Event
Report
2022 Dales Trail 11th September
Report by John Gill
Sheila asked Angela and I if we could arrive early so, we could help
with the setting up of the raffle and generally be on hand to assist
where required. When we arrived at 9.30 there were already a dozen or so
cars parked up, keen or what? We are very fortunate in that we can start
and finish the Dales Trail at Romany Golf club; the long sweeping drive
is an excellent place to display the cars before we set off. Tony Mason
was chief car parking marshal ably assisted by Bill Burton and Martin
Vinson, what a fine job they did of arranging the cars. We had a total
of 45 cars entered in this year’s event. A few of our members were away
on long planned overseas holidays but our numbers were swelled by a good
number of guests from near and far, more about them later.
The driver of this MG P-Type Midget had no navigator so had to follow
his mate in the blue Midget all the way round, we caught up with them on
the final stages and followed them both home.
Sheila and Kate welcomed all the entrants and sorted the administration
whilst Angel sold raffle tickets. We had plenty of prizes so many in
fact that it was decided to draw the raffle during the course of the day
and stick the winning numbers on the appropriate prizes so all you had
to do was match your number with your prize. Tea and coffee was provided
in the concert hall where much chatting and laughter took place.
At 10.30 sharp entrants began to leave on an 84 mile route through the
North Yorkshire Dales. We headed out through Yafforth and onto Bedale.
We saw some MGs coming in the opposite direction at this point but could
not read the rally plaques to see which club it was. The route took us
to Leyburn and then down to Middleham the childhood home of Richard III.
We turned right in the centre of Middleham on a road I certainly have
not been on before. The scenery was magnificent as we drove down to
Kettlewell. When we arrived in Kettlewell it was like going back to the
1960s there were MGs everywhere what a sight. A number of entrants had
decided to take a rest stop here and visit one of the local hostelries.
We decided to push on and stop in Grassington. The car park was full
here and there was a car parking charge I quickly nipped to the public
conveniences, on my way ack to the car I spotted the park ranger/traffic
warden so I hurried along, David Shaw had parked next to me in his
lovely Morris 8 (I think that is the model, I am sure he will correct me
if I am wrong). I explained the parking fees to him and he decided to
leave as well, another true Yorkshire man! However, he did not have a
navigator and asked if he could follow us of could I said yes just a bit
more pressure on Angela my navigator.
All went well, I was pleased the Morris brakes held up on the decent
into Patley Bridge! We turned into a car park opposite the reservoir
just before Ramsgill. David said he new the route from here and would
push on. We had a picnic with a couple in another MG, there were from
Surrey and were on holiday in Yorkshire for a week or two. They said
that a couple of times a year they book a cottage in a part of the UK
thy had not visited before and then entre the local MG rally. This time
they were staying near Thirsk.
We had a fantastic run and the weather was kind to us, everyone made it
back to Romany except Richard and Jean Culmer they had a bit of an issue
with the ignition switch when they were in Grassington. I spoke to
Richard later and they called out the recovery people; they got home
safely without too much of a delay but missed going back to Romanby for
the presentations.
We all gathered on the lawn outside the club house to listen to the all
important announcement how much had we raised. Dave was pleased to
confirm that we had raised £1500 for Breast Cancer Now, what a
magnificent effort by all entrants. It should e noted that a number of
members who could not attend the Dales Trail made donations in advance.
Now if that was not an amazing result, Sue Bartle had another fantastic
announcement, at the tea party she held earlier in the month Sue raised
£1051.
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