CLUB REPORTS: OA7C

23 May 2010 Black Country Museum and Available Austins visit.

On Saturday 15 May 2010, Bob Glenister of Available Austins had organised an Open Day at his premises in Old Arley, which was attended by several members of Lichfield Group. The day was dry, sunny and bright, absolutely ideal for the Chummy with the hood down.

 Various vintage Austin's were parked in the car park, and Bob made us all very welcome. We visited his showroom with some delightful models on sale, and his spares department with all sorts of vintage memorabilia on display. His huge workshop was also open with a few cars in various stages of repair. His staff were on hand to answer questions and offer advice.

Refreshments were provided in the showroom, and it was very pleasant to chat to Bob, his staff and other visitors. Very grateful thanks are extended to Bob and his staff for their hospitality, we all had a lovely time.

An assortment of Austins

 The Austin Ten Drivers Club held their annual Black Country Living Museum Rally on Sunday 16 May 2010, and very kindly invited Lichfield Group to join them. In spite of a very poor weather forecast, the day was sunny and bright, again ideal for hood down driving. Attendance was very good, and arrangements had been made for all vintage cars to park within the museum grounds, nicely complimenting the working exhibits such as trams and trolley buses.

Petrol Pumps

The Black Country Living Museum consists of local buildings carefully dismantled and reconstructed at the museum, and depicts the way of life in this area of at least a hundred years ago. In recent years, more buildings have been installed at the museum, all in keeping with the late 19th / early 20th century period, and yet more are also planned.

A bit of a dummy

We watched chain links being forged by hand, visited the stables where draft horses are kept, visited various old houses, some back-to-back with outside toilets, often shared between several houses. In this period, there were many cottage industries where nails and chain links were forged by hand in a workshop in the back garden, and all of this was there to see. Living conditions were very Spartan, the work was dirty and dangerous, no “healthy and safety” and sick pay in those days. After a hard day's work on the forge, a pint of local brew in The Bottle and Glass pub, complete with sawdust on the floor, was most welcome. When I ordered at the bar, the barmaid said in true Black Country accent: “ do yoe want it puttin' on the slate?”

The cars assemble

We watched a silent Charlie Chaplin film in the local cinema, sat on wooden benches, no doubt very welcome relief in such hard times.

There is also a coal mine were it is possible to go underground and see how coal was extracted by hand, a canal tunnel were you can have a go at “legging” that is propelling the boat by lying down and “walking” along the side of the tunnel, a working reproduction of Newcomen's atmospheric engine for pumping water out of coal mines, vintage car and motor cycle display, tram depot, etc., etc., etc. A one day visit simply isn't enough.

A good turn out of Sevens

The museum staff in the various buildings were all wearing period costume and gave detailed accounts on life and work in this era, a far cry from today's very carefully regulated, highly computerised society. It really was a step back in time, complete with police constables in appropriate uniform patrolling the streets.

Allo Allo Allo

This must rate as one of the finest living museums in the country and is worth visiting again and again as it is constantly being extended. We had a superb time and are extremely grateful to Norman Cottrell, Local Group Secretary of the A10DC, for organising the event and inviting us to join them.

A typical Black Country Streetscene

For further information, visit: www.bclm.co.uk

2 Feb 2010 DHL Events Transport Show

DHL Events is a small community group from DHL at Droitwich who raise money each year for charities and good causes. Following the success of the first Transport Show they are staging it again at Stoke Prior Sports Ground, Bromsgrove and are hoping to make it even better so give them your support. The event takes place on the 1st and 2nd May and includes classic cars, bikes, scooters, steam engines, etc. You can find their website HERE

28 April 2010 Drive It Day report

Drive It Day dawned, sunny and dry, and several Lichfield Group members met at Bassett's Pole. Arrangements had been made for us to join a canal side walk, organised by the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust and the Lichfield Cruising Club, so we drove a very scenic route to the Staffordshire village of Huddlesford for the start of the walk. On arrival, Tim Griffiths' Chummy was suffering from a slowly deflating rear near side tyre, so first job was to replace it with his spare, assisted by everyone present, including other members who had driven straight to Huddlesford.

Lining up along the canal side.

The canal society's organisation was excellent, with ample parking for moderns, a separate area for vintage, and refreshments provided in the clubhouse. Suitably refreshed, we collected the route details and set off on the walk.

This canal fell into disuse and dereliction in the 1950's and lengths of it had been filled in, so it's restoration is a truly mammoth task. There were manned information points along the route, detailing the work completed and work outstanding. The route took us through lovely countryside around the perimeter of Lichfield, wild flowers in abundance, bird song all around, and no road noise; absolute heaven.

At the end of the walk, minibuses were waiting to take us back to the starting point, very welcome as most participants were of mature age. Lunch followed, either a picnic, or Sunday lunch in the village inn, The Plough. This ended a very enjoyable day, which had brought together two forms of transportation, so appropriate for Drive It Day.

Very grateful thanks are extended to The Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust and The Lichfield Cruising Club for inviting us to their event and for their excellent organisation. Thanks also to Janette and John Horton, our members and also members of the canal trust who were our coordinators, and to Marg and Rob Hilyer for leading the scenic run to Huddlesford. We all had a wonderful time.

The results achieved by the canal restoration trust are truly amazing, and work is still continuing to restore this canal to full working order. For further information, visit: http://www.lhcrt.org.uk/lich.htm

Sevens and Narrowboats

Oct Meeting Report - Lichfield Group

Notes from the October meeting of the Lichfield Group are now posted in the Member's section.

Sep Meeting Report - Lichfield Group

Notes from the September meeting of the Lichfield Group are now posted in the Member's section.

Aug Meeting Report - Lichfield Group

Notes from the August meeting of the Lichfield Group are now posted in the Member's section.

Huddlesford Boat Gathering

Janette Horton has sent us a poster advertising the Huddlesford Boat Gathering on the 19th September 2009. She would like to see as many Sevens there as we can muster with the possibility of a photo opportunity with Stanley Edge's grandson who will be at the event with his historic working boat 'Minnow'

July Meeting Report - Lichfield Group

Notes from the July meeting of the Lichfield Group are now posted in the Member's section.

May Meeting Report - Lichfield Group

Notes from the May meeting of the Lichfield Group are now posted in the Member's section.

March 2009: Annual General Meeting.

An announcement regarding the Online Austin Seven Club AGM:

The Annual General Meeting of The  On Line Austin Seven Club (Lichfield Group) will be held at the beginning of our March meeting on  Monday 9^th  7.30pm for 8.00pm.

It will be , as I am sure you will hope, be quite a short formality.

Irrespective of this, however I need to provide you with the agenda. 

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting

3. Matters Arising from the Last Meeting

4. Club Admin. Reports

5. Election of Club Admin.

6. Any Other Business

 In order for anything to be added to the agenda ,all correspondence should be sent to me by post at 2, Sir Thomas Guys Almshouses, Lower Gungate, Tamworth, B79 7AN or    

I understand there is a record of 8 minutes held by another A7 Club for their AGM…perhaps we can beat this!

Phil Afford  Secretary

January 2009 First Annual Dinner - Lichfield Group

Notes from the First Annual dinner of the Lichfield Group and the Kings Bromley Duck Race are now posted in the Member's section.

January 2009 Meeting Report - Lichfield Group

Notes from the January 2009 meeting of the Lichfield Group are now posted in the Member's section.

November Meeting Report - Lichfield Group

Notes from the November meeting of the Lichfield Group are now posted in the Member's section.

Yeatsall Wings and Wheels - Lichfield Group

Anyone wishing to go to the Wings and Wheels event at Yeatsall Farm, Abbotts Bromley on Sunday 31 Aug 2008 can join us at the Friary car park in Lichfield near the Bowling Green public house. We will be meeting at 9:15 for a 9:30 departure and anticipate arriving at about 10:00am.

End of Season Run - Lichfield Group

It is now proposed that the run will take place on 2 November 2008. Contact Alan Billington for details.

August Group Meeting - Lichfield Group

Well here were are again and the season of fun and frivolity continues! The monthly meeting at the Crown was well attended, despite the effects of the holiday season, A warm welcome was extended to John Cox on his first visit. John is a mainstay within the organisers of the Lichfield Cars in The Park Event. It’s a gathering of classic, thoroughbred, vintage, and representatives of many aspects of motoring heritage and interest. Very well organised and marshalled throughout, the Lichfield Group have been visitors for several years. A full report is on the website. Anyway returning to John, he has fallen in love with the Seven and as a result is now the proud owner of a Mk1 Ruby. We look forward to seeing him and his car again soon.

Dispensing with the usual announcements and reminders of up and coming events, Alan Billington discussed the End of Season Run, which will be upon us before we can catch breath. It was proposed that a date of October 19th would be suitable but following discussion about the days getting shorter and the problem or running in poor light Sunday 2 October has now been put forward by Alan with the suggestion that the format for the day should be The Cannock Chase Run; one of the Lichfield Groups early jollies and one felt deserved another airing for those who have not done it first time round…like me!

Roger Price expressed his gratitude for our support at the Kings Bromley Gala…again photos etc can be found on the website..it turned out to be a very warm day despite the forecast..something no amount of organising can accommodate. I went along as a visitor in ‘Ruby’ the special and had a very pleasant time. Blew a head gasket on it the next day mind you.

It's Lupin Farm event on Sunday 17th August…this time I have arranged for a pitch specifically for OA7C cars and there will be a marquee (as per Cars in The Park), anyone who has never been to Edwin Tippers event just turn up with your car. gates open about 10.30 no pre booking needed and just a contribution to the Hospice Charity bucket would be appreciated. Finding it?...look on our website maps section or use the postcode DE137DQ for those with astral navigation, or stick your finger in the air through your sunroof and get onto A513 Alrewas- Kings Bromley Road..look out for pink farmhouse with flags (no I’m not on herbals).

Anyone wishing to support Rob Hilyer and the Whittington Country Fair 6th Sept should return their application forms as soon as possible please contact Rob on 01543-432721 if you would like to go along, it's another great little event well worth supporting.

All that said and done it was time for a couple of DVD presentations. Rex and Chris produced some fine recording of the season so far…there seemed to be much feasting and making merry! …and at the closing titles we are told there is more to come…look forward to that..many thanks both. The other DVD was the sequel to Molentocht 2008. Tim has trawled through a wadge of my HDCam memory cards to compile these images and I must express not only my thanks but I’m sure yours for the stirling effort he is putting into all this, making the On Line Austin Seven Club special and unique. Next Meeting Crown Inn Elford 8th Sept 7.30.for 8.00ish..see you there!

Baxterley Wings and Wheels - Lichfield Group

A short notice event for us, the Wings and Wheels event is staged at a small private airfield on a farm near Atherstone but made for a great day out.

The event, which last year had to be cancelled due to the weather was, this year, very well attended, so well attended in fact that one of the displays had to be delayed because the ground crew were stuck in the traffic.

For a small event it hit well above it's weight in attractions; beside the ground based displays of vintage cars, motorcycles military vehicles and over 50 very varied aircraft the air displays included formation flying tiger moths, a flying circus, the only Hawker Hurricane still flying to have seen active service in WWII and a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Flight.

The event is small and informal but offers a great day out and attracts some interesting people....

Kings Bromley Show 2008 - Lichfield Group

There were quite a number of Sevens in evidence at the Kings Bromley Show this year so the Club banners got another airing.

The Billingtonmobile with shed down.

A hot, sunny and dry day meant that packing and deploying the wet weather gear had worked it's magic and the queue at the beer tent resulted in them running out of beer!

Sun!

Not too problematic though as the local pub is only over the road.

Rowan back on the road

Rowan, the Griffiths family Chummy made it's first appearance after a long drawn out period of engine maintenance and is now able to exert G-force on it's occupants like it hasn't for a while. Roger Price did a sterling job keeping the Treasured Vehicles in order and Peter and Jo Norrie, though not in their Seven, did drive away with a prize for their vintage motorcycle and side car combination - another one for the display case?

Phil Afford informed us of Wings and Wheels event at Baxterley Airfield near Atherstone the following day so - as the weather is performing - it should give the opportunity for some Tiger Moth action. At the end of August there is another Wings and Wheels event so more details will follow...

July Group Meeting - Lichfield Group

How quickly time passes, we are into July, and so many people on holiday. With this in mind it was so pleasing to see such a grand attendance at the Crown Inn, Elford on Monday evening. For those folk like Tim working hard to get the OA7C to its full potential it’s a great fillip, so pat on the back to you who came along, and thanks for the support that is coming from all directions.

The new incumbents of the hostelry seem to have settled in well and a warm welcome continues to be offered to the Lichfield Group and, likewise, I am confident that we all remain happy with the venue so it’s business as usual. Just in case anyone had concerns over the future of meetings they are, as always, the 2nd Monday of the month, 7.30pm.for 8.00pm ish start. Austin Seven owners of any persuasion welcome. And being the very friendly bunch we are if you have a Big7 or a 10. 12 whatever. Come along!

OK, PR job done.

As secretary of OA7C one of the jobs obviously is communication. So as of now, each month I will post a meeting report, this is the first.  It will take the place of Alan’s that he so ably contributed to the PWA7C Magazine over the years. In addition, for those not yet on-line, or who probably don’t wish to be, no worries contact arrangements for them are being arranged.

 So, Monday, what went on? Oh yes, our attendance at Cars in the Park, Lichfield proved very successful, being awarded 3rd Prize for the Best Car Club Stand. Unexpected but equally very pleasing. Also an enjoyable, small, but growing, gathering was held at the Horse & Jockey Pub at Freeford on 12th July. The selection of interesting vehicles is surprisingly good. In aid of St Giles Hospice and this year for a War Disabled Veterans Benevolent organisation, well attended and the weather didn’t appear to dampen spirits at all.

Quite a lot of visual images of the Molentocht 2008 have been lurking away waiting for the find time to actually do something with them. I am as guilty as anyone..hands up, I’ve still got all last years gathering dust. Anyway Tim grabbed a handful of memory cards from me and came up with a pretty impressive DVD. The Group were given the opportunity to have a preview which seemed to be well received, thanks Tim again. I believe there are more sequels to come, we can look forward to that later on in the year. On the subject of later on a reminder of up and coming events.

 Ashover Vintage Rally and Autojumble 20th July

Kings Bromley Gala 26th July

And into August…please look at the events link on the website but I would particularly mention Lupin Farm, Nr Alrewas or Kings Bromley whichever you recognise best 17th August. The OA7C have arranged for a designated site to be available in the main field. Thus, all A7s etc can be together on the Club Stand.

Rob Hillyer is the man to contact if you wish to attend the Whittington Country Fair on the 6th September. Cars assemble at the Swan Pub and are escorted through the village, cavalcade style, to arrive at the Annual Country Fair. A very pleasant day out, well organised and OA7C presence guaranteed! E-Mail Rob here; or phone 01543-432721

Our End-Of-Season-Run is this year firmly in the capable hands of Alan and Jean Billington. Their experience of organising this event was the prime reason for asking them if they would be happy enough to take it on. Numerous options are as usual open..one is an attendance at the North Staffs and Cheshire Traction Engine Club October Steam Up held 18th and 19th October, at Draycott In The Clay also referred to as Klondyke Mill. Alan will bring it back to the next meeting. However if anyone has any input I’m pretty sure he would welcome you mentioning it. Looking ahead even further, some thoughts have been emerging on the possibility of a New Years Day Run any feelings on the notion, let us know.

Further still Drive In The Park. Now the website is beginning to expand to a point at which we can safely launch the full programme for this event so keep checking. Behind the scenes stuff is going on, so it is a reality under construction I’ve..hopefully lined up the Jazz Band for the afternoon reception and the 7 piece Swing Band for the evening but more is up and coming. Finally; there is a rumour floating around the Crown about Austins Over Australia.!! I’ll say no more for the moment….and don’t look now...but…..?

Cars in the Park 2008 - Lichfield Group

The OA7C was represented at Cars in the Park in Lichfield this weekend (5/6 July) braving the wind and rain to exhibit their cars at this Rotary organized event and were rewarded for their efforts. For more details go to the Event report HERE

 

Drive it Day 2008 - Lichfield Group

For the second time this weekend members of the Online Austin Seven Club set out, this time to join in the National “Drive It Day” program.

Four cars met at our house on this typical spring morning, cold damp and overcast. Regardless, June made us coffee and biscuits and discussed the previous days visit to Klondyke Mill. That was except for Ian McGowan and I who spent the 30 minutes changing the spark plug caps on my Austin Twelve. Since re-building the engine I have experienced some misfire and decided that the little spring clamps in the caps had become tired.

At 10-30am we set off from Elford for the Arboretum to meet up with the rest of the Online Group for the days event. Although we were only four miles from the National Arboretum our trip took us through the villages of Harlaston, Haunton, Clifton Campville and Edingale. This was a journey of some twenty five minutes.

The group of us made our way into the reception building for a warm before breaking into small groups to look around the facility. June and I walked up to the Burma Railway exhibition along with Alison and Ian McGowan, because Alison’s father had been a prisoner in Burma during the Second World War. The Burma Story is very well documented in a specially designed building as you will see in one of the photographs. This particular exhibition tells of the extreme bravery and suffering of our troops during that period of war. We also walked around the newer Cenotaph area recently opened by the Queen in the memory of those who have lost their lives since the Second World War. A rather alarming feature is space allocated on the commemorative walling for the addition of more names of those who may be killed in future. Seems we will never learn!

It was now lunch time and we were all starting to feel the effects of the cold, so we decided to move onto our lunch stop at National Forest Exhibition at Roliston which is about four miles away. This will be another opportunity to show off our vehicles along the way. A group photograph shows the line up of cars in the main car park and free of charge.

The catering facilities there although quite basic were reasonably priced, well cooked and nicely presented. There are many acres to walk and as you would expect lots of information concerning trees, birds and general country life. There is an aviary featuring birds of prey including eagles.

David Smith

A Dutch Epic... The 20th Molentocht-Goes Rally / The 5th Veendam-Leer-Veendam Rally.

To say that Sir Herbert Austin's little Seven is ubiquitous is probably understating the case. Equally the number of events held annually involving this remarkable motor car are also many and varied.

Rally Poster

The Lichfield Group of the Online Austin Seven Club recently fielded a team of cars and drivers (together with very supportive wives!) on this year's 20th Molentocht Rally in the Netherlands.

Austin 12 owned by Dave and June Smith pictured in walled town of Bourtange

The tour began with what amounts to a convergence run for lunch close to York where owners from the north joined up before boarding the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge. In total around 50 classic cars travelled from the UK.

The Molentocht, or Windmill Run, takes place in Zeeland and begins and ends in the town of Goes. Wonderfully organized from both the UK organisers and the Dutch hosts around 500 automobiles of all makes take part. A carefully planned route around the windmills of Zeeland with safe and comfortable driving makes it an experience that would be difficult to replicate in the UK.

Proof that Austin Seven owners can 'get a clog on'.

As if that were not enough, by tradition it is customary to have the chance to follow an extended run, for those wishing to spend more time overseas.

Last year took in the Western Front battlefields of WW1. This year it was an invitation to take part in the classic rally known as the Veendam-Leer-Veendam event.

The Swan car in the Louwman Collection

A timed section rally between the towns of Veendam in Holland and Leer in Germany and return, it was an exceptionally well organised and executed event.

Relaxing over a fine evening meal with excellent company we mused over whether the men who made the Austin Seven such a resounding piece of motoring heritage could have believed that 70 (or in some cases 80) years on, their cars would be trekking across the continent with aplomb!

North Staffs and Cheshire Traction Engine Club Open Day - Lichfield Group

Open Day on Saturday 19 April 2008 celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Club, and was open to everyone. Several OA7C members attended and it was a very enjoyable visit. There were many engines in steam and various demonstrations were in progress with traction engines powering other machinery.

A huge saw bench, with a circular saw about three feet in diameter, was sawing a tree trunk into usable sized planks, a rock crusher was reducing broken concrete into usable hard core and there were many smaller displays such as generating electricity, pumping water and grinding corn, some driven by small stationary engines.

Their enormous workshop was also open, and it contained all of the usual machinery that would be needed to maintain traction engines, including a dismantled traction engine which was being restored.

Lunch was taken at a nearby hostelry, which added to the enjoyment of the day.

Our congratulations and best wishes are extended to the Club on their special anniversary, and we will certainly visit them again soon.

For further information about the Club and it's activities, visit:www.nstec.co.uk