Bournemouth and Poole MGOC’s annual Garden Party and Picnic at historic Athelhampton House in rural Dorset enjoyed perfect weather and the best turn-out of cars and MG owners since the pandemic.
A bumper 150 cars arrived throughout the day at the award-winning Eco-friendly Elizabethan manor house to park on the rear lawns and along the banks of the picturesque protected River Piddle chalk stream – many participants taking the opportunity to tour the house itself which featured in the films Sleuth starring Michael Caine and Lawrence Olivier and From Time to Time starring Downton’s Hugh Bonneville and Dame Maggie Smith.
Many others chose to take a gentle stroll around the Grade 1 listed ornamental gardens (designed by Inigo Thomas in the 1890s) with its topiary pyramids, fountain and Mediterranean section or meander along the towpath of the river. Most participants also chose to picnic on the lawns while chatting to fellow MG enthusiasts.
As well as a large contingent from the host club, the event was supported by neighbouring MGOC groups from along the South Coast including a contingent (The Travelling Pillsburys) on a long-weekend from Cornwall, regulars from the Octagon Club, Chichester and Durnovaria plus a bigger than ever convoy of members of the Southampton and New Forest MGOC.
In addition there were representatives from Runnymead, Taunton, Solent and Blackmoor Vale MGOCs with the numbers being swelled by local non-affiliated MG owners, several joining in after spotting the banners for the event on the day. The event was also supported by John Coppleston of trade partner Phoenix Classic Cars who was on hand to give invaluable advice on classic MG servicing and repairs – his knowledge of MG maladies being put to the test on a regular basis.
The diverse collection of assembled cars spanned more than 90 years of MG production from a group of rare pre-war examples through the usual massed ranks of MGBs and GTs on to a colourful display of MGFs and TFs and finally the latest all-electric MG4 and ZS sports utility.
Star exhibit however had to be the brand-new £60,000 MG Cyberster GT on loan from MG Motor and one of the first to be registered for the road in the UK. The 500bhp GT attracted universal admiration for its looks, the novel scissor doors being put to regular use demonstrating their opening and closing party trick – several visitors proclaiming that they were now planning to head to their local MG dealer to book a test drive.
Guest club this year was the Triumph TR Register with representatives from both the Dorset and Wessex groups who brought along almost every example of the TR, including a TR7 plus a few Stags.
They joined in the many fund-raising activities on the day that included a grand tombola, jigsaw sales, a rolling wine draw and a silent auction – the latter being organised by club member Stefan Morawiec. A Name the Bunny competition was won with great delight by Tom Peters and the Luxury Summer Hamper Draw (generously provided by club member Wendy Brooks) was won to acclaim by Pip and Ursula Bonner, respectively the club’s deputy-chairman and treasurer. Both draws were kindly made by Athelhampton head gardener Sophie Robertson.
Net proceeds from the day amounted to £2,688 which will be divided between the club’s two nominated charities: Macmillan Caring Locally and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The cheques will be presented at the 1020 Annual General Meeting in October which will also see the club celebrating its 40th anniversary.