Torque of the North - December 2025
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
|
|
|
Hi ,
News from around the North
Well, what a year for classic motoring, motor sport or just burbling along to the pub with the wind in your hair, or not in my case. Well into November the weather was still warm enough to enjoy open top motoring, without getting “wrapped up”, so let’s hope for snow at Christmas and great weather for 2026. Check out the Christmas lunches where you are... full list below you might even make it in a Healey.
|
|
The NEC Classic Car Show was excellent, despite the nearly fifty quid entrance fee.. The Club stand looked great, was good to meet Yorkshire members Ken & Pat Hartshorne & their Frogeye. Lots of familiar faces whilst sampling the Crieff Hydro Gin, maybe that’s why the Yorkshire contingent thought the bacon butties were not as good as last year...
Bickerton Poacher Skittles Champs
|
|
Food and games at the Bickerton Poacher in Cheshire thanks to Mike S once again organising our annual Skittles grudge match. Newbies to the tournament were the Cumbrian team who walked away with the trophy aided by the “Cheshire spares” Sally and Doug who have now managed to feature in every winning team for the last 4 years... spot a trend - no, just lucky!
Coffee and Classics
|
|
Last Coffee and Classics of the year saw the hardy (or lunatic) Scots out on a chilly but dry run in the borders after their meet at Moretonhall garden centre. Clear roads, Pentlands and perfect blue skies (great pic William S). We have all the dates for 2026 below and will update the venues, when available.
Slowly Sideways at Rallye Prescott
|
|
Last event of the year for Rallye Prescott at the start of November, three runs in daylight and three in the dark. Our very own Les McGuffog again joining Slowly Sideways in entertaining the crowd in his Rally prepared 3000, alongside Jimmy McRae in his Subaru Impreza WRC.
Still to come!
Sun 7th December 2025 - National Club AGM
This is your chance to hear what’s been happening and to influence the way the club is run. Sunday, 7th December 2025 at Woodland Grange, Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6RN. Coffee at 10.00 and the meeting will commence at 10.30 am.
All members are invited to attend so if you are planning to go in person, please could you let our Secretary, Mell Ward know ASAP: secretary@austinhealeyclub.com. For a Zoom link, contact Robert Thornburrow at: webmaster@austinhealeyclub.com
Thu 11th December 2025 - Lakes & Dales Christmas Dinner
|
|
Up in the frozen north we don’t get out much, so it looks like a full house for The Lakes and Dales Christmas dinner on Thursday 11th December 2025. Held at Crooklands in the Dining Room, probably 7 for 7.30... still time to drop Richard & Sharon an email if you’re interested in joining them at: richard.hague@ahc-northern.org.uk
Thu 18th December 2025 - North Wales Xmas Party Night
|
|
Second of the festive gatherings gets under way at the Cricket Club, Northrop Hall. 7.15pm onwards. Culinary goodies; Quiz; Film Show; Raffle. Contact John & Jill Bowman below.
Sat 10th January 2026 - Scottish Area Late Christmas Lunch
|
|
AHC Scotland Area Late Christmas Lunch on Saturday 10th January 1.00pm at the Atlantic Brasserie, St Vincent Street, Glasgow. To book a place please contact Neil Munn by 1st December on 07730 422301 or neil.munn@ahc-northern.org.uk
Sun 11th January 2026 - Northwest Late Christmas Lunch
|
|
You are invited to the Northwest Late Christmas Lunch at the Golden Pheasant on Sunday 11th January 2026 meeting at 11:30 am for pre-lunch drinks. The lunch includes the welcome drinks, 3 course Christmas menu followed by coffee and mince pies. The menu will offer 4 choices per course and wine will be served at the table. The cost is £40 pp including welcome drinks and a glass of served wine. Contact Ivor Davies to book your place on ivor.davies@ahc-northern.org.uk or 07899 046103.
Mid-January 2026 - Northeast Late Christmas Lunch
|
|
Mid-January for the Late Christmas Lunch in the Northumbria area. Details to follow from Murray Shand so keep an eye on the Northumbrian Whatsapp group and January’s TOTN.
Sun 25th January 2026 - Yorkshire Late Winter Lunch
|
|
The Yorkshire Area Late Winter Lunch will be on Sunday January 25th, at The Black Horse Inn. Full details nearer the time. Contact Jeff Hollinshead on 07800 974418, email jeff.hollinshead@ahc-northern.org.uk or on WhatsApp
Sun 26th April 2026 - FBHVC Drive it Day
|
|
Save the date - Next year's DiD is on Sunday 26th Apr 2026 and we are aiming for runs in Cheshire, Yorkshire, Northumbria, Central & NE Scotland and North Wales. Put the dates in your diary and we will get you more details in the New Year's TOTN.
Friday 1st - Monday 4th May 2026 - May Bank Holiday Weekend 2026
|
|
Next year, we are returning to the Lake District, based at the Grade 2 listed Netherwood Hotel & Spa. Located on the outskirts of Grange-over-Sands, it’s an ideal location for exploring the South Lakes.
Saturday’s route will tour the lakes, driving the passes and hills, with plenty of hostelries enroute where you can take a break and stretch your legs. Sunday’s route will be more leisurely, boarding a steam train at Haverthwaite, which will take us to Lake Windermere, where a boat to Bowness will be waiting. Here, you can explore the town before returning to Haverthwaite.
Like our previous events, there will be entertainment after dinner on Saturday and Sunday, with the Gala Night incorporating pre-dinner drinks, charity raffle and awarding of concours trophies. Shoulder nights will also be available.
Although the event is nearly full, experience has shown that there will always be cancellations. If you are interested in attending, please contact Paul Johnson at booking@ahc-northern.org.uk or on 07785 790710.
29th May - 1st June 2026
|
|
|
After several years’ gap The Austin Healey Club Scottish Area will be returning to the Scottish Highlands for CHASIN’ THE HAGGIS in 2026!! A 3-day tour will start in Blair Drummond and be based at The Loch Ness Hotel in Drumnadrochit for three nights from Friday 29th May to Monday 1st June 2026. Two loop runs are planned in the beautiful, scenic, habitat of THE HAGGIS on the Saturday and Sunday. Now fully booked but you can join the waiting list by contacting Richard Spalding (thespaldings@gmail.com or 07598194394) for more details.
|
|
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
SCOTLAND (CENTRAL) - 2nd Wednesday of the month (Mar-Nov) AHC club joins in with “Coffee and Classics” at various locations, meeting at 10:30am. Watch TOTN for latest venues or check details on Coffee & Classics Facebook Group or from Richard Spalding on 07598 194394
|
|
| Wed, 11-Mar-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 08-Apr-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 13-May-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 10-Jun-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 08-Jul-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 12-Aug-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 09-Sep-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 14-Oct-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 11-Nov-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
- Yorkshire area Noggins are now all starting at 7pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. The change has been published in RevCounter.
- ***NEW *** Cheshire Golden Pheasant Noggin. This December’s meeting is at the Oliver Valves private transport collection in the morning and later at the Plough and Flail pub for lunch. The visit is now fully booked but if you want to join a waiting List contact Doug on 07940 313947 and we will try and get you in. This means no planned evening Noggin at the Golden Pheasant in December.
- ***NEW*** Cheshire Golden Pheasant Noggin. For the winter we will move the normal meeting time from the evening to a lunch time slot. Meet at 12:30pm for a light lunch and a daylight Noggin. (from now till March inclusive).
- NE Scotland Noggin & Natters The NE Scotland group has recently started a regular monthly meet (1st Friday of the month) at a new car themed cafe; “The Drive” near Haddo House, B999, Ellon, AB41 7NU
- *** NEW*** Lakes and Dales Christmas Dinner on Thursday 11th December 2025. Held at Crooklands in the Dining Room, probably 7 for 7.30... still time to drop Richard & Sharon an email if you’re interested in joining them at: richard.hague@ahc-northern.org.uk
- Thur 18th December - North Wales Christmas Party. 7.15pm onwards. Culinary goodies; Quiz; Film Show; Raffle. Contact John & Jill Bowman below.
- Sat 10th January 2026 - Scotland Area Late Christmas Lunch at 1.00pm in the Atlantic Brasserie, St Vincent Street, Glasgow. To book a place please contact Neil Munn by 1st December on 07730 422301 or neil.munn@ahc-northern.org.uk
- Sun 11th January 2026 Northwest Late Christmas Lunch You are invited to the Northwest Late Christmas Lunch at the Golden Pheasant on Sunday 11th January 2026 meeting at 12 noon for 12:30 lunch. Please contact Ivor Davies to book your place.
- ***NEW*** North East Late Christmas Lunch. Details to follow from Murray Shand.
- Sun 25th January 2026 - Yorkshire Late Winter Lunch. Details to follow from Jeff Hollinshead.
- Sun 26th Apr 2026 - FBHVC Drive it Day. Runs planned throughout the Centre. More details to follow.
|
|
See the Northern Centre Website or National Club Website for all events.
Other events are being organised at local area level at short notice via WhatsApp groups. Get yourself on the groups and intothe action by getting in touch with your local rep below.
CENTRE CONTACTS
|
|
You've probably seen the ad in last month’s RevCounter for Healey Christmas Cards and this is just to say it's not too late to purchase them.
They are produced by the Thames Valley Centre so please support them.
They cost a mere £15 for 10 and are really great quality (where can you get a top quality card for this price), including envelope.
You can order on-line with PayPal on the Thames Valley Centre web-site www.austin-healey-club.co.uk
What meagre profit we make, we plough into our funds to help support our events, so come on order your cards now.
Please make sure your postcode is very clear as the post office needs to register the post code. |
|
|
|
|
