Torque of the North - April 2026
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
With your Editor and Reporter out in the Cheshire lanes last week, testing the Drive It Day route, we were blessed with “hood down” weather. Let’s hope April the 26th brings us a bit of sun, check out the list later and sign up NOW. Also explore the list of Healey events planned over the summer, loads to do and see... don’t leave it too late, stuff is booking up fast.
Out and About in March
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Great to see our cars exploring the local countryside - especially in March. A brace of 100s at the Barnshaw Smithy café (is that Ivor?), a tanked up 3000 at Wincle and Sprites at Bolton Abbey & Calton Hill. Your Chairman is offering a prize for the Healey in the most curious location, contributions to Doug.
Technical Help and Toolbox reminder
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It takes a bit of knowledge and a dollop of confidence to start those jobs that need doing yourself, rather than finding a garage. Remember the Northern Centre has two fabulous assets:
- Firstly, Dave Sinclair, our resident Healey technical expert who is happy to offer advice on all things mechanical or otherwise on your Healey. Contact Dave on the Northern Centre Website: AHCN - Technical Advice
- Secondly, we have some fantastic tools available to lend to members, from wire wheel cones (balancing wire wheels) to an engine boroscope (look inside the engine) and loads more. Tool loan is free to members; just a deposit and postage to pay. Go to the Northern Centre Website for the full list: Tools
May Bank Holiday Weekend Maestro
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This year's May Bank Holiday Weekend is fully booked & ready to go in the beautiful South Lakes. Sadly, this the final time Paul and Jacqui Johnson will be running this amazing event; after 8 fantastic years they have decided its time to retire. We are indebted to Paul & Jacqui for all their hard work, most of it unseen, they’ll now be able to enjoy future events stress free!
However, this leaves us with a huge hole in our MBHW team and so we are looking for a volunteer to lead & manage our 2027 event. Clearly, there are many members who help out, so it’s a team approach, you’d not be on your own. Interested? or want more information, call Doug on (Mobile: 07947313947) or email: chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk
Membership Renewal
It’s that (membership renewal) time! Make it quick and easy ( follow the notes at the end of this newsletter) and renew on-line OR by direct debit. Don’t forget to read the covering letter with your April RevCounter...
Events
Wednesday 8th April - Scottish Coffee and Classics
This is the first official Northern Centre car event of the year and so this is a great opportunity to test and discuss those little projects and repairs that you have completed over the winter. 10:30 at Park Bistro, Park Farm, Linlithgow, EH49 6QY. The coffee and classics run throughout the year at various locations which are listed below. No need to book, just show and tell. Keep an eye on the Scottish WhatsApp group for details of runs to and from the meets.
Sunday 9th August - Grange-over-Sands - Booking now Open
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Back again in lovely Grange-over-Sands on Sunday 9th August, as usual, great weather has been booked, entries opened last week and event is already half full! So go to classicsoversands.org, entries cost £8 per car, after costs all proceeds go to charity. Contact Phil on: classicsoversands.org@gmail.com
26th 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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Just a month to go to the FBHVC Drive It Day and we are at the final stages of planning. It's a 9:45 start at the Lambing Shed in Knutsford for a bacon butty and a cuppa (pay as you dine) before a cracking drive around the South West Cheshire countryside on an all new 65 mile run that picks out the very best of the lanes and backwaters. Finish at the Tollemache Arms around 1pm for a bespoke Lasagne, Garlic bread, salad & chips lunch, for just £16, in a reserved dining area (Vegetarian option available). 11 cars signed up already with room for 5 more cars. We will need to notify the pub of exact numbers by the 12th so let me know as soon as possible as we may need to close for entries by then. Let Doug know if you are joining us on Whatsapp, on chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk or 07940313947.
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. The route is 99 miles and heads west from Tanfield out into Weardale before heading north and up towards the Tyne Valley before returning east and finishing at Brockbushes Farm Shop. A lunch halt is scheduled at Allendale, but you may also wish to pack a picnic lunch. First car will be away at 09.45hrs.
Often oversubscribed, so contact Murray Shand now, see below, for an entry form.
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/
Due to the numbers of Healeys that have booked so far, including a team from Eastern, the owner, Rupert, has invited the club to set up a stand again at this year’s show so go ahead and make your own booking and then advise Jonathan Pilkington, jonathan.pilkington@ahc-northern.org.uk that you are attending.
Sat & Sun 6th / 7th June - TATTON
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This is the Premier Cheshire Car Show that gets the Full Monty and always draws the crowds. Limited places on the club stand so get your request for tickets to Mike Stonier, see below, early to secure your place on the Saturday, Sunday or both.
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. Seats sell quickly and Churnet Valley Railway cannot guarantee we will all sit together the nearer to the event that 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. BOOK NOW it’s a lovely day out!
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 truly spectacular. More details will follow closer to the time but to join the reserve list for 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. Latest: Fully booked on the 15th with a reserve list. 3/4 Spaces available on the 16th.
Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend - Sun 2nd August
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After some doubts 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!
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
Full listing at AHCN - Coming Events Calendar
SCOTLAND (CENTRAL) - 2nd Wednesday of the month (Apr-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 |
- ***NEW*** Cheshire Golden Pheasant Noggin Back to our usual evening Noggin time of 19:30 for April.
- 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
- 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 Cheshire Drive It Day. Bacon Buttie, Cheshire Lanes and Lunch at the Tollemache Arms. Contact Doug on 07940 313947.
- Sun 26th Apr - FBHVC 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 - FBHVC 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. Club stand now so contact organisers direct at https://gawsworthhall.com/classic-car-show/ and let Jonathan know you are coming.
- ***NEW*** 6th/7th June Tatton Park Classics and Performance cars. Contact Mike Stonier below nice and early to reserve your ticket.
- 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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