North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Vintage Vehicle Weekend 18th-20th July 2009
 
We arrived at the Horseshoe Inn, Levisham at about 7:00 pm on the Friday night and met up with the rest of the club members who were staying at the Horseshoe.  After enjoying a couple of drinks and a natter we tucked into a gastronomic delight. What a lovely varied Menu. There was Sea Bass, Gammon steaks (half a Pig!!), Steak Pie to name but a few. The sweets were to die for (ignore the calories!).  After dinner, a quiz was presented by Barry. It was won by a table of non-club members who had been invited to join the quiz.

Club members did however help them polish off the box of Maltesers that they won. Later Gwen and I retired to our camping site 3.5 miles from Levisham,
Next morning (Saturday) we returned to the Horseshoe for morning coffee where more club members joined the party. At about 11:30 am the members headed down the most scenic road to Levisham Station where we all spent an enjoyable hour admiring the classic cars and miniature steam engines that were parked around the station.  There was also a live Shadows Tribute Band playing in a marquee, they were providing 60’s music to entertain the visitors.  Everyone bought their day rover tickets and boarded the 12:20 towards Goathland.

The train was hauled by the historic blue steam locomotive ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ through the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
On arrival at Goathland, most of us had a short lunch break, admired more classic cars and then set off on the Historic Rail Trail, which was a 3.5 mile steady stroll to Grosmont along the disused track bed of George Stevenson’s 1836 railway line, through some beautiful picturesque scenery along the Esk Valley. We eventually saw the engine sheds of Grosmont ahead and were thinking “only a few more minutes to a welcome cup of tea”, when we went through a little gate and were faced with quite a steep climb to the top of the hill where we were greeted by the most spectacular view overlooking Grosmont Village. Five minutes rest and a few more photos, we then proceeded down the hill past St Matthews Church and into Grosmont and that cuppa.  There was then time to view more classics in the station car park before boarding the awaiting train back to Levisham where we arrived at about 5:20 pm.
Some of the members did not do the walk, but stayed on the train to Grosmont, then went on to Whitby.
We again met at the Horseshoe Inn for another pleasant evening of wining, dining, chatting and quizzing, before retiring to our beds, footsore, weary but happy, having enjoyed a splendid weekend. 
Everyone agreed that the weekend was another Charles success, for which we all appreciated the time and dedication that must have gone into the planning of this event.
We were all sorry that Shirley and Derek weren’t able to join us for the weekend due to Shirley being unwell but were pleased to hear soon after that she was recovering. 
 

 

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Yorkshire Pudding Run
Sunday 2nd August 2009 
 
It was a beautiful sunny morning on Sunday 2nd August when we arrived at Stephen Smiths Garden Centre, Otley at about 10.30 am.
We were greeted by a car park full of Classics and enjoyed half an hour catching up on everyone’s news over a quick coffee. There were a few people and cars there that we had not seen before, it was great to see some new members taking part in the run. I think someone must have disturbed a Midget’s nest as I think I counted about 8 or 9 of the little devils on the car park.
Charles duly handed out the Tulip directions to everybody and was worried that he might not have had enough, however he managed to stretch them out and everyone got a copy, including a non-member couple who were invited to take part, they set off clutching a copy of the tulip and a membership application.
Everyone set off in their own time and made their way through Otley and along Birdcage Walk towards Menston, then over the top through Burley Woodhead, past the Cow and Calf Rocks, across Ilkley Moor.
We then crossed the River Wharfe and made our way up the unfenced road towards Langbar then on to Beamsley. Hopefully, no one collected any sheep along here.
After Beamsley we joined the busier A59 for about half a mile (sorry Charles 0.4 mile) then turned towards Bolton Abbey, queued to go through the little arch, past the Strid and Barden Tower, then turned right, went over the narrow Barden Bridge,then on through Appletreewick. We then joined the B6265 towards Pateley Bridge. After a couple of miles we pulled into Stump Cross Caverns for a much needed loo stop (combination of the coffee at Stephen Smiths and age!!)
We then pressed on over Greenhow Hill towards Pateley Bridge, turning right just before Pateley Bridge and into Bewerley and then up the steep Yorke’s Folley (all still got your clutches?) across the tops, then dropped down towards Blubberhouses. At the bottom of the hill we turned right onto the A59 for a couple of hundred yards then turned left towards Timble past the Fewston Reservoir, onward for about 7 miles’ish (Midget speedo). We then dropped back through Otley and onto the A660 towards Bramhope, then followed the smell of Yorkshire Puds and into the Fox and Hounds car park.
We got a drink and within a short time were soon tucking into the biggest Yorkshire Pudding on this planet, it was like a giant lily pad filled with thick slices of roast beef, roast potatoes and gravy.
Everyone agreed that when they thought Charles’ runs couldn’t get any better, they didn’t reckon on his Yorkshire Pudding Run. 
Thanks from us all Charles.
 
Derek & Gwen Taylor

 

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About 30 members of the club met at the Mexborough Arms in Thorner on a Sunday afternoon.

We had a chat in the car park and a photo shoot was taken, before we were given our driving directions for the run.
The weather was once again very kind to us, so it was down with roofs for many.
We all set off down Carr Lane, crossing the A58, eventually arriving in Shadwell. Soon after we were on our way, through Bardsey and East Keswick, passing the supposedly “oldest pub “in England – The Bingley Arms.
From East Keswick we drove along the Avenue to Harewood, with the famous Harewood House nearby, but not in sight.
Along to the Otley Road to Arhington and up Creskeld Lane to Bramhope.
Just before the old cross roads in Bramhope there had been a bad accident involving a Mini and a Landrover. The road was close and we had to do a U turn back to the Leeds Road, abandoning our tulip instructions.
We ended up at the Pool Bank cross roads, passed the airport and onto the Murgatroyds.
Murgatroyds was very busy, I didn’t realise so many people went out for fish, n chips at Sunday lunchtime! We were unable to book ahead and it soon became obvious we were in for a long wait in the queue.
What had been a pleasant afternoon turned into a cold wait outside, so when Pathfinder Payne used his incentive (which he found hiding under his baseball cap!) and went over the road to the Fountain to see if they could cater for our group, he returned with the thumbs up.
Off we all shuffled over the road to the Fountain, leaving our cars safely parked at

Murgatroyds!
The restaurant was lovely and warm inside – very welcoming.
We all enjoyed some tasty fish, n chips, and it was suggested that we use this venue in the future. PS We can always use Murgatroyds car park again as the Fountains parking facilities are nonexistent!!!

 

 Bob and Jenny Ward

 

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Quiz night the phrase --some you win some you loose---seems to sum the night up for Leeds MG & CCC. Strange but true we managed to come first and last in the same game. On the night a table of 13 club members were all sat together When Gary & family arrived a little later, and Peter shepherded them away to another table as the second team.
13 turned out to be lucky for Leeds Team One only 1 point down in the first half we pulled back to win in the second half. We could have won by more with people with some right answers being dissuaded for wrong ones.
The wooden spoon was given first and I was quite envious because a trophy is a trophy. Obviously not thinking we would come first. Anyway well done all members.
John
ps the Trophy's are being well guarded. A lot better than the 66 World Cup ( see pic )