.jpg)
SUNDAY 6th AUGUST 2006:
Nigel
writes : We were most fortunate to be able to accomodate the Dorset
Military Vehicle Trust who arranged a FANTASTIC display of WWII
vehicles at the entrance to our 1020 favourite "home from home"
Athelhampton House for our 2006 MG Picnic & Gathering. 215 MGs
attended , admittedly down on our previous "Day of Days" with Terry
Waite in attendance in 2005 , but all enjoyed a much longer and much
more varied day. It culminated in a flying display by a Tiger Moth as
the last few notes of the Swing Unlimited Big Band finished
reverberating off of the Tudor stonework of the Grade I Listed Building
that had become ‘The Home Front’ for the day. Area Secretary Nigel
Hedges , "Captain Mainwaring" for the day , led his 1020 Troops of RAF
Regiment Officers , Flying Officers , Land Army Girls , French
Resistance and various US Armed Forces and a 1940’s Housewife or two
to a resounding financial victory in aid of Dorset Scope with a cheque
for £2,500 being presented to DS CEO Mr.Paul Barnard as the sun slanted
across the manicured lawns in front of the Glen Miller Tribute
musicians.
.jpg)
Ninety five
G.I.Suppers were served in the Athelhampton "NAAFI" and Grand Raffle
Two was located at the main gate so none of the audience could avoid a
second punt for the Ipod nano and raft of DVD players up for grabs for
the lucky ticket holders. The Fiver Raffle cleared over £100 for Dorset
Scope alone and the fantastic "Name the Nag" competition , run by
1020er Mike Holloway of "The Rocking Horse Stable" , produced a
whopping £500 for Dorset Scope on its own !!! Our thanks to Mike
Holloway and Chris "Big Midget/Spiv" Lord who abetted the selling of
the ‘Names’. The winner was 1020er Colin Sexton with "Poole Bay Boy"
and he promptly agreed to let Athelhampton owner Patrick Cooke have it
for the House to an even greater benefit to Dorset Scope ! Such
generosity , all made possible by Mike Holloway giving 1020 the superb
Limited Edition Rocking Horse in the first place.
Dorset Scope had its largest
attendance of personnel there than ever before and all visitors enjoyed
the "50 Years of Dorset Scope" presentation which ran continuously
inside the House in the Great Hall.
Such was the variety and interest in those in ‘Period Dress’ that at
times the MGs were seemingly almost forgotten , especially as the
temperatures soared and picnickers sought the shade…and
commiserated/mocked those in full serge uniforms as they broiled for
the cause ! Those RAF Brylcreem Boys had the right idea in the lighter
uniforms.
One Midget , of Peter Vallens of Charlton Marshall , came painted in
full ( emulsion) camouflage ! He was hoping of course that it
didn’t rain. He won a trophy for his trouble. "Furthest Travelled"
award went to Jens and Julia Harrasz from….MUNICH , Germany !
Fantastic support. Their old Poole BGT’s first owner attended to see
the family’s old MG once more. Jens and Julia received a special
presentation from Nigel in recognition of their superb effort to
support 1020.
"MG of the Day" went to Colin Gosney’s WA Tickford that ‘saw service’ in WWII and Best Period Dress went to 1020’s Spencer Brown and 1020’s Judith Colmer.
There is so much more I can write about the day………watch out for
further reports and the September 1020 newsletter ( SAE for a copy ,
large envelope with x2 1st Class Stamps ).
See you there in 2007 ! The theme ? Wait and see…….
.jpg)
In case you aren’t local and haven’t therefore heard about, or been to Athelhampton before, follow this link to locate and find out more about this fantastic historic venue <CLICK HERE>
Last year we atrracted over 300 MGs! Each year we’re able to raise, with your help, £3,000+ for the LOCAL most deserving charity, Dorset Scope. See their web site through this link <CLICK HERE>
More details of this fantastic event will be unveiled in the coming days and weeks! If you have any questions in the meantime, please send an email to: nigel@www.1020mg.org.uk or telephone Nigel Hedges during normal working hours on 01202 555922.
You can see hundreds of photos of past MG Picnics and Gatherings at Athelhampton House in our web site galleries by <CLICKING HERE>