DURNOVARIA 1008 NEWSLETTER March 2016

The Essential Newsletter for the MG Owners Club Dorchester Area 1008 £5 p.a. MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2016

February Club Meeting Christmas Dinner 2015 The February meeting was listed as ‘The Year Ahead’, A big thank you to Ray and Lorraine for organising last when our Our Vice Chairman and Events organiser Peter year’s superb Christmas Dinner held at The Brewer’s Arms Elliot was due to let us all know what he had organised in Martinstown. We had a fantastic attendance of about forty for us in the coming months. However our group was members. plagued by an attack of the ‘dreaded lurgy’ so Peter was Thank you also to Graham who was the most excellent not with us to make his presentation. Also struck down master of ceremonies and auctioneer. A new member in their primes with the lurgy were Paul and Hilary Storey, Geoff Goater very kindly provided the highest bid for the but hopefully by the time you read this they will be firing MG clock (donated by the MGOC) and the landlord Chris on all cylinders, revved up and raring to go! bid a wonderful £50.00 for the lovely bottle of Laphroaig Our Chairman Ray Moore managed to keep the Malt Whisky donated by Derek and Chris Ralls who was assembled inmates in order and was ably assisted by unable to attend the dinner. With most of the raffle prizes Lorraine who became Hilary for the night, organising being kindly donated by members the total profit during the raffle which was well supported. During the evening the evening for the and Air Ambulance a few anomalies in our 2016 plan were identified and was £123.00. Congratulations to Robert and Catherine corrected. We had a vacant date for a weekend run on Oakley who were presented with the club trophy from Sunday 31st July. After some discussion it was decided Ray in recognition of their support of the club despite a that we should head very difficult year for both of them. The Brewer’s Arms over to Abbotsbury provided an excellent Christmas Dinner served by young Subtropical Gardens. and hardworking staff. Hilary Storey It was suggested we could picnic in the adjacent field, or for Skittles - Frampton Arms those wishing to get The Club’s skittles evening their legs under a table held on the 13th of February the gardens have an at the Frampton Arms in excellent teahouse. Moreton proved to be a The gardens were voted HHA/Christie’s Garden of great success. Thirty-two the Year 2012. “One of the finest Gardens I have ever members and three guests visited” Alan Titchmarsh. battled it out on the alley. - abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens/ The evening was arranged for us by our Vice Chairman and Events organiser Peter, who was ably assisted by his wife Pam and their grandson James. Graham was our Starr performer for the evening, who compered and scored throughout the evening with aplomb and vigor and a very bright shirt. Graham had ‘stallions’ and ‘fillies’ teams in opposition for the first half which resulted in a tie, however, after our substantial ‘ploughmans’ it was decided that if we were to get home before midnight a ‘sudden death’ round would be needed. Before long when all the lesser Curator Stephen Griffith in the Jurassic Garden players had been wiped from the leader board, it became a needle match between our Chairman Ray and Cythya, who proved to be a formidable opponent. Finally the slow determined style of Cythya won out over the high velocity, but in the end, less accurate projectiles from Ray’s delivery. When asked for the secret of her success, Cytha mysteriously The Teahouse replied ‘watercress’ - make of that what you will! By any standards a jolly Cover Photo good time was had by one Pictured on the front cover of this month’s newsletter is and all and a hearty big Mike Benton’s 1959 Mk1 1500 MGA posing in front of the thank you goes out to all old Post Mill at Outwood in Surrey. Read about the 350 year concerned in making the old working windmill on page four. evening happen. The Starr of the evening, with shirt

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The top two inches of my head stuck up over the top My MGB GT by Ray Moore of the windscreen even with the car seat reclined to the maximum and whilst driving the car with the hood in the When asked to write a few words on our up position I found it difficult to see traffic lights because present car, I thought fellow members may be of the narrow windscreen. It was sadly time for Pearl to interested on the events that led to the purchase find a new home. of the car as well as the car itself. We decided that a MGB GT would suit us better and we were soon reading the ads for something especial. We Lorraine and I have long been great fans of fresh air had no idea how difficult it would be to sort the truth, motoring and it was this love that would eventually lead the misrepresentation and the downright lies when us to owning our present MG. We owned numerous dealing with car sellers. On one occasion, after receiving convertible cars during our early marriage life and our satisfactory photographs of inside and around the car photo albums are full of car related happy memories, with assurances from the owner that the car was “as but unfortunately, in 1986, Lorraine was diagnosed with good as the day it left the factory” Lorraine, myself and Muscular Scoliosis which meant “good bye” to little sports John Lee motored up to Bedford for an inspection. cars and “hello” to power steering and is there enough room for a wheelchair?

We looked at envy during the summer months at every car we saw with the roof folded down and the occupants enjoying the wind in their hair, and if a car passed with the hood up, it was difficult not to shout something rude. We often looked at each other and said “one day”. In 2003, I decided to retire from the Prison Service and thought this would be the ideal time for a special little retirement present to us both. MG had long been a favourite and many years previously I had been given a test drive in the GT, but unfortunately, the sale fell through. Having decided on a MG we began our search.

We found just the little MG Roadster that we were looking for which was currently living in Bristol and on a very cold, rainy day in February 2004, we excitingly set off to collect our new car. We arrived home with a 1974, White, MG Roadster looking wonderful with chrome wire wheels. It also had quite a memorable registration number of OWL 666. Lorraine with “Fern” our present MG The proud owner after reversing the car from the garage, stood aside allowing us to examine the car. The carpets were threadbare and flat with years of abuse, seats dirty and the passenger door would only open when someone lifted the door dragging it open. After noticing that the engine had several suspicious elements, we decided to “cut our loses” and leave. The owner asked why we didn’t want the car and seemed a little put out when we replied “we wouldn’t keep pigeons in it”.

After many false journeys and almost nine months of searching we finally found our present car for sale in Torquay, a 1968 MGB GT, British Racing Green with wire wheels. The car now has a five speed gearbox and a replacement engine was fitted in 2012, Spax rear “Pearl” our first MG suspension, Moto-Lita Steering Wheel and Intermittent We decided to call the car Pearl as we had collected Windscreen Wipers. We also fitted her with electric the car on the day of our 30th wedding anniversary and ignition, halogen headlamps, a discreet surround sound as the car had been first registered in the very same system with concealed speakers and lastly, a cigarette month and year as our marriage. It was at this time we lighter fitted to allow for the Sat Nav. Do we miss the decided to join 1008 and we were soon making new roadster “yes” very much and we often speak of another friends, enjoying the events and repeated getting lost convertible, but alas, we only have one garage and on club outings. After several years of enjoying our little “Fern” as she is now known has become a treasured car, I had to reluctantly admit that the car was too small. member of the family.

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Cover Photo Pictured on the front cover of this month’s newsletter who ran it as a living and working piece of English history. is Mike Benton’s 1959 Mk1 1500 MGA parked in front For over 30 years it was the venue for community events, of the 350 year old Post Mill at Outwood in Surrey. car rallies and school and Scouting visits. The brothers ran the mill with enthusiasm, but sadly in 1992 Raymond died. The MGA has now been replaced by a 1954 MG TF, but Gerald continued on with the help of his wife until his death near Redhill in Surrey, just a couple of miles from where in 1996 and the mill was left to his widow Sheila. In 2003 club member Mike lived until recently, is the quiet village Sheila offered the mill to the National Trust as she felt that of Outwood. Resting on a hill about twenty miles (as the this would offer the windmill the best chance of long term crow flies) south from the city of at Outwood, is the survival, but that sale was never completed. On Sheila oldest working Post Mill in Britain. The mill has stood on Thomas’s death in 2008, the plot was sold, divided into the Common for over 350 years, being built in 1665 just three separate properties. The mill was again offered for one year before the great fire of London. Legend has it that sale in 2014 for an asking price of £900,000. At the time of in 1666 the millers watched London burning from the top. writing the mill appears to be no longer open to the public. The defining feature of a post mill is that the whole body of the mill that houses the machinery, is mounted on a single vertical post, around which it can be turned to bring the sails into the wind. Outwood Mill gave over 260 years of service but by the 1930s it was little used, as by 1797 a smock mill had been built alongside. This was as the result of a bitter family feud between William Budgen, the then miller and his nephew Ezekiel Budgen.

The 1665 Outwood Post Mill - a photograph from the 2014 sales brochure with an inset of the ancient machinery

Outwood’s 1665 Post Mill & 1797 Smock Mill as they once were The much bigger and more efficient smock mill had a working life of 117 years, but as fate would have it, the younger smock mill was blown down in a gale in 1960, whilst Outwood Post Mill still stands today, thanks to the efforts of its numerous owners and supporters and is still able to mill flour. By the 1930s the mill had been recognised as being of ‘paramount importance’, but it had started to fall into ruin. Plans to restore it were delayed by the outbreak of the Second World War. Extensive repairs were carried out in 1952, and in 1955 a grant of £750 from the Ministry of Works was provided the fund the fitting of a new pair of spring sales, on the condition that the public would be given access to the mill. In the autumn of 1962, Outwood Mill was bought by the Thomas brothers. Locals have fond One of the many classic car rallies held at the mill in its heyday. memories of the mill whilst Coming through the gate is very nice looking MG Y-type. in the tenure of the brothers, From the entrance hut on the left, visitors could buy the mill’s Gerald and Raymond Thomas stone ground wholemeal flour. http://www.outwoodmill.com

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WEEKEND RUNS

FEBRUARY Saturday 13th Skittles Evening Frampton Arms Moreton 7:30pm - £8 MAY Saturday 7th Hooke Park Wood & School of Architecture EVENTS DIARY Top O’Town Car Park 11:15 for 11:30am MAY CLUB EVENTS Monday 30th DAMASC - Classics in the Park All club nights are held at the Colliton Club 7:30 for 8pm Poole Park Colliton House, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ JUNE th Tel. 01305 224503 Sunday 26th Gartell Light Railway - Templecombe Top O’Town Car Park 11:15 for 11:30am FEBRUARY JULY nd Tuesday 2 Club Night - The MG Year Ahead Sunday 31st Run to Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens th Saturday 13 Skittles Evening - Frampton Arms Top O’Town Car Park 11:15 for 11:30am Frampton Arms Moreton 7:30pm AUGUST MARCH Saturday 28th Stourhead House & Garden Tuesday 1st Club Night - Speaker - Darren Budden Top O’Town Car Park 11:15 for 11:30am Getting your classic ready for the season SEPTEMBER APRIL Sunday 25th End of Season Run to The Fox Inn Ansty Tuesday 5th Club Night - Quiz Top O’Town Car Park 11:15 for 11:30am Tuesday 19th Area 1008 20 years Celebration Please note that events may change or be amended - please check Pub meet - Brewers Arms with club the current newsletter or contact a committee member members past & present Top O’Town Car Park 6:30 for 6:45pm THE COTSWOLD CAPER - JULY 3RD MAY Tuesday 3rd Club Night - Bring and Buy Since 2006 The Gloucestershire MG Weds 10th Evening Run - Owners Club’s ‘The Cotswold Caper’ The Sennetts’Mystery Tour has provided entertainment for Top O’Town Car Park 6:30 for 6:45pm hundreds of MG enthusiasts across the UK and raised nearly £30,000 for JUNE charities. This year space is limited, Wednesday 1st Evening Run - Minterne House Gardens so get your entry in early. Top O’Town Car Park 6:30 for 6:45pm Read about last year’s Caper at - Tuesday 7th No club night, http://www.glosmgoc.co.uk/caper2015.htm Entry forms can be replaced by Wednesday’s run downloaded direct from the GMOC website - www.glosmgoc.co.uk Thursday 22nd Evening Run An entry form is also reproduced at the end of this newsletter Fish & Chips Run to Durlston Castle Top O’Town Car Park 6:30 for 6:45pm MGOC 1008 CLUB CONTACTS JULY Tuesday 5th Club Night - ‘Noggin & Natter’ Chairman - Ray Moore Weds 13th Evening Run - Graham Starr Mystery Tour T: 01305 268105 E: [email protected] Top O’Town Car Park 6:30 for 6:45pm Vice Chairman & Events Organiser - Peter Elliott AUGUST T: 01258 451763 E: [email protected] ND Tuesday 2 Club Night - ‘Prod & Poke’ bring your MG Treasurer & Secretary - Paul Storey th Weds 10 Evening Run - T: 01305 848656 E: [email protected] Ray & Lorraine’s Mystery Tour Charity Organiser and Assistant Secretary - Hilary Storey SEPTEMBER T: 01305 848656 E: [email protected] Tuesday 6TH Club Night -Wayne’s MG ‘Beetle Drive’ Committee Members OCTOBER Alan Cooper T: 07815 305619 E: [email protected] TH Tuesday 4 Club Night - Murder Mystery Evening Mike Benton - Newsletter - T: 01929 554250 E: [email protected] NOVEMBER Meetings: ST Tuesday 1 AGM & Quiz night 8pm prompt start The Colliton Club, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ DECEMBER 7:30 for 8pm, 1st Tuesday of the month (except January) Tuesday 6TH Christmas Dinner There are additional midweek and weekend meetings during the summer months, please check the events diary

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In Memory of Robert Strong At the 1st MG 1008 Durnovaria years later Robert helped out with the last few years Robert had suffered meeting we attended when we moved printing and even glued all the pages various health problems and passed to Dorset early in 1998, we met together for a professional look and away far too early at 63 years young. Robert, part of a small group of MG this assistance continued for several At the reception after his recent enthusiasts at The Trumpet Major in years. funeral which was also held at The Dorchester. We soon got chatting As a surprise one month, he included Trumpet Major, we found out that and found out that as well as owning an article he wrote about a trip to his MG lives on under the care of a white MGB Roadster Robert was Scotland in his MGB and the value one of Robert’s dearest friends in also a keen cyclist. Our friendship of having a tarpaulin! Robert loved Dorchester. It was good to meet Mike was invaluable because Robert was his trips to Scotland and even cycled who we hope may join us in the near a professional printer. When we took over 800 miles from Dorchester to future. over editing the newsletter a few John O’Groats. Very sadly over the Paul and Hilary Storey

Below is Robert’s article reprinted from the original newsletter which Robert helped produce

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Robert Strong - continued

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In reply, a reader from Sydney Australia wrote: Don’t B unfair to it

Once again the poor old MGB, in this case the Don’t Bash the ‘B’ GT, gets a hammering - this time in Malcolm Recently the Classic and Sports Car Magazine - a Thorne’s otherwise superb article on the Datsun most excellent high quality magazine, (just in case Z-cars (Otober 2015). There is no denying that they are reading this and want sue the club for copyright the MG was antiquated in some respects. Its infringement!) featured an article about Datsun’s fine problem was that it was marketed well beyond sports cars of the 1970s and 1980s, the 240Z being its sell-by date, but its continued popularity the first model. The writer of the article expressed speaks volumes for the basic design. The MG’s certain views about the MGB in comparison. - It read: issue was the people in control of the purse strings at BL. Unlike in Japan, where Nissan’s “Aggressively marketed by Nissan in America, engineers were allowed to build a vehicle that its price there of $3526 aimed it squarely at the went and handled well, Abingdon had one hand already antiquated MGB GT The British car tied behind its back throughout the B’s life. might have offered the kudos of an established There were many things the car was intended and respected name, but in every other respect the to have (such as IRS and different motors) but Japanese upstart wiped the floor with it”. the bean-counters said no. It took the likes of Nissan and other foreign manufacturers to show our motor industry that it had lost its monopoly, if not its blinkered approach to designing, manufacturing and selling cars. One wonders what went on in the boardrooms in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, because they don’t seem to have seen it coming. Hell, if MG had been allowed to get on with what it should have been doing, the company would have had a mid-engined coupe ready for release in 1971.

Mark Nelson Sydney. Australia

After about 14 days use, the Defeat That Damp two units I had placed in my Storing our classic MGs over the motorhome had gathered a winter months can be the time that considerable amount of water. they deteriorate most, especially in The single unit placed inside my a detached concrete garage, as is MGTF with the hood and side mine. In certain conditions anything screens in place and under its metal in my garage can literally run breathable cover, had managed with condensation. An electric dehumidifier may well cure to collect about 300ml, so they the problem but they are expensive to buy and run. A good seem to work. I bought mine at breathable cover helps to keep my TF reasonably free from B&Q for £8 each, including one cartridge. Replacement damp, but I think I have found a cheap, but reasonably cartridges cost around £4. for a pack of two. For further effective solution. There are information - http://www.unibond.co.uk - Mike Benton quite a few moisture absorbing dehumidifiers on the market Mind you, some owners really don’t give a dam(p)! based on silica gel which can be re-activated in an oven, such as these on the right, that can be placed inside the car to keep the damp away. However recently I came across a new type of passive moisture absorber claiming to be 40% more effective, available in your local DIY store. I bought three of these ‘Unibond Aero 360’ units for use in my various vehicles.

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Veloce Publishing “Those Were The Days” series The series ‘Those Were The Days’ is published by Veloce Publishing, based locally in . Your editor recently discovered the titles although they have been published for some years now. The books cover a whole range of motoring interests, but there are two titles which are of particular interest to us ‘MGers’. The MGB Story by Don Hayter and MGs Abingdon Factory. The complete range seems now to be out of print, but some old stock is available however most of the range appears to be available as Through its Shire and Old House imprints Bloomsbury electronic versions from Amazon or from Veloce direct. publishes a charming and eclectic range of titles exploring British history and heritage. With books on antiques and collectables, motoring and rural history, fashion, archaeology, architecture, industrial history and many other topics besides.

You may recall this book from last months ‘Book Ends’. I have to admit that when I compiled the entry my copy hadn’t arrived from Amazon (the last of the Christmas voucher credit spent!) However my copy has now turned up What Veloce say about themselves and below is my impression. “Veloce specialises in fine automotive Editor’s review books of all types, ranging from practical My misconception from the Amazon listing was that this do-it-yourself guides to leatherbound would be a somewhat larger book. I was surprised when limited editions. Our philosophy is that I received a compact A5 booklet. On reflection I should every one of our books will be of the highest quality in terms of content and have read the listing more carefully and realised that it was presentation, as well as being of true value in keeping with those original Shire albums that have been to the purchaser. published since 1962. They have now been revamped Veloce is named after the faster Alfa and updated but still have that wonderful eclectic range of Romeo models, and with a pleasing nod to titles, from “Allotments”, “Art Nouveau Tiles” & “Animals the manufacturer of Velocette motorcycles. in the First World War”, to “Victorian Fashion” & “Vintage Rod Grainger and Judith Brooks - who Knitting”. First published in 2008, this little book of the MG between them have is certainly no in-depth insight into the MG car company, over fifty years’ however it is produced to a high standard and fulfills its publishing experience intended purpose well. The quality of the reproduced in the automotive field photographs and Illustrations is good and its respected - founded Veloce in author of MG matters provides us with succinct and September 1991. Rod is accurate text. Overall I would recommend this booklet if a member of the Guild of it is taken as it is intended - a potted history of the MG Motoring Writers and has written a number motorcar and at £5.99 you can’t go far wrong. MB of automotive books. Originally the company was based in two Some other motoring titles in the Bloomsbury Shire series spare rooms of Rod and Judith’s barn conversion home in the small Dorset village of Godmanstone. Today the company has offices in Poundbury Dorchester. We will always be pleased to hear your ideas for new automotive books and any comments you may have regarding our existing books. Happy motoring or motorcycling!” www.veloce.co.uk

MB Morris Minor British Motorcycles VW Campers

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http://classicsatthecastle.co.uk

http://www.transportofyesteryear.com http://classicsarounddorset.com MGOC Durnovaria 1008 - March 2016

Local Vehicle Services As used and recommended by Durnovaria members If you can recommend others - please send information to Mike - [email protected]

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