It is with much sadness that we advise that on 10th August, David Coppock of the South West Centre passed away peacefully at home. David had been a member of the MGCC for many years following the purchase of his red TC. From the outset David used his TC to the full, and was a keen competitor in trials, gymkhanas and autotests, and back in the seventies when he lived near Reading, used to support the popular South West Centre event, Babdown Gymkhana. Dave’s TC always had an air of being well used and a car to be enjoyed both on the road and in competition. Dave was noted for always displaying a large Union Flag protruding from the shelf behind the seat while taking part in events.
Some years later he moved to the West Country and lived at Cleeve between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. He immediately became a stalwart of the South West Centre and 27 years ago joined the Centre Committee where he remained a very active member right up to his untimely death. He organised many Centre events including MGs on Grass 2, and for some years a Navigational Scatter. He was always present at events and when not competing he would be marshalling. In recent years on two occasions, he joined other friends and members driving their MGs to Le Puy Notre Dame just south of the Loire in France. While the rest of us took to the comfort of Hotels, Dave still preferred to go camping with all his camping and cooking gear stashed in the TC. Dave’s TC was never fitted with a hood, at least not when he was a South West Centre member, preferring open air motoring in any weather and donning motorcycle type clothing.
A regular attendee at Noggin and Natters, he was a jovial, popular member and friend who was always ready to roll up his sleeves and get the spanners out to assist fellow club members where the need arose.
Sadly, Dave’s wife Doreen passed away just before Christmas 2022. Dave is survived by his two daughters and three stepchildren, to whom we extend our condolences.
Dave’s funeral will take place on Thursday 7th September 2023 at 14:30 at Holy Trinity Church, Cleeve, North Somerset, BS49 4PN for the Funeral and memorial service, followed by tea and cake in the adjoining Church Rooms.
Family flowers only. If you would like to make a donation, there will be a platter at the back of the church to leave these or alternatively a donation can be made via the funeral directors. (Charity to be decided).
The family would love you to come in your MG if you can. There will be reserved parking for MG’s only in the churchyard adjacent to the church.
Andrew Owst
