Torque of the North - December 2024
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
What happened to putting the cars away for winter? Although great to see so many members out in bobble hats and winter coats, braving winter temperatures…bit like owning an electric car! It’s all about Christmas this month, with plenty of choices for Christmas lunch wherever you’re based.
Bickerton Poacher Pie & Skittles.
A super time was had by all at the Bickerton Poacher when we all enjoyed their famous home-made steak and ale pie and then turned our hand to the ancient sport of skittles. Great fun for the teams but once again it was the Cheshire mob that took the spoils of victory. Here we show below Paul Johnson demonstrating the perfect (rather athletic) technique and Steve Higginson finally holding the trophy.
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Classic Motor Show
Fantastic turnout of members at the NEC Classic Motor show. Over 130 tickets were bought using the club discount code and the Chairman bumped into over 13 folks from all over the Northern Centre on the Friday alone. This year’s club stand featured four very tasty Healey’s of all marques - something for everyone.
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Remember to make a note in next years diary for the Practical Classics “Classic car & Restoration Show” 21-23 March 2025 at NEC Birmingham where the Midlands centre will have a Stand.
November Drives
Just as we thought that summer was done and the cars were being tucked up in the garage, along comes a long dry spell and a couple of lovely sunny days at the end – Perfect Healey weather. Up in Scotland the guys got the cars out for the last of the season’s “Coffee & Classics” at Mortonhall Garden Centre, Edinburgh, followed by a drive and lunch. Meanwhile in Cheshire, they managed a spur-of-the-moment drive into the Peaks for a Bacon Butty in Hartington.
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It was all too much for one of the Cheshire drivers who reported afterwards on WhatsApp that on getting home he had enjoyed his post drive snooze…was it our chairman living the dream?
Still to come!
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Lakes & Dales Christmas Dinner
Up in the frozen north we don’t get out much, so it looks like a full house for The Lakes and Dales Christmas dinner is on Thursday 12th December! Held at Crooklands in the Dining Room, probably 7 for 7.30… still time to drop Norman an email if you’re interested in joining them on: lakesanddales@ahc-northern.org.uk
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North Wales Christmas Evening
On the regular Club night, Thursday 19th December, at the Northop Hall Cricket Clubhouse. Usual format so bring along your food contribution from 7:15. Contact John & Jill Bowman for details. austinhealeywales@btinternet.com
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Cheshire Late Christmas Lunch
The Cheshire group invites members to join them at the Golden Pheasant, Plumley for their Late Christmas Lunch on Sunday 5th January 2025. Meeting at noon to sit down for lunch at 12.30pm. With three courses from the Sunday Lunch menu and wine at a cost of £40.00 per person. Email or call Ivor Davies on ivor.davies@ahc-northern.org.uk or (07899 046103) to book.
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Yorkshire Late Winter Lunch
The Yorkshire Area Late Winter Lunch will be on Sunday 26th January 2025, at The Black Horse Inn. Full details nearer the time. Contact Jeff Hollinshead on 07800 974418, email jeff.hollinshead@ahc-northern.org.uk or on WhatsApp.
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Scottish Healeys Annual Late Christmas Lunch
Saturday 11th January 2025. Venue still to be decided but likely Edinburgh. Details to follow so please contact Richard to let him know you wish to join in. richard.spalding@ahc-northern.org.uk
Look out for more Christmas (or after Christmas) Lunch details from the North East in January’s TOTN.
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Drive It Day 2025 – Diary Date!
2025 Drive It Day is a week later than normal, to avoid a clash with Easter. So, save Sunday 27th April 2025 to join in with one of the four planned drives in Cheshire, North Wales, Yorkshire and North East, details in Revcounter, TOTN and on the website in the New Year.
If you are after a Healey restoration project this might be for you
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Jeff Hollinshead has been alerted about a stalled restoration project of a 1957 Longbridge built 100/6 with a Heritage Certificate, Green Log Book etc. The car is fully dismantled, the chassis and body were blasted over 20 years ago, repaired and primed. Suspension parts have been powder coated, brightwork re-chromed. Jeff has been to see the vehicle which is stored in a large dry garage. The engine, gearbox and rear axle are present. Most parts including a work's hardtop seem to be there but that cannot be guaranteed.
The car is in Yorkshire and the family need the car out of the garage quickly so If you are interested please contact Jeff Hollinshead (below) for further details.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
- Sunday 1st December 24 - Warwick - National Club AGM - Full details on Club website: www.austinhealeyclub.com
- ***NEW*** ADO Restoration have invited club members to there upcoming family friendly free Christmas Classics Meet on Sunday 15th December at their Halifax classic restoration workshop located at Shaw Lodge Mills, Boys Lane, Halifax, HX3 9ET. The event will run from 10am until 2pm and will offer visitors the chance to see behind the scenes at the restoration workshop; with some of the most ambitious projects of 2024 on display including one of the surviving Heinz 57 Hornets made in 1966 (Phil K used to own the last one!). Light refreshments available. Go to: www.adoequipment.com for more details.
- ***NEW*** See The Northern Centre Website or National Club Website for the full list of events planned for 2025.
Other events are being organised at local area level at short notice via Whatsapp groups. Get yourself on the groups and intothe action by getting in touch with your local rep below.
CENTRE CONTACTS
- North East - Contact Murray at tyneside@ahc-northern.org.uk or on 07850 286099 or via WhatsApp for details of future events and noggins in the Northeast
- Yorkshire - Contact Jeff Hollinshead on 07800 974418 or at yorkshire@ahc-northern.org.uk or via WhatsApp
- North Wales - For information on Noggins and events contact John or Jill on 07766 706554 or via WhatsApp
- Scotland - Contact Ian Walker on 07740 148881 or at scotland@ahc-northern.org.uk or on WhatsApp
- Scotland - North East – For local Noggins, contact Tony Ball on 07703 349679 or on WhatsApp.
- North West - Contact Mike Stonier on 07941 757648 or at events@ahc-northern.org.uk
- Lakes and Dales - Contact Norman Butler on 07788148485, lakesanddales@ahc-northern.org.uk or WhatsApp.
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And finally, congratulations to the Northern Centre members, father and son team John & James, for their fantastic final positions in the Lackford Engineering Midget & Sprite Challenge. Good Luck and looking forward to seeing them on the track in 2025.
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