DURNOVARIA 1008 NEWSLETTER MAY 2017

The Essential Newsletter for the MG Owners Club Dorchester Area 1008

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER * Compton Abbas Airfield * Club Diary * Classics at the Mill * The World’s Largest Car Restorer * Event information

Compton Abbas Airfield - 1935 Tiger Moth - 1942 Stinson V-77 Gullwing MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - May 2017

The quality of the food brings people here, too - Robert de Niro came for lunch one day, and I’ve known people to fly in from Birmingham just because of the sausages from our local butcher! What’s most important to me is that people should come here and enjoy themselves, whether they fly, eat, drink or just sit and watch.’ Recently Sarah and I visited Compton Abbas Airfield, as I had a flight booked in an eighty year-old Tiger Moth Our next Sunday run is to Compton Abbas Airfield bi-plane, a belated special birthday present. When we near Shaftesbury, when we assemble at our usual arrived for the eleven o’clock flight we learned that it had to collection point at the Top O’ Town car park on May be cancelled, in spite of the clear blue skies and sunshine, 7th at 11am. the lighter aircraft weren’t flying. The eight hundred foot elevation of the airfield and the surrounding topography, creates unwanted turbulence when the wind is in a south easterly direction and Murphy’s law came into operation on that day. We managed to re-book for the 7th May which coincides with our Sunday run, so by the time you arrive, I’ll be able to tell you of my experience (if I come down in one piece!).

erched on the western edge of Cranborne Chase, Compton Abbas Airfield has a breathtaking views of Ppractically the whole of the Blackmore Vale. Clive Hughes, the owner and manager, says that it is not only an airfield but also a tourist attraction and local amenity. It has been an airfield since the 1960s. The story of how it came to be an airfield is vague, but apparently a farmer let someone land a Tiger Moth on his field and to keep it While we were there we decided that it would be rude not there. From then on it grew, becoming busier and busier to have a ‘Full English’ in the excellent café and afterwards as its reputation spread among the flying fraternity. we were shown around the Vintage aircraft hangar and I Clive Hughes has run the airfield for more than twenty got the opportunity to try the Tiger Moth cockpit for size. I years. Aviation has been the focus of most of his life, can report that it is tighter than the MG TF and six foot off working 24 years moving his aviation business, home and the ground! family from Surrey. In order to get the local community On our visit we had a bit of a reconnoitre and found that involved with the airfield he gave presentations at local there is a large grass area to park our MGs with adequate village halls. “By the end of my presentation, they would space. We can recommend the restaurant for lunch, but realise that aviation did play a part in all our daily lives. on weekends it does get busy, so get your orders in early. As for all those pilots – how did they start and where did Please be aware that there is a sign at the entrance of they learn? At little airfields like ours, of course.” Thus the grass parking area stating ‘NO PICNICS’ - so if you Clive gained the approval of the local people and made are taking food for lunch it would be worth being discreet them welcome at the clubhouse (no ‘Members Only’ signs with the food arrangements; Graham, best not to bring here). Expanding the catering side, he encouraged visitors the damask tablecloth, candelabra and champagne ice to spend time at the airfield. The patio area outside has bucket! been extended, so there is even more room for visitors. There is a café menu reproduced on the next page and I They have fifty flying students on their books at present. understand that they are quite willing to take table bookings ‘We get all sorts here. A lot of people think that flying is for specific times so if you intend having a meal give them only for the rich, and it’s certainly not a cheap hobby; but a ring. people from all strands of life get bitten by the flying bug Compton Abbas Airfield and a lot of them have to make huge sacrifices to keep Ashmore doing it. Yes, we do get celebrities here; we trained Prince Near Shaftsbury Michael of Kent to fly, and Guy Ritchie is learning here - s SP5 5AP To book a table call 01747 811767 MB MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - May 2017 MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - May 2017

Tuesday Club Nights Wednesday Evening Runs Weekend Runs N.B. All club meetings Colliton Club Sunday 23rd April: at 7.30 for 8 pm. Please Book “Drive It Day” Wednesday 17th May Classics at the Mill, Tuesday 7th February Alan & Judi’s Mystery Tour Haselbury Mill nr. Crewkerne. The MG year ahead TOTCP 6.30 for 6.45 10am - 4.00pm

Saturday 18th March Wednesday 21st June Skittles Sunday 7th May Run to Durlston Castle followed by The Spitfire Club, Mount Skippet Run + Picnic then run to Compton Fish & Chips Way, off Warmwell Road, Abbas Airfield TOTCP 6.30 for 6.45 Crossways, Dorchester DT2 8TP TOTCP 11.00am Wednesday 12th July Tuesday 4th April Saturday 10th June Peter & Pam’s Mystery Tour Peter & Ray’s Quiz Lunch @ Peter & Pam’s TOTCP 6.30 for 6.45 Tuesday 2nd May TOTCP TBD Bring & Buy Sale Wednesday 9th August * Sunday 23rd July Ray & Lorraine’s Mystery Tour Tuesday 6th June Run & Afternoon Tea at TOTCP 6.30 for 6.45 The Great MG Bake Off Symondsbury Kitchen, nr. Bridport Tuesday 4th July Notes: TOTCP 1.0pm TOTCP -Top O’Town Car Park, TBA Saturday 19th August Dorchester DT1 1XT Tuesday 1st August Picnic at Sculpture By The Lakes, On our Wednesday evening runs Display of members’ cars Pallington & Tea at Storey’s we assemble at 6:30 at TOTCP TOTCP 12.00pm Tuesday 5th September and leave at 6:45 sharp Wayne’s MG Beetle drive Sunday 10th September Friday 16th to Monday 19th June Haynes Motor Museum Tuesday 3th October Club Weekend away in Bath TBA TOTCP 9.30am Organiser David Moran Tuesday 7th November Sunday 15 October AGM & Quiz The Dorset Golf club. Tuesday 5th December Our end of Season Run & Lunch Christmas Dinner TOTCP (Time to be decided)

MGOC 1008 CLUB CONTACTS

Chairman - Ray Moore MAY CLUB T: 01305 268105 E: [email protected] Vice Chairman - Peter Elliott MEETING T: 01258 451763 E: [email protected] Tuesday May 2nd Colliton Club Treasurer & Secretary - Paul Storey 7.30 for 8.00 start T: 01305 848656 E: [email protected] Charity Organiser and Assistant Secretary - Hilary Storey BRING & BUY SALE T: 01305 848656 E: [email protected] Events Coordinator - Tim Creed Bring along something to sell T: 01305 520086 E: [email protected] Bring cash to grab a bargain! Newsletter Production - Mike Benton In aid of Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance T: 01929 554250 E: [email protected] Alan Cooper T: 07815 305619 E: [email protected] MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - May 2017

Classics at the Mill SUNDAY RUN APRIL 23 t was a bright and sunny morning with clear blue skies for round plus a few ‘when I nod my head you hit it’ comments, most of us, as we left home to assemble at the Top O’Town the job was done and what a fine display of men women and Icar park for an early 8:45 start. In spite of the blue skies, it machines we all made. was ‘brass monkey’ cold and those with convertibles arrived The first stop was of course to find the grub and we weren’t with hoods up. Rob in his Frog Eye Sprite was the only brave disappointed, as the event hosts were serving coffee and soul amongst us arriving topless. breakfast in the barn. Several of us indulged in a ‘full English’ As our group assembled, we were joined by various other in a bun. Suitably refreshed and warmed up we embarked classic owners out for a ‘jolly’ on ‘Drive it Day’. Plus of course on the day’s gruelling session of sitting around chatting and the usual Sunday bikers arriving dressed up like gladiators kicking tyres. The event was in aid of the Motor Neurone against the cold. They headed off into the café to thaw out. Disease Association and charity stalls were scattered around After the usual ‘hail fellow well met’ moments amongst our the grounds including a cartoonist and a live band to entertain group, chit chat with the non MG owners and an emptying of the assembled crowds. water tanks, we set off to Haselbury Mill as the cloud began to Luckily the weather improved and when the sun finally returned obscure the welcome early sunshine. after a cloudy period, it really warmed up and Arctic clothing Tim and Sharyn led the way and all the MGs followed, along began to be removed. En route our new member David’s with the other classics that had assembled in the car park, car had suffered a severe bombing by a group of kamikaze who it turns out were from the Weymouth Vehicle Preservation seagulls. Wayne (he of the damp chamois) once again came Society also heading to the Classics at the Mill event. We to the rescue returning the car to pristine condition. It was made a fine convoy of Britain’s past motoring glory. The refreshing to have a some new members and Alan’s white journey went smoothly, our pathfinders providing just the right MGA looked splendid lining up with the MGBs, the TD, TF pace for MGs old and new. Midget & Frog Eye and we all had a cracking day out. MB Along the way at Maiden Newton we collected Wayne who was waiting to join the convoy. We all gave him a merry toot on our horns as we passed - how his neighbours enjoyed the hooting! Rob and the white Frog was bringing up the rear and held back to slow the queue of modern cars that we had collected, in order to allow Wayne to join in our merry throng. We arrived at about 9:45 and in good time to position ourselves ready for the public to arrive. After a bit of jiggling about, we positioned our group in prime position by the lake. Paul had brought along his club hammer to bang in the club spikes to View From the Rally Field hold up the Club’s banner. After a bit of banter and advice all

Lunch Break New Member Enrolled

A Good Turn-out

Photos MB MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - May 2017

MGs in the Philippines Inside the world’s largest classic car restorer Where in the world can you find more than 200 people clients. He explains that BMT has pressing facilities in working in one classic car restoration complex – with vast Poland that makes new panels. The company has also hangar-like halls for bodywork, for Jaguar, for Rolls-Royce reproduced the original Dunlop brake calipers for C-type, and Mercedes, for future projects and more? Surprisingly, XKSS and D-type Jaguars. “We will also build 10 alloy the answer is not the United States, UK, Australia or XK120s. We’ll put cars back on the road that otherwise anywhere in Europe – it’s the Philippines, on the former would’ve been lost forever,” says Byrnes. US airbase that is now Clark Freeport Zone. The expanding Chinese market is an important one to BMT. Next to the woodworking shop is an Aladdin’s cave of cars to restore, with a row of Rolls and Bentleys. Also are rows of E-types and XKs and another of MGAs, and MGBs Jim Byrnes Comments, “Every cheap MGB I see, I buy it,” he says. “I’ve got eight twin-cam MGAs.” Anyone viewing the vast hall full of derelict cars would be in despair at the work required to complete even a quarter of the vehicles at the facility, but Byrnes already has many lost causes under restoration – these will move on before long, with many more en route to the Philippines. The company’s chief executive, Jason Lemberg, 43, came to BMT after running the restoration department at Symbolic Motors of California, where his restorations twice The idea of Australian businessman Jim Byrnes, the won “best in class” at Pebble Beach. “The workers have Byrnes Motor Trust Restoration facility was established six a real passion and attention to detail,” he says. “There’s a years ago.Choosing a location where workers are skilled worldwide shortage of good metalworkers and the locals and dedicated, but labour rates are a fraction of those in are incredible. We’ve got 45 female workers, too, from the world’s main centres of classic car enthusiasm, meant mechanics to metalworkers”. that Byrnes could get his burgeoning collection restored well but cheaply, commissioning restorations in batches for economies of scale. Many of the Filipino workers are self-taught but they are fully trained to produce world class restorations. Jim Byrnes comments “I’ve been a collector for 40 years, but six years ago I sold a company for $100 million and started investing seriously. With labour rates of up to £100 per hour in the UK and most of Europe, and not much less in the US, five years ago a car bought for £25,000 would cost about £225,000 to restore, he says – but it would only sell for £125,000. The business started with 35 project cars, but grew to 400 within two years, as space permitted. To keep up with the work rate he head-hunted from companies that produced “In the US, many restorers compromise restorations top-quality restorations. Among those to join BMT were because of labour costs – that’s not an issue here. Of panel beaters, painters and a lot of trainees. “We’ll put course, we have to do a fair amount of training to hone cars back on the road that otherwise would’ve been lost their skills – all are self-taught or have learned from their forever” One client who has recently bought the second- fathers or relatives. I’ve been at BMT for 21 months and ever right-hand-drive Jaguar XK120, and E-type no 16 love it. I started out running body prep, now I’m special (also right-hand drive) is on the books, too. By the end of projects manager. To put out a quality product takes a lot this year, 50 per cent of BMT’s work will be for external of background effort.” Paint shop manager Carl Holland brought almost 30 years’ experience from the UK, where he worked on custom cars as well as conventional paintwork. Carl comments “I’ve been here a year. It’s different, fast. It’s great that they give women the chance to work here, too; they have real attention to detail.” The sheer scale of operations at BMT Restoration is breathtaking. Provided the last remaining teething troubles are addressed, the future looks bright, especially when the Chinese market opens up just across the water.

From an article by Malcolm McKay - The Telegraph - Lifestyle, Cars

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