Thursday 7th November, once again we headed from all over the UK to meet up at 09.00 in the NEC car Park, this allows us to drive in convoy into our hall No 2 quite early. Quickly park the cars up in the dry out of the rain, the cars are then properly dried off, cleaned top to bottom as we had some rain on route, while the cars were being cleaned the stand was being erected and by lunch time we were completely finished with Bruce's stand erected and cars in position, once again, our organised routine allowed us all to have another early Thursday finish.

Friday, we all arrived early and boy what a shock we were completely overwhelmed all day with two people trying to buy cars off the stands!! We have a number of people wanting cars and leaving their details with us. By the end of play we were all shattered and ready for the off. George, Bruce, Syd and Alan headed home while Will, Matt and myself headed to our lovely B&B for an Indian and a well-earned few beers.

Over the weekend we were all kept busy but took it in turns to have a wonder and peruse the cars in the Iconic Auction and the other halls. It was also great to catch up with several Middlebridge owners over the weekend for much chin-wagging. We were delighted to have Dennis Nursey and Kohji Nakauchi on the stand and we look forward to meeting up with them in 2025. It's always great to see Martin North (our webmaster) and his father for a natter and I look forward to working with Martin in the year ahead.

This year was the 40th NEC Classic Lancaster Motor Show and we were delighted to help celebrate by sharing their anniversary cake. (yummy, yummy).

I guess honesty is the best policy, so here goes. At 70mph on the M42 and just before the NEC turn off I heard a horrible noise 'grinding' I slowed down as much as possible and within a minute I was within the NEC perimeter, the grinding metal noise was awful so I crept to the hall and got the car parked for the event. On the Sunday evening I called the AA who could hear the noise at walking pace, a truck was booked to take me home and the car is booked in the garage for the 18.11.2024.

A BIG thank you to Bruce Beauchamp, Will Anderson, Alan Cavendish Tribe, George Sampford, Alan Timmis, Kohji and Dennis, Matt and all of the Middlebridge owners that attended and once again made this event a real success. It was also great to once again see & catch up with my brother Tom and his Wife Tracy who always come and have banter with everyone on the Middlebridge stand. ;o)

Ford Orion RS (Peaky Blinders)

No, Ford never made one, this is a one-off build of incredible quality and clearly the graphics are based on the local to Birmingham 'Peaky Blinders theme' This was the first showing of the car and it's fair to say many many people were drooling over it all weekend. The work was done by Stuart who is the guy that looks after Bruce's Beauchamp's lovely Middlebridge.