Here’s a report of the SWC/AWC “natter” at The Hatchet, Lower Chute, Saturday 29^th July..

I arrived with my ‘A’ coupe at 1030. The weather, untypical of late July 2023, was dry, sunny and warm. We looked forward to a relaxed day outdoors in the sunshine. The Hatchet car park was practically empty, and Landlord Jerry optimistically reserved the entire area for us. Anticipating a quiet day. I was equipped with my backlog of unread issues of Safety Fast and Practical Classics.

First to arrive was a Midget owner from Arundel (!) who was visiting a local friend, but without the Midget. He was closely followed by nearby resident Beryl with her 1275 Midget-powered Morris Minor. At 1055, Bernard arrived from Durrington with his magnificent black early ZA Magnette. We look forward to seeing his prize-winning supercharged PA (I think) Midget, maybe next time.

Local resident Mike roared in with his lightly modded MGB Roadster. Abingdon Works Centre President, Richard Martin, arrived at midday in the strikingly orange electric MG. At this point I gave up on reading the magazines and focussed on chat over the complimentary coffee and elevenses kindly provided by Jerry.

An interesting gentleman arrived from (I think) Hurstbourne, sans MGB, since it failed to start. I found we had a wide range of shared interests, including aviation, and had a rewarding chat. The hoped for arrival of a local resident’s 1930s Rover saloon didn’t materialise (the 200 yard trip was considered unachievable today), but his brother brought a lovely white MGA Twin Cam Roadster. Other arrivals were a black 2003 MGF from Andover, a lovely TC Midget from Newbury, and a black MGB Roadster from Palestine (not that Palestine).

Almost finally, Angie and her husband, Ian, arrived on schedule after a morning’s work. We had another visitor from Andover. She has her late husband’s MGF/TF with a suspension problem. We fortuitously had the Chair of the MGF/TF Register present, so we were able to provide her with informed advice.

And finally. The previously mentioned MGB owner had succeeded in getting it started, and fitted it into the last remaining car park slot. A lovely example that had spent most of its life on a very hot, dry island.

Our fellow enthusiasts started to get ready for the rest of their weekend at around 2 pm. All in all, a very entertaining day, and one which I plan to repeat on September 9^th, 1100 – 1500.

See you there, hopefully.

Thanks for your support

Yours David Brown (davidbrown@archerbrown.com)