Hon Secretaries Report 2019
At this year’s Annual General Meeting Mike Raven presented the following report on the Club’s activities in 2018.
The St Georges Day Run on the 29th April started at Blackburn Northern Sports Centre and followed a route which the Pendle Witches were forced to travelled, from Pendle hill, through the Trough of Bowland to Lancaster Castle. The return to Blackburn was via a route first used by the LAC in 1904, and recreated by Chris Lee.
For the Fellsman in May, a big thank you to John Hartley for 25 years of Fellsmans! Last year’s event started and finished at Stirk House near Gisburn, and wound its way up to lunch at the Heversham Hotel, before returning to Gisburn. The event was a little down on numbers, but enjoyed by all who entered.
The Manchester to Blackpool run in June attracted 70 entries. It included lots of new roads, starting at Worsley Old Hall with two intertwining routes via Haslingden and over to Pendle on its way to Fulwood Baracks for lunch. Then it was through to Blackpool via Bowker BMW at Preston docks and finishing at Stanley Park.
The Coast to Coast in July again saw a full entry of 70 cars starting from the Midland Hotel in Morecambe and finishing at Dunsley Hall, Sandsend. Many new roads were used and enjoyed in the glorious sunshine. A lunchtime drama was averted by the quick thinking of Steve Smith, in his ‘fire engine red’ E-Type, who used his fire extinguisher to save one of the cars that had caught fire!
The Highland 3 Day got off to an eventful start with the 27 entrants heading north following in the path of storm ‘Ally’. On arrival at Hetland Hall Nr Dumfries, the hotel had no power, water or gas! With a bit of work we found hotel rooms for 46 people in three hotels spread around the county; the weather improved and we covered some splendid countryside. The route took us up to Elgin and across to Loch Carron before finishing at the Dunkeld House Hotel, with only a few more detours round fallen trees, bridge repairs and road closures. This was the first 3 day that ran a Gymkhana, collecting points at Forrestburn sprint and hill climb, the Grampian transport museum, the Cairngorm Ski Centre carpark and three navigation sections on route, again my thanks to all involved in making the 2018 the 25 Highland 3 day a great success.
The London to Sydney 50th anniversary talk by Mike Wood gave a fascinating insight into taking part in an international event. Our thanks to Mike Wood and all the people who supported him.
The Sportsman Dinner in November with the return of Brian Redman was a sell-out event with an splendid meal at the Stirk house Hotel and an excellent talk by Brian. Our thanks to Brian for coming all that way from his home in the US, to everyone involved with the organisation of such a prestigious event and for all the people that supported the occasion. H&H auctions provided vital sponsorship for the event and donations were made to worthy charities.
The Christmas Bash at Edisford Bridge Hotel was yet again a splendid informal get-together. We enjoyed a good meal, good company and a challenging quiz which tested just how much we know about Lancashire.
At this point I would like to express the Club’s thanks to all those who worked hard to stage these events and our event sponsors, Blue Butts Chequered Flag, Bowker BMW and MINI as well as Hagerty Classic Car Insurance.
Post Script:
The Dinner Dance held in February 2019 was well attended with over 80 guests enjoying a splendid dinner at Mitton Hall. The prize-giving and raffle was followed by a live band, ‘The Bartenders’ (featuring our very own Owen Drew) who very successfully tempted members and guests onto the dance floor.
Following this report John Hartley gave a brief update on the position with the new company. In essence we are well on track to registering the new company which will give greater financial protection to officials and members into the future with an elected Board of Directors and an organising Committee (appointed by the Directors) looking after the Club’s affairs.
All that remained was the election of Committee Members and Officials which was included the election of Mike Raven as President and the elevation of Martin Wylie to Hon Sec.
Thank you to the support of our sponsors Bowker BMW & Mini, Hagerty Insurance, and Blue Butts Chequered Flag Specialist Cars have enabled the club to promote its events and provide enjoyment to many entrants during the past twelve months. We thank them and hope that they have benefited from their association with the LAC and we look forward to their continued support.
Finally thank you to all the committee and all the Marshals that help organise the LAC events and every one for supporting the LAC through 2018
Mike Raven
Gen Sec