Torque of the North - February 2026
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
Its been positively Arctic out there in January, in fact I read somewhere that Cheshire East Council didn’t salt the roads as it was BELOW -5 degrees. Not that the weather put us off getting together, with 6 Christmas lunches/dinners/parties across the North, literally something for everyone. Huge thanks to the organisers who make these events possible, no wonder they grow in size every year.
Time still to get that winter maintenance sorted. Ivor Davies has just got GSK back from it’s stay in the garage with a clean bill of health and a functioning starter motor, useful as Ivors not keen on a push start...
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Whilst we are only just getting over Christmas, blink and we’ll be at “Drive It Day” & beyond. I’ve just tried to book some Regional (GRRC) drives and found half are already fully booked. So, get your new diaries out and get things booked in - make sure you are not left out!
Your Chief Reporter and Editor are both away (other side of the World) the next few weeks, so March newsletters likely to be a little delayed! Normal service will be resumed, as long as one of us decides to return...
Still to come!
Great British Car Journey
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The “Great British Car Journey” is a cracking place to visit & its offering entry to the museum and car show on a number of themed car show weekends, for just £15pp as long as you arrive in your Healey (or something equally old). The first event is on 12th April and all the other dates are on the full advert posted on the Northern Centre website Homepage.
Glamis 11th/12th July
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Entries for the club stand at Glamis have opened. This is the 50th anniversary of the show so you can expect something really spectacular this year. More details will follow but if you want to get on the Club Stand send your name, car details and Reg No to Ian Walker ASAP on 07740 148881, scotland@ahc-northern.org.uk or on WhatsApp.
Yorkshire Elegance - 15th/16th July
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Returning for the 3rd year at Grantley Hall, this coming show celebrates a number of special anniversaries in the automotive history including: 100 yrs of Mercedes Benz, Bugatti Type 35, Maserati Tipo & 25 years of the Aston Martin Vanquish. Goto www.yorkshireelegance.com for full details.
This event is likely to be very popular this year as it “ups it’s game” to compete to be the Northern Salon Privé. Entry details have changed, so standard Day Guest entry cost is £99 pp each day (£129 from 1 Apr) including a Buffet lunch by Grantley Hall Kitchen.
However, we’ve secured entry for 10 cars (20 people) on each day at the reduced cost of £69 pp, including lunch (valued at £50) - fill your boots! Contact Jeff Hollinshead below to book your place noting your preferred day, this deal is on a first come first served basis, so get in quick.
Oulton Park Gold Cup - 29th-31st August
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Trevor Gammage has successfully applied to MSV for us to have a stand at Oulton Park Gold Cup - applications to display have now opened.
The application process starts with https://displaymyvehicle.msv.com where you can find their Austin Healey Club booking page and reserve a space. You will need a four digit AHC code which is 1483. MSV then need to approve your application and email the approval, you revisit the website and pay. Relatively "Simples"...
Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend - Sun 2nd August
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After some doubts about whether major water works were going ahead in the town, it’s now been announced that the 2026 Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend is ON. Registration is open and expected to be fully booked rather quickly. Our cars are suited for the Group P: post war cars 1943-1968 category on Sunday 2nd August. Book in at: https://www.hebdenbridge-vintageweekend.org.uk/vehicle-registration and let Jeff Hollinshead know you’ve booked!
Sun 26th April - FBHVC Drive it Day
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This year's Drive It Day is on Sunday 26th Apr 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 more details to follow.
North Wales Drive It Day
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By popular demand - starting at the Tweedmill for coffee and sign on before heading out into the countryside enroute to the Old Stag Inn for lunch. Contact Jill or John Bowman below to secure your place on this popular Drive It Day in North Wales.
Cheshire Drive It Day
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Meeting again at the Lambing Shed, Knutsford, at 9:30am on Sunday 26th April for bacon butties (alternatives available) followed by a 65 mile drive around the southwest Cheshire country lanes before heading to the Tollemache Arms near Tarporley for a bespoke Lasagne lunch (vegetarian available) at 1pm. Contact Doug on chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk or 07940 313947 to book your place.
Yorkshire Drive It Day
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Meet at Bolton Abbey Tea Rooms from 9am to leave at 10am to Appletreewick, Grassington, Littondale and Malham for lunch at The Bull Inn, Broughton, Nr. Skipton. This is a drive of 50 miles. Contact Jeff Hollinshead below to sign up.
Scottish Drive It Day
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Still at the planning stage but initial thoughts are to meet at Dobbies Livingston (just off the M8) and head south towards Upper Tweedale and on to a lunch stop. Contact Richard Spalding, below, to join in on the fun.
North East Drive It Day
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The Northeast team are planning to join the MGCC on their annual Cobweb Run Drive It Day. Often oversubscribed so contact Murray Shand now, below, for details and to book.
Friday 1st - Monday 4th May - May Bank Holiday Weekend 2026
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This 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.
Although the event is 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 - 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.
Sun 9th August - Grange-over-Sands
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Classics over Sands is back again in Grange-over-Sands on Sunday 9th August, as usual, great weather has been booked and entries will open when Phil K gets back from his hols, likely to be end March.
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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 to be announced, 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 |
- Yorkshire February Noggin Wednesday 18th at at The Windmill, Main Street, Linton, Wetherby, LS22 4HT at 12.30. If you will be attending and intend to eat please let Jeff know by Thursday 12th so I can let the pub know as he is away from the 14th. Brian Slingsby is your contact for the Noggin , if need be contact him on 07831 372023 whilst Jeff is away. March is back to normal at the Blackhorse Inn, Clifton.
- 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
- Sun 26th Apr - FBHVC Drive It Day. Runs planned throughout the Centre. More details to follow.
- Sun 26th Apr - Cheshire Drive It Day. Bacon Buttie, Cheshire Lanes and Lunch at the Tollemache Arms. Contact Doug on 07940 313947 to join in.
- Sun 26th Apr - North Wales Drive It Day. Tea and Coffee and toilets at the Tweedmill before setting off on a run to the Old Stag. Contact Jill for details.
- Sun 26th Apr - Yorkshire Drive It Day. The beautiful Bolton Abbey is the starting point for a run through the Dales to The Bull for Lunch. Contact Jeff for details.
- 1st - 4th May - May Bank Holiday Weekend 2026 Set in the Lake District see main panel for details.
- 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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Technical Quiz
Can you spot the error on this BN2 boot mat?
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Answers please on a postcard to the editor.
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