Brenda & Sue at the 'Signing In' table 

Our April Wednesday evening meeting was billed as ‘ Noggin & Natter ‘. The natter was expected to be about the Sevens to the Sea run.  However as a result of Ed Davies having previously announced that he and Di will be moving to live nearer their sons and handing over to me as the next Lincs. Group Secretary; it was my privilege upon chairing my first meeting to thank Ed for the sterling work he has so tirelessly carried out on behalf of the club.  I also presented him with a gardening voucher on behalf of the members.  However, this is not the end of the story because they have yet to sell their house and find another, not necessarily a quick process in the current financial climate.  As soon as moving matters are finalised it is my intention to hold a farewell meal at our usual meeting place, The George at Leadenham, where I hope as many members as possible will attend to say their farewells. Rumour has it that they will be returning for Shoebox Night and the Sevens to the Sea run!

I am delighted to inform the membership that this year's Sevens to the Sea event was the best yet! The organisation was Ed’s swansong and what a great job he made of it. The sun shone and the Deputy Mayor of Lincoln who flagged us off was obviously thoroughly enjoying this civic duty. In all 60 cars were signed up [ our maximum for this event ] and only one failed to attend due to family illness.  A record number of Austins took part, 41 in all, ranging from Chummy, Box Saloon, Ulster, Nippy, Special, Pearl, Ten, 12/4 Eton, Gordon England Stadium, 20/4 Mayfair Limousine. A real bevy of beauties, all of whom made it to the finish in grand style.  Also entered were various other marques MG’s, Morgans, Morris and Hillman to name but a few.  Only one car, having sustained a puncture and the owner deciding to call it a day, failed to finish.  Paddy and Ande Malone had made some subtle changes to this years route.  My wife Sue and I , were the ‘Sweeprs’ this year and therefore did not travel the full route  but we did overhear very positive comments especially regarding the addition of a ford or two!

The lunch stop was once again in the village of Tealby, the hire of the village hall for picnickers was a great success.  However for those who elected to go to the King’s Head pub the service was somewhat slow as the new owners had only been in a week [ best laid plans etc. ]! Undaunted all set off for Cleethorpes. As expected Dave Lucas and his team had everything in hand. He erected display boards showing photo shoots of previous Sevens to the Sea runs and even had a chassis on display.  The cars were lined up on the esplanade and continually admired by the throngs of people who had turned out for a sunny day at the seaside .  The Lord Mayor of Cleethorpes arrived to hand out finishing certificates and was in no hurry to leave chatting away to the proud owners. Reporters and photographers arrived from both the Cleethorpes and Grimsby local papers.  A TV reporter complete with video camera also appeared [ see www.ectv co.uk , click On Demand then the Lincs. logo ] and Ed was soon engaging him in earnest conversation centred around  ‘ the best little car that Austin ever made ‘!!!!!!!

A goodly number of us were staying overnight and Ed & Di had organised for us to take over The Boaters Beach restaurant.  The seating arrangements and food were even better than last year. Including Dave Lucas’s table of six, forty two of us had a very convivial evening.  Upon departing from the restaurant we finished in the Lincs. Club time honoured tradition of ‘playing the 2p slots’. Then it was back to the hotel for a nightcap with the prospect of more food in the morning by way of the big breakfast.

If all the above has whetted your appetite then why not join us next year, let’s see if we can get 60 Austins in the line up.

Finally two reminders:–

·         May - mystery run departs from the car park at 7.15 p.m. please arrive by 7 pm at the latest.

·         June - Newark Air Museum visit please meet there at 7 pm prompt.

Peter Rowlands