See the new NW Track car at:
projectmr2.com and Wayne's website at:
http://www.mk1toyotamr2.co.uk/
For previous years NW Newsletters, see NorthwestNews1
John Redmond, North West Co-ordinator. norwestmk1club@btinternet.com
UPDATE 5th APRIL 2008
Hello Everybody,
First off an apology. Sorry for not being in contact with you all for some time.
OK, I’ve had a change in my job which means I’m living out of hire
cars, regional jets and hotels. This situation looks like it’s going to go on
for some time so I cannot say when the next time I’ll attend a MR2 Mk1 Club
meeting. However, I’ve had a chat with a couple of North West regulars and asked if
they would help making sure Tatton Park will happen. I’m hoping that it
will go ahead and that I can attend. Assuming that it does, if you would like to attend, let me know,
I’ll be monitoring the emails and will forward the responses to the correct
person. As for my filling the North West co-ordinator role, this is something that I cannot
do at the moment. So the position is vacant. If you feel you could help out, I
will put you in contact with the right people to help. I’m away till most of April so please don’t get annoyed if you don’t
get a response. (I have a hired Astra coupe convertible 1.9 TDi sat outside, I must say, it’s quite nice
If you've got my mobile no. and would like to have a go, please ring me and leave a
message. Thanks for reading this short note, hope to see you all
soon!
John Redmond
UPDATE 5th SEPTEMBER 2007
Hello Everyone,
The next meeting of the NorthWest area of the MR2 Mk1 club will be on Sunday
9th September, 12:30 onwards.
We were trying the arrange a show at Hogton Tower near Preston, but I cannot
seem to get anybody to talk to on the number they published. So we'll look into
this for next year.
See you there!
Regards,
John Redmond
UPDATE 7th AUGUST 2007
Hello Everyone,
The next meeting of the MR2 Mk1 Club, North West will take place this coming
Sunday 12th August at the Wiggin Tree from 12:30 onwards.
Kirsty has offered to set up a run around the local area, starting and
finishing at the pub. A first for a meeting!
Tatton Park - there are a few tickets left for this show on the 18th and 19th
August, if you would like to attend, please contact me and I'll get you a
ticket.
See you Sunday,
Regards,
John Redmond
UPDATE 27th JULY 2007
Hello everyone,
Thank you for bearing with us during the time the Wiggin Tree was closed for
refurbishment, I believe it is now fully open and looking very plush!
The next meeting there will be on Sunday the 12th of August. Usual time of
12:30 onwards. Something slightly different this time though, Kirsty has
suggested we have a run around the local area, which sounds a great idea!
Hopefully the rain will have abated and the sun will shine for us(!)
Next show for us will be the Tatton Park Show on the 18th and 19th August.
Here's a little intro!
The 20th Tatton Park Vintage, Classic and Sports Car Show with Giant Cheshire
Auto-jumble.
Over 2000 Vintage and Classic cars with up to 90 top car club displays
including special events for the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club and Alvis Owners
Club. Massive 2-day auto-jumble, collectors car mart for selling or buying the
cars of your dreams.
We have a number of tickets for this, and will be giving them out to requests
to me via email.
Attendees so far: If you want your name added to this list, let me know if you want to attend
Sat, Sun or both days.
The club will be putting on a (free) barbeque, and there will be drinks etc.
available.
In Other News....
The North West was well represented at the JAE show in Peterborough recently,
myself, Sy, Barry, Kirsty and Bill braved the rain and mud. Die hard campers to
the last, well except for me who had to rough it in a hotel.... see here for
pictures... http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=74986
At JAE I was pressed on the Isle of Man trip, so I'll be looking at a return
in 2008, probably the week before Easter, more details to follow, but the fixed
costs this year were, £110 return ferry, £35 per person per night B&B in the
hotel. Add inflation, the mood of the hotel owner etc.. For more details on what
to expect, my article was in the last edition of the club magazine.
I think that's everything!
Regards,
John Redmond
UPDATE 6th JULY 2007
Hello Everyone!
The July meeting of the MR2 Mk1 Club (northwest region) will be on Sunday
15th July, at the (now refurbished) Wiggin Tree on Parbold Hill.
Due to a prior arrangement, Bill Hulme will be sitting in for me.
I will be at JAE on the 21st and 22nd July, this is the biggest show for the
Mk1 club, all members will be welcomed.
In the North West, our next show will be Tatton Park Classic and Sports Car
Show. This is held on the 18th and 19th August. Entry is by ticket, and it is a
very popular show, please let me know if you want to attend (first come first
served).
I looked into a show at the Woodvale rally near Southport, but I've
had very little response, so I won't be pursuing this one this year,
perhaps next...
See you next in August.
Regards,
John Redmond UPDATE 20th MAY 2007
Hello Everyone,
Just a couple of lines to bring everyone up to date.
Tatton Park Vintage and Classic show 2nd and 3rd June.
As I suspected this show is proving very popular, at the moment we have the
following:
9 cars both days, 3 Saturday only, 3 Sunday only, 2 to confirm
which day(s).
But we still have a few tickets spare, so if you'd like to attend, drop a
line to me as early as you can!
A couple of other shows to consider,
The Northwest Motorshow at Southport, 23rd and 24th June. Link to the website
is below.
http://www.visitsouthport.com/site/events/north-west-motor-show
This show is in conjunction with IMOC, but I'm sure we could get a good
showing from the Mk1 club!
The Woodvale Rally, 4th and 5th August 2007
http://www.woodvale-rally.org.uk/01_home.htm
I have made an enquiry about this show after a request via email. I
have contacted the organisers and we would be made welcome. So could you give me
a little feedback on if I should go further down the route. They charge
entry by pass, £4 each and require a minimum of 5 cars for a club pitch, I'm up
for it, how about you?
The June meeting is a bit 50/50 on going ahead at the moment, the Wiggin Tree
is closed for refurbishment and I'm out of the country. Any business could
be conducted at the Tatton show (so far).
Bill Hulme will be looking after you all in July.
Regards,
John Redmond
UPDATE 13th MAY 2007
Hello Everyone,
Tatton Park Vintage and Classic Car Show, 2nd and 3rd June.
http://www.cheshireautopromotions.co.uk/classic.htm
We are going to have a pitch at this show and I'm looking for people and
cars for the weekend. This show is extremely popular, so an early response is
wise!
Entrance is by ticket only, and this allows two people and one car to enter,
(free) tickets are supplied by the club. So if you'd like to come along, I'll
need your address to send the tickets to. Camping is available, with food and a
bar on Friday and Saturday nights.
I need to know if you require Saturday, Sunday or both day's tickets. Could
you also include details of your car (reg no, colour etc, just in case...)
I'm not looking for concours cars, just a good cross section from the
club. There could be a club trophy on offer so a wash and polish might be
in order!
There will be a couple of gazebos, flags and free beer. (one of the last
statements was false, but you'll have to attend to find out which!)
Regards,
John Redmond
UPDATE 8th MAY 2007
Hello Everyone,
Just a quick reminder, the next meeting of the North West area of the MR2 Mk1
club will be held at the Wiggin Tree public house this Sunday 13th May.
I will be there, but not in my MR2, which is having a little paint work done.
So I'll be in a green Honda Accord.
Due to holidays and weddings, this will be the last NW meet I can attend till
August. If anyone would like to volunteer to meet and greet at the June and July
meetings, I'd be very grateful.
Regards,
John Redmond
UPDATE 6th APRIL 2007
Hello everybody.
As you know Sunday is Easter Sunday, so the monthly meet at the Wiggin Tree
is being put back until the 15th April. Two reasons for this, you all probably
have plans, and the pub will be packed!
So I'll see you on the 15th.
Michael Shevills, my North East counterpart has invited NWest members to the
'Ripon Classic' at Ripon Racecourse. It's on the 7th May and the club will be
having a pitch etc. If you would like more details, contact Michael at mistertwo@jopaluke.freeserve.co.uk
Last weekend we had the run to the Isle of Man, the weather was fantastic,
the roads were superb, and the food and drink at the hotel got outstanding
feedback! (There is a rumour we drunk the bar dry!)
I will be looking to organise this trip again for next year, hopefully for
the weekend before Easter. It is well worth attending, and if I can get the
similar deals from the ferry and hotel people, costs should be under £300 for a
three night stay.
If you want more details have a word with me at a meet or drop me a line.
I'll give you as much info as I can.
Regards, 8th FEBRUARY 2007
Hello Everyone,
Snow has fallen, so that means the February meeting must be here!
Seriously, the February meeting of the North West Mk1 club will be held at
the Wiggin Tree on Sunday 11th February from 12:30 onwards.
Regards
John Redmond
14th JANUARY 2007
Hello Everyone,
Just a quick thankyou to all the members who attended the meet today, yes it
was cold, but it was sunny!
We had a couple of new faces, and a well known face from the Midlands. In
total 6 MK1s attended, regulars being myself, Jim, Sy and Bill, New face no.1
was Kirsty who brought her SC Tbar and face no.2 was Simon came in his red
'tracked' T'bar.
Today's meet turned into a mini Jap meet, with us, the Nissan GTr oc and the
Mazda MX5 club arriving in the car park! Really something for everybody.
Hope you can make it along to a meeting soon, even if just for a chat and
drink.
Regards,
John Redmond North West Report Winter 2006
As winter draws in on the North West region, it’s time to reflect on the last
few months.
Back in August we had the Tatton Park ‘Sports and Classic Show’ organised by
‘Cheshire Auto Promotions’. So why do I name the organisers? Well because they
completely forgot to allocate us a club pitch…Oh well!
But due to the generosity of the MR2 Drivers Club, a limited number of
tickets were offered to us. I must now whole heartily thank Alan Farrimond and
the DC members for making us feel so welcome, and treating us as one of the
group.
I’m embarrassed to say that yours truly won the award for the
‘Best Mk1 Mr2’ on the DC stand, and the Mk1 1st place in the DC’s own club
award. I was very humbled.
The show itself unfortunately was a wash out, heavy rain and drizzle both
days, so the grass turned into mud after a short time.
The Mk1 club among the Drivers club
A rather embarrassed North West coordinator!
In September the meet at the Wiggin Tree was a low key event, with holidays
and such, but we did have an interesting arrival, Jonathan Bawden brought along
his V6 conversion, transplanted from a Camry the 24v quad cam unit looked
surprisingly ‘at home’ in the engine bay. The best bit is the noise; you just
have to experience it!
We also decided on a run to Snowdonia, the following Sunday.
Meeting up at the ‘Ponderosa’ café on the ‘Horseshoe pass’. Unfortunately I
climbed though thick fog to reach the café, and I was not expecting anybody else
to attend, however though the murk 5 more cars pulled into the car park. After
coffee, the fog lifted to reveal a blue sky and what turned out to be a
beautiful day. Thanks to Brian, Gary, Frogge and Celina and Jim and Mary for
making the day what it was.
Ponderosa through the murk!
Beautiful Day
I missed the October meet due to being in France, but a special thanks to
Bill Hulme for stepping in and being in the firing line!
I believe the NWest Lotus club came along too, sorry I missed that one.
I’ve planned a trip to the Isle of Man for 2007; this will be on the last
weekend of March. A special deal has been arranged with the IOM Steam Packet Co
and the Ballacallin Hotel; Sailings are from Liverpool and Heysham. I’ve been
getting a good response and places are filling up, but if you want to come
along, ‘Book early!!’
See the website for pictures of earlier trips.
Meetings have now settled into the second Sunday of the month format, and
this has brought a sense of stability for members, we are averaging 6 to 8 cars
per meet, for a drink and chat by the fire in the pub. We are getting 1or 2 new
faces saying hello, so lets see more North West cars, you will be made very
welcome!
John Redmond, Northwest coordinator.
UPDATE 6th OCTOBER 2006
Just a quick reminder that the next meeting will be on Sunday the 8th
October at the Wiggin Tree, 12:30 onwards.
I'm sorry to say that I will not be attending due to being out of the
country, but you'll be in the capable hands of Bill Hulme.
Regards,
John Redmond
UPDATE 12th SEPTEMBER 2006
After discussions at the meet last Sunday, we will be having a run around
North Wales and the Snowdonia National Park. If you would like to join us, here
are a few details:
The date is Sunday 24th September, and we will be meeting at the 'Ponderosa
Cafe' on the A542 'Horseshoe Pass' around 10am.
MAP...follow the arrow!
Gary Call has a few nice routes to follow. We will be stopping frequently for
refreshments and comfort stops. Past experience has shown that the speeds will
be governed by the prevailing traffic, speed cameras and sheep... but it still
will be an enjoyable day out.
Hopefully we will stop at the Sallowfalls Hotel for lunch and later a snack
at the edge of Lake Bala.
Regards
John Redmond North West Meeting, May 2006
Well when is summer going to arrive for the North West of England? Not on a
meeting day I think!
After a few hot days last week I was looking forward to a bright and warm
Sunday afternoon, so much for that. I drove in to the Wiggin Tree car park in
drizzle blown by a brisk breeze, to find one Mk1 already there, it’s a car I
don’t recognize, so I’m think is it a member or is just coincidence? I soon
found out, new member Jay Gosling in his first run to a meet in a shiny red
coupe.
Jay’s Coupe
Jay is now a fully fledged Mk1 convert from the usual Ford Fiesta.
Next arrival was Tony Clegg in a very nice 1985 coupe, unique colour, wheels
and condition, Tony is in the ‘trade’ and has spent lots of time and effort
getting the rust removed, arches rebuilt and the body prepared for the very
distinctive shade of paint. I asked what colour it is, but Tony stayed silent, I
believe that James Passe, Frogge and Bill Hulme found out that Tony lives very
close to the TVR plant, so that’s a clue.
Tony’s Mk1a
Next was another new face, Steve Clarke.
Steve’s Coupe
Steve found his white coupe on the side of the road, for sale. He is now
giving it a lot of well deserved TLC, in the usual look in the engine bay Steve
explained that the previous owner lived up a dusty farm track and the bay
reflects this. Another member who shall remain nameless, asked if he was going
to clean it or plough it! Suffice to say a steam clean is high on the agenda.
Last but by no means least, a car I’m very familiar with. Mark and Sharon
Richardson have now left the UK for a new life in Canada, but passed the
ownership of there Mica Blue T’bar to Sharon’s brother!
Finally the line up from today.
John Redmond
5th APRIL 2006
Hello Everybody!
Just a quick line to say the next meeting of the MR2 Mk1 Club, North West
region will be at the Wiggin Tree on Sunday the 9th April (this Sunday!) from
12:30 onwards.
Hopefully there will be no snow, but this being British Summer Time, who
knows!
BTW, welcome to some new faces on the mail list, hope to see you there on
Sunday, even if you've not got your Mk1 roadworthy you are very welcome to come
and say hello!
Regards
John Redmond NORTHWEST MEET AT THE WIGGAN
TREE SUNDAY 15th JANUARY 2006
The car park at the Wiggin Tree can be a very cold and lonely place, and at
12:30 it certainly was!
However I need not have worried, slowly but surely Mk1s filled ‘our’ regular
spots.
Myself and Jon Miller retired to the warmth of the open bar fireplace, soon
to be followed by Bill Hulme, Sy Taylor, Wayne Duncan, Frogge and Celina.
Frogge had his project red coupe on the road, fresh from Jim Leddens' paint
shop looking very nice in now brighter red. It now just needs a little finishing
off to be completed.
Brian and Gary Call each arrived in there white coupes, soon to be members I
hear, a face from a show last summer Bruce, along with Margaret and Dave,
brought the total of Mk1’s to eleven.
We have a number of firm dates for events to attend in the coming months,
I’ve done a news sheet, for your information, so next meet ask me for one...
Here are a couple of shots from the car park
Gary Call
Brian Call
NORTH WEST MEET AT THE WIGGAN TREE,
SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER 2005
The last North West meet for 2005 saw seven MK1s at the Wiggin Tree.
I was very pleased to see the numbers swelled by an experiment I tried last
week, for the first time I used a text SMS service as well as ‘traditional’
email.
John Chisnall arrived in his red ‘T’bar, saying ‘I got a text about a meet,
so here I am’ If you’d like to same service, send me a mobile number to the
address on top of this page, and I’ll make sure your added.
As well as John, Gary and Brian Call arrived after finding the web site and
deciding to see what it’s all about. Arriving in Gary’s MK1, Brian said he would
bring his next time, now he knows we are here.
The IMOC forum yielded another new face, James (aka ‘jimbojet’) brought his
Red coupe, and last months new face Jon (aka ‘jonathan’) came along for a second
visit.
Another ‘first timer at the Wiggan Tree’ was Bill Hulme, Bill has now a white
over silver JDM auto import complete with ‘spider’ graphics, certainly
distinctive.
Regulars included Mark and Sharon Richardson, John Redmond, Jim Ledden (in a
ford pick-up) and Charles (Frogge) Fox with Celina (non MR2). Frogge now has
three MK1s, all being restored!
John Redmond NORTH WEST MEET SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2005 AT THE WIGGAN TREE PUB
This was the first meet with the new co-ordinators John and Simon at the
helm, we were hoping not to be on our own like September, and we were not
disappointed!
Thanks to the Club Forum on IMOC, we had three new faces, Lee, Jon and Craig
attending for the first time, along with some faces not seen for some time.
It was good to see the ‘old regulars’ too, Gary, Jim, Chris, Ryan, Mark and
Sharon.
A special thanks to Fred and Doris Sanderson for attending, great to see them
considering the distance travelled.
The weather certainly helped, a crisp clear afternoon, which made the car
park very welcome for a look around. A total of ten MK1s and a MK2 attended, so
a great turn out. We had one member in a non MR2 who has promised to motivate
himself to get the restoration of his MK1 going again. When the cold started to
bite the newly refurbished pub was certainly welcoming, coffees and ‘shandies’
all round.
We decided on a format of the second Sunday of the month for meetings,
which will be an informal chat and drink. But we need feedback from attendees
about events, track days, RR days etc. so don’t be shy!
I’m going to set up a text/SMS news service for NWest news, so if you want to
be apart of this, please mail me a number that I can use to norwestmk1club@btinternet.com
and I’ll make sure you get updated!
JOHN REDMOND
31st October 2005
Hello Everybody!
I'm dropping you all a line to let you know what's happing in the North West
MK1 club.
As you may or may not know, Ryan Kevan has decided he has to relinquish the
area co-ordinator role.
Ryan has put an awful lot of effort in to the North West area over the past
few years, it is thanks to him that we have grown in to a strong and active
group.
Ryan certainly has my personal thanks, he made me very welcome when I joined
those years ago. I'm sure all the area members will feel the same.
Ok, so what's happening? Ryan passed the reins to Simon Taylor, who in turn
contacted me. Si says he has little spare time due to business commitments, and
so after a chat over the weekend we decided that I would do the 'day to day'
stuff, and Si will do the events and shows.
So the next meeting....Sunday 13th November 2005
The venue is the Wiggan Tree, Parbold Hill, here's a map http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=53.5908&lon=-2.7444&scale=200000&icon=x
We will be there from 12:30ish. This will be a getting to (re)know you, meet,
chat and drink.
I'm not sure if the area mailing list is upto date, so fingers crossed! If
you get this via email and don't want to receive e.mail in the future let me
know.
Hopefully seeing you soon!
John Redmond Wiggan Tree
Hello All
totallyTransport
www.totallytransport.info
Come and join
in totallyTransport promises to be one of the North West's biggest transport
festivals in 2005. Where else will you see a gathering of classic and modern
buses, cars, coaches, commercial vehicles, motorbikes and trams at a single
venue? The event will be located on New South Promenade recently
upgraded as part of Blackpool's ambitious Masterplan for regeneration with the
refurbished Harrowside Solarium complex acting as the focal point. New South
Promenade will be closed to through traffic for the day, but car parking will be
available at the Pleasure Beach and Starr Gate tram terminus. There will be plenty to see and do for all the family. Well
over 500 vehicles are expected to attend
totallyTransport. You can wallow in nostalgia at the classic vehicles of
yesteryear or get enthused at the transport for tomorrow on display. The whole
event will come to life with live music and there will be plenty to eat and
drink, with activities for the kids as well. Blackpool's Pleasure Beach will be
only a short walk away and a heritage tram service will operate through the
heart of the event.
Totally Transport Blackpool Sunday 26
June 2005 - on Blackpool's New South Promenade
http://www.totallytransport.info/
Sorry to ask again, but I'm looking for more possible attendees for this
show.
I have four confirmed cars (including myself)
Graham Crook
Wayne Duncan
Ian Harris
If you would like your name adding to the list (I have 16 tickets remaining),
please E.mail me by return.
John Redmond ollyowl@btinternet.com
May's meet will take place on the 8th - with a bit luck I might
be able to make this one!
April's meet will be held on Sunday 10th April 2005
Next monthly meet will be Sunday 13th March 2005
Due to this months run to the Isle of Man there will no meeting as such,
although there will be 13 MK1s gathering at the Heysham ferry port on the 18th
at 1300 ready for the 1415 sailing.
NORTH WEST AREA REPORT - MARCH 2005
First of all an apology for not getting a report into the last 2 editions of
the magazine, those of you who know me will understand but I admit, I have let
things slide a little over the past 4-6 months for a number of reasons.
I am hopeful that from here on I will be able to commit myself a little more
to the NW and the club as a whole.
By the time you are reading this we will have completed our first event of
the year, namely the annual run to the Isle of Man. As I write this we have 13
confirmed bookings plus we will be meeting up with 3 others over on the island,
if it is anything like last years then we will all have had an excellent weekend
and will already be looking forward to 2006!
We have welcomed a few new members; work has been carried out on a number of
member’s cars (There will be a few open mouths and grins at Tatton and JAE) and
as a whole we still have a great nucleus of members here in the NW who are
always willing to help others.
This year I intend to bring back the 'feel good' factor that we had a year
ago here in the NW and fully intend to have some great weekends away (loud music
and all!)
I look forward to our big three show weekends i.e Tatton X 2 and JAE at its
new venue plus fully intend to finish off our trackcar this year and see if it
actually works! I also look forward to meeting as many of you as possible, in
particular at JAE where I am sure we can reach the magic 100 MK1 MR2s at one
gathering, after all, there are over 600 members, surely 1 in 6 could attend?
Hope you all have a great 2005 and just remember, MK1s are now increasing in
price so keep on restoring!
RYAN KEVAN
For previous years NW Newsletters, see NorthwestNews1
John Redmond, Sat and Sun
Kirsty Sproul, Sat and
Sun
Sy Taylor, Sat and Sun
Margaret Prendergast, Sat and Sun
Bill
Hulme, Sat and Sun
Jo Walker, Sat and Sun
Jay Gosling (could you let me
know please Jay)
North West Co-ordinator
John Redmond
North West Co-ordinator
MR2 Mk1 Club
North West Co-ordinator
MR2 Mk1 Club
North West Co-ordinator
MR2 Mk1 Club
North West Co-ordinator
MR2 Mk1 Club
North West Co-ordinator
MR2 Mk1 Club
North West Co-ordinator
MR2 MK1 Club
totallyTransport - Blackpool's great Promenade
motor show