Torque of the North - March 2025
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
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Now’s the time to get organised and make sure you make the most of all the events we’ve lined up for you. Northeast member Peter Johnson went one step further and acquired the Healey show sign, a snip on eBay, with very authentic “rusty bits”. Not sure how that would go down in our house, Peter obviously has a very understanding “other half”!
Technical
You might be contemplating a project on your car over the winter but have been put off by an incomplete knowledge of the task in hand or maybe a lack of the right tools but as a member of the AHC you are certainly in the right place to remedy both those shortfalls. Yorkshire member, Tony Collins-Miskin started his winter project, replacing leaking rear hub oil seals, by asking his local Whatsapp group if anyone had any tips on dealing with an oil seal change. There was no shortage of forthcoming advice: there were personal experiences and tips, links to the clubs Technical Articles and a link to the Northern Centre’s Toolbox. With all that help, Tony was able to complete the task with the right tools and minimal hassle and now benefits from rear hub oil seals on his 100 that are as oil tight as they were designed to be.
Don’t forget, we even have the benefits of our resident Austin Healey technical expert, Dave Sinclair. Go to Technical Advice on the Northern website and ask for Dave’s advice on anything Healey Technical. It’s all part of the benefit of being a member of the Austin Healey Club.
So go to it and good luck with that project!
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Drive It Day 2025
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 Northeast, details in Revcounter, TOTN and website. Remember to support Childline, & 2025 fundraising plates from https://www.driveitday.co.uk/shop
Cheshire
Our route is planned through West Cheshire for our first ever Drive It Day in Cheshire. Meeting at “The Lambing Shed”, Knutsford, for Bacon Rolls at 9:30 to depart at 10:15. Then, meandering (or getting lost) through the Cheshire lanes in the manner of a “Touring Assembly” for a couple of hours (60 miles) to “The Shady” by the canal near Beeston Castle for a pub lunch booked at 1pm. Doug’s done the route twice now, so at least he knows his way…
Contact Doug on: chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk or 07940 313947 to book your place – limited to 15 cars!
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Yorkshire
To Ashford in the Water in the Peak District. Meet at Yummy Yorkshire, South of Huddersfield for breakfast, tea/coffee and signing of the necessary paperwork. Lunch at the Plough at Hathersage.
Contact Jeff Holinshead, see below, to book a place - Filling fast.
North East
The Northeast team are planning to join the MGCC on their annual Cobweb Run Drive It Day. This is a major season opener and is often oversubscribed so contact Murray Shand now, see below, for more details or if you want to book a place.
North Wales
Nice to see J&J back at the Noggin in Feb and raring to go. New venue planned for this year and the route is at the final checking stage. More details to follow. Contact John & Jill Bowman, see below, to join in.
& more amazing events… geared up to attend a show?
Lots of events are opening up as we get into Spring, get ahead of the game, go to the Northern Centre website, checkout the list of events for 2025, contact the organiser to book on!.
Welsh Weekend 18th - 21st September 2025
Still someway off, but John and Jill Bowman need to get the numbers sorted and rooms booked as early as possible to avoid disappointment. This is always fully booked so if you are interested contact John or Jill in North Wales area below for a booking form.
Scotland Noggin at Coffee and Classics
New for this year is the plan to join the Coffee and Classics as our monthly AHC meet. Great opportunity to get the car out, hood down (with your flying helmet) and meet up for a coffee with like-minded classic enthusiasts.
The 2025 opener is at 1030 on 12th March. Meeting at Park Bistro, Park Farm, Linlithgow, EH49 6QY. If you can make it please let Richard Spalding know, and if you want a drive out for lunch afterwards, at: richard.spalding@ahc-northern.org.uk 07598 194394 or on Whatsapp.
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BVAC Classic at Thirlestane Castle - 8th June 2025
Booking for Thirlestane Castle is open now and the Scottish area have secured a club stand at the show. If you want to reserve a place on the AHC stand, you should contact Richard Spalding at: richard.spalding@ahc-northern.org.uk 07598 194394 or on WhatsApp ASAP but no later than 15th April. Limited spaces so book fast.
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In Cheshire, Oulton Park is selling tickets now for the Gold Cup in July so if you want to attend on the club stand go to the Northern Centre website for details on how to buy discounted club tickets from the organisers.
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Similarly, in Yorkshire, the Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend in August, which is always a sellout, has display tickets on sale. Instructions on how to get the right tickets are on the Northern Centre website. When you’ve booked, let Jeff know so that he can negotiate a Club area with the organisers
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Classics over Sands 10th August 2025
Located in Grange-over-Sands, South Lakes, this is a show that is growing every year. With over 300 classics, the crowds literally burst onto the show field in record numbers in 2024. Entries open late March at: classicsoversands.org . Contact Phil Kershaw, phil.kershaw@ahc-northern.org.uk for more details.
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SCOTLAND (CENTRAL) – 2 nd Wednesday of the month (Mar-Nov) AHC club joins in with “Coffee and Classics” at various locations, meeting at 10:30am. Details on Coffee & Classics Facebook Group or from Richard Spalding on 07598 194394
| 12 Mar |
Park Bistro |
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13 Aug |
Crieff Hydro |
| 09 Apr |
Carfraemill |
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10 Sep |
Melville Castle |
| 14 May |
Knockhill Circuit |
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08 Oct |
Park Bistro |
| 11 Jun |
Peebles |
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12 Nov |
Mortonhall Garden Centre |
| 09 Jul |
Archerfield |
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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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p.s. It’s that time of year for membership renewal so please do check your March RevCounter envelope for associated renewal paperwork.
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