Event
Report
2023 Cobweb Run 2nd April
Report by An organiser’s view by Martin Vinson - A Participants View
by Sheila Mason
Nobody put their hand up at the AGM. Ah well, I thought, I had better
have a go. So that is how I came to be the organiser of the Cobweb Run
for this year. There was a route that I had in mind and had been meaning
to try for some time, so this seemed a good opportunity to launch it
onto the unsuspecting club members. Jackie and I drove it back in
February and it seemed to work. There was at least one ford which would
be running and the possibility of another, so despite missing out
Caydale Mill I hoped Bill Burton would not be too upset!
Next to find somewhere for lunch. Well, The Old Oak Tree is a favourite
of ours and they are always very helpful, so I am afraid we did not look
anywhere else. Details were given to Richard and John to circulate and
put in the newsletter, then all we had to do was sit back and wait for
all the applications to come in. Sheila and Tony were the first, as
always, then it seemed that everyone wanted to come and the turnout was
a record for the club.
On the day, I confess I was panicking a bit as time was going on and I
was worried that not everyone was going to finish the route in time for
the lunch. I need not have worried, everyone was there – just!
Well, I enjoyed my part but could not have done it without Jackie’s
help, and I hope everyone else enjoyed it as well.
Martin Vinson.
Woke up on Sunday to glorious sunshine and when Tony and myself arrived
in The Applegarth carpark, just after 10.30, there were many cars
already parked, hoods down, and everyone chatting all with smiles on
their faces. The total number of cars expected was thirty one and
everyone arrived. Looking around there were quite a few new members and
I did not notice that any members had changed their car since last year,
except Sue and Owen Robinson, who arrived in a 1985 Mini Mayfair
purchased from Mathewson’s Pickering in February 2022. Owen told me that
the bodywork had been renovated in 2013 by the previous owner but over
the past year Owen had restored all running gear, suspension, brakes,
steering, engine and interior.
Martin blew his whistle at 11am, to attract everyone’s attention, we all
listened carefully to his instructions then left the carpark, navigators
clutching their route instructions. We headed in the direction of
Osmotherly driving through a Ford near Thimbleby, the Ford had plenty of
water and to the right a pretty waterfall. The total drive took us
through two more Fords, one with water and the other dry. On the
approach to Osmotherly we turned right over the Yorkshire Moors, as
always, the scenery was lovely, then onto Helmsley travelling over
Helmsley Moors, more outstanding scenery, plenty of sheep who were very
well behaved and too busy eating to stroll into the road. We drove for
about 16 miles and then headed back to Helmsley, a distance of 10 miles,
through Fadmoor and Harome.
Helmsley was very busy with at least fifty motor bikes parked in the
town square. Leaving Helmsley we had a further nineteen miles back to
our destination for lunch, The Old Oak Tree at South Kilvington, most
members who had booked lunch, forty one in total, had arrived between
I.30-2pm all still smiling and agreeing that it had been a wonderful
run. Owen and Sue were delighted that the Mini had performed so well on
its maiden run but where were Rob and Carolyn and Lucy and Dennis?
Pleased to report that Rob and Carolyn did arrive but had dropped their
dog at home, in Harome, as he was not feeling too well. Lucy and Dennis
had broken down in their Jaguar SS.
They managed to arrive for lunch and Lucy described the breakdown to me,
“The engine stopped, Dennis got out lifted the bonnet and after much
huffing and puffing the engine started again” I did not ask Dennis his
version as I thought it would be too technical for me to understand.
We all enjoyed our lunch with much chatter and an opportunity to get to
know the new members. Thank you to Martin and Jackie for organising such
a lovely run of 69.6 miles and organising the luncheon venue.
I am sure some of you will remember that I vowed to improve my
navigational skills since retiring from my club secretarial duties. I am
pleased to report we only went wrong once which I thought was pretty
good but not to the standard of Kate who was delighted to tell me that
she had given out such good instructions that she had been given a
Commendation by Dave - high praise indeed.
Sheila Mason.
|