2022 Newsletters

August 2022

It has been a great month for the car shows with warm (sometimes hot) sunny days which meant the ice cream stands did a roaring trade. We had a good mix of marks and colours on the stands for Powderham, Wadebridge Wheels and the Torbay Old Wheels/Riviera Classic with lots of interest from the visiting public. Hopefully as a result of the good PR we will be welcoming more new members in the near future. Thanks to everyone who organised the events and helped to make the days a success.

FUTURE EVENTS

Wednesday 3rd August Meal and Social at Greendale Farm Shop
Thanks Pete for organising last month’s event.

Tuesday 9th August Club Night at the Swan’s Nest, Exminster
Come along and enjoy the excellent food and friendly atmosphere..

Sunday 21st August Breakfast Meet at Pitstop, Marsh Barton
Work commitments, holidays etc mean that once again there will be low attendance this month.

Sunday 11th September 2022 MX-5 National Rally at Sywell Aerodrome
Your Rally access pass will be included with your August Soft Top Hardtop Magazine and will be required to access the event. We hope to fly our area flag in the club area display and it promises to be a great day out. We are intending to travel up and stay for a couple of nights in the area so please contact us if you are interested in joining us.

FORTHCOMING CAR SHOWS

All entries are now closed but please come along and visit our stand if you are in the area
Sunday 28th August Chanters Carnival Classics
Sunday 4th September Rotary Saltram Classic Car Show


Martyn's Mk 1 is featured this month

A very enjoyable day at Powderham

THE LITTLE RED CHARITY CAR

During the month of July a total of £220 was raised and St Margaret’s Hospice and Brain Tumour Support (Thornbury) have each received £110. A massive thank you goes to everyone who gave so generously and Trevor for your hard work organising the charity car.

My very early Mark 1 by Martyn Gannon.

G14 is a 1600cc, Classic Red 1990 Eunos Roadster manufactured in April of that year and imported into the UK in July 1999. It is currently shown on the G register at number 145 by age.

I purchased it 15 years ago and still enjoy driving it as much as ever, however it is now only used in summer as I have a mk3.75 for daily use.

During my ownership it has proved very reliable and only had a small area of rust repaired, the major repairs were a replacement gearbox 10 years ago and recently an engine oil leak, not bad for100000 miles and 33 years old.

It has attended numerous club and other classic motor shows and will continue to do so.


Please remember to send us any items for inclusion in the newsletter before the end of each month and your MX-5 photographs and comments are very welcome, we love to feature them in the newsletter, magazine and emails!

Steve & Teresa Bishop

Area Coordinators South West

MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

July 2022

FUTURE EVENTS

Sunday 3rd July Breakfast at Blackdown Garden Centre
Drive afterwards, details on the day.

Wednesday 6th July Meal and Social at Greendale Farm Shop


Tuesday 12th July Club Night at the Swan’s Nest, Exminster
There was good attendance at our first club night in June with several new members in attendance and the conversation was flowing. We have managed to secure a discount for those wanting a carvery meal and the cost will now be £12.00 per person.

Sunday 17th July Breakfast Meet at Pitstop, Marsh Barton
We will be on our club stand at Wadebridge Wheels Show along with the Cornish Fives so attendance at Pitstop is likely to be low again.
The South Wales Area will be visiting Haynes Motor Museum on the same day. Please contact southwales@mx5oc.co.uk if you would like to join them.


FORTHCOMING CAR SHOWS

All entries are now closed but please come along and visit our stand at:

  • Saturday and Sunday 9th and 10th July Powderham Historic Vehicle Gathering

  • Sunday 17th July Wadebridge Wheels 2022

  • Saturday 23rd July Mid Devon Show

  • Sunday 24th July Torbay Old Wheels Car Show

  • Sunday 28th August Chanters Carnival Classics

  • Sunday 4th September Rotary Saltram Classic Car Show


NATIONAL EVENTS CALENDAR

Sunday 11th September 2022 MX-5 National Rally at Sywell Aerodrome
We hope to be flying our area flag in the club area display and it promises to be a great day out. We are intending to travel up and stay for a couple of nights in the area so please contact us if you are interested in joining us. More information to follow soon.

9 July 2022 - The MX-5 Breakfast - British Motor Museum

26 - 28 August 2022 - The Classic, Silverstone Circuit

11 - 13 November 2022 - Classic Motor Show, NEC

North Wales in June fantastic roads and fantastic weather

News and Photo Finish!

Please remember to send us any items for inclusion in the newsletter before the end of each month and your MX-5 photographs and comments are very welcome, we love to feature them in the newsletter, magazine and emails!

Last Word

It is with sadness we update you that Local member Steve Budd has lost his brave battle with illness. Steve was known to many of you and an active club member for many years, he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of being in his company. Our thoughts and condolences go to his wife, Trish and family.

Steve & Teresa Bishop
Area Coordinators South West
MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

June 2022

On Monday 23rd May 2022, Team MX5’s Driving Out Cancer began their drive from Lands End on their first day’s drive to John O Groats. A group of friends wanted to shout out their message loud and clear… MX5’s are Driving Out Cancer. Each of them wanted to make a difference and their target was to raise £20,000.

After a steady drive up from Lands End we met the group of ten cars at Sourton Services on the A30 and drove with them to Honiton where they were warmly welcomed by some of our members. Trevor handed over £227.50 which had been collected over the last few weeks. After a short lunch break the group, accompanied by two of our members, then set off to drive via Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury to the Cheddar Gorge where they would be staying in a nearby hotel before starting the next leg of their journey. Unfortunately we did not have confirmation that the run was going ahead until after May’s email had been sent out but you can still make a donation by clicking the link below.

MX-5 Driving Out Cancer

One at a time please!

FUTURE EVENTS

Tuesday 14th June Club Night at the Swan’s Nest, Exminster
We look forward to seeing you all.
Sunday 19th June Breakfast Meet at Pitstop, Marsh Barton
Holiday commitments and other engagements mean that the attendance is likely to be low but the cafe is open and you will be made welcome
Sunday 3rd July Breakfast at Blackdown Garden Centre
Drive afterwards, details on the day.
Saturday and Sunday 9th and 10th July Powderham Historic Vehicle Gathering
Entries are now closed but please come and visit us on the club stand

Sunday 17th July Haynes Motor Museum Visit
The South Wales MX-5 Owners Club are organising this event and the Western area will also be joining them. Our area has also been invited to go along. Please contact southwales@mx5oc.co.uk to obtain more information and register your interest.

National Events

Sunday 11th September 2022 MX-5 National Rally at Sywell Aerodrome
We will be flying our area flag in the club area display and it promises to be a great day out. We are intending to travel up and stay for a couple of nights in the area so please contact us if you are interested in joining us. More information to follow soon.

  • 9 July 2022 - The MX-5 Breakfast - British Motor Museum

  • 26 - 28 August 2022 - The Classic, Silverstone Circuit

  • 11 - 13 November 2022 - Classic Motor Show, NEC

PAST EVENTS

Breakfast Meet at the Bluebell Cafe, Willand on Sunday 15th May.

We were able to spend time getting to know some new members as well as our regulars. We then drove via Tiverton to Crediton Tesco for a comfort stop and some of us then enjoyed coffee and cake at Bow Garden Centre.

Spring Rally on Sunday 8th May
We enjoyed the run up with some of our members and also the Cornish Fives to the Atwell Wilson Motor Museum at Calne. The sun shone all day and it was an excellent opportunity to socialise with members from other areas. The museum was very interesting and well worth a visit.

Breakfast Jumble at Buckfastleigh on Sunday 22nd May
The day started off well with breakfast at the Forest Diner and the weather was excellent. The autojumble at Buckfastleigh was busy and a run up to Widecombe was a perfect end to the day. Thank you Jack for organising a full day.

Breakfast at Jonesy’s, Winkleigh on Sunday 29th May
This turned out to be a popular event and Gareth and his team did an excellent job providing breakfast for us all. A great drive to Hartland Point and a run along to Bideford for a short stop followed. A few members finished off with tea and cake at Tapeley Park before driving home. Thank you Tony and Pat for organising the run. We hope to return to Jonesy’s soon.

News and Photo Finish!

Please remember to send us any items for inclusion in the newsletter by the end of each month and your MX-5 photographs are very welcome, we love to feature them in the newsletter, magazine and emails!

We look forward to seeing you soon

Steve & Teresa Bishop

Area Coordinators : South West

MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

May 2022

There is still time to book your tickets for the SPRING RALLY on Sunday 8th May.

The event will be held at the Atwell Wilson Museum in the village of Calne in Wiltshire. The Event is free for members of the MX-5 Owners Club and priced at £15 per car (max 2 passengers) for non Members.

We will be leaving Cartgate Picnic Area at 9.00am and the drive should take just over an hour. Please let us know if you'll be joining us.

Dates for your Diary - Forthcoming events

Breakfast Meet at the Bluebell Cafe, Willand on Sunday 15th May.
Drive afterwards to Tiverton

Breakfast Jumble at Buckfastleigh on Sunday 22nd May

Breakfast at Jonesys, Winkleigh on Sunday 29th May
Drive afterwards to Hartland

Club Night on Tuesday 14th June at the Swan’s Nest, Exminster
This will now become our regular monthly evening meeting.
We look forward to seeing you all.

Breakfast Meet at Pitstop, Marsh Barton on Sunday 19th June
This will be our regular monthly venue for the foreseeable future

Breakfast at Blackdown Garden Centre on Sunday 3rd July
Drive afterwards, details on the day.

POWDERHAM HISTORIC VEHICLE GATHERING 9th and 10th JULY
We are able to extend the deadline for entries until Thursday 5th May
Please contact us if you wish to have your car on the club stand.

Full details of all the above events can be found on the website

The Little Red Charity Car
The draw was carried out at the April Pitstop Meeting and Dennis and Sue’s charity was drawn out. The Devon Air Ambulance will receive a £50 donation. Thank you Trevor and all those who have contributed.

Steve and Teresa Bishop
Area Coordinators South West
MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

April 2022

It is good that Covid restrictions have now been lifted although we have to be mindful that there are still many cases being recorded. The recent warm weather gave us a welcome boost and we are looking forward to many chances to get out and about with the roof down.


Upcoming Dates for your Diary

Please could you let the organisers know if you are attending any of the South West Area events.


Tuesday 5th April

From 6.00pm

Social and meal at Toby Lympstone. Please note Booking essential.

(Thanks Pete for organising the March meal)


Sunday 17th April
From 9.00am, Breakfast meet at Pitstop Exeter

Sunday 8th May - MX-5 Spring Social
(This event is definitely going to take place and it looks as though it will be held in Wiltshire. Please keep checking the South West website for details and we will send out an email asap)

Sunday 15th May
From 9.30am Breakfast Meet at The Blue Bell Cafe & Restaurant, Willand

Sunday 22nd May
Breakfast Jumble at Buckfastleigh

Sunday 29th May
Breakfast at Jonesy's Cafe

Saturday & Sunday 9th & 10th July
Powderham Historic Vehicle Gathering
Closing date for entries and fees 1st May so contact us soon to book your space

Sunday 24th July
Torbay Old Wheels Car Show, Paignton Green
£7.50 per car. Please email Jack as soon as possible if you wish to attend jaspink63@hotmail.co.uk.


Please see South West Diary for all event details
If you have got a great idea for a run or activity please go to the New Event Form on the Website and we will schedule it into the Club Calendar!

Everyone enjoyed a lovely meal at the Riverside Inn Cheddar

Who is this in the mirror ?

RECENT EVENTS

Sunday 13th March Meet & Greet - Blackdown Garden Centre, Wellington

The morning was well attended and we had a reserved area for everyone to circulate and eat breakfast.

The members who filled in a questionnaire indicated that they would like to meet up every month for breakfast or lunch, mainly on Sundays and hopefully we will be able to arrange some events in the area in the coming months.

Trevor then led a run up to Blue Anchor and we enjoyed refreshments in one of the cafes overlooking the beach. John, a new member, drew out Trevor and Denise’s number from the Little Red Car so £50 will be sent to their chosen charity, Motor Neurone Disease. Thank you to all who have so generously contributed. We are happy to add some more charities to the list, so please let us have your charity choice next time we see you at an event.


Wednesday 16th March - Run to Cheddar

Thank you Pete and Ros for organising the drive to Cheddar and an excellent lunch. Despite the rain everyone enjoyed the day.


Sunday 20th March - Blue Bell Cafe & Restaurant, Willand

A good mix of old and new members attended. The cars looked good lined up in the car park with a good blend of colours and all the marks represented. Everyone enjoyed a good selection of reasonably priced breakfasts and agreed that it is a good venue. The owners are happy to have us back and we have been promised a larger reserved area next time we visit. Nita then led us on a leisurely sunny drive through some quiet roads and the spring flowers were in abundance along the grass verges. Our next stop was at the Otter Valley Ice Cream and Field Kitchen near Honiton and the difficult choice of which of the many ice cream flavours to choose. A few members then continued their journey to Otterton Mill for a welcome cup of tea and look around the mill and shop before dispersing.


News and Photo Finish!

Please remember to send us any items for inclusion in the newsletter by the end of each month and your MX-5 photographs are very welcome, we love to feature them in the newsletter, magazine and emails!

National MX-5 Meeting dates for your diary
11 - 12 June 2022 - Thruxton Historic
23 - 26 June 2022 - Goodwood Festival Of Speed
9 July 2022 - The MX-5 Breakfast - British Motor Museum
26 - 28 August 2022 - The Classic, Silverstone Circuit
11 September 2022 - MX-5 Owners Club National Rally
11 - 13 November 2022 - Classic Motor Show, NEC

Please contact us if you are going to attend or planning to organise a trip to any of the above events.

Steve & Teresa Bishop
Area Coordinators South West
MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

March 2022

We have a few important changes for the diary in March and full details are on the Club website. The weather is improving so hopefully we will get to see more of you out and about!

Upcoming Dates for your Diary

Events marked with * - please could you let us know if you are attending.

Sunday 13th March*

Meet & Greet - Blackdown Garden Centre, Wellington - From 10.30am

We would like you to come along and help plan future activities in the Wellington/Taunton/Bridgwater area.

Sunday 20th March*

Blue Bell Cafe & Restaurant, Willand - From 9.30am

Pitstop in Exeter is closed for 3 weeks in March, this is an ideal opportunity to try out more suitable venues as an occasional/permanent meeting place.


Sunday 3rd April*

Breakfast Meet at Toby Exeter, Middlemoor, Exeter - From 9.30am

This could be another alternative to Pitstop.


Tuesday 5th April

From 6.00pm

Social and meal at Toby Lympstone. Please note Booking essential


Sunday 17th April

From 9.00am

Breakfast meet at Pitstop Exeter


Powderham Historic Vehicle Gathering, 9th & 10th July

Closing date for entries and fees 1st May

Please see South West Diary for all event details

If you have got a great idea for a run or activity please click on the link below and go to the New Event Form and we will schedule it into the Club Calendar!

Trevor's 30th Anniversary edition gleaming in the February sunshine outside Pitstop.

Members visited the Exe Valley Farm Shop after the Pitstop breakfast meeting.

National MX-5 Meeting dates for your diary

18 - 20 March 2022 - NEC Restoration Show

8 May - MX-5 Spring Social (Details coming soon)

11 - 12 June 2022 - Thruxton Historic

23 - 26 June 2022 - Goodwood Festival Of Speed

9 July 2022 - The MX-5 Breakfast - British Motor Museum

26 - 28 August 2022 - The Classic, Silverstone Circuit

11 September 2022 - MX-5 Owners Club National Rally

11 - 13 November 2022 - Classic Motor Show, NEC

Please contact us if you are intending to attend or organise a trip to any of the above events.


News and Photo Finish!

Please remember to send us any items for inclusion in the newsletter by the end of each month and your MX-5 photographs are very welcome, we love to feature them in the newsletter, magazine and emails!

Click here to go to the South West area forum


Steve & Teresa Bishop

Area Coordinators South west

MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

18th February 2022

2022 Show Calendar

A quick reminder that our PITSTOP BREAKFAST MEET is this Sunday 20th February , look forward to seeing you there!!

We also now have some firm dates for many of the local car shows this year and we have been busy making applications to the show organisers, so far we can confirm that there will be South West Area stands at the following events:

  • Powderham Historic Vehicle Gathering, 9th & 10th July

  • Wadebridge Wheels, 17th July 2022

  • Mid Devon Show, 23th July

  • Chanters Carnival Classics, 28th August

We are just waiting on some details for the Wadebridge event, but details for all the other events are now on our Area website

Other Car Show Dates for 2022

Club Members will also be attending some of the shows listed below.

Club stands are not always permitted at some shows and if you are interested in attending any of these it will be best to book directly with the show organisers (search for event websites and social pages) also see our forum for any details of members posting about attending, or we can also put you in touch with any others we know going.

  • South Zeal Classic Car & Bike Show, 26th March.

  • Abbey Hill Steam Rally, 29th April - 2nd May

  • Blue Ball Classic Car Show, 26th June

  • Honiton Hill Rally, 29th August

Steve & Teresa Bishop
Area Coordinators South West
MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

2nd February 2022

It has been quite a quiet month but we are now one month closer to Spring and roof down driving.

2022 Dates for your Diary

Sunday 20th February, Breakfast Meet - Pitstop Exeter

Tuesday 1st March , Social and Meal - Toby Carvery Lympstone

Sunday 13th March, Meet & Greet - Blackdown Garden Centre, Wellington. We have already had some positive feedback and an indication that you will be coming along will be useful.

Sunday 20th March, Breakfast Meet - Pitstop Exeter

Wednesday 23th March, Car run to Cheddar Gorge (now fully booked)

Sunday 3rd April, Breakfast Meet - Toby Carvery Exeter, Rydon Lane, Middlemoor, Exeter

MX-5 Spring Social 8th May. Details of the venue expected very soon, but please save the date.

MX-5s Driving Out Cancer - Lands End to John O'Groats 22nd May. The team are due to arrive in Honiton at 12.30pm, and their route will then take them via Glastonbury, Wells and Cheddar. We hope to join them at various meeting points and will post more detailed information next month.


23/05/2022 Start from Lands End

27/05/2022 Arrive at John o' Groats

£9,612 Raised so far Our aim is to raise £20,000.

Past Events

Thursday 27th January Lunch - Greendale Farm Shop

The lunch was very successful with a good choice of food and a chance to look round the farm shop and make a few purchases. Thank you Murray and Anette for organising the event, everyone agreed it would be good to meet there again.

Tuesday 1st February Social and Meal - Toby Carvery Lympstone

Thank you Pete for organising the event.

National MX-5 Meeting dates for your diary

  • 18 - 20 March 2022 - NEC Restoration Show

  • 8 May - MX-5 Spring Social

  • 11 - 12 June 2022 - Thruxton Historic

  • 23 - 26 June 2022 - Goodwood Festival Of Speed

  • 9 July 2022 - The MX-5 Breakfast - British Motor Museum

  • 26 - 28 August 2022 - The Classic, Silverstone Circuit

  • 11 September 2022 - MX-5 Owners Club National Rally

  • 11 - 13 November 2022 - Classic Motor Show, NEC

News and Photo Finish!

Please remember to send us any items for inclusion in the newsletter by the end of each month and your MX-5 photographs are very welcome, we love to feature them in the newsletter, magazine and emails!

We look forward to seeing you soon

Steve and Teresa Bishop
Area Coordinators South West
MX-5 OWNERS CLUB

January 2022

Welcome to 2022! We hope you enjoyed the festive season and that you are now looking forward to meeting up again and also organising events throughout the year.

We are seeking your help. We know there are many members living in the TA postcode area and along the north coast. Regular Area meetings in the past have tended to be in the south of the county and we hope that we can also extend to also set up a regular meet somewhere towards the Wellington/Taunton area.

We are seeking your suggestions to help explore for suitable venues for a meeting point there to help better serve members further afield from our more traditional meet points. We plan to initially set up a “Meet and Greet” event to look a some of the suggestions and try to gauge the level of interest and determine frequency for a meeting.

We hope to see some of you at the introductory event (see the date below) but please feel free to contact us by email beforehand for an informal chat.

2022 Dates for your Diary

  • Sunday 16th January Breakfast Meet - Pitstop, Exeter

  • Thursday 27th January Lunch - Greendale Farm Shop, Nr Exeter

  • Tuesday 1st February Social and Meal - Toby Carvery Lympstone

  • Sunday 20th February Breakfast Meet - Pitstop Exeter

  • Sunday 13th March** Meet & Greet - Blackdown Garden Centre, Wellington

  • Wednesday 23th March Car run to Cheddar Gorge

Please also see the website diary for full details.

Which way?

Widecombe after December Pitstop

National MX-5 Meeting dates for your diary

  • 18 - 20 March 2022 - NEC Restoration Show

  • 8 May - MX-5 Spring Social

  • 11 - 12 June 2022 - Thruxton Historic

  • 23 - 26 June 2022 - Goodwood Festival Of Speed

  • 9Th July 2022 - The MX-5 Breakfast - British Motor Museum

  • 26 - 28 August 2022 - The Classic, Silverstone Circuit

  • 11Th September 2022 - MX-5 Owners Club National Rally

  • 11 - 13 November 2022 - Classic Motor Show, NEC

Take us with you on a Journey!

Your Club thrives on Members planning and leading runs and events. As your Club coordinators we are here to support you to help bring your favourite drives, experiences and trips to other MX-5 Owners in the South west and we'd love to encourage you to bring forward ideas to help organise trips or something else that other members might enjoy.

If you have got a great idea for an activity please click on the link below to fill in the New Event Form and we will help schedule it in to the Club Calendar and promote to members.

News and Photo Finish!

Please remember to send us any items for inclusion in the newsletter by the end of each month and your MX-5 photographs are very welcome, we love to feature them in the newsletter, magazine and emails!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Steve & Teresa Bishop

Area Coordinators South West

MX-5 OWNERS CLUB