2011 - 2015
Practical Classics Restoration Show 2015
The year began with the AJS Car Club attending the "Practical Classics Restoration & Classic Car Show" at the NEC Birmingham over 28 & 29 March 2015.
Situated on stand 4-330 the club's stand showcased Peter's D9 (under construction), Eddies' saloon (part way through restoration) and John & Moya's saloon. The stand generated a lot of interest not least because during the course of the weekend John & Martin (with a little help from Peter) replaced the clutch in John's car in situ.
A fabulous show with lots of interesting stands, well worth a return visit at some point, although to qualify for entry we will need somebody else's car to work on!!
AJS Rally 2015 - Usk
2015 and it was Richard's turn to organise our weekend which was based around the Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel in Llangybi, Usk over the weekend of the 10, 11 & 12 June 2015.
Most having arrived on Friday night, we assembled bright and early in our "period gear" for a route that took us north of Usk following the course of the River Usk into Brecon and the surrounding Beacons before skirting the fringes of Merthyr Valley and heading back into the Usk Valley.
After a coffee break on route at the Beaufort Arms we made our way to Brecon Cathedral for lunch at The Priory Tearooms & Restaurant. Continuing our journey, after a further 14 miles we began our ascent of the "Devils Elbow" , a brutal 1 mile hill climb rising from 284 metres to 451metres with an average 8% gradient including 2 switchbacks with amazing views down the valley and passing the Maen Llia an ancient standing stone 37 metres high.
Following this we all welcomed a stop at the Penderyn Distillery, the home of the award winning single Malt Whisky where we all enjoyed a tour of the premises and a much enjoyed tasting thereafter we returned to the Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel where in the evening we enjoyed our annual AGM with speeches from chairman Peter and Peter Stevens standing in for our president "Young Jim" who was unable to attend as he was in France with his son Andy.
Sunday, with much excitement we made our way to the Newport Transporter Bridge which crosses the River Usk in Newport. The bridge, Grade 1 listed is the lowest crossing on the River Usk, one of only 8 out of 20 built which remain in use worldwide A brief look around the visitors centre and we were back on the road, heading to Tredegar House, a 17th Century mansion, the home of the Morgan family now in the care of the National Trust.
Another fantastic day rounding off a brilliant weekend.
Piston & Props, Sywell Aerodrome 2015
2015 saw us end the year with a return trip to "Sywell Classic Piston & Props". Our stand this year showcased Peter's D9 and Caroline's Richmond saloon. As ever we attracted a good deal of interest over the weekend and attracted further publicity when a writer from "Vintage Roadcar - Vintage Racecar" wrote an article on our cars which was published in their December addition.
AJS Rally 2014 - Alcester, Warwickshire
This year it was Eddie and Mavis's turn to organise the AJS 9 Car Club's annual rally and they did a great job. The weekend, 11th, 12th & 13th July 2014 was based around the "Kings Court Hotel" at Alcester. Here we were looked after brilliantly with a seperate room set aside for meetings & evening meals.
On Saturday we all gathered at 9.15 a.m. for a short drive through some lovely countryside to Toddington Railway Station where we boarded the 11.10 a.m. G.W.R steam train to Cheltenham. After a really enjoyable train journey we arrived back at Toddington at 12.40 p.m. when we had the first "technical hitch" of the weekend when Barbara & Caroline's car would not start!! After some intensive "heads under bonnet" activity, thank you Martin, Philip, Ken and others and a jump start from Peter we were eventually back on the road and after lunch we returned to Alcester with a much needed cup of tea on route.
Back at the "Kings Court Hotel", Saturday evening and it was time for our annual AGM, another excellent meal and some inspiring speeches from our President "Young Jim" and Chairman Peter.
Sunday began with an interesting drive to Eddie & Mavis's where an AJS Technical/Club discussion took place. It also gave us the opportunity to see Eddie's car in its current state before the serious business of restoration begins.
We then took a drive to Jinney Ring Craft Centre where we all enjoyed lunch in pleasant surroundings before returning to the Kings Court Hotel for some rest and relaxation, another excellent meal and a few drinks before most left the following morning.
Photos of the 2014 AJS Rally - Alcester
For photographs of the rally click here.
Piston & Props, Sywell Aerodrome 2014
2014 was the first year that the club attended "Sywell Classic - Piston & Props" which took place at Sywell Aerodrome in Northampton over the weekend of 27 & 28 September 2014.
This is a fantastic event, in addition to numerous club stands representing a wide variety of classic cars, there is a sprint track down which Formula 1 cars, Group B Rally cars, Hot Rods, Dragsters and Motorcycles race throughout the weekend. Add to this a variety of breath taking aerial displays from a variety of classic planes & specialist acrobatics teams, vintage music, vintage fair, etc.
Pete & Suzi, Martin & Caroline arrived Friday night and set up the AJS pitch, a small marquee displaying AJS literature and memorabilia with Peter's AJS two seater and Caroline's saloon on display. The organisers of the event encourage participators to dress in period clothing with a "best dressed award" so on Saturday the four of us donned our "glad rags" and set the table for "afternoon tea". Pat & Bernard joined us for the day and had so much fun they returned the next day suitably attired.
A great time was had by all, although we failed to win any prizes!!
Click on the link below and catch a glimpse of us about 23 seconds in or just take a look at the photos which give a real flavour of the event.
Photos of Sywell Piston & Props 2014
For photographs of the club at Sywell Piston & Props 2014 click here
AJS Rally 2013 - Herefordshire
For the 20th anniversary of the AJS Car Club's first meeting we returned to Herefordshire. Chris, Gill, assisted by Jamie & Alice organised the weekend's activities which took place between 12 & 14 July 2013 based around the Old Court Hotel at Symonds Yat West.
Saturday saw members enjoy a gentle tour of South Herefordshire of about 65 miles through the level lanes of the Golden Valley returning over the Black Mountain - one steep hill and almost all downhill. This was followed by the Annual Dinner & AGM at the Old Court Hotel.
Sunday and we all enjoyed an all day exploration of the Forest of Dean area.
Another excellent weekend.
Photos of the 2013 AJS Rally - Herefordshire
For pictures of the rally click here
AJS Rally 2012 - The Peak District
When we were asked to arrange a Peak District rally for 2012 it was with great trepidation that we agreed having only been members of the club for a very short while. However an early start on arrangements ensured that the Yorkshire Bridge Inn was secured and routes duly planned, driven and written up.
We were now ready for anything (at least we thought we were. Then the weather descended (the second wettest year on record). As June passed by in a flurry of late April showers and July looked to suffer the same fateonly worse we became despondent. Then out of the blue the long range forecast foretold sun and more sun for our weekend, Hooray!! It did not disappoint and all four days were beautiful and sunny. In addition John and I saw parts of the Peak District we had never seen and in the very best company.
Saturday kicked off with a very special visit to the Dambusters museum at Derwent with a slight hiccup that we nearly lost Young Jim and family. Once we had all gained access to the museum we were treated to a talk and allowed to wander at will through the exhibits and hear interesting anecdotes about the dambuster pilots themselves.
There followed a picturesque but strenuous drive over Snake Pass and on to Hayfield for lunch. Buxton followed and a visit to Pooles Cavern and the Karst formations typical of Derbyshire limestone on offer. A return journey to the Inn was taken via Tideswell to give members a taste of what was to follow the next day in the Derbyshire Dales.
The dinner that evening was excellent as was all the food supplied by John Illingworth and his team. Everyone was very relaxed (even ourselves) and Jim made an eloquent speech.
Photos from 2012 AJS Rally - The Peak District
For photographs from Saturday of the AJS Car Club rally in the Peak District click here.
Sunday was the day for putting in the miles. We travelled through Hope Valley to Monsal Head. Everyone parked up and that was it, with a tearoom nearby and a superb view, there was no chance of moving anyone. Two hours later we managed to get everyone back on the road and headed for Crich Tramway museum for a visit and lunch.
With Chatsworth House in the distance, the tea rooms at Edenser were a hit with members as we had the place to ourselves with beautiful sunshine and gorgeous cake. Again we were reluctant to move on, but with an extremely picturesque drive ahead it was time to go. This time it was Caroline's turn to break down , but with the support team on hand we soon got her going again and what a drive over Fox House and down into Hathersage with amazing views yet again. The evening finished with another perfect meal and a sigh or two from us as we could now relax.
Monday morning saw us waving everyone off with the exception of Peter & Suzi who stayed on for the rest of the week and enjoyed more excellent weather. Would we do it again, of course we would!
Moya.
Photos from 2012 AJS Rally - The Peak District
For more photo's of Sunday click here
2011 Rally - Rushall, Norfolk
The eagerly awaited annual rally must have been one of the wettest on record, but this did nothing to dampen the spirits of all those who attended - some 30 odd souls in all with AJS cars the furthest travelled of which was "Dolly" which had been driven by Mark the entire journey from Cork. It was especially good to welcome our President "Young Jim" and
Saturday dawned with the first expedition. The first stop was for coffee at Langley Abbey a 12th century monastery the remains of which have been splendidly restored. Reedham Ferry followed with a ferry crossing over the River Yare in driving rain and some of the bleakest Norfolk weather imaginable.
Thence to Fairhaven for lunch which gave those who wished to explore the woodland walks and gardens and experience a trip on the private broad - again in somewhat damp conditions.
Spirits damp but still undaunted we resumed our journey through the villages of South Norfolk and headed for the museum of 100th Bomb Group close to the end of the day's expedition. This museum commemorates the presence of the USAAF Eighth Air Force at Thorpe Abbots airfield from 1942 to 1945. the museum spread across several buildings including the control tower and houses an impressive collection of memorabilia, personal records, photos and the like. Standing in the control tower it was possible, even today to visualise an aircraft appearing through the dusk which created a slightly eerie atmosphere.
The atmosphere lightened with the conviviality of the annual dinner/AGM held at the Half Moon on Saturday evening.
Notwithstanding the socialising of the previous evening everyone emerged on Sunday morning to embark on the second leg of the rally, the first stop of which was the Garrett Works at Leiston and in particular the Long Shop Museum. This stop gave a photo opportunity for a club line up.
We were given a short talk about the company and the Garrett family by whom it was founded over 200 years ago before making our way around the extensive displays of machinery and steam engines for which the works were famous. The recently renovated Grade II Long Shop now run by a charitable trust was the highlight of the visit as one of the first production lines for steam engines. The engineering fame of the family was matched by the fact that Elizabeth Garratt was the first woman doctor.
Leaving Leiston the convoy headed to the Eels Foot Inn for lunch and thence to a very grey beach stop at Dunwich with no temptation whatsoever to swim.
Two days packed with local interest and variety and without major mechanical incident failure culminated in a wonderful supper at our hosts. A great weekend over for another year - congratulations and thanks to Peter & Suzi for all their hard work and careful planning - only got lost twice!!!
Photographs of the 2011 AJS Rally
Click here to see photographs of the Norfolk Rally