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40th Anniversary of Morris
Minor Owners Club is heading to the Isle of Man
AN epic journey around the British
Isles to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Morris Minor Owners Club will
include a trip to the Isle of Man. To mark the Anniversary, the club has
arranged for a standard specification 1962 Morris Minor 4 door saloon to travel
from John O'Groats to Land's End. However, instead of using the most direct
route it will crisscross Britain in an attempt to visit every branch of the MMOC
and several locations with links to the history of the car and the club.
It is expected the journey of more than 3,000 miles will take up to 5 weeks, and
at each of the 75 planned stops events will be held to raise money for charity.
The Isle of Man branch is included on the itinerary, and on 4 September 2016 the
car and driver Bruce Kelsey will spend a day here. The Steam Packet Company has
assisted with the cost of travel.
Bruce explained:- "The MMOC was founded in 1976 to promote the
preservation and continued use of post war Morris Minors and has grown to become
one of the highest profile classic car clubs in the UK, with more than 8,000
members. This celebration trip, marking the Ruby Anniversary by visiting every
branch of the club and some places which are significant both to the history of
the car and the development of the club over the past 40 years, is one of our
most ambitious projects. We're very pleased to be able to include a visit to the
Isle of Man in the itinerary, so we can celebrate with club members there, and
are grateful to the Steam Packet Company for assisting with the cost of travel
to and from the Island. We're also very grateful to B&Q which is allowing the
local MMOC to host an event in its car park on Cooil Road to welcome the car to
the Isle of Man."
As part of the marathon, the classic Morris will also be stopping off at all 9
residential hospices operated by Marie Curie, a charity the club has supported
in the past. Money raised during events on the journey, as well as other
activities planned for this year, will be donated to the charity.
As the Isle of Man doesn't have a Marie Curie hospice, the local club is
considering a visit to Hospice Isle of Man with any money raised during events
while the car is in the Island being split between Hospice Isle of Man and Marie
Curie.
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said:- "This is a
wonderful way to celebrate 40 years of the Morris Minor Owners Club, and I'm
delighted we have been able to assist in ensuring the Isle of Man branch is part
of the celebrations. We look forward to welcoming Bruce on board and wish him
the best of luck on this marathon journey." |
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Secret Gardens, Hidden
Histories
GREEN fingered folk in community
allotments to civic parks across Merseyside are being encouraged to celebrate
the Year of the English Garden as part of Heritage Open Days this September. The
festival that will run from Thursday, 8 September 2016, until Sunday, 11
September 2016, is joining in with the 300th anniversary of Capability Brown by
showcasing some of the most stunning public and private gardens in England.
There'll also be free access to the gardens and houses at a selection of
National Trust properties as well as lesser known private and public secret
green spaces and community gardening projects with fascinating stories to tell.
Loyd Grossman, Patron of Heritage Open Days, said:- "Heritage Open Days is
a great opportunity to showcase the hidden histories behind the green spaces in
your area. From formal, prize winning horticultural landscaping, to allotments,
pub gardens and community planting projects, every gardener has a story to
tell!"
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery said:- "This
is the chance for proud gardeners to take part in Heritage Open Days and an
opportunity for visitors to enjoy some of the secret gardens in their own
communities."
Organisers will need to register their green space with Heritage Open Days by
1st August 2016. By registering, all participants will be able to access a free
marketing support pack and their event will be listed at:-
HeritageOpenDays.Org.UK from mid July 2016. For further
information on each charity, visit:-
PostCodeLottery.Co.UK.
Fact file:-
Bright Park, Liverpool
Bright Park (formerly Thingwall House) was the residence of Henry Arthur Bright,
a Victorian shipping magnate who left his house and gardens in his Will to use
in the education of the people of Liverpool. Come and explore the park and its
4.9 acres of woods, orchards and trails. Explore the park and its 4.9 acres of
woods, orchards and trails. The Bright Park staff will be there to tell you
about the plans for the park and how far along we are with restoring the park to
the community. Enjoy our hospitality with food on the site, or bring a picnic
and relax on the lawns with music from local artists and Love and Joy Ministries
Gospel choir. Come and see this secret wilderness for yourself and enjoy
privileged access to a park that has only been open a handful of times in the
last 30 years.
Eat, Drink and be Merry at the Smithy, Smithy Heritage Centre, St. Helens
A great weekend of Tudor style fun for all the family, with outdoor games,
costumes, music and crafts. Follow the special trail around our secret garden
and find out how different plants were used in medicine and magic. There will
even be the chance to see some historic weapons and try your hand at being a
knight! On Saturday, 10 September 2016, there will be a feast fit for a King,
with dishes made from original recipes; come and have a real taste of the past!
Get your oven gloves on and join in with the 4th Annual Great Eccleston Bake off
on, Sunday, 11 September 2016! Entries
will once again be judged by the lovely ladies of St Helens W.I. For details of
how to enter, visit:-
SmithyHeritageCentre.Org.UK/Whats-On. |
