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June 2019 From the club desk... In This Issue...

 MG Car Club NW update

 Angie’s WC Dump! As always, May is Candles Run month and so the newsleer is devoted to that  EX234 in the main, although there are the  Meet the members regular secons and contribuons.

 Candles Run Report With all the photographs posted up from the run, as Phill Jukes, one of our photographers, pointed out to me, what really stands  Vintage Fesval out is that everyone is smiling and enjoying themselves. As you will  MG Motor News see in the report, it’s been all posive and we have had some great

 Black feedback from our parcipants. Our photographs we’ve chosen for the newsleer reflect what the day is all about; dogs, people and  Feeling Tyred! our very own “gilets jaune”!  Rolling Road Day On another note, this month has also reminded me of the benefits  Forthcoming Events of being in a club and more specifically, our club! Without going in to too much detail, crunch me arrived this month and the 1100 Contact Us had to be finished. Unfortunately, a school boy error meant the engine had to come out again. On top of that, the MGB GT’s Send us an email for more informaon gearbox decided to throw a wobbly on Drive-it-day. So, in the about the club’s acvies or to join us. course of two weeks, both engines were out and refied and the Angie Haughton - Area Secretary two cars up and running in me for the Vintage Fesval at Oulton angie_neston@bnternet.com Park. None of this would have happened without the help of Steve Neil Wallace - Candles Run Brace, Stuart Bebbington and Neil Wallace. Whilst the extra pairs [email protected] of hands were very much appreciated, as much as anything the camaraderie in the garage was just as much appreciated. That’s Mike Haughton - MGCC Liaison what the club is all about for me, helping each other out whilst mgc_mike@bnternet.com having fun and it is what’s makes West Cheshire MGOC so Marn Williamson - PR/Newsleer enjoyable. mar[email protected] Our rolling road day was also great fun, and of course, as I type this Volunteers: Steve Brace, Neil we have first Summer evening run coming up. With all the shows, Kennedy, Neil Gray, Richard Hayes, runs and other events, Summer 2019 should be another great one and Ma Brookfield. to look back on! Visit us on the web at: Unl next me. www.westcheshiremgoc.club Cover photo: Tigress bodied MG 18/80 on the Candles Run by Phill Jukes.

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From our Area Secretary Angie’s WC DUMP WEST CHESHIRE MGOWNERS’ CLUB – MEMBERSHIP FEES As announced at the last meeng, the team has felt the need to raise the meeng fees from £1 to £2 from the June meeng, this has been decided for several reasons. Since West Cheshire MGOC started back in 2008 the meeng fee has been £1, and we ran raffles to supplement this when we wanted to get items like the gazebo and flags, we are on our 3rd gazebo now, the last paid for from fees alone. The monies raised are used to keep costs down for our members at events we run – for example, we have subsidised Christmas meals (£175 last Christmas) and supplied at a reduced rate at shows and garage days, and covered car show display ckets that were asked for but not used. Unl now none of the people who organise any of the runs or events have claimed any expenses, but we would like to be able to offer some petrol money to cover the cost of all the miles covered in the planning. We also, now produce a monthly newsleer/magazine of high quality which we wish to carry on doing, although we will try to fund that as Congratulaons to Ma much as possible from adversing. Brookfield and Rob Fryer We are also looking for another meeng place as the room at the Shrewsbury Arms is too small for the numbers we get at each meeng. on their various It is very hard to find a venue with a big enough room & car park, that fundraising efforts doesn’t charge, but it seems likely this is the way we will have to go. respecvely undertaking We have also decided it would be fair that our regulars that support the the Chester Half meengs and pay their money should get first choice at the events we organise such as Taon Park, Gold Cup, garage days etc. thereby Marathon and the CWL benefing from their membership. Then aer that if there are spaces Charity Canoe Challenge. we can offer them to others.

We also understand that not everyone can aend every club night owing to work or health issues, but want to aend events and support us, and we can come to an arrangement, so please do feel free to speak to me. I hope that the rise in the fees will not put you off and that you will sll support us as we try to help you enjoy your MG – and the West Cheshire MG Owners’ Club - to the full. Angie - West Cheshire MGOC

To join us on Facebook search for

westcheshireMGOC

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EX234 - The MGB and Midget replacement that never was! By Steve Brace. We are all familiar with the looks and shape of our MGB's and MGB GT's. The MGB was first produced in 1963 with the MGB GT being introduced in 1965. Throughout the producon period ending in 1980, there was very lile change to either model's body shape - apart from minor cosmec changes and the introducon of the black bumpers. However, had things been different the cars could have had completely different looks. As early as 1964 BMC were looking to replace the MGB. It was felt by some that the MGB's live rear axle gave the car a disappoinng road handling experience. BMC's product range was also heading towards Hydrolasc suspension. The decision was made to go down this direcon with a replacement for the MGB using the familiar suspension layout of the ADO16 range. Rather than incorporate this into the original MGB's layout it was decided to fit this into an enrely new car and Pininfarina was given the job of designing this. And so the MG EX234 concept was born. The car was more compact than the original MGB in an effort to bridge the gap between the MGB and the Midget in order that it could be considered as a replacement for both models. The EX234 came back from Italy with an A series engine. It received good reviews with road handling from the new suspension system being described as excellent from many experts, including a certain John Surtees. However, in the end the project was shelved by BMC. Both the MGB and Midget were selling well and the BMC management considered that there was no immediate need for a replacement. Once the merger with Leyland kicked in the balance shied towards using the Triumph name which was the final nail in the coffin for the EX234. However, the one EX234 built was saved from the scrap yard and is sll privately owned today. So for those of us who love our Bs and GTs just the way they are, a good result all round. And had we wanted a sports car with hydrolasc suspension and non-Italian looks, we could have always bought an MG 1100 - just like Marn.

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Meet the members!

Name: Phil Nighngale Age: 67 What MG(s) or classic(s) do you own? 1973 MG Midget How long have you had it/them?: I have owned the Midget for just over 8 years and our first long trip was to Midget 50 at Burghley House in Lincolnshire. Have you had other MGs or classics before this one?: Between 1968 and 1975 I owned 4 Minis, 2 MG Midgets a Sunbeam Alpine and two fibreglass bodied specials. Whilst all these would be considered classics now, at the me I owned them they were mostly referred to as ‘Old Bangers’! What made you decide on an MG? Having previously owned two Midgets there was really no other choice when I decided to buy a classic car. I had done plenty of work on the previous ones to keep them on the road and so was very familiar with the model. Working or Rered?: I am now rered having worked for Local Authories, United Ulies and Consultants as a Civil Engineer specialising in wastewater network design and maintenance. Single or partnered? Diane and I were married in August 1973 which is the same month my Midget was first registered. Hobbies, what floats your boat? I have been collecng old cameras for about 40 years and now have around 800. These consist of just over 600 Kodak cameras along with some sub-miniature and novelty cameras. I have twice been the NW regional chairman of the Photographic Collectors Club of Great Britain and those meengs also take place on Tuesday evening as does my badminton club! Any bucket list items? I would dearly love to own another Lambrea scooter like the one I had back in the 60s when I was one of the Chester Mods!

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Meet the members!

Name: Richard Hayes Age: 48 What MG(s) or classic(s) do you own? 1977 MGB Roadster owned since 2016, 1987 VW T25 camper van owned since 2006. How long have you had it/them? The MGB 2 ½ years and the VW camper 13 years. Have you had other MGs or classics before this one? First car aer passing my test was a Morris Minor Traveller, I had it for a few years and learned loads, welding and mechanicals, had the engine out a few mes. What made you decide on an MG? I’ve always liked Brish classics, I found myself spending me looking on eBay and Autotrader for MGBs and Triumph Spiires, so as soon as I managed to free a garage space I bought one, and aer that joined the club; in hindsight I should have joined the club first. Working or rered? Working, I did a Mechanical Engineering degree and have mainly worked in the manufacturing sector, I was dragged onto an IT project pre millennium but have been working mainly in IT since then. Have worked all over the UK and in Germany, I’m just UK based now. Single, or partnered? Married to Kay. We have a son Edward who is 19 months, I also have a daughter – Libby from my first marriage and she is now 18, she’s currently on a gap year and going to University in September and is also a great babysier! Hobbies, what floats your boat? The outdoors and travel. I’ve always been into outdoor acvies, I’ve done a lot of running events, cycling and triathlon in the past, I sll run for a club, West Cheshire AC and do races but not as much as I used to. I recently did my 40th marathon but I won’t do many more. I do cross country leagues through the winter which I probably enjoy the most. Any Bucket List items? More travelling and exploring. I’d like to do more European road trips and also planning to do the Pennine Way with a friend one day.

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5th Cheshire Candles Charity Run, 2019 By Neil Wallace Weren’t we lucky with the weather again this year, which makes so much difference to the enjoyment of all those taking part? 147 cars registered on the day, nearly 300 people, waved off by Cllr Rob Walsh, Mayor of Wrexham County Borough, and Madam Mayoress, in glorious sunshine. The raffle surpassed all expectaons, with Alex Williamson and Liz Davies relieving pockets of well over £900 as they waited to register – and this was before most had clapped eyes on the wonderful array of prizes on display. It also looks as though we have raised at least £4,000 for our two charies: Northern Lights and The MS Society. Once all the donaons are in and the bills paid, we will arrange to present both charies with their cheques – possibly at the August Club night. Watch this space. As always with these events, success is down to just three groups: those booking and taking part; the team of 26 volunteers who plan and execute the event, all of whom are members of West Cheshire MGOC or Northern Region of MGCC, and behind the scenes our very generous sponsors. Feedback from parcipants tells of the appreciaon for our volunteer team. Some feedback was via Facebook, which you can access yourselves, and some was directly by email. I show a selecon of extracts below to give you some idea of what parcipants felt about the day. “Just like to drop you a line to thank you all for a great day out on Sunday, the four of us really enjoyed ourselves. It was very well organised”. “Well done AGAIN. An excellent run. Nice stop for lunch and enjoyed Erddig Hall – must go back”. “Just a quick note from my daughter and myself to give a big thanks to all the guys and gals who made the candle run happen; we had a brilliant day, superbly organised. Again, many thanks for the me and effort obviously put in”. “We really enjoyed the day. The start, mid-point and end stops were all great and the route absolutely beauful. Impeccably organised, everyone very helpful and welcoming, another memorable day”. “It was extremely well organised and your volunteers did an amazing job. I only wish we had so many in our club. And we won 3 prizes in the raffle!”

And no, there were no emails complaining about anything, although we had a couple of comments about the state of the narrow road up to Erddig Hall. Well, it did deteriorate badly in the week before the run, too late for changes to our route book unfortunately. So, once again many thanks to the team of volunteers who gave up so much me to create and run such a popular event; many thanks also to the Club members who so generously offered raffle prizes or sponsorship; grateful thanks to our sponsors as well. All hugely appreciated and the above feedback says it all. Next year? Put 10th May 2020 in your diaries- it is the most likely date but will be finalised soon. We hope you enjoy the pictures on the following pages from the day, and don’t forget to see all the photographs on Flickr by following the links from our website.

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Erddig Hall By Steve Brace.

As those of you that were on the Cheshire Candles Charity Run know, the grounds of Erddig Hall was a superb final desnaon for the event. In between chang with other parcipants on the run, it was great to have an opportunity to have a quick look round. There are several people and organisaons to thank for the fantasc layout of the grounds that we see today. The Gardens were originally designed by William Emes, a one me pupil of Capability Brown. The original design was formal and of Dutch influence. It included formal canals, avenues, a walled garden and a late 18th century park. Emes included his famous 'cup and saucer' water feature with black brook flowing around a circular plaorm. Erddig and the Yorke Family did well unl the end of the first World War, when money and servants became scarce. This led to the house and gardens being badly neglected. In the 1940's the Naonal Coal Board undermined Erddig causing it to sink over five foot at one end and three foot at the other. This also caused the complete collapse of the roof. The present squire of the house, Philip Yorke, inherited the property in this bad state of repair in 1966 and was determined that this situaon could not connue. He offered it to the Naonal Trust as well as collecng damages from the Naonal Coal Board. The Naonal Trust raised nearly a further £2 million in order to ensure that the property was brought back from the brink and to ensure its survival for many future years. With regard to the restoraon of the grounds and gardens this involved extensive work by the Naonal Trust. Most such gardens were torn up when the natural garden movement pushed them out of fashion at the end of the 18th century and Erddig's was no excepon. The gardens were completely overgrown and had been taken over by trees. This has led to their restoraon according to an original sketch of the layout made in 1740. Great emphasis has also been made of the many outbuilding which include kennels, stables , workshops, carriage houses and courtyards and visitors today enter the property and gardens through this area, which its self is joined to the house. The Yorke family certainly seem to have been into their transport over the years and it is interesng that Philip Yorke remembers that the house and family were 'cycle mad'. One shed being crammed with strange bikes such as a bone-shaker from 1865 and also a penny farthing. Also as well as the carriages that sll exist, another shed has three vintage cars from the early 1900's. This includes an old Rover from 1907. All rather fing then for an invasion of our own classic cars.

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VINTAGE MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL - FEATURING FORMULA VINTAGE OULTON PARK (INTERNATIONAL) SATURDAY 18 MAY 2019 The Vintage Motorsport Fesval made its annual visit to Oulton Park this May for another special day of motor racing anquity. This is a retro event with a unique flavour as the sport harks back to its pioneering early days with an excing blend of racing and off-track entertainment. The race cars here are authenc throwbacks to an age of on-track daring as they’re raced without modern safety features like seatbelts and roll cages. Entries oen feature cars that have raced at Brooklands and in famous internaonal races including the Mille Miglia and Le Mans. On-track acon includes races for Vintage Racing Cars, Standard & Modified Pre-War Sports-Cars, Special Pre-War Sports-Cars & Pre-1961 Racing Cars, Equipe GTS, Morgan Aero Challenge, and F3 500's. The Cheshire Life Concours will support the event, with entrants parked on the banking overlooking the circuit outside the Foggarty Moss Centre. This event featured plenty of off-track aracons too, including period car displays, of which West Cheshire MG Owners’ Club was one, and themed food and drink to create a relaxed, golden-age atmosphere. Thanks to all that came along to support the stand.

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MG ANNOUNCES FURTHER DETAILS FOR EAGERLY ANTICIPATED MG ZS EV AS ORDERBANK OPENS!

 Suite of ADAS technology announced

 Exclusive first access to orderbank for visitors to the London Motor and Tech Show

 Over 800 people have already expressed their interest MG Motor UK has opened the order bank and released further details about its first-ever fully electric car that has been unveiled at the London Motor Show at London’s ExCel. ZS EV is the family friendly electric car that majors on space and praccality, seng new standards as the most high-tech MG yet and customers will be able to place a deposit for the ZS EV directly with the MG team at the show. The ZS EV is powered by a 44.5kWh water-cooled baery with rapid-charging capability that will enable it to be recharged from 0-80% in 43 minutes, while domesc charging on a 7kW unit takes six-and-a-half hours from 0-100%. Cerfied range on current WLTP test regulaons is expected to be confirmed in Q3. The introducon of the ZS EV will come laden with a long list of standard safety equipment including a suite of advanced driver -assistance systems (ADAS) presented as a first for MG. New standard features such as Adapve Cruise Control, Traffic Assist featuring automac low-speed steering, Blind Spot Detecon, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Alert Control System add to the ZS EV’s compelling suite of high technology. As the most technologically advanced MG ever, ZS EV is equipped as standard with a new panoramic, sliding sky-roof to further enhance the sense of space within the cabin. Furthermore, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow for seamless integraon with owners’ own technology, while DAB Radio, keyless entry and satellite navigaon enhance the level of technology found within this family friendly electric SUV. Since it was first announced in March, MG has received more than 800 expressions of interest for its forthcoming new model, which is the most for any pre-launched model in the company’s history. Daniel Gregorious, Head of Sales & Markeng at MG Motor UK, says: “The arrival of the MG ZS EV represents the start of MG’s long-term brand and product expansion plan and we’re delighted to be able to share it with the Brish public for the first me. ZS EV adds a new dimension to the car market by offering high-tech zero-emissions transport to a broader cross-secon of buyers. “The inial interest in ZS EV is extremely encouraging and confirms that car buyers are looking for a praccal, versale and stylish electric vehicle. It will also be the most high-tech MG yet. We’ve now opened the orderbank exclusively for visitors to the London Motor Show. Interested buyers can place a holding deposit on the stand to reserve their place on the waing list. As visitors will see, this new MG bears all the key hallmarks customers know and love about ZS in terms of flexibility, space and generous standard specificaon, but it just so happens to be a fully electric SUV.” ZS EV will come with the brand’s famous 7-year Warranty. Pricing and full specificaon will be confirmed closer to the on-sale date of 1st September. To find out more about ZS EV, register your interest at www.mg.co.uk/electric or to come and see this excing new family SUV for yourself at the London Motor Show, get your ckets at www.thelondonmotorshow.co.uk.

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Black Puddings. By Stuart Bebbington

Black is a type of blood originang in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is made from pork blood, with pork or , and a cereal, usually , oat groats or groats. The high proporon of cereal, along with the use of certain herbs such as pennyroyal, serves to disnguish from blood eaten in other parts of the world. The word pudding is believed to come from the French , originally from the Lan botellus, meaning "small sausage", referring to encased meats used in medieval European puddings. Blood puddings are oen supposed to be one of the oldest forms of sausage. Animals are generally bled at slaughter, and as blood does not keep unless prepared in some way, making a pudding with it is one of the easiest ways of ensuring it does not go to waste. While the majority of modern black pudding recipes involve pork blood, this has not always been the case; sheep or cow blood was also used, and one 15th- century English recipe used that of a porpoise, in a pudding eaten exclusively by the nobility. As a product of the slaughtering process, eang black puddings was historically associated with Marnmas, when the annual slaughter of livestock took place. By the 19th century black pudding manufacture was linked with towns known for their large markets for pork, such as Streord,[4][5] then in Lancashire, or Cork, Ireland. By this me, black puddings were generally omied from recipe books aimed at urban housewives, as they no longer usually had access to home-killed pork, although recipes appeared in Scosh books unl the 20th century. In the United Kingdom, black pudding is especially associated with the Black Country, the West Midlands, Scotland, and the North West of England: it is considered a parcular in Stornoway and in Lancashire, notably in towns such as Bury, where it is tradionally boiled and served with malt vinegar out of paper wrapping. It was also found in Yorkshire, where black puddings were flavoured with lemon and savory: Barnsley black puddings were parcularly well-known. The , made in the Western Isles of Scotland, has been granted Protected Geographical Indicator of Origin status. In the wake of this designaon, butchers in Bury sought to demonstrate their history of manufacturing and selling the product. One such claim dates back to 1810. Having been brought there by emigrants, black pudding is now part of the local cuisine of the Canadian provinces of Nova Scoa and Newfoundland and Labrador. Black pudding is also widely available in supermarkets and butchers' shops in Australia and , although is not as popular as in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Since the 1980s, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships has been held in Ramsboom. The humorous compeon invokes the tradional Lancashire – Yorkshire rivalry, with parcipants throwing the black puddings at piles of Yorkshire puddings. It takes place annually in September, and draws thousands of competors and spectators to the town.

Why not call in and try one of our recent innovaons; black pudding scotch egg!

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Feeling Tyred by Mike Haughton I’ve had a few interesng discussions about tyres over the years, the most recent being when I renewed the insurance on the MGC. There is a line in the Declaraon asking “Has the car been changed in any way from the original manufacturers specificaon?” I asked what sort of thing did they mean – for example the tyres have obviously been changed over the years, and weren’t the same make as the ‘original spec’. The insurance agent was suitably baffled, so I le him alone with his brain cking over. That got me thinking about the overall suitability of tyres for classics, and I had a look at the Longstone Classic Tyres web page (www.longstonetyres.co.uk). Obviously they are there to sell their own tyres, but there is valuable advice on makes and sizes for MGs from the TA up to the MGC. I’m sure Longstone can advise on other models if asked.

Which brings me to my main point, which is about the age of tyres – and at what age should they be replaced. I remember a chap at Taon Park with a 1960’s 1100 who was so proud to be running on the original tyres. I made a mental note to steer clear if I saw him on the road. (Just for the record...not me - Marn)

In fact there is no legal posion on the age of tyres – perhaps there should be? Our classics tend to do a lower mileage than our daily cars, so tyres could be many years old before the tread depth warrants a change. But tyres deteriorate. Think of an old rubber band that’s been lying around for years – stretch it and you will see cracks and it will probably snap. That could happen to old tyres too.

Cracks in tyres develop over me – if you can see cracks on the outside, chances are there will be some inside too. The cracks can even let in moisture that can cause the steel belts to separate from the main tyre.

On the sidewall of your tyres will be a DOT code area. Hopefully you will see 4 digits – such as in the picture – where “2214” means the tyre was made in the 22rd week of 2014. If there are only 3 digits, your tyre was made before the year 2000 and is probably dangerous!

Some manufacturers suggest 6 years tyre life – some up to 10 – so the onus is on us to err on the side of safety. Tyres are fantascally engineered products – and are the only thing that keeps you in contact with the road. Imagine 4 areas like handprints holding you steady at 70mph.

If there is cracking like in picture – you are living on borrowed me, no maer how much tread is le.

Personally I try and use well known make tyres – some budget brands can affect your stopping distance dramacally. Drive safely!

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Rolling Road 2019 by Marn Williamson

Thanks again to Adrian Blandford at AB Garage for hosng our second Rolling Road session on the Saturday, the 4th of May. There was a great turnout with a few non-MGs, a couple of which embarrassed us with their non-standard set-ups, but Graham I’anson’s supercharged A Series Mini put us all to shame making as much power as a factory 1.8L VVC K Series engine! He went away aerwards to rebuild his gearbox. Joking, but I am sure the gearbox takes a bit of strain! If there is enough interest, we can arrange these on an annual basis. For the £25 per car, it’s great value to check out any issues and get Adrian’s input, and the refreshments on offer are always great to lubricate the camaraderie while awaing one’s turn on the road. Both Neil and myself opted to await a separate session in order to get some final tuning done in preparaon for our Irish trip. In my case, the 1100 had last been on the rolling road two years ago when we’d sorted the distributor issue, but now with the new exhaust and air filters I wanted to see what gains I had made and with almost 20% more power I was very pleased with the results. Similarly, Neil’s recent work on the cylinder head gasket yielded a small gain, but more so in the curves, with the earlier kinks now ironed out providing strong torque throughout the rev range.

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Club branded Merchandise

We're using a local firm and are adding a small mark up to go towards the club funds. Orders will be taken at each monthly meeng along with payment (we've decided to avoid PayPal owing to the charges) and the items will be delivered at the following meeng.

Tee-Shirts by Kariban

Short Sleeved £12.00 each Polo Shirts by A variety of colours and sizes available. Uneek. £12.00 each. A variety of colours and sizes available.

Sweat Shirts (Long Sleeved) by Fleece Jacket by AWDis Uneek £15.00 each £18.00 each Variety of colours Variety of colours and and sizes sizes available. available.

Base Ball Cap by Beechfield £10 each Variety of colours available. Long Sleeved Polo Shirts by B&C Safran £15.00 each. A variety of colours and sizes available.

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2019 Club Events Visit the club website for updated informaon and more details. June  Sun/Mon, 1st/2nd - Classic Car Show at Taon Park  Tuesday, 11th - Monthly meeng  Sunday, 16th - Classic Car & Bikes at Chester Lakes  Wednesday, 18th - MGCC North West Concours Evening  Sunday, 23rd - Lymm Historic Transport Day  Wednesday, 26th - Evening Run July  Saturday, 6th - Companion Dog Show, Bellis Brothers.  Sunday, 7th - Caerwys Classic Car Show  Tuesday, 9th - Monthly meeng  Sunday, 21st - Classic Car & Bikes Breakfast at Chester Lakes  Wednesday, 24th - Evening Run  Sunday, 28th - North Wales Car Show at Bodrhyddan Hall August  Sunday, 11th - Claremont Farm - Club stand  Sat/Sun, 17th/18th - Classic Car Show at Taon Park  Sunday, 18th - Classic Car & Bikes Breakfast at Chester Lakes  Wednesday, 21st - Evening Run  Sat/Mon, 24th/26th - Gold Cup at Oulton Park September  Sunday, 1st - Fesval of 1000 Classics at Cholmondeley Castle  Tuesday, 10th - Monthly meeng  Sunday, 15th - Classic Car & Bikes Breakfast at Chester Lakes  Sunday, 22nd - Cheshire Candles Charity Show

www.westcheshiremgoc.club

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