years now all the way from Hodnet in Shropshire. Son Gerald trailers the car for Bev as it is too far for him to drive to the event now, so it was very nice to see this effort paying dividends. Thanks Bev & Gerald for attending - a richly deserved win.

by Peter Martin,Register Historian.