Northumbrian

February 2016

Encountered on the January club

run - Mustang owners club?

www.mgnorthumbria.org

Chairmans Chat

Welcome to my February Chat.

In the last newsletter we had to inform you about Jonathan Bayliss' ill health.
Unfortunately soon after going to print we learnt that he died on 10 January.
Twelve members were at the Newcastle Crematorium on 25th January to celebrate his life. Poems and tributes were read by family and friends before we left
to the sound of Chuck Berrys song Johnny B Goode. Read more elsewhere in
this newsletter.
On a happier note we started the year with a Saturday run from the Wicker
Chair Cafe on Stamfordham Road to Daniels Farm in Wylam, both excellent
venues. Over the years we have often met cyclists, sheep, horses but this was
the first time Ive heard of our run running into a hunt. I missed it as I had gone
ahead to take photos. These are on the website and dont forget to send any photos you want added to me and Dave Stokoe, then you will be in with a chance
for the photo competition.
The Car Show organising group met for the first time and were given a presentation by Phil Kirkland based on his experience with the Stocksfield Festival.
We will have to do many things differently to meet the Council's requirements
but we have made a start.
Taking on board comments received about some of the organisations that have
received funding in recent years the Committee is going to review the criteria
used.
Have a great or even lovely month

Tim Cook
2

17

Dont despair!
The newsletter is glad to dispel rumours
that, following the publication of his article
on his trip to Malta in Enjoying MG, Tim
Cook has been offered a six figure contract to write a weekly column for a national Sunday newspaper.
He will therefore be able to continue his
duties as chairman as normal.

16

Jonathan Bayliss 1944 - 2016

Before his retirement Jonathan was an Engineer living in Leamington Spa and only moved to the north east following the death
of his wife, Merle. Many of us may have noticed his number
plate MGB but while he did love the marque and had an
MGC, these letters were his wife's initials.
He had three children but in 2014 chose to move to Gosforth to
be near his daughter as the alternatives were the USA with eldest son, ruled out as too far, or London with his youngest son,
ruled out as too noisy.
As we know Jonathan enjoyed his MG and his beer, although it
was pointed out not at the same time, as well as being a keen
walker and cyclist. He also volunteered at Cramlington CAB.
While visiting his son in the States in October last year he had
his first stroke but was out on his bike within days visiting breweries and the annual beer festival.
Jonathan was a regular at club nights and on runs and will be
missed by all who were lucky to have known him.

15

MG Newcastle

Pictures from the January Run

388 West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE5 2 ER

Tel: 0191 228 8025

George Dalgarno ponders whether to go right, back,

or just get trampled by oncoming horses.

Wingrove & MG Newcastle

Wingrove Motor Company Celebrates 90 years of business in 2015 first
opening the doors in 1925 by Local cattle auctioneer and current director Peters, Grandfather John Myers Dalkin Snr.
The MG3 starts at 8,399 for a 1.5 petrol engine with 106 PS power,
and the range topping 3 Style including a variety of specialist equipment such as DAB Radio, rear parking sensors, Automatic lights and
wipers to name but a few, is still available to drive away for under
10,000.
In 2014 MG Newcastle was awarded MG Dealer of the year and in 2015
launched the New MG6 model, now at the incredible price of 13,995
for a 1.9 turbo diesel with 0% finance applicable on some models.

Where Bs fear to
tread?
Good turnout of
TFs demonstrate
their all year
round usability.

To arrange a test drive, discuss the cars or and vast amount of personalisation options available contact us on facebook, or call 0191
2288025 and find out how you can get more MG for your money.
14

3rd

Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm

Guest speaker Maurice Milne who will be
telling us about the Tichbourne Claimant.

28th

Club organised by George and Lorraine

Hunter. Starting from Brockbush Farm
(Styford roundabout on A69 - NE43 7UB)
at 11.00 a.m. About 35 miles ending at
Blanchland.
Established 1983
-------

Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts.
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- sales@chicdoig.com
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

13

In case you have forgotten, here is a reminder that

ITS SUBS TIME AGAIN!!

If you havent paid yet please do so as soon as possible.

Fees are 8 MG Northumbria plus 10 Backworth per
person.
You can pay George Dalgarno at club night or send a
cheque to him at:
Denecroft
Wallridge Drive
Seaton Delaval
Whitley1983
Bay
Established
-------

Scotlands largest stockists of

new &0NN
used MG & other Classic Parts.
NE25
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Thankbreaking
you Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Always
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- sales@chicdoig.com
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

12

Please help!
Can someone please check on the well being of Bob
Heslop? As news came in of the last Land Rover Defender
being produced at Solihull we can only imagine the distress
this must be causing to one of the marques biggest fans.

Most had a diminutive 875cc engine giving 39bhp and 78mph and 37
mpg. There was however a Hillman Rallye Imp with a 998 engine giving 60bhp, 92 mph and 28mpg. Has anyone seen one of these? I didnt
spot one at Croft.
The range was discontinued in 1976 but remains a sturdy little car
with deceptive space. A work colleague used to reminisce about a
family of 6 going on holiday to Scarborough in one.
Bob Heslop

Above is the only remaining photo of Bob taking his first driving test in an early Land Rover.

Just to add a little further information to Bobs article. There are still
quite a few Imps being raced, usually in the HSCC series of classic
events. Whilst they dont seem to quite have the edge over the Minis
the Imps nevertheless do well and are entertaining to watch as they are
thrown into corners.
Alan

11

The Hillman Imp Family

The cheeky little Imp was launched in 1963 with a depressingly large
dose of unreliability. Remember that it was a rival to the Mini which
had then been around for five years or so.
It has since been said that had this been sold by BMC dealers it would
have been a hit.
The Mkll arrived in 1965 with most of its design flaws addressed but
the damage had been done. Rootes projected 150,000 Imps to be produced annually but total production turned out only to amount to
440,000.
What a shame, those of you who saw the 91 Imp variants parked behind the grandstand at Croft back in August might have been surprised
at the variety. There were Imps, Super Imps, Sunbeams and Singer
Chamoiss. There was a van, a Husky (estate car) and even a pick up,
(pictured below) very useful for engine maintenance! Singer Chamois
Sports, Sunbeam Imp Sports Californian, Chamoise Coupe Stilleto
coupes were also made as specials.

There is now a new garage in

Newcastle for classic MGs.
Called MG Shack it is situated in
Kelvedon Lane just off Kenton Lane in Newcastle.
We understand that former MGN member
Alan MacIntyre may be connected with MG
Shack. Further information can be seen on the
website:
http://www.mgshack.co.uk/

Please help!
Can someone please check on the well being of Bob
Heslop? As news came in of the last Land Rover Defender
being produced at Solihull we can only imagine the distress
this must be causing to one of the marques biggest fans.

Most had a diminutive 875cc engine giving 39bhp and 78mph and 37
mpg. There was however a Hillman Rallye Imp with a 998 engine giving 60bhp, 92 mph and 28mpg. Has anyone seen one of these? I didnt
spot one at Croft.
The range was discontinued in 1976 but remains a sturdy little car
with deceptive space. A work colleague used to reminisce about a
family of 6 going on holiday to Scarborough in one.
Bob Heslop

Above is the only remaining photo of Bob taking his first driving test in an early Land Rover.

Just to add a little further information to Bobs article. There are still
quite a few Imps being raced, usually in the HSCC series of classic
events. Whilst they dont seem to quite have the edge over the Minis
the Imps nevertheless do well and are entertaining to watch as they are
thrown into corners.
Alan

10

In case you have forgotten, here is a reminder that

ITS SUBS TIME AGAIN!!

If you havent paid yet please do so as soon as possible.

Fees are 8 MG Northumbria plus 10 Backworth per
person.
You can pay George Dalgarno at club night or send a
cheque to him at:
Denecroft
Wallridge Drive
Seaton Delaval
Whitley1983
Bay
Established
-------

Scotlands largest stockists of

new &0NN
used MG & other Classic Parts.
NE25
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Thankbreaking
you Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Always
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- sales@chicdoig.com
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

11

3rd

Clubnight, Backworth 8.00 pm

Guest speaker Maurice Milne who will be
telling us about the Tichbourne Claimant.

28th

Club organised by George and Lorraine

Hunter. Starting from Brockbush Farm
(Styford roundabout on A69 - NE43 7UB)
at 11.00 a.m. About 35 miles ending at
Blanchland.
Established 1983
-------

Scotlands largest stockists of new & used MG & other Classic Parts.
MGOC Reccomended Supplier & 5 Star Spanner Award .
Full Workshop facilities, Bodywork specialists, Insurance work undertaken.
Always breaking Maestros, MGAs, MGBs, Magnettes, Midgets, for spares.
Fast & efficient Mail Order service
-----131, Jamphlars Road, Cardenden, Fife, KY5 0ND
E-mail :- sales@chicdoig.com
Tel:- Office 01592-722999, Parts Department 01592-722666

12

MG Newcastle

Pictures from the January Run

388 West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE5 2 ER

Tel: 0191 228 8025

George Dalgarno ponders whether to go right, back,

or just get trampled by oncoming horses.

Wingrove & MG Newcastle

Wingrove Motor Company Celebrates 90 years of business in 2015 first
opening the doors in 1925 by Local cattle auctioneer and current director Peters, Grandfather John Myers Dalkin Snr.
The MG3 starts at 8,399 for a 1.5 petrol engine with 106 PS power,
and the range topping 3 Style including a variety of specialist equipment such as DAB Radio, rear parking sensors, Automatic lights and
wipers to name but a few, is still available to drive away for under
10,000.
In 2014 MG Newcastle was awarded MG Dealer of the year and in 2015
launched the New MG6 model, now at the incredible price of 13,995
for a 1.9 turbo diesel with 0% finance applicable on some models.

Where Bs fear to
tread?
Good turnout of
TFs demonstrate
their all year
round usability.

To arrange a test drive, discuss the cars or and vast amount of personalisation options available contact us on facebook, or call 0191
2288025 and find out how you can get more MG for your money.
13

Jonathan Bayliss 1944 - 2016

Before his retirement Jonathan was an Engineer living in Leamington Spa and only moved to the north east following the death
of his wife, Merle. Many of us may have noticed his number
plate MGB but while he did love the marque and had an
MGC, these letters were his wife's initials.
He had three children but in 2014 chose to move to Gosforth to
be near his daughter as the alternatives were the USA with eldest son, ruled out as too far, or London with his youngest son,
ruled out as too noisy.
As we know Jonathan enjoyed his MG and his beer, although it
was pointed out not at the same time, as well as being a keen
walker and cyclist. He also volunteered at Cramlington CAB.
While visiting his son in the States in October last year he had
his first stroke but was out on his bike within days visiting breweries and the annual beer festival.
Jonathan was a regular at club nights and on runs and will be
missed by all who were lucky to have known him.

14

Dont despair!
The newsletter is glad to dispel rumours
that, following the publication of his article
on his trip to Malta in Enjoying MG, Tim
Cook has been offered a six figure contract to write a weekly column for a national Sunday newspaper.
He will therefore be able to continue his
duties as chairman as normal.

15

Chairmans Chat

Welcome to my February Chat.

In the last newsletter we had to inform you about Jonathan Bayliss' ill health.
Unfortunately soon after going to print we learnt that he died on 10 January.
Twelve members were at the Newcastle Crematorium on 25th January to celebrate his life. Poems and tributes were read by family and friends before we left
to the sound of Chuck Berrys song Johnny B Goode. Read more elsewhere in
this newsletter.
On a happier note we started the year with a Saturday run from the Wicker
Chair Cafe on Stamfordham Road to Daniels Farm in Wylam, both excellent
venues. Over the years we have often met cyclists, sheep, horses but this was
the first time Ive heard of our run running into a hunt. I missed it as I had gone
ahead to take photos. These are on the website and dont forget to send any photos you want added to me and Dave Stokoe, then you will be in with a chance
for the photo competition.
The Car Show organising group met for the first time and were given a presentation by Phil Kirkland based on his experience with the Stocksfield Festival.
We will have to do many things differently to meet the Council's requirements
but we have made a start.
Taking on board comments received about some of the organisations that have
received funding in recent years the Committee is going to review the criteria
used.
Have a great or even lovely month

Tim Cook
2

17