Torque of the North - March 2026
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
It’s spring and I write this having just enjoyed a Healey drive to the March Noggin at the Golden Pheasant on what must be the best day of the year so far. I hope your car is getting ready to show it’s face too. The diary of events is filling up on the Northern Centre website so have a look to see what’s happening close to you at the all new look AHCN - Coming Events Calendar
Quick Turnaround for a Perenial Problem
You will have read in January’s Revcounter that Jeff Hollinshead had won the Tech Talk Award for his article on Cylinder Block Porosity and the growing issue that it is becoming within the 3000 community. This month we can report that Ian Walker has had to deal with the same problem and he shares this repair experience with us.
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Ian delivered the block personally to Denis Welch with the pistons and crankshaft in situ on a marathon round trip from Glasgow to Burton-on-Trent in a van. Jeremy did the repair on the spot in 1 1/2 hours and so the engine was back home that evening with no wasteful delay caused by the block sat in workshops at the leisure of the repairer! Now cleaning/painting and reassembly prior to dropping it back in the chassis. Great service from Denis Welch.
Blast From the Past
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Thank’s to Paul O’Neill for sharing a selection of his back copies of the Northern Centre Magazine dating back to 1979. A precursor to Torque of the North, this popular little magazine was specific to Northern Centre and was dropping through your letter box every month. Then Chairman, John Ridyard, recalls, “Karen R was editor and both of us used to collate articles, collect from the printers put in envelopes, address and post manually every month and that’s when we had 560 members in the Northern Centre alone. Thank goodness for the interweb.” The editorial team today just don’t know how lucky we are!
Impressive Bodywork
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The NE Scotland Noggin group were treated to a demonstration of body repair and paint techniques at Kirkton Motor Body Repairs in Banchory on Deeside recently. We saw various ingenious “no paint” dent removal tricks and some excellent paint finishes in their modern spray booth. They did the paintwork on Dave McDonalds prize winning BJ7 shown above.
Membership Renewal
Quick reminder everyone, that it's membership renewal time where you get the chance to make that potentially life changing decision to renew your AHC membership. It can be really quick and easy if you follow the notes at the end of this newsletter and renew on-line. Don’t forget to read the covering letter with your March RevCounter as there are details there!
Still to come!
26 April - FBHVC Drive It Day
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This year's Drive It Day is on Sunday 26th April and we are aiming to get some runs in Cheshire, Yorkshire, Northumbria, Central & NE Scotland and North Wales. Don’t forget to buy your rally plate at: Drive It Day | Yesterday's Vehicles Supporting Today's Children
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 en-route 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 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 as a Social Drive, 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.
Tony Ball is hoping to get out on a Social Drive up in the Grampians with anyone that wants to join him up in the North. Contact Tony below for details.
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.
Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show
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"One of the best events, and best-kept secrets, in the UK
classic car scene."
Classic & Sports Car magazine
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Monday 4th May 10am - 4pm
Beautiful setting for the NW season opener. Join us for this splendid show with a garden party atmosphere and informal concours.
All entry tickets must be pre-booked direct with Gawswoth Hall full details at
https://gawsworthhall.com/classic-car-show/
As this conflicts with the May Bank Holiday weekend this year, there are no plans to have a formal club stand so go ahead and make your own booking but please advise Jonathan Pilkington jonathan.pilkington@ahc-northern.org.uk if you are attending.
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. We have 6 cars already booked up for this so get booking and don’t miss out.
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.
Glamis 11th/12th July
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Entries for the club stand at Glamis have now been submitted. This is the 50th anniversary of the show so you can expect something really spectacular this year. More details will follow closer to the time but if you want to get on the Club Stand send your name, car details and Reg No to Ian Walker ASAP to join the reserve list 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.
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 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.
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"...
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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 |
- 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*** Great British Car Show various shows throughout the year with discounts for Club members in their classics. See AHCN home page for more details.
- 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.
- ***NEW*** 4th May - Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show. No club stand so contact organisers direct at https://gawsworthhall.com/classic-car-show/
- 8th July - Churnet Valley Railway Breakfast Steam Train. Tickets need booked early from the venue website.
- 11th/12th July - Glamis Castle - Entry form is in but cancellations may make spaces available. Contact Ian Walker below for more details.
- 15th/16th July - Yorkshire Elegance. See main panel above or contact Jeff Hollinshead below for more details.
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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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Membership Renewal
Membership renewal season is upon us once more. We have a One-Click Renewal process available from the My Membership page. Simply select My Membership from the Members Area menu, sign into your Members' Area account if required, then you will be able to see the status of your membership.
If you pay by Direct Debit, there is nothing to do, other than check that your details are up to to date. If you normally pay online, you will see a button asking you to renew at the current renewal rate for your membership. If you wish to add or remove a joint member, click on the box above the button to see the other renewal options.
If you don't currently have a Members' Area account, you can register for one here or by clicking Register from the login page. In additon to seeing the status of your membership, a Members' Area account gives exclusive access to technical articles, discount codes, the members map and back issues of RevCounter.
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