CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY WEEKEND SATURDAY AND
SUNDAY 29TH and 30TH DECEMBER 2001 MENZIES COURT HOTEL, MICKLEOVER, DERBY
PHOTOS BY MIKE ASHURST (MA) THOMAS MORGAN (TM) AND MIKE SHEAVILLS (MS)
13 MR2s PICTURED JUST AS THE SUN WENT DOWN, THE OWNERS ARE ALL
UPSTAIRS AT THE PARTY, 3 MORE ARRIVED LATER (MA)
NEXT MORNING (MA)
HELEN ASHURST (MA)
TABLE 1 - JOANNE THOM, THOMAS MORGAN, ALAN, MARK, LINDA CAYZER,
MAC and JACKIE SHEAVILLS (MS)
TABLE 2 - HAZEL and DARREN JORDAN, LANCE TEGG, LIZ and STUART
KYNOCH, ALAN JONES, DORIS and FRED SANDERSON (MS)
TABLE 3 - ANDREA CLIPSTONE, ISABEL MERA and TONY, RACHAEL
MORGAN, TERRY GILL, DAVE PRICE, ALISON PEARCE, DAVE COOPER (MS)
TABLE 4 - TONI GLADDING, RICHARD MORGAN, KEN, GORDON, BOBBIE and
JACKIE SALMON, KAREN CHANNER, LYNDON CHECKETTS, LAUREN BLIGHTON (MS)
TABLE 5 - LINDA and MIKE ASHURST (MS)
SECRETARY KEN SALMON INTRODUCES CHAIRMAN STUART KYNOCH (MS)
DARREN JORDAN WINS THE WENDY BAXTER MEMORIAL TROPHY (MS)
RAFFLE WINNER DAVE COOPER (MS)
DAVE MODELS HIS PRIZE (MS)
RAFFLE WINNER GORDON SALMON (MS)
RAFFLE WINNER LAUREN BLIGHTON RUSHES FORWARD TO COLLECT HER
PRIZE (MS)
CRIES OF "FIX" AS CHAIRMANS DAUGHTER LIZ KYNOCH WONDERS IF SHE
DARE CLAIM HER PRIZE (MS)
MIKE SHEAVILLS HELPS OUT WITH THE SPELLING AS DAVE COOPER TRIES
TO CLAIM THE REST OF THE CAR PARK (TM)
RICHARD MORGAN STRUGGLES WITH HIS NOTES ON HOW TO BE A DISC
JOCKEY (TM)
DARREN JORDAN EXAMINES THE DISCO....(TM)
....AND DECIDES TO SACK THE DJ (MS)
THE SHEAVILLS FAMILY START OFF THE DANCING....(TM)
....STRUTTING THE STUFF (MS)
JACKIE AND RACHAEL, THE EVENT ORGANISERS MOTHER AND THE EDITORS
WIFE (MS)
JOANNE THOM AND CLUB WEBMASTER THOMAS MORGAN (MS)
LAUREN BLIGHTON TAKES THE MICROPHONE FOR HER KARAOKE
DEMONSTRATION (TM)
ALL LOOKS PEACEFUL FROM THE OUTSIDE....(TM)
8 MR2s AND A METRO MADE IT TO MATLOCK (MS)
MATLOCK, THE RIVER (MS)
MATLOCK TOWN (MS)
Xmas Dinner at Derby - a technical assessment - well maybe!
This sort of technical view is dead easy - it was an excellent do - the only
downside was the slight hangover the next morning - and even that didn't last
too long - the snow clearing blew the cobwebs away!
The hotel accomodation at Menzies Court was excellent - obviously well up to
international business standards with the Toyota Burnaston factory just a mile
or so down the road..
Much more to the point though was the atmosphere created by the members -
from the afternoon lounge reception (consumately hosted by such luminaries as
Chairman Stuart Kynoch and Secretary Ken Salmon), through to the evening
meal and disco, and the following morning.
There were members from right across the spectrum - from young to old, old
hands to new enthusiasts, and power seekers (bhp that is) to adept tourers.
The real great thing however was the way it gelled together - people with
inevitably slightly varying viewpoints - but bonded by a common cause- the
appreciation and preservation of the MK1.
The lengths that members go to to keep these cars up to scratch is frankly
extraordinary - in fact I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been so smitten
myself!
But - quite apart from the technical stuff, it was the friendships that
impressed me most. Clearly the MK1 is the common factor of interest - but its
the members who make the Club.
Before the evening meal there were fascinating conversations in the lobby bar
with the 'power gurus' - inevitably including Lauren Blighton and Toni Gladding.
My only advice to other members is - just keep out of their way on track days -
they are so focussed. Luckily for the rest of us they haven't done all the mods
we discussed - yet!
The meal was great - a good nosh -and opportunity to go around the dinner
tables after the meal and just have a real good chat - and even invite technical
queries - usually a potentially fatally mistake! Fortunately on this occasion
the aperitifs had obviously kicked in and it was all good-hearted banter rather
than heavy stuff.
The disco was excellent - Richard Morgan, Dave Price and Darren Jordan did a
superb DJ job on hi-fi equipment that would be beyond my level of technical
control.
The subsequent after hours discussion in the Atrium was great - only clouded
by 2 things - the first being the rapidly declining temperatures, the second
being I can't remember what we talked about! On the other hand, I think I can be
at least reasonably confident that neither does anyone else!
All in all a great night, followed by a hearty breakfast at about 10am the
next day - a case of forcing willpower to overcome hangover! Luckily this
desperate measure worked better than paracetamol on this occasion.
After a brief committee meeting and check out it was goodbyes for me – and
and not the Club run to Matlock - because I wanted to revisit my old home of 30
years ago near Burton-on-Trent.
In summary - a 'Grand Weekend Out' - would I go again? - you bet!
Finally - and most importantly a very special thanks to Mike Sheavills
- without his untiring efforts events as good as this just wouldn't happen. He
is a real grafter of the best kind - so please support him and and the Club
throughout this years events!
ALAN JONES
P.S. This article cannot possibly go out without an appeal to the adorably
witty Liz Kynoch who graced the above Xmas do. Could you please give us one of
your cracking police type articles for the next mag - preferably when you
'borrow' dad's S/C - for the purposes of forensic testing - of course! Lances'
verdict would provide interesting corrobative evidence!
Sorry Stuart - that's what fathers are for- isn’t it?
I arrived in Mickleover after travelling 179 miles from Durham at 12.30pm and
instantly began to look for a car wash as the salty roads had taken its toll on
the '' Red Rocket ''. Whilst washing the car in a rather busy and cramped TOTAL
garage Dave Cooper and his girlfriend Andrea arrived to do the same. We chatted
for a while then headed towards our venue at the Mickleover Court Hotel.
As we arrived Richard Morgan came out to greet us and started to show us
around the hotel, which in my opinion was fabulous. Already there were Mr and
Mrs Price who had travelled down from Lancashire the night before, well it was
Christmas after all.
The hotel has some great facilities including a lovely swimming pool, gym and
sauna room.
We had arranged a welcome reception in one of the bars between 1pm and 4pm to
meet and greet members as they arrived with a free drink to every member, cheers
Ken!! As the sun began to go down over Derby the cars began to arrive and I took
the opportunity to take some lovely pictures. By dusk 44 members had arrived in
18 MK1 MR2's, fantastic, what a turn out for our first Christmas Party. By 4pm
most people had left the reception and went off to do their own thing until we
all met again at 7pm for a few pre dinner drinks.
I have to say the hotel did us proud with the function room they provided,
the tables were full of balloons, streamers and party poppers and the service
was excellent. Richard Morgan the club Editor owns a Hi-Fi shop in Loughborough
and was the DJ for the night, assisted by Darren Jordan and Dave Price. Special
thanks to him as a huge amount of work and effort was put into making this
happen, including having to come to the party in a Metro and Rover. Ken Salmon
brought some potential club regalia along to raffle. These included t-shirts, a
mug, poster and mouse mat, all with a caracature of the MK1 MR2. Hopefully we
will agree a price with the suppliers in the Isle Of Man and we will be able to
sell these items to members, watch this space.
Around 10pm the heavens opened and it began to snow very heavily completely
covering all the cars in a white blanket. Dave Cooper took the opportunity to go
into the car park and write MR2 in the snow all over the car park almost getting
run over by a taxi in the process. This year Dave your'e staying sober!!
A very special award was made during the evening by Ken Salmon and Stuart
Kynock. This years Wendy Baxter Memorial Trophy went to long term member Darren
Jordan, well done Darren and congratulations on the news of your baby.
By 1am most people had retired to their rooms leaving a few hardy members to
keep the sagging eyed barman busy. A few more glasses of the bubbly stuff later
and it was also time for me to get some well earned zed's.
After breakfast it was time to clear all the snow from the once shiny MR2's
and then head to the Derbyshire town of Matlock. We found a nice snow covered
car park and a few members couldn't resist a little rear wheel slide, Lauren.
This once quite, quaint town was now overun by 11 thundering sports cars, well
for a few hours anyway. We headed to the nearest pub for a farewell gathering
before heading our own way to different parts of the UK to prepare for the New
Year celebrations.
I had a marvelous time and hope everyone who went did too. It was great to
see some members who has only joined the club make the effort. Already I have
booked 30 twin rooms for this years party which will be held on Saturday 28th
December 2002 at the Mickleover Court. This years costs will be £45 per person
for Christmas dinner, entertainment, bed and breakfast based on 2 people sharing
a twin room. If you would like to stay extra nights then this could be arranged.
Avoid disappointment this year and book early, 50% deposits now being taken. I
look forward to seeing you all there in December.
MICHAEL SHEAVILLS
It was in back in 1996 that the club had anything even approaching the pomp
and pageantry of the committees plans for the 2001 Christmas party. Back then it
was a Christmas meal at an historic inn, with the majority of us staying the
night at the local travel lodge and a trip to Warwick Castle the next day.
So after a five year break and a new events organiser with loads of
enthusiasm, what could be done to stimulate the membership to join the
celebrations?
The first oppurtunity came in mid 2001 when the Menzies Hotel group offered
the club a bargain weekend at one of their 4 star hotels (and from experience I
can tell you this really was an up market hotel that had only been built a few
years ago).
Following much negotiation by our events organiser, we had a mid-day
reception, evening meal and disco, palatial bedrooms (including beds for three —
our organiser really is broad-minded) followed by a really superb breakfast in
the morning, and a run to the Derbyshire Peak District town of Matlock to round
off the weekend.
At the end of the Christmas dinner the Wendy Baxter memorial trophy was
presented to Darren Jordan (and it wasn’t just for helping Richard Morgan with
the disco after we found out he used to be a professional disc jockey) Later in
the evening one of the members asked me why the committee awarded it to him and
what he had done to deserve it. The Wendy Baxter memorial trophy is awarded by
Terry Wilson, Wendy’ s partner, for dedication to the club as well as to their
MR2. So at the risk of polishing his halo a bit more as there is nothing much
left to polish on his car: - Darren was a founding member in 1995, renowned for
the time spent polishing his car (but still managed to find time to get married
to Hazel). He spent a fortune having his car restored and hand painted by a
Rolls Royce paint specialist and having the interior luxuriously re-upholstered
in leather. He provided his car for the first national car magazine photo shoot
featuring one of the clubs cars, and has attended so many of the club events
that it would put the rest of us to shame.
My apologies to Richard who tried to persuade me to get to the hotel at 1pm
to form part of the reception committee, but I didn’t feel quite so bad as
Stuart, master of his own destiny, who assured me he would be there to join
Richard at 1pm. Nevertheless, I did feel a bit guilty when we turned up nearly
last at 3.30pm.
A truly splendid event which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. I
did not hear of one complaint, and would like to thank the hotel and their staff
for their friendly and helpful attitude in doing everything possible to give the
club a fantastic Christmas party weekend.
KEN SALMON
THE Saturday had at last arrived. Richard and I had met earlier in the week
to finalise some of the small details and I paid a trip into town to purchase
blank lapel badges as we thought it a good idea for everyone to wear one so that
with so many people meeting for the first time it would be easier than trying to
remember all the names. Several of the committee had paid a visit to the hotel
previously in order to confirm rooms and timings etc.
I arrived with one of our Club banners and with Darren Jordan's help, planted
this in the border grass by the car park area .
It was agreed to be at the hotel around lunch time so that we could be on
hand for everyone arriving. We were given the use of the upper bar and lounge
area and after checking out the bedrooms we then spent a most enjoyable
afternoon meeting everyone (and labelling them!) helped by the liquid
refreshment available at the bar. Richard Morgan had set up the disco in the
conference room allotted to our party. At about 5pm everyone wended their
ways for a short siesta or a swim in the hotel pool prior to getting ready for
the party.
At 7.30 everyone met in the downstairs bar for pre meal drinks and shortly
made our way to the conference room, which was set out in circular tables of 6 -
8 places.
The food was excellent and we had crackers, hats and party poppers to ensure
the party spirit took hold.
The disco was excellent and various members assisted Richard in the
commentary and soon nearly everyone was up on the dance floor. We held a raffle
for various MR2 related items and I made a small speech welcoming everyone and
hoping they have an enjoyable evening.
Not long after we had eaten someone noticed the large snowflakes dropping
outside and before long there were 15 white MR2's in the car park making an
ideal photo opportunity. Sometime after midnight people started to drift away
towards their rooms and I followed. The next moment it was morning and was our
trip to Matlock still on?
A hearty full English breakfast helped clear the cobwebs and after a short
committee meeting - and a big car snow clearing operation nine MR2's and a Metro
set off for Matlock. The main roads were pretty clear and with a fair amount of
traffic on the roads a slow journey was made to this spa town.
The car park right at the end of the town ensured that a healthy walk in the
fresh air followed and a pleasant sojourn in one of the local pubs before
everyone returned to the car park and said their goodbyes and thanked all who
arranged our first MR2 Christmas bash for a very pleasant time.
STUART KYNOCH
MEMBERS ATTENDING:
Alan, Mark and Linda Cayzer
Richard, Thomas and Rachael Morgan
Terry Gill
Dave Price and Alison Pearce
Mr and Mrs Jones
Mr and Mrs Cartwright
Michael Sheavills and Joanne Thom
Ken and Jackie Salmon
Fred and Doris Sanderson
Mac and Jacqui Sheavills
Isobel Mera and Tony
Gordon and Bobbie Salmon
Mike and Helen Ashurst
Stuart Kynoch
Liz Kynoch and Lance Tegg
Dave Cooper and Andrea Clipstone
Darren and Hazel Jordan
Alan Jones
Toni Gladding
Lyndon Checketts and Karen Channer
Lauren Blighton