2008

For our 2008 Branch rally on 11 May we are moving to Cusworth Hall, Doncaster. For an entry form, please contact the branch secretary –

Barrie McKenzie - 0114 2468357 or barrie [at] barnsleyminors.co.uk

About

The Barnsley Branch have held their Annual Rally at Elsecar Heritage Centre for the last nine years. The site has a good industrial history as railway axles and other parts were forged here and it was served by canal, rail and road. Today, the canal path provides a scenic walk through the countryside, the railway is still operated by a steam preservation society and the site is easily accessed from the M1 motorway. In some of the old workshops are an antique centre, a children’s play area and a variety of craft shops. The largest unit, Building 21, is ideal for exhibitions, fairs and concerts.

Each year we have a special display showing some other aspect of vehicle preservation

• 1999 Was our first event with no special theme.
• 2000 Classic Wedding Cars.
• 2001 Historic Local Transport (mainly buses).
• 2002 Caravans and Campers.
• 2003 Ex Police Vehicles.
• 2004 Classic Motor Bikes.
• 2005 Military Vehicle Trust (unfortunately this display did not take place).
• 2006 Morris Motors.
• 2007 Minor Transport. (A special display of vans and pick-ups).

In 2006 we had something at our rally that we had not encountered before. Bad weather! The forecast of a wet day had a detrimental effect on the entries and we only had 49 Morris Minors, 10 other classics and 4 Morris Motors. We were fortunate that our site has hard standing instead of grass and there are, of course, many places where you can go inside. Rain for much of the day made things difficult for our stall holders and our judges had to contend with bonnets that were firmly closed. There was a covered concert platform for the Deepcar Brass Band and the rain actually stopped for the trophy presentation which was performed by Ray Newell the National Secretary.

Once again in 2007 we were out of favour with the weather gods this year. After a fine morning the afternoon became quite wet and this time the rain continued through the awards ceremony and the clearing away. However, there are worse places to be than Elsecar when it is wet. There are plenty of places to go inside, including the excellent antique fair and our own meeting place, the Market Inn, but things were difficult for our judges who had to examine some very wet cars and disappointing for the Worsborough band who, although being under cover, found that audiences were rather depleted by the conditions.
We were very pleased with the attendance, some fifty Minors included nine LCV’s that comprised the special display and these were backed up by seventeen other classics. There was a sizable autojumble and our stallholders appeared to do good business, at least until the rain put a dampener on things.

The awards were presented by the Area 1 liaison officer, Peter Miller.

• The Morris Minor Shield – Jim Clark (1953 saloon).
• The Classic Car Trophy – Mandy Gray (Volkswagen Camper).
• The Special Display Award – A.P.Robson (Morris Minor pick-up).
• George Bentley Cup (Modified class) – Billy Nicholson (1968 saloon).