Torque of the North - April 2025
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
Well Spring has finally sprung with some perfect Healey weather. Seems it got most of us out and about (see below) as we get our cars ready for some motoring, I’ve been up to my bruised knuckles in another BMC product (Cooper S) so looking forward to Healey tinkering next week. However – the big question is:
HAVE YOU BOOKED IN FOR DRIVE IT DAY YET?
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As we love to ring the changes, here are some adjustments to Noggins that are proving popular:
- The first Coffee and Classics of the year was held at Park Bistro, Linlithgow and those braving the weather were rewarded with a great catch up. Next meeting in Scotland is 09-Apr at Carfraemill. See below for details.
- Cheshire have tested lunch time noggins in February and March encouraging more of us out into the northern sunlight– including treasurer, Steve, dropping in from Penrith! (Back to normal in May!)
- Meanwhile, in Yorkshire, Jeff H is planning “Noggin on tour” for May and July to allow those from far flung parts to attend, see Events calendar for details.
Still to come!
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Last Chance to sign up for the Drive it Days this Month! Sunday 27th April 2025 so join in with one of the four planned drives: Cheshire, North Wales, Yorkshire & Northeast, details in Revcounter, TOTN and website. Please support Childline by buying 2025 fundraising plates from https://www.driveitday.co.uk/shop
Cheshire Drive It Day
Last chance to join 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.
Contact Doug on: chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk or 07940 313947 NOW
Yorkshire Drive It Day
To Ashford in the Water in the Peak District
Meeting at Yummy Yorkshire, Denby Dale, HD8 8XY from 9.30am, room booked for our use. Depart 11am. Lunch at The Plough Inn, Hathersage, Derbyshire. Contact Jeff to book your place. Contact Jeff Holinshead to book a place – nearly full!
North East Drive It Day
The Northeast team are planning to join the MGCC on their annual Cobweb Run Drive it Day. Often oversubscribed so contact Murray Shand!
North Wales Drive It Day
Shorter route this year, approx. 50 miles with a lunch stop, but strictly pre-book only due to numbers. Contact Jill Now to secure place.
Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show
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"One of the best events, and best-kept secrets, in the UK classic car scene."
Classic & Sports Car magazine
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Monday 5th May 10am - 4pm
Beautiful setting for the NW season opener. Join us for this splendid show with a garden party atmosphere and informal concours. All entry tickets must be pre-booked direct with Gawswoth Hall full details at
https://gawsworthhall.com/classic-car-show/
The club will have a designated parking area so please advise Jonathan Pilkington jonathan.pilkington@ahc-northern.org.uk if you are attending.
Club Runs in Scotland
Opportunities to join in with the action in Scotland and North East, with two tours and a show for club members, coordinated by Richard Spalding (richard.spalding@ahc-northern.org.uk 07598194394).
- Crieff Cloverleaf Loops - Preliminary planning started for 3 or 4 daytrips from Crieff in Perthshire. Dates: 26-29 Sept 2025 and based out of the Crieff Hydro hotel. Routes similar to those shown on https://www.cloverleaf.scot/ . If interested, please contact Richard.
- 8 June - BVAC Festival of Motoring at Thirlestane followed by…
- 9-11 June - Northumberland 250 tour ending up with the Coffee and Classic at Peebles Hydro
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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 as soon as possible but no later than 15th April. Limited spaces so book early.
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Classic Transport Weekend at Llangollen Railway Sat/Sun 5th/6th July
The North Wales team are planning to attend this even in strength with the club event shelter on both days. Vehicle entry is FREE but with the high demand expected, entry applications should be submitted ASAP and no later than 1st June 2025. You should complete your own application here: Online Application and let John and Jill Bowman know that you have booked. (See below)
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Tue-Thu 22nd-24rd July - Yorkshire Elegance at Grantley Hall Yorkshire
An event that just keeps growing in scale and grandeur.
We are manning an AHC stand on the last two days. Once again we have been offered free entry into the event for up to 10 cars (20 people) on each of the two show days on 23rd & 24th July.
Members Discount: YE are happy to offer a 10% discount on all day ticket types for the event, this includes the driving day, VIP Hospitality and the VIP Lounge options.
More details at: www.yorkshireelegance.com and on the Northern Centre Website Events calendar or Contact Jeff Hollinshead below.
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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 Now at: classicsoversands.org . Contact Phil Kershaw, phil.kershaw@ahc-northern.org.uk for more details.
Want to attend a show?
Other events are opening for bookings in the coming months and we’ll update you as they come along, but its easy to get ahead of the game. Go to the Northern Centre website, checkout the list of planned events and contact the organiser – simple as that.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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
| 09 Apr |
Carfraemill |
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13 Aug |
Crieff Hydro |
| 14 May |
Knockhill Circuit |
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10 Sep |
Melville Castle |
| 11 Jun |
Peebles |
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08 Oct |
Park Bistro |
| 09 Jul |
Archerfield |
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12 Nov |
Mortonhall Garden Centre |
- Sun 27th April - Drive it Day in Cheshire, Yorkshire, North Wales and the North East.
- Mon 5th May - Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show
- Sun-Wed 11th-14th May - Crieff Hydro
- Sat/Sun 7th/8th June - Classic and Performance Car Spectacular at Tatton Park Space is limited so book your tickets at least 4 weeks before the show by emailing Mike Stonier at events@ahc-northern.org.uk or on 07941 757648
- Sat/Sun 7th/8th June - HealeySport @ Harewood Hill Yorkshire. Another visit to the Northern Area by the AHC Sports section. More details from Murray Shand
- Sun 8th June - Borders Vintage Automobile Club Classic at Thirlestane Castle Lauder, Scottish Borders. Contact Richard Spalding for Details.
- Mon-Wed 9th-11/th June - Northumberland 250 Contact Richard Spalding for Details
- Sun 22nd June - Royal Armouries Classic Car Show In Leeds organised by the Chevin Motor Club. Individual entries for this event via: www.chevinmotorclub.co.uk/r-a-2025 . More details from Brian Slingsby at brian.slingsby@ahc-northern.org.uk .
- Sat/Sun 5th/6th July - Llangollen Transport Weekend Glyndyfdrwy Station. Vehicle entry is free, but book early due to restriction of space. Entries close 1st June 2025. Book online with the railway. Contact John & Jill Bowman
- Sat/Sun 12th/13th July - Glamis Castle.Scottish Transport Extravaganza. Contact Ian Walker at scotland@ahc-northern.org.uk club stand full but private entries still available
- Sun-Wed 20th-23rd July - International Healey Meeting 2025 Crewe Hall Fully booked contact Paul Johnson for details at vicechairman@ahc-northern.org.uk
- Tue/Wed/Thur 22nd/23rd/24th July - Yorkshire Elegance at Grantley Hall. An event that just keeps growing in scale and grandeur. We are manning an AHC stand on the last two days. More details at: www.yorkshireelegance.com or from Jeff Hollinshead.
- Sun 20th July - Newby Hall Historic Vehicle Rally The North of England's largest one day show. Bookings are now open via the Newby Hall website where you will be directed to the NECPWA website. Let Jeff Hollinshead know you are going on 0780097441
- Sunday 10th August - Classics over Sands - Entries open Now at: https://classicsoversands.org/ . Contact Phil Kershaw, phil.kershaw@ahc-northern.org.uk for more details.
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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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p.s. It’s that time of year for membership renewal so please check the Members' Area on the National Club website for the status of your renewal.
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