May 2013 20th Anniversary Year

Got a 1973 car? See page 8!

Guess where were going!

www.mgnorthumbria.org

Chairmans Chat
Hello again In preparation for our trip to Holland I thought I would begin with a greeting in Dutch. Unfortunately according to google translate its the same in both languages. Serves me right for trying to be clever. Which brings me to the evidence to the contrary. Last month I said our twitter account is @MG newcastle, IT ISNT, SORRY its is @MGNorthumbria. And while on the subject of technology our new website will probably be live before next months column so keep having a look. The web address is unchanged but it looks a lot better and has some new features. Many thanks to Graham Stokoe for the design work and to his Dad, David for taking over the webmaster role. Any feedback can go to the webmaster via the online contact form. April has been a high mileage month for me, on 7/4 along with seven other MGN cars I did the Durham Classic Cars Dust Off Run, a good run in sunshine and snow in which I got stuck at the finish at Park Head Station. The following weekend with new steering rack and electronic ignition I had a family visit to Leicestershire and last weekend over 30 cars from MGN & NECPWA enjoyed the Drive It Day run. This included a train ride at
2

Tanfield Railway complete with a commentary on the journey. Many thanks to George & Eileen. At the time of writing the final event of the month hasnt taken place but I am pleased to see 10 MGN cars are entered for Durham MG Clubs Bobby Shafto Run. And finally back to the beginning, Holland. 9 cars and 15 members set sail with DFDS at 5pm. If you have a good lens why not come down to the Fish Quay and wave us off. We should be easy to spot as we should have the club banner. See you next month

Tim Cook
Northern National, Pateley Bridge 4th August
John Mitchell has kindly volunteered to coordinate the entries for this event, where we plan to have a club stand. Entry is 5 payable to John. There will be a free run organised by Harrogate MG Club on the Saturday plus a BBQ in the evening (take your own food and drink). If you are planning to just go down on the Sunday please arrive by 10.30 am. Please e mail John to let him know what you intend doing at johnpatrick.mitchell@virgin.net Several members have booked accomodation at Bewerley Hall Farm http://www.bewerleyhallfarm.co.uk which does B&B or self catering cottages. Please e mail Jenny Atkinson at bewerleyhallfarm@yahoo.co.uk for information or booking.

The saving of Backworth Hall

Members of MG Northumbria meet at Backworth Hall at 8pm on the first Wednesday of the month or so it says in the various magazines and club literature but how many of us know that if it wasnt for the Hall being saved twice we would not be meeting here. The Hall was built in 1778 for Ralph William Grey, a wealthy local landowner, to replace the 17th Century Backworth House which was in the grounds of where the current First School is today. The leading northern Architect of the time, William Newton, was commissioned for the design for the sum of 100 and the local builder John Blenkinsop who received 2,706 for the Hall and a further 889 for the coach house, stables and servants quarters. There have only been 3 owners since 1778, the Grey family until 1822 when they sold the Estate including the Hall to the Duke of Northumberland for 160,000. The Grey family then moved to the Chipchase Castle near Wark. The Duke wasnt interested in the Hall only the land the came with the purchase so the hall was tenanted until 1936. There were various tenants over the years from members of the Clergy, colliery owners and merchants. One of last recorded tenants was the Wasteney-Smith family, who owned Smiths Dock in North Shields who left in the mid 1920s. The last recorded tenant was Mr Robert Urwin, the Overseer of Backworth Colliery. The Hall then stood empty for many years and it began to fall into disrepair to such a state where demolition was believed to be a possible option until it was bought in 1936 by the Backworth Collieries Miners Welfare Scheme. being spent on the restoration of the hall and 4,415 was spent on the recreational facilities. The Hall and the surrounding 85 acres were purchased for 8,500, with 4,000

grounds, a further

There were, hard and grass tennis courts, a golf course, bowling greens, rugby, cricket and football pitches, inside there were tea rooms, billiards and games rooms and a committee room, all for the benefit of the 3000+ miners employed in the Backworth district. The first time the Hall was saved. The Miners Welfare as it became known was a considered to be a great success until one night in June 1968 when a serious fire caused by an electrical fault all but gutted the Hall. It took 5 appliances to bring the blaze under control. The damage was considerable, the entire roof, ground floor dining room and bar were destroyed and water damage to the rest of the building and the cellars was significant. Although the original glass dome had not been damaged by the fire the decision was taken to remove it for safety. It took almost 5 months for the insurance assessors and engineers to decide if the building could be saved or was it beyond economic repair but the Miners Welfare committee took the courageous decisions to carry on. The National Coal Board also stepped in providing temporary accommodation at the nearby Albany House for the welfare staff and as committee offices. The overall cost of the repairs and some remodelling of the rooms cost 68,000. The second and hopefully the last time the hall will need to be saved.

Lorraine

1 Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm.

8 Evening run starting from Dyke Neuk pub at Meldon near Morpeth NE61 3SL. 6.30 for 7.00 pm also ending there. If you plan to have a meal please let the staff know before starting the run. There will also be another cone challenge! Bedes World (see page 7) Durham MGCC 50th at Beamish Dutch Tour begins NECPWA at Wallington Hall

12 12 16 19

Corbridge Show
Can you please remember to send an email to: corbridgecarshow@gmail to confirm you will be attending the show and if applicable which car you are entering.

Car for Sale Len Bolton has a 1980 Old English White roadster with lowered suspension and yellow fast road polybush suspension, a chrome bumper/grille conversion, electronic ignition, leather steering wheel, new seat belts and a brand new full tonneau cover. It has been very well tuned by Archie Simmonds from Berwickshire who very successfully rallies and completes in sprints/hill climbs in a very fast MG Midget. Thanks to Archie the 'B goes as well as it looks. Len is looking for 5500 but is prepared to haggle down to 5k for a quick sale. If anyone is interested in his MGB Roadster Len can be contacted on 01835 850380 or len.bolkel@btinternet.com

Bedes World
The Top Down and Accelerate car show at this event will be held this year on 12 May from 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. Those attending last year had a very enjoyable day so why not go along and join in the fun! The location is Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY. If you would like further details please contact Dave Stokoe on 07812 981938 or e mail dfstokoe@yahoo.co.uk

Bury and District MGOC Club have kindly invited us to join them on their 11th Black Pudding Run on Sun 21st of July. The run starts from Summerseat Garden Centre, Bury, and finishes at Samlesbury Hall, Preston. The cost is 18 per car. Route book, souvenir and rally plaque are included. If anyone requires an entry form please email me (secretary@mgnorthumbria.org) or let me know at club night and I will forward a form on to you. Katrina

Good News!
Paul Humphries has found a clause in the recent budget extending the current nil road tax charge to cars built before 1 January 1974. This means that cars built in 1973, (such as that owned by your editor) will now come into that category. This little publicised change has been verified and takes place from 1 April 2014. Yippee!! MGOC 40th Birthday Party 13th-14th July
MGOC would like to know how many cars will be attending this event from our club. This is because we will be allocated our own area where we can all park together, bring tables and banners and display club info. Could people please let me know if they are planning on going so that I can pass exact numbers on to them. Either email me secretary@mgnorthumbria.org, ring/txt me: 07807641393 or let me know on club night. We will still need to complete a ticket booking form (you do this individually), which should be available in April's Enjoying MG and is on their website now - go to '40th Anniversary' section. The MG Owners' Club are also asking for volunteers to help on the day (marshalling, fund raising etc) so if anyone is interested please let me know. Katrina

A history walk of Jarrow

The earliest recorded settlement at Jarrow was the Roman Station built to guard the mouth of the River Don at Jarrow Slake. Even in Bedes time Donmouth as it was known was merely a small hamlet. The opening of the Alfred Pit in 1803 began the growth of Jarrow, whose population was to massively expand later, with the arrival of shipbuilding.
ROUTE

The walk starts and finishes at Jarrow Metro Station, on the side of the bus station. Turn left along Sheldon Street with Palmer Community Hospital on your right. Charles Mark Palmer opened the Palmer Memorial Hospital, which was partially funded by employees of Palmers Works, in 1871. The hospital was dedicated to the memory of his wife Jane, who was involved in charitable works throughout their married life. The original hospital was demolished in the 1970s, but a magnificent stained glass window was saved and incorporated into the new modern complex Turn right along Grange Road, past the Ben Lomond pub to your left and Christ church to your right, where the Jarrow marchers held a service before their famous march to London in 1936. Cross over Ellison Street and continue along Grange Road past the Town Hall on your left. Sir Charles Mark Palmer, who had been the towns first mayor, opened the Town Hall in 1902.
9

Charles Mark Palmer began shipbuilding in Jarrow in 1851 and quickly expanded his business to include all the necessary elements of shipbuilding including his own collieries, iron ore mines and steelworks. Through his industries the population of Jarrow grew and the town prospered. The eventual closure of the yard in 1933 had a devastating effect on the town; 80% of the working population being put on the dole. Continue along Grange Road until you reach Ferry Road / Staple Road junction. For a slightly longer route, turn left into Ferry Road towards the River. At Chaytor Street turn right. On your left is Jarrow Riverside Park. The park provides access to the Pedestrian Tyne Tunnel, which allows you to cross the Tyne to Howdon and is worth a visit if you have not been before. It was opened in 1951 and consists of two parallel tunnels, each 300 yards long - one for pedestrians and one for cyclists. The escalators are 186 feet long, the worlds longest wooden escalators at the time - a record they still hold. If you visited the Pedestrian Tyne Tunnel, return to Chaytor Street and continue towards the Shell Oil Terminal on Priory Road. At the terminal, turn left into Curlew Road, following the River Don Cycleway to Slake Road and Jarrow Slake. Jarrow Slake, originally Jarrows Lake, was once a sheltered basin at the mouth of the River Don, which flooded at high tide. One infamous mention of Jarrow Slake is as the murder scene of local magistrate, Nicholas Fairles, in 1832 and of the subsequent gibbeting there of William Jobling who was tried for his murder and executed in Durham. Part of the Slake was used to create Tyne Dock, which was opened in 1859. Coal was shipped from here and goods,
10

such as iron ore, came in. This somewhat smaller area of intertidal mudflat is an important site for wildlife. Turn right along Slake Road, following the River Don towards Bedes World which celebrates the life and times of the Venerable Bede who came to the monastery at Jarrow during the 7th century. The museum hosts regular exhibitions throughout the year, and displays a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon demonstration farm. Jarrow Hall played an essential part of industrial development in Jarrow and now houses a pleasant caf/restaurant. Follow Slake Road and turn right into Drewetts Park signposted towards Jarrow Museum, and cross the park towards St. Pauls Church. In memory of Drewett Ormonde Drewett, a former resident of Jarrow Hall, Alfred Henry Chaytor gave Drewetts Park to the town of Jarrow in 1910. Benedict Biscop founded St. Pauls Church and monastery in AD 681, and it was here that Bede lived, worked and worshipped until his death in AD 735. The Vikings sacked the monastery in AD 794 and it was not until 1074 that the church was restored. From St Pauls Church, follow Church Bank to the main road. Cross over near the bus stops and follow the River Don Footpath through the open space towards the Tyne Tunnel. Continue following the River Don Footpath under the A19 and A185 towards Cemetery Road. On your left you will notice Jarrow Cemetery. The Bishop of Durham consecrated Jarrow cemetery in 1869. Turn Right along Cemetery Road. Cross over Monkton Terrace, continue up steps and follow the path towards Bedeburn Road. Built
11

in the late 19th century for the middle classes, Bedeburn Road has remained largely unchanged. Turn right along Bedeburn Road, cross over Kent Street and turn left at Albert Road. Continue along Albert Road and cross the A185 at the pedestrian crossing into Railway Street back to the Metro Station. The Urban History Walks all start at Metro Stations where frequent bus services connect, making access to the walks easy. Contact North East Travel Line on 0870 608 2608 for more information or obtain a bus timetable from Nexus Travel Shops.

Dave Stokoe

Correction In the membership list sent out last month the phone for Les Davison was wrongly stated. Please note that this is actually 01670 797177 and his mobile number is 0777 3371758. The list also includes Less old MGB GT which he no longer owns. As wel as the NG, Les has a MG TF WV53FYN , which of course he won the Pride of Ownership prize with last year. 12

13

Established 1983
-------

Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts. MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award . Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken. Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares. Fast & efficient Mail Order service -----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND E-mail :- sales@chicdoig.com Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

Classic Coachcraft. Classic vehicle specialists.

Dave Bush 16 Riverdale Court Newburn Haugh Ind Est Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8SG Tel/Fax: 0191 264 8600 Mobile: 07940 919 670 classiccoachcraft@googlemail.com

14

Macintyre's of Gosforth Classic Cars Unit 6 Strand Business Centre Locomotion Way Killingworth Tyne & Wear NE12 5US 0191 221 2889 0191 268 8100 07587 190 222 Restoration of Classic Cars Fabrication Engine Rebuilds Resprays Service Upholstery

15

16