It was another beautiful day following more than 3 weeks of unbelievably good weather in March when we met at Durham Services on the A1(M) to follow a route of some 40+ miles devised by Committee member Dennis Hope. Grant Potter, Dennis's son was responsible for preparing the Route Book and a very fine job he did too.
Just look at the blue sky in the pictures. We would be happy with such weather in June never mind March! There's nothing like a lovely day to make people smile.

We were all delighted to see Dennis with his new BGT after his previous pride and joy was on the unpleasant end of a debate with a truck last year.

Clearly his grandchildren Olivia and Macie were delighted too and had brought their Benjis along to meet the new motor.

We were also delighted to learn that Grant and Donna, (pictured above) have decided to get married on 28th August and the pleasure was complete when they asked me to provide the wedding car with the ZB Magnette and for my wife Sheila to take the wedding pictures. Look out for more happy pictures later in the year.
At the end of a lovely run we finished at The Countryman pub in Bolam near Darlington where Dennis had described the plates for the meals as small, large and belly-buster. On the way in we saw someone carrying a well-laden 'belly-buster' and we all opted for large!
Thanks go to Dennis and Grant for providing us with a super start to our 2012 season on the roads. All we need now is the same sort of weather for The Cobweb Run in April.

Whilst our monthly Natters are very important throughout the year, March is always a good time of year to start reporting on things we have arranged with the Outside World. The first main event still involved one of our Natters at The Manor House when we were privileged to welcome Charles McGowan to tell us with pictures, of his exploits in the 2012 Peking to Paris Rally. It became quite obvious from the start that more preparation was required than just popping down to your local car dealer to ask for a quick check before you go on holiday, especially when the car you will be taking on a 10,000-mile journey is a 1926 3-litre Bentley Tourer. Charles described the checking, repairing, and strengthening that went into the engine, gearbox, clutch, chassis and suspension, which demonstrated that this was not a journey for the faint-hearted. We then set off to the start in China (only in pictures of course) for the final countdown to the epic journey across countries where the roads were little more than furrowed tracks over open ground, where ‘Tarmac’ had not yet entered the vocabulary but with stunning scenery and magnificent architecture. We are grateful to TTC member John Brown for organising this talk but even more so to Charles who gave freely of his time to tell us something of the excitement of the journey and the physical exertions that he and the owner of the car experienced.

The picture shows from the right, Charles McGowan, Peter Ebdon (TTC Chairman) and John Brown, after Charles was presented with two bottles of wine as a mark of appreciation. Comments after the talk clearly indicated that it had been thoroughly enjoyed.

On 3rd December, we had an excellent attendance of 55 members and guests at the Gibside Hotel in Whickham, where once again they put on a superb evening for us. Hopefully, the pictures will confirm the party atmosphere. In addition to having good food with good company we also had the presentation of trophies to very worthy winners for their various efforts over the past year. 
Below, Peter and Lyn Ebdon, Chairman and Treasurer are seen welcoming Honorary Members Pam Wright (left) and Brian Wright (right).







We were delighted and honoured to be joined by MG Car Club Overseas Director Paul Plummer, who also has special responsibility for our Centre. After telling us about his year and travels on behalf of Main Club Paul then got onto the serious side of presenting the trophies to the 2011 winners.

David Alexander won the Enthusiast Trophy with Margaret Farquhar taking the Lady Enthusiast crown:

Winners of the southern Pride of Ownership trophies were Keith Dunn for his Abingdon built Midget and Dennis Hope for his post-Abingdon built ZS, both shown below. Dennis also won a share in the Marshal's trophy along with Owen and Pam Frankland.

Colin Ellenden seen below left, won the northern trophy for his post-Abingdon ZR (but more of the Abingdon-built car trophy winner at the end of this report), and Peter Sewell again won the Long Beach trophy for yet another excellent year in the speed championships.

Chairman Peter Ebdon always describes the Chairman's Trophy as the 'Poisoned Chalice' because it is down to his personal selection and not determined by calculating points. However, it was agreed that the deserving winner was David Alexander, who as a new member of the TTC Committee had brought his own brand of enthusiasm and assistance to various events. The delight and surprise at being awarded this accolade can be seen on David's face. Well done to him!

After all the excitement it got rather out of hand with people getting up and gyrating on the floor as best they could.

Winners who couldn't get to the Dinner Dance were Maurice Standish, Owen and Pam Frankland and Bryce Edwards. Maurice was taken ill on the day and couldn't collect his Tyne-Tees Old Speckled Hen cup but I'm pleased to report that Maurice recovered a few days later. Owen Frankland was presented with his Cups for the Cobweb Run and Prince Bishops Run at the next Natter for his TA and Bryce Edwards got his northern Pride of Ownership from Peter Ebdon for his superb PB.

To crown an excellent evening it was most gratifying to take £250 from the raffle and share it between the Butterwick Hospice in Stockton and St. Oswald's Hospice in Newcastle. We are grateful to the people and companies who donated prizes to help us to help others less fortunate.
Finally, thanks must go to main organiser Lyn Ebdon, who was assisted by Sheila Hope. Together they combined their efforts to create a splendid end-of-season evening for us all.

Following the success of the MG80 celebration run in 2010 it was decided to continue with a repeat in 2011. Peter and Lyn Ebdon combined their resources to provide a superb run over some 52 miles starting at the iconic Angel of the North and ending at the Gibside Hotel in Whickham. The weather was kind to us as 29 cars assembled at the Angel and as soon as the drivers received their instructions they were off, safe in the knowledge that they were covered by the Motor Sports Association.

At the Gibside Hotel, 61 sat down for a traditional Sunday lunch and without doubt the whole event was a resounding success.
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Below:
Chairman Peter Ebdon declares the winners of the draw under the watchful eye of Lyn:
 
Trevor and Kay Leighton won the main draw of £20; Nick Owens won one of the bottles of wine very kindly donated by The Gibside Hotel and Mervyn Gillespie and Janice got the other.

Following the problems at Kimber House with the Club website, now thankfully fixed, I can put some images of the Tyne-Tees Old Speckled Hen Run on our microsite. They will be added cautiously in stages so keep watching for more. Barrie Hope, Secretary TTC.

CARS ASSEMBLED at Hardwick Park near Sedgefield to receive instructions for the 92 mile route that would take them across the 3 main rivers of our region, the Tees, the Wear and finally the Tyne. After a lunch stop at Durham Dales Centre in Stanhope the cars finished at the National Trust's newest acquisition, Seaton Delaval Hall near Whitley Bay.