Harrogate MG 2009

MGOC Northern National Pateley Bridge, Harrogate – 1st and 2nd August

The PRATS, the Pateley Real Ale Tasting Society, a local team of Yorkshire Long Sword Dancers drew admiring audiences to their two sessions at the show held in glorious Nidderdale. The group are regularly invited to dance at festivals throughout the UK and their dancing added merriment to the proceedings, particularly their Chicken Dance.

Children, with parents at hand, were entertained by the magic of Uncle Mal who had little difficulty in encouraging the youngsters to assist him perform his magic.

Busy MG show

Car of the Show W Went with his Rubber Bumper BGT

C Robinson with his MGB V8 1st Premier Awards

Whilst the MGs were the stars of the show, these two entertaining acts provided a lighthearted diversion during the show held on the permanent Nidderdale Agricultural Showground at Pateley Bridge.

One of the Saturday events, was the well supported and informal Dales Run which was arranged by the Harrogate club as an opportunity to tour the scenic Dales. Unusually for this type of event, entry was free, but entrants were generous in support of the local charities which the Harrogate Club make donations to. Enthusiasts had the choice of two routes of either 86 or 99 miles which went through different parts of the Yorkshire Dales. The runs were held under grey skies and rainy conditions, but this did not spoil the enjoyment of those taking part. However, one unfortunate MG Midget driver encountered a flooded road which unfortunately saturated the electrics.

In difficult circumstances, MG owners are known for their resourcefulness and the driver of this car did not disappoint. Short of rags to dry out the electrics, he removed his trousers to use. Unfortunately for him, his candid exposure and underwear was captured on film by one of the other entrants.

By Saturday late afternoon, the skies had cleared and the camping area began to fill. Further improvements to the showground infrastructure were evident and the upgraded facilities proved popular with the many campers.

Saturday’s early evening BBQ was popular and the Harrogate Club had provided two large barbies and trestle tables. Following the BBQ, the disco sprang into life and during the evening prizes were presented for the best fancy dress which was themed ‘All Sports’. This was a clean sweep for MG Northumbria members as Les Davidson as a cyclist and junior Emma McKerracher, were declared the winners.

Thankfully, the much improved Saturday evenings weather carried through to Sunday for the 24th running of this popular northern show, which was held in bright and sunny conditions.

This excellent weather was a bonus for the 57 concours and condition entrants, many of whom arrived early at the extended competition arena to commence preparing their car. This was a magnificent entry and several had driven a long distance to compete in this respected competition.

Condition cars competed in seven classes, while the larger entry of concours cars competed in 10. Many models of MG were on show and there were some outstanding examples, several of which were freshly prepared and competing for the first time at this prestigious event.

The large entry put the experienced judges under pressure but the results were still declared on time.

First place in the Premier Condition class was awarded to local Harrogate member Chris Robinson for his superb and long campaigned MGB V8 Roadster. In the Concours division, which had both Premier and Master classes, the competition for awards was keen and the Harrogate club were thankful for the experience of Richard Monk in judging these cars. In Premier, first place was awarded to J Northcott for his MGA Roadster ahead of M Braithwaite and his outstanding 1955 MG TF. The Masters was dominated by Ripon MG enthusiast, Les Davy, who repeated his performance of the previous year by taking both first and second places with his MG TD and MGA Roadster.

However, the winner of the Car of the Show award didn’t come from any of the senior classes. Competing with a recently prepared car, W Went was presented with this award for his stunning rubber bumper MGB GT, PGC 104P.

The club stand section of the show was well supported, predominantly by MG clubs which included Preston and District, Ryedale and York, South Yorks, Durham, Lune and Wyre and MGZR, who had nearly 50 of this model on their stand and who earlier in the day, had organised their own national competition. Their winner was Stuart Cairns, who had travelled from Scotland. In addition to the MG clubs, the North Yorkshire sections of both the TVR and Lotus clubs added variety with their car displays as did Classics on the Square – the Masonic Motor Club, which had within their display the oldest car at the show – a 1904 Pope.

J Jones with his two Midgets, both Best in Show

The MG ZR Group

Best Club Stand Lune and Wyre MGOC

No show would be complete without the older MGs and the national Octagon Club staged a large and colourful display of their pre 1955 models. It was from within their display, that R Kingham was awarded the Best MG on a Club Stand trophy for his lovely MG TA.

To encourage clubs to put on an attractive display of their cars, the Harrogate club always make an award for the Best Club Stand. This year’s winners were Lune and Wyre and the award was collected on behalf of their members by a surprised and delighted Graham Bracegirdle.

Several staff from the headquarters of the MG Owners’ Club at Swavesey had made the long journey north. Headed by General Manager, Richard Monk, they were kept busy all day on their twin pagoda stand, which offered regalia, accessories and parts. In addition they were pleased to respond to membership enquiries and offer free advice.

Over the years, the number of trade stands has steadily grown, mainly to due to the reputation that this show enjoys excellent attendances and is the place to do business. In total, there were 28 stands with the majority selling MG related items but there were stalls to interest those with a less mechanical interest.

Throughout the day, a BBC TV production company toured the show and filmed interviews with several MG enthusiasts. This footage is to be incorporated into a programme ‘The story of MG’ which will be screened in the future.

At the end of day presentations, Richard Monk, General Manager of the MGOC, congratulated the Harrogate Club members for arranging a very good show which they had been pleased to support and which had good appeal for MG enthusiasts.

Alan Harper, Chairman of Harrogate MG Club, commented that due to the good attendance, it was anticipated that the club would be able to donate a further large sum to increase the £40,000 already donated to local charities from previous year’s shows. He went on to say, that next year’s show to be held on August 7th and 8th, would be the 25th show that the Club had organised and it would be a bumper show to celebrate the Club’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary.

Alan Harper