Torque of the North - Janury 2026
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
Happy New Year to everyone, I hope Christmas brought you everything you need, (new diff in my case)... but I made a special effort so the kids could buy me a new Healey this year! I’ve become adept with classic Scalextric, so a ridiculous eBay offer meant I now have two Healey’s racing the tough Wilmslow track, shortened due to domestic issues!
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The Cheshire team were invited to see an incredible collection of cars, steam engines, aircraft and engineering prowess in what could only be described as the best man cave any of us have ever seen! Here are the team pose in front of a 617 Sqn Tornado GR4, ZA399. Doug last flew this Jet in March '90 on an HE bombing exercise to Garvie Island off the north coast at Cape Wrath, plane definitley weathering better than Doug! Big thanks to our hosts & Doug for setting things up.
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It’s rare to see RevCounter ahead of TOTN, but this January it’s arrived early so Congratulations to Northern members Tony Ball and Jeff Hollinshead for winning annual RevCounter writers awards. Tony’s November article won the Jubilee Shield for best non-technical article and Jeff’s, in February, shared the best Tech Talk Award.
It's contributions like these that help keep RevCounter interesting and topical, huge thanks to Jeff and Tony. Have you got a story or technical insight? You don’t have to be Lee Child to get published in Revcounter so why not give it a go?
Work in Progress
Its that time when many of the cars are laid up for servicing, getting those niggly little squeaks fixed, waxoyled or major engine out work done. We’ve seen many requests for advice and photos in the WhatsApp groups and it’s great to see the great tips and help offered. Here’s a sample of the work going on.
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Don’t forget that if you’ve found a smart solution to a problem then please write it up and share it in RevCounter.
Still to come!
Sat 10th January 2026 - Scottish Area Late Christmas Lunch
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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
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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 before 5th January to book your place on ivor.davies@ahc-northern.org.uk or 07899 046103.
Wed 28th January 2026 - Northumbria Late Christmas Dinner
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Normal January Northumbria Noggin night for the Late Christmas Dinner at the Rosmarino Italian restaurant in North Shield where they can take up to 40 people and make it exclusive. Date: Wednesday 28th January 2026. Time: 7 for 7.30pm book your place with Murray Shand on WhatsApp or text / Ring on 07850286099
Sun 25th January 2026 - Yorkshire Late Winter Lunch
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The Yorkshire Area Late Winter Lunch will be on Sunday January 25th, 12.30 for 1pm at The Black Horse Inn, Clifton, Brighouse, HD6 4HJ. Menus and prices to follow from Jeff. Contact him on 07800 974418, email jeff.hollinshead@ahc-northern.org.uk or on WhatsApp.
Sun 26th April 2026 - FBHVC Drive it Day
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Save the date - Next year's DiD is on Sunday 26th Apr 2026 and we are aiming to get some 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.
Cheshire Drive It Day
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Meeting again at the Lambing shed, Knutsford, at 9:30 0n Sunday 26th April for bacon butties followed by a 65 mile drive around the southwest Cheshire country lanes before heading to the Tollemach Arms near Tarporley for lunch.
Friday 1st - Monday 4th May 2026 - May Bank Holiday Weekend 2026
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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.
Wednesday 8th July 2026 Churnet Valley Railway Breakfast Steam Train
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Join us on the Churnet Valley Railway Breakfast Steam Train starting with a pre-ordered breakfast served in heritage carriages as we meander alongside the Caldon Canal to Cheddleton and out into the Staffordshire Moorlands for a 22 mile round trip lasting 2 hours. We meet in the main Car Park at Froghall station ST10 2HQ by 10.00am ready to board our steam train departing at 10.30am prompt. Cost per head including a Round Trip Ticket and full Breakfast is £28.50 per passenger. All tickets and menu choices must be pre-booked online direct with Churnet Valley Railway at www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/breakfast-train
After booking please notify Jonathan Pilkington asap by email - jonathan.pilkington@ahc-northern.org.uk that you are attending quoting your names and booking reference number. This is important so that seats can be allocated together as we do not have any reserved seating.
BOOK EARLY - seats sell very quickly and Churnet Valley Railway cannot guarantee we will all sit together the nearer to the event tickets are booked. On our return to Froghall Station at 1230 we depart for an hour of driving over the Peak District’s southern reaches passing through Ipstones, Onecote, Gradbach and Allgreave arriving at The Swettenham Arms, CW12 2LF for a late lunch/early supper.
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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
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| Wed, 08-Apr-26 |
Coffee & Classics Park Bistro |
| Wed, 13-May-26 |
Coffee & Classics Knockhill |
| Wed, 10-Jun-26 |
Coffee & Classics Peebles Hydro |
| Wed, 08-Jul-26 |
Coffee & Classics Archerfield |
| Wed, 12-Aug-26 |
Coffee & Classics Crieff Hydro |
| Wed, 09-Sep-26 |
Coffee & Classics Melville Castle |
| Wed, 14-Oct-26 |
Coffee & Classics venue TBA |
| Wed, 11-Nov-26 |
Coffee & Classics Mortonhall |
- ***STOP PRESS*** Yorkshire January Noggin now on Wednesday 14th at The Black Horse Inn at 7pm. February Noggin on the 18th at The Windmill, Linton, Wetherby at 12.30. Let Jeff know by the 9th if you intend to eat plus numbers.
- 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
- 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 Golden Pheasant 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 by 5 Jan to book your place.
- Sun 26th Apr 2026 - FBHVC Drive it Day. Runs planned throughout the Centre. More details to follow.
- 1st - 4th May 2026 - May Bank Holiday Weekend 2026 Set in the Lake District.
- 8th July - Churnet Valley Railway Breakfast Steam Train. Tickets need booked early from the venue website.
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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
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