Event
Report
The
Dales Trail 2009
Report
by Dave Simpson
Sunday
May 10th Dales Trail fast approaching, new organising team, will it be a
success, what will the weather do, will it, won't it rain, will every one
turn up, will anything go wrong, are we worried? Of course not, it will be
all right on the night as they say in show business and so it proved.
Kiplin
Hall was once again the venue for this years Dales Trail, the day dawned
fine with a slight prospect of rain later but nothing too serious, we
attempted, and with some success, tried to up the fun factor this year by
inviting entrants to dress in period costume, most of our own members joined
in, some with elaborate over the top enthusiasm as is usually the case with
YDCCC members.
We
also got a response from guests with the arrival of Elvis and a Bay City
Roller suitably supported by their partners, I'm not sure if Elvis ever
drove an MG but it was great to have them arrive in style.
Sixty
cars arrived more or less on time and put on a great show lined up in front
of the hall. The majority of entrants were as expected MG's with a fair
sprinkling of newer F/TF types there was also a few real oldies in the shape
of Geoff Dodd's original T type and a couple of 1930's magnums, which was
great to see, unfortunately one of these aged motors shed some gears on the
run and failed to make it back, I wish the crew well and hope they got home
safe and sound. For me the real star of the show was the huge Lagonda of
Neil Dyson from Ouseburn a real beast of a machine and in immaculate
condition.
Tea
and Biscuit's over, the cars departed for a trip around the Yorkshire Dales
which took in Swaledale, Wensleydale and a few more dales with a possible
stop to visit the cheese factory at Hawes, for which we had issued
brochures, and on over the dale to Kettlewell and eventually back via Pateley
Bridge and return to Kiplin.
A
round trip of just over 100 miles. Every one seemed to really enjoy the day,
especially first timers who were not familiar with the Yorkshire Dales. On
return to the hall more tea & coffee and the raffle for which I thank
all who supported it with prizes and selling tickets etc and presentation of
a hamper of local jams for the furthest traveled crew, which was won
by Neil Doubleday who had driven up from Bovey Tracy in Devon.
On
reflection a very successful and satisfying event, in the words of the
Kiplin Hall staff the best yet, what more could we ask for?
Perhaps
just a teeny weensy bit more sunshine for next year maybe.
Thanks
go to all entrants and to the people who helped organise the day, they know
who they are, well done to all.
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