2008  EVENTS

End of Month Meetings for 2008

8pm - last Friday of the month - The Bull - Hinton, Dyrham

Such an Eventful Time! 

We certainly have lots of fun and laughter in the Bristol A7 Club; with the best times over the years being on Club events and I’ve many a tale in my vast collection of anecdotes to prove this! 

On our calendar, we have numerous Runs and a variety of friendly Meetings with interesting Speakers, Films, Competitions and Activities.  There are four new events this year and rumour has it that the well-loved Waterley Bottom Run may soon be revived.  During the Festive Season we now have two Dinners, a Party and two Festive Runs. In the summer, there is usually a holiday, or two, organised on the Continent or far-flung shores of the British Isles.  Watch for news of events and Spares Shed Open Days in the Bristol A7 Club Newsletter or contact one of our Committee.  Remember we’re always open to suggestions, too. 

It’s no surprise that the North Devon Run remains an old favourite (running since 1969) with its glorious coastal scenery and abundance of interesting hills and lanes.  There’s always a friendly atmosphere on the caravan/campsite (with nearby B&Bs) for this relaxing week filled with diverse places to explore, beaches to investigate, (very!) informal music and sing-alongs to enjoy, delicious cream teas and delightful pubs to sample. 

Easter has been a moveable feast over the years but a feast of activity it has always been, a tradition upheld by our recent Clee Clatter in Worcestershire.  Our Easter Rabbit has hopped from Cornwall to Pembrokeshire, Wiltshire and beyond since 1969.  One year, our West Country tongues contrasted with locals in a Norfolk Pub whose amused comments about us included “the mass hAudition for the hArchers” taking place in their back room.  Hardknott, Kirkstone and Honister Passes bring visions of past Lake District Runs that all have tales to tell.  Here, we first gained our experiences of reversing up hills when first gear failed.  One fella, however, chose to leap out of his Chummy to help it uphill whilst using the hand throttle - until the rear wheel ran over his foot, pinned him to the ground, the car took off and I can still see him running hard to catch up as the Seven headed for the summit! 

A mass of BA7C ever-popular Day and Weekend Runs (see list on this Website and more details in the Newsletter) always cause excitement as enthusiasts breathe heavily over a variety of Industrial Relics and Archaeological Remains, ride on Steam Locomotives and Canal Barges or swim from capsized canoes, admire Crafts, Gardens or Pumping Stations, simply relax with a picnic or a pint and … what’s all this about Exploding Churches in July?     

North-West Wales is so enjoyable that the BA7C visit regularly, three times a year; yet still never tire with so many different places to explore.  Whatever the weather we have fun perhaps walking on Snowdon, discovering tales of an historic Castle, whistling down convoluted lanes or grinding up escarpments, crossing fords, delving into holes in the ground, enjoying the beach or just admiring the fantastic views.   

Remember digging our way through snow when we used to camp on Pen-y-Fan in February or March?  I can’t forget one couple trying to sleep in their free-with-cigarette-coupons tent that didn’t reach the ground so that it quickly filled up with snowflakes, causing the occupants to spend the night shivering in their cramped Top Hat.  Mid-Wales was always well-attended and after a few years’ rest, who knows, the Brecon Run (our very first BA7C Run) may perhaps return to our calendar.  I have to admit that some of us opt for hotel or B&B now – but the original ingredients of friendship and fun still remain on all our Runs today.  

We are grateful to all our enthusiastic organisers of events and also attendees – if you haven’t been to Meetings or participated in Runs yet, give it a go – I guarantee you’ll enjoy the experience, make new friends and you might even discover some interesting places, fascinating information and perhaps tips about your Austin Seven. 

Enjoy your Seven and the Social Life it brings.                           

Jen Dunford, Events Co-ordinator