Stanford Hall 2005 - September 11th

For the first time ever the drive down was pretty gloomy due to the low cloud and mizzling rain. As a consequence Stanford Hall was shrouded in damp mist for most of the day. Luckily it was not too cold although I did notice a few souls shivering from time to time. Our little convoy arrived around 09:30 with a very bumpy and muddy drive down the track to our pitch. After clearing our pitch area from the deposits of sheep dung all hands helped to put up our club stand. Soon the stand was up and open for business and thereafter followed our usual tradition of a bacon buttie.! Our newest member joined us for the run up today, her name is Aileen and she drives a really smart mini cabriolet. We were also paid a visit by Guy and Diane from the Peterborough mini club who were also up for the day, they too commented on the poor weather. Later on several members from the SWCMC paid us a visit and had a chat with us. Nice to see old faces again.

This year there seemed to be more mini clubs in attendance and the site was really busy. Trade stands were doing a roaring trade with loads of dosh being handed over. As usual maddy wandered off with her camera to snap all the interesting cars and club stands. I'm generating this report and pictures at the show on my laptop computer. When I get home all I have to do is to transfer the images and the report to the desktop and then upload to the web. Wesley bought a new top rail for the dashboard, Cris managed to find some grommets for the radiator top bracket. Alan bought some mini models and Maddy a pair of inner sill repair panels and a nearside lamp housing for her Cooper.

The standard of the cars in the concours area was excellent with their owners frantically cleaning every last spot of dirt off the bodywork and wheels ready for the concours judging. There were some notable cars in the concours area and I particually liked the Estate car with wooden wheel arches and what looked like gold plated headlamp rims, bumpers and grill.

Have a look at the updated gallery, where you will find high resolution images from the day.

I noticed Maddy chatting to Peter Baldwin who had tuned her Cooper back in April. Peter as you may know is one of the foremost tuners of the "A" series engines in the country, he is also an acomplished driver and races in several Mini events. Despite the weather all of us enjoyed the day at Stanford Hall.

This is rover signing off for Mini Folk United.

Meet Aileen and her grandaughter chloe

Diane & Guy from POSH

Yes folks - it really is that green!

Is this what you call a woody?

Members of American Mini Enthusiasts arriving.

Time to stop mate - the dust has gone now.