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Our Show 2007

The Nidderdale Agricultural Society’s showground at Pateley Bridge , near Harrogate , was the venue over the weekend 4/5^th August for this thriving event organised by Harrogate MG Club  and supported by the MGOC.

  Now in its 22^nd year, MG enthusiasts, who had travelled from all over the UK , attended the show in large numbers.

Making a welcome first time appearance at the show and on the campsite was a large contingent from the national MGZR.co.uk club who injected a marked degree of ‘youthfulness’ and boisterousness to the proceedings.

  As is customary, the weekends events started with Saturdays ‘Dales Run’, which was very well supported. This year’s route, which was 99 miles long, was via Malham, Kettlewell, Hawes, Aysgarth Falls and Grassington and gave participants an insight into this glorious part of the Dales.

  By early evening, much to the delight of the enthusiasts, the weather had improved and the scheduled BBQ raised spirits..

  Popular demand for the reinstatement  of the Saturday evening entertainment had encouraged the Harrogate club to organise a Disco in the marquee.

  From early morning, MG’s began arriving at the showfield and the visiting clubs and traders swung into action setting up their displays and stands. Rivalry amongst clubs for the best club stand award was soon evident and it was fascinating to see the quantity of display material that had been brought to the event. Lune & Wyre, Bury, Durham (MGOC and Classic), Preston and District, Tees Valley , Kingdom (all the way from Scotland ), Ryedale & York and MGZR clubs all set up attractive displays of their cars. In addition, the Octagon Car Club displayed a large selection of magnificent pre 1955 MG’s along side their spares marquee and for the first time, the Harrogate club welcomed the participation of the North Yorkshire Lotus and Stag Owners Clubs.

  After much deliberation, the club stand judges gave the award to the Tees Valley MGOC who narrowly beat the previous few years winners – Preston and District. An additional award, presented for the first time and judged by the chairmen of Preston, Durham and Tees Valley clubs, was made to the best car on a club stand. Phil Benson won this from Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire for his splendid 1946 TC, which he has owned for 40 plus years and which, was displayed among the Octagon Club cars.

  A large number of Trade and Charity stalls surrounded the main arena, with one of the busiest being the MG Owners Club who offered a selection of regalia, accessories and spares. The club team from Swavesey was headed by General Manager Richard Monk who later in the day officiated in the judging of the senior classes in the Concours as well as assisting with the presentation of trophies.

  Throughout the day, children were entertained by ‘Uncle Mal’ the magician who mystified his young audience and also involved them in the magic.

Between shows, children took part in the age grouped colouring competition and prizes were given to the three group winners.

  On hand to provide a musical interlude for the adults were the Summerbridge and Dacre  award winning silver band who played a wide selection of music.

  Two areas of the show that attracted attention were the ‘Cars for Sale ’ section and the display of ‘Other Classics’. The Harrogate show has become a popular place to sell MG’s and there were many reported enquiries for the large quantity on offer. To add interest to the show, the Harrogate club had worked hard to attract non-MG’s to the event and many cars had assembled for the display. Eager to recognise the contribution that these cars made, an award was given for the best. This was won by local man Simon Bostock for his magnificent 1931 Alvis 12/50 Tourer, resplendent in blue and black paintwork on its Cross and Ellis coachwork.

  Taking centre stage of the show, were the exceptionally well supported Concours and Condition Competitions and it was evident, that many freshly restored cars were competing for the first time. Such is the desirability of a Harrogate show win, several competitors and cars had travelled considerable distances to take part – the farthest having travelled to Pateley Bridge from Kent .

  Much has been made in the past about the rules for Concours and Condition compliance and judging is always a delicate area, but to ensure impartiality several judges were seconded from other clubs.

  Many of the classes were well subscribed, with chrome bumper MGB Roadster and GT classes both having a large entry and proving as popular as ever. MG Midgets, both chrome and rubber bumper models, appear to be making a comeback and it was pleasing that a Condition class chrome Midget, after winning its class, then collected the award for the best Midget before going on to claim the Car of the Show trophy. This is an exceptional car, owned by S. Jones and it was a worthy winner of the top prize.

  There were many proud winners, but non-more so than Les Davy from Ripon, who with his wife entered two cars – their MGA and TD. Preparing and displaying two cars in this class of competition is a real labour of love. With both cars, having won in their respective classes they then went onto win best in show awards.

  All the entrants should be congratulated for their skill and preparation detail which added much to the show and which will ensure, that the Harrogate competition maintains its position in the top echelon of UK Concours D’Elegance.