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Austin Healey Club Northern Centre Lakes Weekend 2018
The Participants arrived on Friday afternoon. The popularity of this event
was such that the whole hotel was booked, some 38 rooms, and unfortunately
On Saturday 5 May following a hearty Lakes District breakfast there was a planned drive along the Mountain and Lakes Trail which included the optional passing through the Hard Knot pass which is a singletrack road with hair raising bends. The only casualties were that one driver sustained a broken throttle cable but fortunately a car driven by Martin Booth behind was carrying a spare and another car lost its wing mirror when the passenger grabbed the same in sheer terror but this was retrieved by the driver. We passed by several beautiful lakes including Coniston, Thirlmere and Derwent water and refreshments were taken along the way notably at Sykes Farm tea and ice cream shop. In the evening the hotel again provided an excellent meal and we were entertained by a Cilla Black tribute artist accompanied by much enthusiastic dancing. On Sunday sixth of May again after a hearty breakfast there was another planned drive through the southern lowlands to the coast. Again the roads were narrow, steep and bending, in fact excellent roads on which to put our cars and drivers to the test. The participants were free to take lunch whenever they wished to stop and when they spotted a public house or teashop of their choice. Many alighted at the George IV Inn which was located at the cross section of the two runs. The only casualties on this day were Tony Curran losing his radiator cap and Mike Stonier suffering a flat tyre so we were lucky in this regard. On returning to the hotel the traditional concourse competition was held and all the cars on the event were entered by default. Everyone on the event became judges and helped to select the winners in each category. Winners were to be announced and prizes were to be awarded that evening by our Northern Centre Director. In the evening the gala dinner was held
giving everybody an opportunity to dress up. There was a sparkling wine
reception, wine on the table and a special menu which everybody seemed to
The following day many participants made their way home however a large number extended their stay and spent a very enjoyable day travelling on the Lakeside Haverthwaite railway to Windermere then cruised the lake to Bowness having light refreshments in the lakeside town (wine for the ladies and beer for the men as I recall) and then took a return cruise, stopping for afternoon tea at the Lakeside Hotel and then after a short bus ride visited the Lakeland motor Museum and Bluebird exhibition. All in all I think that this weekend could not be faulted it was of course aided by an excellent choice of venue and superb weather. I think it can safely be said that it was enjoyed by all and our congratulations go to the Organisers. As for next year watch this space..... Bernadette Stonier Concours Results
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This year our weekend took place on fourth, fifth and sixth of May and was
organised by Paul and Jacqui Johnson and Mike and Bernadette Stonier. The
event was held in the Lake District where the original Northern Centre May
bank holiday event originated. The event was based at the Whitewater hotel
in Newby Bridge. The hotel is well situated being yards from the Lakeland
Motor Museum and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway The hotel was
originally a factory involved in the production of the dolly blue laundry
agent. The facilities were excellent particularly the well-equipped gym and
leisure centre (and well stocked bar) and the hotel is to be congratulated
on its warm welcome and level of service. There were many comments on how
helpful the staff were in meeting everybody‘s needs.
there was a waiting list of members whom we were unable to accommodate. The
weather was fabulous throughout the weekend and this contributed to a most
enjoyable event. Most enjoyed drinks in the bar prior to an excellent
dinner, catching up with old friends and making new ones and this revelry
continued after dinner and into the small hours for some.
enjoy. This was followed with our prize-giving, details of which are
included below. Our Northern Centre Chairman Paul Johnson was the final
adjudicator, responsible for checking the final voting. There was also a
Cornish raffle whereby more than 60 prizes were donated by participants in
the event and Caroline Curran assisted with drawing tickets and handing out
prizes. In total the sum of £610 was raised to be divided equally
amongst the St Mary‘s Hospice in Ulverston and the Christie Hospital
to help with their proton beam development programme. Our National Chairman
Tony Curran then offered thanks to the organisers and participants alike.
