HARROGATE MG 2009 – MGOC NORTHERN NATIONAL

Pateley Bridge, Harrogate - 1st & 2nd August.

The P.R.A.T.S. – the Pateley Real Ale Tasting Society, a local team of Yorkshire Long Sword Dancers drew admiring audiences to their two sessions at the show held in glorious Nidderdale. The group are regularly invited to dance at festivals throughout the UK and their dancing added merriment to the proceedings, particularly their Chicken Dance.

Children, with parents at hand, were entertained by the magic of Uncle Mal who had little difficulty in encouraging the youngsters  to assist him perform his magic.

One of the Saturday events was the well supported and informal Dales Run which was arranged by the Harrogate club as an opportunity to tour the scenic dales. Unusually for this type of event, entry was free, but entrants were generous in support of the local charities to which the Harrogate club make donations.

However, one unfortunate MG Midget driver encountered a flooded road which unfortunately saturated the electrics. In difficult circumstances, MG owners are known for their resourcefulness and the driver of this car did not disappoint. Short of rags to dry out the electrics, he removed his trousers to use. Unfortunately for him, his candid exposure and underwear was captured on film by one of the other entrants.

By Saturday late afternoon, the skies had cleared and the camping area began to fill. Further improvements to the showground infrastructure were evident and the upgraded facilities proved popular with the many campers.

Saturday’s early evening BBQ was popular and the Harrogate club had provided two large barbies and trestle tables. Following the BBQ, the disco sprang into life and during the evening prizes were presented for the best fancy dress which was themed ‘All Sports’. This was a clean sweep for MG Northumbria members, Les Davidson as a cyclist and junior Emma McKerracher, were declared the winners.

The excellent weather on Sunday was a bonus for the 57 Concours and Condition entrants, many of whom arrived early at the extended competition arena to commence preparing their car. This was a magnificent entry and several had driven a long distance to compete in this respected competition. The large entry put the experienced judges under pressure but the results were still declared on time.

To encourage clubs to put on an attractive display of their cars, the Harrogate club always make an award for the Best Club Stand. This year’s winners were Lune & Wyre and the award was collected on behalf of their members by a surprised and delighted Graham Bracegirdle.

 The club stand section of the show was well supported, predominantly by MG clubs which included Preston & District, Ryedale & York, South Yorks, Durham, Lune & Wyre and MGZR, who had nearly 50 of this model on their stand and who earlier in the day, had organised their own national competition. Their winner was Stuarty Cairns, who had travelled from Scotland. In addition to the MG clubs, the North Yorkshire sections of both the TVR and Lotus clubs added variety with their car displays as did Classics on the Square – the Masonic motor club, which had within their display the oldest car at the show – a 1904 Pope.

No show would be complete without the older MG’s and the national Octagon club staged a large and colourful display of their pre 1955 models. It was from within their display, that R Kingham was awarded the Best MG on a Club Stand trophy for his lovely MG TA.

Several staff from the headquarters of the MG Owners Club at Swavesey had made the long journey north. Headed by General Manager, Richard Monk, they were kept busy all day on their twin pagoda stand, which offered regalia, accessories and parts. In addition they were pleased to respond to membership enquiries and offer free advice.

Over the years, the number of trade stands has steadily grown, mainly to due to the reputation that this show enjoys excellent attendances and is the place to do business. In total, there were 28 stands with the majority selling MG related items but there were stalls to interest those with a less mechanical interest.

Throughout the day, a BBC TV production company toured the show and filmed interviews with several MG enthusiasts. This footage is to be incorporated into a programme ‘The story of MG’ which will be screened in the future.

At the end of day presentations, Richard Monk, General Manager of the MGOC, congratulated the Harrogate club members for arranging a very good show which they had been pleased to support and which had good appeal for MG enthusiasts.

Alan Harper, Chairman of Harrogate MG Club, commented that due to the good attendance, it was anticipated that the club would be able to donate a further large sum to increase the £40,000 already donated to local charities from previous year’s shows.                                                                                                                                                                                

He went on to say, that next years show to be held on August 7^th & 8^th, would be the clubs 25th that it had organised  and it would be a bumper show to celebrate the clubs Silver Jubilee Anniversary.