30th July: Supper Run 28th March: Luncheon Run
On a dampish Friday evening 10 cars, mostly with driver and navigator gathered at the newly-opened Hardwick Country Park in Sedgefield to receive their instructions from the organisers of the Supper Run, Trevor and Kay Leighton. Clearly on receipt, members Grant Potter and partner Donna White had a little head-scratching before taking advice from daughter Macie who can be seen raring to go in Granddad Dennis's MGB GT. At a little under a year old she demonstrates much more confidence than the older members of the Centre.
Whilst a crow could have done the overhead trip of 9 miles in about 20 minutes, it took the rest of us 30 miles and about an hour and a half, but we all arrived safe and sound at Walworth Castle for a good nosh and natter.
Thanks go to Trevor and Kay for giving us a jolly good evening. 
13th June: The Prince Bishops Run
Sunday morning saw 32 cars assemble in the car park of Burger King at Clifton Moor Retail Park for the start of the Prince Bishops Run, commemorating the journey taken to Durham by the Bishops of old after their ordination at York Minster. This was an event of international proportions in its organisation. Peter and Sue Sewell, together with Dennis Hope determined the route, wrote it out on several sheets of paper then gave them to Chairman Peter Ebdon; Peter then went to Guyana on business, transferred all the details into Tulip instructions on his laptop then sent them to Barrie Hope for checking; after some corrections to village names Sheila and Barrie Hope then did the run, picking up one or two problems, including an impending road closure, corrected the route details and sent the revisions back to Guyana. Amazingly it all seemed to work out and it shows that when they behave, computers and the Internet can be wonderful things.
The weather forecast was not good, which was a shame as the previous day had been glorious. Nevertheless, Kelly Harrison, manager at Burger King and her 2 children Denise and Jake, did us proud by waving us all off with the Union Flag on the 105 miles to Durham via Richmond after we'd all had a cup of something hot and some even had bacon butties to help them on the way. The first picture shows George and Pat Harvey about to set off. As Kelly said afterwards, "We had a lovely morning and you made a little boy very happy". Perhaps we have a future recruit!
When we arrived at Richmond the sun was not shining much, and the picture gives enough evidence of that.
Owen and Pam Frankland suffered serious problems en route with their 1935 TA, usually very reliable, but without spare parts to fix the fuel pump Owen had to call it a day. He perhaps called it something else as well! They got home courtesy of the RAC and then came in their MGB GT to the finish at County Hall, where Gerald Breedon won the trophy for 'The Car To Take Home', his 1965 MG Midget being selected by Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council. The picture shows Gerald and Simon outside after the rain had stopped for a while.
It was a wet day mostly but spirits remained high and everyone seemed to have a thoroughly good time. The Centre is very grateful to all at York (Kelly and her children), Richmond (Gary Hudson, Head of Open Spaces) and Durham (Jan Hillary, Corporate Communications Manager, for organising the use of County Hall, with refreshments and Simon Henig for giving up his Sunday afternoon to judge the cars and present the trophy). Without their help and the provision of facilities life would be much more difficult. Jan really wanted to take home Brian Ireland's MGA, which he uses for racing, but he would have none of it. Having said that, he mentioned that when the heavens opened at the traffic lights, his wife Kath would have been happy to give the car away as it has no weather protection whatsoever. Still, Jan did get to have a little ride in the car, which brought the colour to her cheeks. 
4th - 6th June: MGLive! at Silverstone
The sun shone brightly for the journey to Silverstone on Friday 4th June. It got no cooler on the Saturday and for everyone from Tyne-Tees Centre the meeting was a great success. At least 20 of our members were spotted over the period of the 3 days.
Ian Lambley together with his son Chris and Duncan Johnson put together a Tyne-Tees team for the California Cup Autotest but unfortunately Ian's Midget died an early death and he had to withdraw as a team member. Nevertheless, son Chris went on to take a Class win in his ZR. The pictures show Chris and Duncan in their respective ZRs, although Duncan was driving Ian's daughter's ZR - not sure how much she was aware of that when she was on holiday! The group pictures show Duncan, Chris and Ian relaxing in the evening but when Ian became aware of what was on his left shoulder, he suddenly became a little tense!
After an absence of 2 years through illness, Brian Ireland returned to racing. Completing the full Grand Prix circuit, Brian modestly said "I only finished 25th out of 34 finishers" but it was the view of all of the TTC members watching that it was terrific achievement just to finish the race. Brian actually finished 4th in the MGA class. The picture shows him in the early tussles of racing on the Saturday.
On the Saturday evening many members congregated at the main marquee area and enjoyed a good meal and chat with lots of friends, old and new. The final picture shows from left, Gill Watson (husband John of Abingdon Works Centre had wandered off), Club Chairman John Day with his wife Janet, Barrie Hope (TTC Secretary) Lyn Ebdon (TTC Treasurer) and Peter Ebdon (TTC Chairman). Sheila Hope as ever, was behind the viewfinder.
21st May 2010
On a lovely sunny evening, 9 cars assembled at The Baydale Beck pub near Darlington for a Supper Run organised jointly by Steve Parker and Richard Harker. Steve and Richard had inserted a little twist into the evening by sending alternate cars off in opposite directions. The intention was to prevent some of the bunching we sometimes get when everyone goes by the same route. It worked, but not entirely - some obviously like to go a little faster than others so there was the inevitable mini-convoy. Nevertheless, it was an excellent circular run around roads from Darlington to Barnard Castle, finishing back at the starting point where we all ate heartily and as usual, had a jolly good natter. Well done Steve and Richard for giving us the runaround, and particularly from the Committee, thanks for taking some of the strain of organising events. When non-Committee members get involved like that it makes a huge difference.
The pictures below show the organising committee for the run, from left, Richard Harker, Steve Parker, Bill Marchant and Judith Parker - can't quite see if the lead is connected to a dog or Steve! The next picture shows member Donna White with partner and member Grant Potter. Grant's daughter Olivia is next to Donna with Grant and Donna's little daughter Macie, and Lynne Billingham in the background just looking away. Finally we have Grandad Dennis Hope proudly holding Macie, proving we cater for all ages. For those interested in such detail, we do get permission to show children on the microsite. 
25th April 2010: The Cobweb Run
It was a wet start - very wet - but were we downhearted? Certainly looked a bit like
it! 
Anyway, Brian Wright got on with setting them off - he's the one under the green umbrella with our Chairman Peter Ebdon under the pretty yellow one!
But would it get any better? Well some people don't mind what the weather throws at them and some cars always seem to have smiles on their faces!
You can see that by late morning things were getting drier and happier and at the finish, Pat Harvey had clearly enjoyed being given the run around by husband George in their B Roadster.
On the FBHVC Drive-it Day we held the second running of The Cobweb Run. Last year we were still in the process of building up membership and activities but this year saw us fill all 50 available spaces well before the date, indicating that we are still improving. Peter and Lyn Ebdon’s excellent Route Book took us all on an 85-mile round trip from Brocksbushes Farm near Corbridge where some of us enjoyed early morning bacon butties, to return for afternoon tea and we all gathered round to hear the result of the 'best car' competition. A regular visitor to our Centre, John Watson from Abingdon Works Centre who came with his wife Gill, together with our own Brian Wright chose the car they would like to take home. The lucky deserving winner was Ken Armstrong with his super MGC GT, shown below with his 2 sons Connor and James.
When it was time to go Helen Camsell was interested in MGCC member David Rawlinson's dog, whilst partner Martin Rodgers was more interested in David's TR. Whatever the interests of those taking part there was no doubt that everyone had a splendid day out.
Our first mini-run of the season was a new venture for us with a Luncheon Run organised by
Dennis Hope. The idea was to extend our season a little by arranging a run for a Sunday lunch
time rather than the normal supper runs on a Friday evening later in the year when the light is better. Without a doubt, the event was a success with 10 cars and 20 people enjoying a lovely
run of 35 miles from The Manor House to the Jersey Farm Hotel near Barnard Castle where we
all enjoyed a super carvery lunch and a jolly good natter. The pictures show some of our
members and their cars taking part.
Stannington Natter, 16th March
David Rawlinson set a very interesting quiz for the 14 other members and one guest to stir their collective grey matter with general knowledge, current affairs and motoring. We were delighted to welcome Ged Seagrave to his first natter and he brought new member Bryce Edwards and friend Pat Docherty. Bryce had only that morning sent off his membership application form to Kimber House.
3rd March, Great North Air Ambulance Service
At our 2009 Dinner Dance we raised the excellent sum of £610 from a raffle, with prizes donated by members and companies and in December our Chairman Peter Ebdon presented a cheque for that amount to Janet Hume, Fund Manager for the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Janet promised to come and talk to us at one of our Natters and on 3rd March that promise was fulfilled, when 30 members and 2 guests settled down to hear the story of GNAAS.
With colleague Robert, Janet gave us a picture and video presentation of some of the rescues they have made. Whilst making it all sound straightforward and ordinary, the video showing a helicopter ‘landing’ on Striding Edge in the Lake District, with its front wheels hovering off the ground, proved that it was anything but. Similarly, a helicopter setting down in the narrow High Street of Berwick must have had shopkeepers thinking someone had fitted air conditioning without their knowledge, so close were the blades to the buildings.
Janet explained that they operated solely on donations from the public and many organisations. Whilst this gave them independence it meant that they were forever in the debt, and the pockets, of so many people who continued to give so generously. Whilst we could not match the previous cheque we had given in December, Barrie Hope in thanking Janet and Robert, was able to hand over a further cheque for £55 from people who had been unable to attend our Dinner Dance but wished to show their appreciation for the work of the GNAAS. Brave but modest people.
When it was all over we tucked into a meal and continued with our usual good old natter. It was a splendid evening without doubt and we hope to raise more money for GNAAS in 2010, with the sincere hope that we never need the Service but will be safe in the knowledge that we will be in good hands if we do.
Saturday, 20th February, Visit to Heritage Classics, Middlesbrough
Sixteen of our Centre's members were treated to a feast of classic cars undergoing surgery at the premises of Heritage Classics in Middlesbrough. Owner John Collins kindly allowed us to see the range of work he and his team can perform on cars in all sorts of conditions. There were E-Types, Morse-type Jags, a Mark IX, an Aston Martin DB6, even a comparatively lowly Wolseley 1500 and several shells in store that had us guessing what they might be . If anyone has doubts as to whether their precious car can be brought back to original, probably better, then a visit to see John is a must. Such work does not come cheaply, but as many of us know who have had cars restored, we make such decisions with the heart and worry about the wallet later.
Not only did we enjoy seeing what could be done, John's wife kindly provided us all with a hot sausage butty and tea or coffee. At the end of the visit, Barrie Hope gave a vote of thanks to John and presented him with a smalltoken of an Old Speckled Hen glass - with a bottle to enjoy when he got home. The picture shows our members ready to hit the road home to various parts of the region. Some had travelled well over 60 miles and saidit was well worth the trip.)
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AGM February 2010
Overseas Director Paul Plummer joined members of the Tyne-Tees Centre for their Annual
General Meeting on 3rd. February at The Manor House in West Auckland. In spite of snow
falling before the meeting startedthere was a good turn-out with 20 members, 3 guests and
of course our special guest Paul Plummer. The picture below shows Paul looking nice and snug
inside his new TT Centre fleece presented to him by Chairman Peter Ebdon.
The meeting was conducted in exceptionally good spirits, with members expressing
great satisfaction at the varied programme that had been provided for 2009. The general
view was that the Centre continued to thrive with an even more varied programme for 2010.
The Committee offered itself for re-election with the exception of retiring Membership
Secretary Donald Dalton, whose role was taken over by recent new Committeemember
Martin Rodgers, already doing the job of Publicity Officer. Chairman Peter Ebdon expressed
the gratitude of the whole Committee for Donald's work in helping the Centre to continue its
growth. In his comments at the close of the meeting, Paul Plummer light-heartedly (although
not too light) set Martin the task of breaking the growth record for the coming year. Full
details of all the Committee will appear soon in an updated page.
After the conclusion of the meeting everyone tucked into a buffet and enjoyed a jolly good
natter and the Committee went home satisfied that even with the challenges ahead, there
was good reason for optimism.
