2009AGM

For the 40th anniversary of the launch of the Austin Maxi in 2009 we expected a good turn out for the AGM and indeed we had more cars turn up on the 26th April than at any other meeting before. The 24th was the official launch date but celebrations started for us on the 25th. We gathered at the MG UK factory’s Q gate. (Formerly Austin then MG Rover). We had hoped to gain access and perhaps see some of the new MGs but although many of the contacts said they could see no reason why we couldn’t visit no one was prepared to say that we could. As a result we had to be contented with gathering outside the famous gates.

Jacky and I arrived at 10 o’clock on a rather cold and cloudy morning. Members had already arrived including a chap in a Morris Marina. (Anyone can join us no mater what car they’re driving.) I hadn’t seen a Marina since our day on location with the BBC’s Life on Mars team. Our Chairman handed out the route plans to anyone who wished to go on the drive or, alternatively, directions to the final destination of Avoncroft museum. We all set off and as we were going very near to home we decided to make a slight detour, pop in to our house to pick something up, then continue on from there. Unfortunately a Maxi owner, whom we didn’t know, tried to follow us even though we tried every trick in the book to shake him off. It turned out he hadn’t a route map so was following us! We gave him our map, put him and his friend on the right road and printed another map off when we got home. We knew the route quite well anyway as it’s all relatively local to us and we’d drive it weeks before to make sure the directions were correct. (You can see the route planner by clicking HERE.)

It’s a lovely route which take you out and around some of the most beautiful villages of my home county of Worcestershire. The photos above and below are of the village green at Bretforton where we stopped for lunch at the National Trust pub “The Fleece”. Quaint, as they say, with wonderful low beams.

The route takes you along the Blossom Trail which takes in the fruit orchards of the famous Vale of Evesham. Here, at the right time of year, all the apple and plum orchards are in bloom and make a magnificent show. Also along the way are ample opportunities to purchase the local speciality of Asparagus. Ours, at home, hadn’t really got started so we purchased a “round of gras” from a roadside holding. This measurement of asparagus is ancient and no longer recognised by the EU. I remember having to pack asparagus spears between to blocks of wood when I was ay Pershore Horticultural College in the mid 1980s. Once the gap was full you had your round. I tried to find out what the measurements of the gap are and after contacting Jayne at the British Asparagus web site my email found its way to Diana Raphael . A lady who knows all things “Gras”. They have an ancient gras box at Evesham’s Almonry which they kindly photographed for me. The dimensions are: 26cm long, 13cm wide, 13 cm high and the diameter of the round bit is 9cm. Below: the gras box at Evesham’s Almonry.

Every year on or around St George’s Day Evesham celebrates the Asparagus Festival. If you want to know more about this wonderful vegetable then visit the British Asparagus site. We can’t get enough of it but it has to be local and fresh! On the journey you can visit the pub called The Round of Gras at Badsey. After going through Evesham you then head out to a group of villages called The Lenches (Church, Ab, Atch, and Sheriff’s,) which are very picturesque. In Inkberrow you can visit the Old Bull pub which is reputed to be the model for BBC’s Radio 4’s longstanding The Archers program. Then it was onto our final destination of the Avoncroft museum. I’ve been here a few times now and I find it fascinating. Any historic building that needs preserving, especially those earmarked for demolition, are moved piece by piece to the museum. Below are some of my photos. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see all of the museum.

BELOW: VARIOUS VIEWS AND BUILDINGS OF THE AVONCROFT MESEUM

TARDIS

MODEL STEAM RAILWAY

PHONE BOOTHS THROUGH THE AGES

RAC BOOTHS

DOVECOTE

DOOR TO ICE HOUSE 1765

TOLL HOUSE 1822

TUDOR MERCHANT HOUSE 1558

CHAIN SHOP (From the Black Country.)

CHAIN SHOP WASH HOUSE

1940s PREFAB HOUSE

ADJOINING ANDERSON BOMB SHELTER

PERRY MILL AND PRESS (Taken from a house near me.)

COCK PIT (For the sport of cock fighting.)

COUNTING HOUSE (Bromsgrove cattle market.)

WAGGON SHED 1800s

MAXI OWNERS GATHERING

After some 40th anniversary cake and a wander around the museum all the members dispersed and made their own way the nest day to Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire. We have our AGM here every years as the centre is most accommodating and all club members are given free access to the exhibition whilst they also supply us with a conference room. Probably the largest turn out of Maxis ever experienced by members, so much so we had to migrate to the grass area. The day turned out to be lovely and sunny. During the meeting Jacky and I were awarded the Hugh Roberts’ memorial trophy for service to the club. Much to my surprise!

On the evening about a dozen of us enjoyed a delicious meal at the Ewe and Lamb which is just around the corner to the Avoncroft Museum. Excellently prepared food and cooked to perfection. I forked out for a fillet of beef which was as good as they come. Just as I like it - Blue.

Many of us gathered at the Hopwood Services on the M42 on the Sunday morning of our AGM so as to afford us the chance to cavalcade to Gaydon.

Above is Hopwood Services which is a favourite gathering place for many car clubs. On this day we shared the car park with the Chrysler Cruiser club. Nice looking cars too with that wonderful retro Art Deco took. Right is the Gaydon heritage centre viewed from a local hill. Very impressive building on the drive up and reminiscent of the Pentagon.

Below:

Taken from the club’s magazine “Maximise”. An unexpected pleasure. This sort of thing just doesn’t happen to me, not since high school anyway!