NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2023
YORKIE UP DOWN AND AROUND 3 (THE EPILOGUE) RUN
KEITH & JAN LEA
SUNDAY AUGUST 6TH
Twenty-one cars turned out for Keith & Jan Lea’s (final?) Yorkie Up and Down Run with the start being at Pear Tree Farm, York. Although the forecast was very poor, we had our top down all the way from Keighley and this was to be the case for the whole day. Keith & Jan obviously spend more time in church than me. After a very nice breakfast we grouped in the car park for the briefing, with Keith pairing up solo drivers and new members with seasoned veterans. Maureen offered for us to be a lead car but the last twice we had done this we got lost but aided Jim Collin this time.
Off we went through many roundabouts before heading out to Strensall via Earswick and on to Sheriff Hutton. We had to negotiate a couple of narrow bridges along the route before our first comfort stop in Helmesley. The next stage was over the moors and headed for Farndale with gates to open and close, very rural. The route then took us along Blakey Ridge past the famous Lion Inn and through Rosedale Abbey and up the formidable Chimney Bank past the old Bank Top kilns. A right turn took us on to Hutton-le Hole for our second comfort stop. Parking was at a premium so we squeeze a quite a few cars int the coach bays (naughty). One or two left the run at this point but the rest of us set off on the final leg.
This route took us along some of the original roads in reverse order via Hovingham, Sheriff Hutton, Farlington and Skelton. Some very good roads and reasonably quiet for the time of year. Finally back down the A19 and a final stop at Clifton Moor, York for a welcome cuppa.
On a final note, true to form we missed a left turn but only by a few yards as our trip was slightly out by Keith’s tulip.
Thanks to Keith and Jan for a grand run on good roads with the roof down all day. Also welcome to new members David & Maureen Amies, Wayne & Joyce Parker, Daz & Jo Pearson, Tim Jagger, Mark Sherry and Brian Mandels. We hope you enjoyed it enough to join us again.
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FROM THE DALES TO THE MOORS RUN
DARRELL & ALISON STOREY
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3RD
A grand topless run over to Northallerton for the start of this run. Twelve cars turned up for the run with another to watch the start. After a hearty (and cheap) Wetherspoons breakfast it was out into the sunshine for Darrell’s briefing.
Out of the car park and North before a left turn for Brompton on Swale via Bolton on Swale and into Richmond. Marske next and then on through Reeth and Akrigg before stopping at Hawes Creamery for refreshments.
Fully sated it was back on the road, leaving the Dales for the moors. This leg took us through Herriot country, Aysgarth, Redmire, Wensley, Leyburn and Bedale. On through Thirsk and up the famous Sutton Bank towards Helmsley and into Beadlam Grange for even more food.
Leaving Beadlam we headed of for a climb up Rosedale Chimney before descending into Hutton-le Hole and back onto the A170. We finally came to rest in the car park in Pickering.
The whole route was a magnificent mix of long sweeping bends, plenty of narrow twisty bits with some amazing views thrown in,
It was a lovely day altogether with no need for roofs at all. Tony and Catherine Clarke put in a rare appearance relieved of grandparenting and we were joined by new members Tony Beswick and his good lady whose name I missed, so sincere apologies to her. We also had interlopers from Tyne Tees in the form of Brian and Veronica Crowther, the Area Coordinators. As a measure of the problem we have with the size of Yorkshire it only took them half an hour from Middlesborough yet it took us an hour and a half from Keighley. Thanks to Darrell and Alison for another brilliant run and I have decided they can do every run next year as they always have hot sunny weather.
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NATIONAL RALLY
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH
We arrived in Warwick on the Friday and had a day in Stratford-on-Avon on the Saturday. When we arrived back at the hotel we were met by Keith Coutts and John Street who had travelled down in convoy. A stroll down into Warwick for our evening meal at Saffron Gold, an excellent Indian Restaurant. A taxi back to the hotel and an early night ready for an early start on Sunday morning.
Keith and I had volunteered to help at the rally and had to be there by about 8am. I went out to the car park where Keith was mystified. His car was unlocked and would not start. This caused a slight problem as all the passes for us to get into the rally early were locked in his boot. We swapped his key fob battery with Maureen’s but still no joy. Keith rang for assistance while John and we set off for the rally. We were supposed to be there by 9.15 and no earlier to set up the Yorkshire Ridings stand but it was heaving and all pitches seemed to be taken. We managed to squeeze in behind the Tyne Tees group and were right by the entrance so fortunately stood out. A few minutes later Keith arrived with a fully charged battery and we got the flag from him. Roadster Robbie reset his engine light and all seemed ok.
The rally was a good day out and the museum excellent value as it was free, great for us Yorkshire folk. MX5 Parts were offering 20% discount for the show so I saved a few quid. The weather stayed fine and was quite warm until about 3.00pm. Maureen ad I were in the museum at the time and when we got back to the stand our car was all that was left, lightweights. We packed up the flag and set off back to the hotel for some food and a quiet night ready for the off next morning.
I would like to thank those who put their cars on our stand. David and Maureen Amies, Jasper Stacey and Ginny Marsh, John Street, Jim Collin, Andrew and Helen Braimbridge, Josh Smith and his partner and of course ourselves. Also to the new members who visited the stand for a chat.
Please make a note in your diaries for the 35th Anniversary rally next year on June 9th.