Maximeet 2006
Looking down from the top of the Moira furnace.
A total of 10 Maxis plus a few other owner’s vehicles gathered at this lovely spot, a 19th century Blast Furnace which has been restored by National Heritage and local volunteers and now houses a museum showing the operation of the furnace and how people lived and worked on the site. There is also a lovely stretch of canal which the furnace was originally serviced by.
Looking towards the furnace at the line up of Maxis.
The grounds have woodland walks, canal boat trips, craft shops and tea rooms. We were made very welcome by the site manager and her volunteers who were happy to point out to us some of the finer detail of the furnace which would otherwise go unnoticed. The furnace tour takes you across a swing bridge over the canal and up a ramp to the top of the furnace. Here there are picture boards showing how the furnace worked. A good view from the top as well. Back down and underneath the furnace is a nice little museum.
The Maxis were allowed to congregate on the grass field between the tea room and the furnace, which created lots of interest in the other visitors, both young and old. (Pretending to snooze or read in the Maxi with the window open gave us ample opportunity to listen to comments and most were favourable. Some were quite funny! “I had a Maxi once; it was called Doris”) We had our usual bit of fun voting with the results as follows:
Best Maxi - Steve Rose - VRA171N
2nd Best Maxi – Pip Taylor - YVC468K
3rd Best Maxi - Martin from Doncaster NKY420X
Previous Winner - P Marrison - CBW437V
Furthest Travelled - Ian Pennick - Co. Durham
We were very lucky with the weather, despite forecasts, and the sun shone on us all day.
Looking down on the gathering from the top of the furnace.
