Yorkshire MASC

December 2011 Meeting

2011-12-01T19:35:00.000Z

a dirty autumnal spridget

We hope that you can join us at our next meeting on Saturday 10th December 2011 at Ye Jolly Farmers Inn, Dalton near Thirsk, from 12:30pm onwards. A warm welcome and great homemade pie awaits! Map here.

Sarah & Tim

October 2011 Meeting

2011-10-09T20:48:00.000+01:00

at Ye Jolly Farmers on the Canada Run, early October

October’s meeting at Ye Jolly Farmers was a complete contrast to the heat of the Canada Rub in early October, as it was on a wet autumn day, but was well attended with Jason & Michelle, Mike in his frog (bravely without roof), Ken in Little Red, Steve & Barbara in their midget, and John in EEV the Sprite. Good company, good banter, and excellent homemade grub.

Sarah & Tim

MASC joins the MGCC Canada Run

2011-10-04T19:00:00.000+01:00

Mike's frog and Ken's "Little Red"

On the first Saturday in October, a group of spridgeteers from MASC joined the Yorkshire area of the MG Car Club on their end of season Canada Run, around the WW2 Canadian RAF bomber bases of the Vale of York and Vale of Mowbray, organised by our own Ken Cothliff. The route was excellent and the weather even better - in fact the hottest day of the year! It was great to be joined by Claire & Ian, Roger & Caroline, Mike, Granville, Rob & Jenni and Ken & Julie.

There is a really great set of pictures here

Sarah & Tim

September 2011 Meeting

2011-09-17T20:58:00.000+01:00

How many MASCites to change a rotor arm?

September’s meeting at Ye Jolly Farmers on a day of variable weather was well attended with regulars Rob & Jenni (in their Series 2 Landrover for a change), Dave in Dinky the Mk2 Sprite, Peter & Leonie in their 1500, Pete in Ariel the Mk 3 Sprite, Ken in Marmalade his MGB, Sarah in Daphne, Tim in Sebrina, and John & Carol who were sans spridget. As ever the homemade pies, halves of tasty real ale, and company were excellent.

Pete had to get back to Wakefield and was one of the first to set off after lunch, but unfortunately Ariel ground to a halt just outside of Topcliffe, so the Yorkshire MASC rescue brigade set out en mass (with assorted breakdown tourists) to give him a hand. Suffering what was clearly an ignition problem, over the next hour a new rotor arm, condenser, and spark plug were fitted at the roadside along with points being opened and carb dashpots being topped up. All of this resulted in getting the car started, but as it was still running very rough, Pete got it into the village and safety of a pub car park for recovery. A valiant team effort by all. Ariel now has electronic ignition!

Sarah & Tim

MASC joins the MGCC Dales Run

2011-08-31T21:07:00.000+01:00

views over Nidderdale on the Dales Run

On August bank holiday Sunday, a group of midgeteers from MASC joined the Yorkshire area of the MG Car Club on their annual Dales Run. Whilst the weather was variable and quite cold at times, it kept dry for the bulk of the day, and the route was fantastic. It was great to see Frank, Granville, Ken, Rob & Jenni and Peter & Leonie out and about on the day (even if they weren't all in their midgets).

There is a really great set of pictures here

Sarah & Tim

August 2011 Mtg at Ye Jolly Farmers

2011-08-19T20:00:00.000+01:00

EEV and other spridgets after lunch

We were surprised at August’s meeting to see Jason & Michelle turn up with some new-fangled form of eco-spridget, aka on a tandem bike! They almost had us believing that they had cycled the 70 odd miles up from Doncaster to Dalton, but later they were caught red-handed loading it into the back of Jason’s van...

It was also good to see regulars Rob & Jenni, along with new folks John and Carol who have recently bought an Iris blue frogeye and Peter & Leonie in their 1500. It was also good to see the “Spridget Family” aka Paul and Lorraine in their Weller-wheeled 1500 and sons Sam and Adam in their newly restored red frogeye of which they are rightly proud. John came in EEV, his daughter’s Sprite which he is fettling and which was partially stripped down, but at least he’s managed to cure its overheating problems since we last saw him.

After excellent pies at Ye Jolly Farmers, a few of us had a little run up to Hawnby for afternoon tea and cakes.

There is a really great set of photos here.

Sarah & Tim

MASC National Gathering at Silverstone Classic

2011-07-31T18:40:00.002+01:00

Steve passes Silverstone fire tender

MASC had its national gathering at the Silverstone Classic, and Yorkshire Area was represented by 3 cars including Steve in his RWA Midget, Jordan & Tanya in their IOW frogeye, and Sarah & Tim in Sarah's Sprite. Several other Yorkshire folk were about such as Andy, Matt and Ian, but sans spridget. Hopefully some more of you can join us next year...

On the Sunday we got 40 spridgets out on track to drive 2 parade laps of the full new F1 circuit.

There are some great pictures here and here.

Sarah & Tim

July 2011 Mtg at Ye Jolly Farmers

2011-07-10T18:17:00.002+01:00

ecurie Saunders

After June’s bumper meeting, July was a much quieter affair with only 5 midgets venturing out on a showery summer’s day.

After helping Sarah fix the lights on her new white 1965 Sprite “Daphne”, Rob & Jenni in the k-midget followed Sarah in Daphne and Tim in Sebrina (aka Ecurie Saunders) to Ye Jolly Farmers, where we were joined by Mike Bainbridge in his frog, and ultimately by Tony in his 4AGE Midget. Unfortunately Tony had to walk the last few hundred yards as his alternator gave up the ghost, but at least the waiting time for the recovery truck was long enough for a chip butty and refreshing half.

Sarah & Tim

Midget 50

2011-06-30T17:00:00.021+01:00

Anita, Rob & Jenni at Midget 50

After the June meeting, a group of us set of down the A1 in the general direction of Burghley House for the Midget 50 celebrations the following day. This included Anita & Mark, Ken & Julie, Harvey & Lesley and for part of the way Rob & Jenni (and of course Sarah & Tim). En route we met up with Peter & Leonie in their newly acquired 1500 Midget.

The event was well supported with over 800 spridgets of all varieties in attendance. It was great to meet up with and see so many Yorkshire MASCites at Midget 50, who had all made the journey down in their cars in the face of bad weather forecasts of heavy rain, which sadly came to pass. Despite it being such a wet day, it was amazing to see so many spridgets together in one place again, and to be reminded of how well supported spridgets are by Yorkshire folk and to see so many old friends we have made over the years through our fun little cars. There were too many of you to mention here, but you know who you are and it was great to see you.

There is a fanstastic set of photos of Midget 50 here

Sarah & Tim

June Mtg at Ye Jolly Farmers

2011-06-15T16:34:00.013+01:00

Sprites leaving June's meeting

We had a fantastic turn out at June’s meeting, with 11 spridgets and a couple of modern cars in attendance, figures doubtless being boosted by former area reps Anita & Mark’s attendance during their holiday from Australia, and by folk driving together down to Midget 50 after the meeting.

In addition to regulars Rob & Jenni in their k-midget, Harvey & Lesley in their Austin Sprite, Ken & Julie in their Mk 1 Midget “Little Red”, and John & Jeanette in their 1500, we were joined by Mike Bainbridge in his frog, Geoff & Hilary in their frog, and Tony in his Toyota 4AGE powered Midget. Guy & Hazel from Cumbria in their Austin Sprite called in en route to Burghley House and Anita & Mark were over from the Gold Coast in Anita’s Mk 3 Sprite “Kevin” which had been taken out of storage for their UK visit.

Finally, in addition to our own Sebrina (Sarah’s new Mk 3 Sprite “Daphne” staying under wraps this month), we were joined by Steve from Peterlee in his very pretty Peugeot french blue midget on its second ever day out after restoration.

Pictures from the meeting are here.

Sarah & Tim

May Meeting at Ye Jolly Farmers

2011-05-14T21:37:00.009+01:00

May's line-up

May’s meeting had a good mix of old and new spridget friends with Peter & Dorothy travelling across the Pennines in their newly finished white frog with rather posh new hood; Paul who came down from South Shields in his lovely and very freshly painted red & white frog, giving the car a decent length test run; Paul & Lorraine from Great Ayton who had bought a set of Weller wheels for their RWA, but a 1500 with MOT came attached, so they thought they’d bring it for a test drive; Dave in Dinky (Mk2 Sprite) which now has a completely new floor welded in and is back on the road after a long break, and last but not least, Rob & Jenni in the k-midget. Embarrassingly for us, everyone’s cars were immaculately clean apart from ours… maybe Sebrina will get a wash before June's meeting!

Pictures from the meeting are here.

Sarah & Tim

Royal Wedding Run - 29 April 2011

2011-05-01T18:57:00.000+01:00

in Dalby Forest

In order to avoid a day in front of the telly, Yorkshire area of MASC held a celebratory Royal Wedding Run on 29th April. We had 8 cars participating and enjoyed a great day of driving in the Wolds, Carrs and North Yorks Moors. The morning started at Tadcaster and we ended at Robin Hood's Bay, via a great lunch at the Gait Inn in Millington and Dalby Forest.

It was fantastic to see some new faces and cars that haven't been out with us before. There are some really great photos of our day here.

Sarah & Tim

Drive It Day 2011

2011-04-09T21:12:00.010+01:00

the joy of the open road...

Drive It Day saw six spridgets come out to play on a glorious day, although unfortunately a weeping brake hose on Sebrina (only spotted the day before) annoyingly meant that we had to come in a “modern”, safety first being paramount. It was great to meet up with Ian & Claire, John & Jeanette, Frank & Val, Harvey & Lesley, and Trevor & Pam, providing a colourful range of cars from frogeye to 1500. We were also joined by Harvey & Lesley’s son in his rather large 1966 Dodge Coronet drag-racer, which made the spridgets look even smaller than usual!

We started with a tasty carvery at the Royalty on Otley Chevin before an informal drive north to the privately owned Clifton Castle near Masham, which was holding a charitable open garden. This was a rare opportunity access some beautiful walks along the River Ure which are normally out of bounds, and the homemade cupcakes were pretty good too. Geoff & Hilary in their frog, who had been chasing behind all day, caught up with us there. There are some really good photos of our day here.

Sarah & Tim

April Mtg - Sat 9th April

2011-04-09T09:17:00.013+01:00

Pete & Lu on the road in Ariel

The glorious spring sunshine brought out the midgets (and the sprites) in April, when we got to see Ken’s Mk I midget “Little Red”, along with Pete & Lu’s Mk 3 Sprite “Ariel”, both for the first time. Rob’s paint job on his k-midget is slowly progressing as well, with one side shiny and one side matt – doing all the work outside, maybe with the good spring weather by May he will have been able to finish the job!

After the meeting we had an impromptu little spridget drive south to Tadcaster to make the most of the lovely day - you can see some great photos of our drive here.

Sarah & Tim

Meeting on Saturday 12th March 2011

2011-03-13T20:18:00.005Z

at Nunnington Hall

March’s meeting at Ye Jolly Farmers was a small but select gathering of the North Eastern chapter of the area, with Dave & Ann travelling down from Northumberland in their bright yellow frog, Rob & Jen calling in on their way up to Northumberland in Rob’s newly painted k-midget, and Eric & Nicki coming down from Wallsend in their big Healey (Eric’s frog being mid-way through a 20 year restoration).

After a really good lunch we went for a bracing roof down scenic drive through the Hambleton Hills to Nunnington Hall with its peacocks for afternoon tea and cakes. Given the number of members in the North East, we had some discussions about possibly holding a trial meeting somewhere near Newcastle in the summer, so watch this space for more details over coming months.

You can see some great pictures of our drive to Nunnington by clicking here.

Sarah & Tim

February 2011 Meeting at Ye Jolly Farmers

2011-02-13T13:04:00.001Z

valentine's sprites at February's mtg

We had another great meeting at Ye Jolly Farmers in February, with 4 sprites and 2 midgets in attendance, plus plenty of others in more modern cars.

It was a pleasure to welcome several new members to the meeting this month. Pete & Lou and their kids who have recently acquired a Mk 3 Sprite which is still having some work done on it, came up from near Wakefield, as did Chris & Phil whose car is also under restoration at the moment. John came down from Richmond in his daughter’s 69 Sprite which has been having some overheating problems, which several old hands tried to diagnose (and admired the rather nice paint job).

It was also great to see old friends Roger who had driven up from York “roof down” in his Sprite and Harvey & Lesley who had come across from Wharfedale with hardtop on the Austin Sprite, in addition to local monthly regulars Rob & Jenny in their k-midget, Kevin in his RWA, and John & Jeanette in their daily driver.

April promises to be busy. Due to the proximity of Easter to various other events, we are not having a Hot X Run on Good Friday this year. Instead we will be organising a road run on Drive It Day, Sunday 17th April, and then on Friday 29th April, The Royal Wedding Run (for those who wish to avoid being sat in front of the telly all day!). More details follow here shortly.

Sarah & Tim

Happy New Year - January 2011

2011-01-09T17:27:00.002Z

"Mr OJ"

January saw our third monthly meeting at our new fixed venue of Ye Jolly Farmers Inn in Dalton. Luckily the snow had washed away, but roads were still icy, as was the pub car park. However despite the weather we had our best recent turn out, with 16 Yorkshire Spridgeteers enjoying the real ale and some new flavours of excellent homemade pie. And amazingly for Yorkshire January weather, 4 spridgets!

The “Member From Afar” award went to new MASC member Davey from some way north of Newcastle up in Northumbria, who made a lengthy journey in his newly purchased bright yellow, orange juice coloured frog which has a number plate conveniently including the letters “OJ”. Yorkshire is Davey’s nearest meeting with a round trip of 160 miles, and although we don’t expect to see him every month, it was great to meet him and we hope to see him on some of our events in the Spring.

Hardy Rob and Jenny made the journey from York in their K-midget roofless and heaterless, as per usual. Kevin brought his midget up from Easingwold, and Sebrina our Sebring GT Midget started first time and was very well behaved despite being rested since November.

It was also great to see some old faces we hadn’t seen for a while with Geoff and Hilary, Claire and Ian, and Dave Wigley coming in modern transport. Jason and Michelle and Frank Clough also joined us and contributed to the general bonhomie, along with new members Ken and Julie who joined us for their second meeting.

Sarah & Tim

December 2010 mtg at Ye Jolly Farmers

2010-12-12T19:10:00.004Z

snowy Atlantis outside Ye Jolly Farmers

After two weeks of very heavy snow in North Yorkshire before our December meeting, it was a real joy to not only have a turnout of 12 people, but also to actually have a midget in the car park. Mark and Ken came up from Eccleshill in Mark’s Ford crossflow powered Atlantis Midget (formely owned by Anita and featured in various magazines) which has had a full strip-down and bodywork restoration over the summer, and which now looking amazing. Mark has been using it at various Yorkshire historic motorsports events, and in the heavy snow, has also been a taxi for some of his work colleagues whose modern cars have been unable to cope, whilst his 40 year old rally car has breezed through the worst of it!

We also welcomed new members Ken & Julie who have a very original Mk I Midget (safely tucked up for the winter) and Michael & Tina whose Midget is currently off the road pre-MOT. It was lovely to see John & Carol who ventured down from their farm in the Durham Dales (no mean feat given the weather) and John & Jeanette who had made the most of the blue skies and break in sub-zero temperatures to come up from Leeds. Ken kept us entertained with tales of the Canadians who had occupied most of the airfields in the area around Dalton during WW2, and he is interested in organising a spridget run next summer around various airfields and places of interest.

We look forward to seeing more of you in 2011.

Sarah & Tim

November 2010 Mtg at Ye Jolly Farmers

2010-11-18T19:33:00.006Z

looking at Rob's newly fitted K-series

Yorkshire's first newly resurrected meeting at Ye Jolly Farmers on 13 November was a success with three spridgets turning out on a very cold day. Kevin came up from Easingwold and Rob and partner came up from York for a warming pie at Ye Jolly Farmers. We also had a lot of apologies from other area members who were otherwise tied up this weekend. Rob has recently fitted a 1.4 k-series into his midget doing much of the adaptation work himself, and created his own telescopic front suspension using mini shocks which was very impressive. His Bertone leather seats from a Fiat X1/9 were also a revelation!

We look forward to seeing more of you at December's meeting.

Sarah & Tim

Yorkshire MASC Autumn Run

2010-10-25T18:48:00.010+01:00

On Sunday 24th October a few of us made the best of the good weather, and had a run out on a gloriously crisp autumnal day. Frank & Val in Frank's white midget and Andrea in her Austin Sprite met up with us at the John Smith's brewery in Tadcaster. We then went on a follow-our-noses drive through Hambleton across the toll bridge at Aldwark and up through the Hambleton Hills to Ampleforth. The original plan was to aim for the Lion Inn at Blakey Head, but given the heavy rain visible up on the moors on the distance, discretion was the greater part of valour, and we diverted to Ye Jolly Farmer's instead for a great home-made lunch.

In the afternoon we drove up to Osmotherly and then came down Snilesworth Moor to Hawnby for tea and afternoon cakes at the village tea rooms. Altogeher a great drive out, and all cars behaved themselves perfectly.

There is a great set of pictures here.

Tim & Sarah

Yorkshire Area Is Back - with a New Fixed Venue for Meetings

2010-10-23T18:08:00.008+01:00

Ye Jolly Farmers Inn at Dalton - our new venue

After a sad summer with no Area Reps and no activities for MASC within Yorkshire, Sarah & Tim have agreed to take back on the role of caretaker Area Reps for the next 6 months, albeit on a more restricted basis than previously. We are no longer able to dedicate the substantial amount of time required each month to organise rotating venues around the vast expanse of Yorkshire's far flung territory without any assistance. So we will now have meetings in the same venue for the next 6 months, and then we will review the situation.

Yorkshire Area's monthly meeting until at least April 2011 will now take place on the second Saturday of each month at Ye Jolly Farmers Inn, Dalton near Thirsk, YO7 3HY from 12:30pm.

We appreciate that this venue is not the most geographically central, but the reason we have chosen this as a fixed venue is because there have been no volunteers to organise meetings elsewhere, and the landlord at Ye Jolly Farmer's is exceptionally friendly to MASC and will not take offence and bar us if low numbers turn out. This is one of the major stress factors in organising meetings. It is also an exceptionally good CAMRA pub that does great home-made Yorkshire cooking at very affordable prices, with a decent car park.

We hope that you will support the Area by trying to come along at some point over the next six months - you don't have to be in a spridget, particularly over the winter months - but you can share fellowship and expertise with fellow spridgeteers next to a roaring fire over a steaming pie, and cheeky half of real ale.

We also hope to be in a position to organise some road runs for the Spring.

Hope to see you all soon,

Tim & Sarah

So where do we go next?

2010-08-19T20:05:00.005+01:00

only two people turned up to July's meeting at the Red Lion in Burley in Wharfedale

Unfortunately due to family and other commitments, as many of you know, Sarah & Tim had to step down as area reps at the end of July.

Nobody volunteered to organise a meeting for August. Turnout over the summer has generally been very poor. At present, this means the area is rudderless with no-one at the helm - and sadly nobody seems very bothered.

So, what do you want to do about it? It's your area ...

We need new area reps. Maybe we need to split Yorkshire into smaller, more manageable patches with several local meetings, rather than rotating? Please email your suggestions or volunteer to help. We will give you all the suport that we can.

Sarah & Tim

Meeting Sat 12th June at The Smiths Arms, Beckwithshaw

2010-06-11T20:21:00.009+01:00

Hoping for a good turn out at this highly rated village pub just south west of Harrogate, which is the venue for our June meeting - and for some good spridgeting weather! No need to pre-order food, just turn up - although it does get quite busy so reserving a table might be wise. Meeting from 12pm - map here.

You may want to avoid Knaresborough / Ripon and surrounding area on your way to the meeting, as many of the roads will be shut due to the annual charity bed race.

UPDATE: We had a great turn out, it was lovely to see so many people. There is a great set of photos here...

Sarah & Tim

Meeting at Hillam, Saturday 8th May

2010-05-07T19:36:00.004+01:00

Come gnome spotting in your midget or sprite to the Cross Keys at Hillam near Monk Fryston, LS25 5HE. Meeting from 12pm onwards, excellent food, no need to pre-book, just pitch up. Hope to see some of you there. Map here.

Sarah & Tim

Drive It Day 2010

2010-04-29T20:24:00.005+01:00

We had a great day out in the Yorkshire sunshine for Drive It Day, with four spridgets coming out to play in the Hambleton Hills and on the North York Moors. And those of you who couldn't make it, well, you missed out on the best game pie ever, and some stunning spring flowers in the gorgeous gardens of a privately owned stately home ...

You can read all about it and see a load of photos by clicking here.

There are also four short videos on YouTube which you can see here.

Sarah & Tim

an invite to the MGCC's Woldsway Run

2010-04-18T18:52:00.006+01:00

on the Woldsway Run in 2007

Our friends at the MG Car Club have specifically invited Yorkshire MASC to join them on their early summer charity run in East Yorkshire on Sunday 9th May. This event is really good fun with a great mix of classics, not just MG's, and there are always plenty of midgets in attendance. The drive starts at the Humber Bridge and ends up near Flamborough Head, taking in some great country roads in the Wolds.

Sarah & Tim have done this event for 4 years now and it is really good fun. Come along and join us. You can download an entry form here. Deadline for entries is 27th April.

Sarah & Tim

Hot X Run 2010 - photos and video

2010-04-04T12:01:00.005+01:00

Our traditional Good Friday Hot X Run saw 8 spridgets turn out in somewhat murky weather for a great drive in the Dales which included some fantastic views and little known byways.

You can see lots of photos by clicking here.

There are 4 short videos also on YouTube including some spectacular views down Coverdale where there was still snow on the ground - you can see them by clicking here.

Sarah & Tim

Phoenix Run Video - Fountains Abbey

2010-03-20T11:49:00.006Z

Phoenix Run Pictures and Video

2010-03-18T21:37:00.007Z

The Phoenix Run was a great success, with six spridgets enjoying some of the nicest driving roads in Wharfedale and Nidderdale on a dry March morning.

You can see lots of photos and video by clicking here.

More of this sort of fun at Easter on Good Friday's Hot X Run!

Sarah & Tim

The Phoenix Run and March Mtg at The Watermill - UPDATED START TIME

2010-03-03T14:02:00.013Z

from the ashes of November's damp squib run - The Phoenix Run 2010!

After the washed out disaster of November 2009's Bonfire Run, you are invited to come on a re-run of this event, renamed as the Phoenix Run, on Sunday 14th March 2010. Meeting at Surprise View car park at Otley Chevin Country Park (just past the Royalty Inn) from 10:15am, setting off from 10:45 onwards, this is a morning event from Otley to the outskirts of Thirsk.

The route takes in about 60 miles of scenic driving on little known back roads through Wharfedale and Nidderdale, ending up at The Watermill at Carlton Minniott for a very tasty carvery lunch at 1:45pm. All dining places available have now been booked, but you are welcome to just come on the run (and maybe bring a picnic?) although you will need to let us know by email so that we can bring sufficient route plans. There will be a small charge payable on the day for participants of £3 to cover the costs of route plan booklets and rally boards. We really look forward to seeing you there for the first road run of the year!

Sarah & Tim

February Mtg at The Kings Arms

2010-02-02T21:57:00.008Z

Our next meeting is on Saturday 13th February 2010 at The King's Arms, Heath, near Wakefield from 12pm. This is a great little pub with a very cosy interior and excellent food.

We hope that you all can make it, and hope to see plenty of old chums from West Yorkshire. You never know, the Atlantis (pictured above) may make an appearance again, as it has found a new home in West Yorks.

All food needs to be pre-ordered, and the landlady has asked us to gather your food orders by Sunday 7th February: menu here. Make your choices and then drop us an email!

Sarah & Tim

UPDATE: Unfortunately due to a serious and unexpected family emergency, Sarah & Tim will not be able to attend the meeting on Saturday, but Claire and Ian Barber have kindly volunteered to step in and be your hosts.

A Farewell Shandy Anyone?

2010-01-13T22:19:00.013Z

Anita says goodbye to John & Carol - or are they just hogging the fire?

Just a quick post to say thank you to those who made it down on Saturday despite the extreme weather and heavy snow. In the end there were 8 of us, which was a good turn out considering 4x4's were the order of the day rather than spridgets! Here's hoping for an imminent thaw and clearer weather for the February meeting. If you were unable to make it and want to say farewell to Mark & Anita, they are having an open afternoon and evening at Blind Jack's in Knaresborough on Saturday 16th January - just drop in and have a farewell shandy with them at any time!

Sarah & Tim

Weather Report for January Meeting

2010-01-09T09:17:00.006Z

The hill into Thornton-le-Beans at 8:30 am on Saturday 9th January

The meeting is still on, despite last night's inclement weather, but please don't attempt it in a spridget or a rear wheel drive car. Traffic is moving freely on the A168 between Thirsk and Northallerton. Leaving the A168, the road into Thornton-le-Beans has snow cover of about an inch or two, but is perfectly passable in front wheel drive and 4 wheel drive vehicles, if you drive with care. Weather is currently blue sky and sunshine.

Hope to see some of you, but please don't take any risks getting here.

Sarah & Tim

January Meeting at The Crosby

2009-12-29T21:56:00.008Z

Our first meeting of 2010 is at The Crosby, Thornton-le-Beans DL6 3SP with its roaring log fire, real ales and great food is on Saturday 9th January from 12pm - but hopefully without the snow! If you want to eat, you will need to pre-book your choice of food by emailing Sarah & Tim by 6pm on Wednesday 6th January from the menu options below:

FROG EYE SOUP

Home made soup of the day with a crusty roll

MGC MUSHROOMS

Mild & creamy garlic mushrooms

MIDGET SPREAD

Homemade chicken liver pate with toast

LE MANS CHOIX

Melon fan with raspberry coulis

...

HARD TOP PORK

Pork medallions with a wholegrain mustard sauce

GRAND PRIX HADDOCK

Beer Battered haddock & mushy peas

VINTAGE PIE

Home made steak & ale pie

VEGGIE SPRITE

Broccoli & cauliflower cheese bake

SOFT TOP CHICKEN

Chicken supreme with mushroom sauce

...

SILVERSTONE

Raspberry & sherry trifle

BRANDS HATCH

Sticky toffee pudding with ice cream

CROFT

Treacle sponge with custard

BROOKLANDS

Tangy Lemon cheesecake

3 course £12.95, 2 course £10.95, 1 course £8.95

This will be the last meeting before Anita and Mark emigrate to Australia, so please come and give them a hearty Yorkshire send off.

Sarah & Tim

Important News for Yorkshire Area

2009-12-13T20:00:00.003Z

On the 26th January 2010 Mark and I will be leaving the UK for the Gold Coast, Australia. Mark has been offered a job there managing a business called the Classic Car Clinic at Biggera Waters, about 50 miles south of Brisbane on the east coast.

Tim & Sarah Saunders have very kindly offered to take over the running of the Yorkshire Area of the Midget & Sprite Club. They have often organised meetings and excellent runs for the area in the past so many of you will already know them well.

During the Christmas period I will be passing over the database to Tim & Sarah so in future they will be contacting you directly.

Since getting the Yorkshire Area up and running in April 2004 I have had fantastic support from you and I have tremendously enjoyed meeting and making friends with so many Spridget enthusiasts. Mark and I will miss those friendships but maybe some of you will come and visit us?

We will be at the January lunchtime meeting, which will be on Saturday 9th (the second Sat) at The Crosby, Thornton le Beans, Northallerton DL6 3SP. More details soon, but please put it in your diary now!

Look forward to seeing lots of you there.

Happy Christmas.

Anita & Mark

The Damp Squib Run - to be reignited as The Phoenix Run!

2009-12-12T20:57:00.015Z

click for slideshow

Unfortunately the last major event of Yorkshire MASC's 2009 calendar, the Bonfire Run, turned into a massive damp squib. This was particularly frustrating given that we had MASC chums from London, Edinburgh and Cumbria join us for what should have been a crispy autumnal morning run from Otley to Thirsk - but which was completely washed out by a huge deluge the night before that had flooded many B and side roads, with several people experiencing wet electrics and lighting problems before we'd even started from the Otley Chevin. Gary (MASCOT editor Gary) even had a full blown smoking cabin in his frog, due to a wet frayed wire.

Most of us got completely soaked to the skin in the storm that was blowing at the start point, so when we hit the first impassible flood, we decided to abandon the planned route. We retired to Sarah's office in Harrogate for coffee and to dry off, before heading on to the Watermill at Carlton Miniott on A roads (and even these were flooded). Only Frank who was in a modern car attempted the full(y flooded) planned route - but gave it two thumbs up!

So from the ashes of the Bonfire Run, we will have a second attempt at it early in the Spring when the weather will hopefully will not be quite so extreme - it would be a shame to waste a perfectly good route. We are currently liaising with the Watermill to fix a date, watch this space.

Tim & Sarah

UPDATE: the Phoenix Run 2010 will take place on Sunday 14th March.

Welcome to Our Space

2009-12-12T12:47:00.001Z

Well, given that Yorkshire is such a wide place, it was about time that MASC's Yorkshire area had its own online space, so having a morning to spare whilst our leaky roof got fixed, I thought I would pull together a space for the Area where we can chat, link to pictures, plan, and so on. Please join in, comment, send material to add and participate. I have added links to all the main spridget forums, but if there are any links that you think I've missed, please let me know.

The next meeting in January is on the second Saturday, and will be at The Crosby in Thornton-le-Beans near Northallerton - details to your right.

There will be some detailed planning for 2010 going ahead over the Christmas period and we would welcome all ideas and input, particularly given Anita & Mark's travel abroad, so please comment or email us privately if you prefer.

Anyone can comment on this blog by registering as a member, but if you have pictures, links, or other material that you want to "post" here, please it email to us and we will add it for you. Comments may be moderated.

Sarah & Tim