Latest News

May 2013 - Inaugural new Works Centre Natter run is a great success!

Natter leader Gill Martin reports "Our first Natter was a great success - 15 people turned out in their MGs despite the weather. We met up at Notcutts Garden Centre, Nuneham Courtenay and had a pleasant “Tulip Run” of 40 minutes which finished at The Lions of Bledlow".

"Many thanks to all who supported the venture and it was agreed by all, that it should be a regular event every 3rd Wednesday in the month". See next month’s details in the 2013 Natters Events section on our Calendar.

December 2012 - Brian Moylan elected AWC President

We are pleased to announce that our longest serving Committee member, Brian Moylan, has been elected President of the Abingdon Works Centre. Originally an MG Car Company employee until the factory closed in 1980, Brian has played an active role in the Centre ever since, including the following:

An active member of the MG Works Auto Club prior to the forming of the AWC.
A founding member of the  Abingdon Works Centre.
Has held most, if not all, Committee positions within AWC - always a member of the committee since its formation in 1982.
Is active in presenting MG as a subject to MG and other  groups worldwide.
Instigator of creating an MG Museum in Abingdon County Hall.
Active in raising funds for an MG Museum presence in Abingdon.
Curator of many MG artifacts for use in the Museum.
Acted as a liaison with the local Authorities to ensure a continued presence of MG in the newly restored museum in the Abingdon County Hall.
Always active in presenting MG as a subject to MG and other  groups worldwide.
Is active in promoting the MG  via the Abingdon Town Twinning organisation.

No other AWC member can boast such a comprehensive list of achievements and we are proud to have Brian as our President.

December 2012
Free 2013 AWC calendars - click here

As always, we have designed a new set of 2013 Abingdon Works Centre A4-sized calendars that you can print, all featuring MGs of course. Click here to download calendars.

November 2012 - AWC Vice Chairman appointed to MGCC Board. At the November Council meeting, AWC Vice-Chairman Richard Martin was elected to the MGCC Board. Richard, a former Chairman of the Centre and the F Register, says he was surprised and flattered to be approached about becoming a Director of the Car Club and will do his best to justify the confidence of those proposing him. He promised his continued support of the Centre and anticipates the move will not minimise his and Gill’s involvement in the Centre.

October 2012 - Don Hayter's book "MGB Story" goes on sale online.

A fascinating inside story of the birth of the MGB and of Don Hayter's time in the MG Design Office.

Don joined the MG Design Office in February 1956 and the first part of the book covers Don’s early days there and the projects he worked on such as drawing up the access panel on the MGA body ready for the twin cam engine.

The next part of the book covers the MGB starting from its evolution and design to being put into production in 1962. There is a chapter on how the cars were adapted to comply with US safety/air pollution regulations with the development of the MGBGT SSV1(Safety Systems Vehicle One) in 1972 together with the adoption of the rubber bumper. The next chapter called MGB Notes covers many antidotes that B owners will find fascinating.

The following chapters cover other models such as the Austin Healey Sprite/Midget the Big Healeys, the MGBV8, various ADO’s and possible replacements for the ‘B’. The final chapter has Don explaining the involvement of Aston Martin and its failed attempt to take over the running of MG.

This book is a must for the bookshelf of the MGB owner but will also be of great interest to the general MG enthusiast. Published by Veloce as part of their ‘Those were the Days’ series, Dons book is available from the MG Car Club shop priced at £15.00 plus £3.00 P&P UK and £7 Overseas. Orders can be made online or by phone on 01235 555552.

Wednesday 26th September - The MGB at Fifty. Don Hayter, chief design engineer of the MGB, talks about his role at MG and takes us behind the scenes of the MGB car on its 50th Anniversary. Free admission, 7.00-8.00pm at Abingdon Museum, phone 01235 523703 to book your place.

July 2012
The MG Museum re-opened on Saturday 7th July.

MG Car Club members provided cars for the parade, both in the Market Sqare and on the road outside the museum, and there was a good turnout of local people despite the weather. The museum was officially opened by Martha Howe-Douglas, star of CBBC's Horrible Histories, at 11.45am.

Events start with MG: A Marque in Miniature which runs from 7th July until 4 November. The exhibition features MG model cars and a variety of memorabilia to mark the 50th anniversary of the MGB sports car in 2012.

26th September sees The MGB at Fifty at 7.00-8.00pm. Don Hayter, chief design engineer of the MGB, talks about his role at MG and takes us behind the scenes of the MGB car on its 50th Anniversary.

Click here for photos of the event.

June 2012
MGLive!  news - Pride of Ownership judges needed and new Autosolo.

Dave Tynan of the Anglia Centre writes...

"Entries have been strong for the 2012 MGLive! concours and Pride of Ownership. However, we are still short of judges for the event and are appealing for volunteers from each Register. Obviously it would be helpful if we could have a representative from each Register so every model of MG is covered. If you would be willing to assist, or might know someone who is, please contact me by e-mail chairman@mgccangliacentre.org.uk".

And from Paul Hancock...

"The inaugural staging of the MGLive! Auto solo will take place on Sunday morning and we’re hopeful this will become a regular feature of the MGLive! weekend. As clerk of the course I would like to spread the word about this new event and encourage the centres, registers and branches to remind everyone that the event is taking place.

For those who may not be familiar with Autosolos they are open to every type of car so long as it is road legal. The event format consists of a number of driving tests about a minute long around a tarmac car park driving between cones in similar fashion to a skier ‘s slalom or dressage .There is no reversing and the tests have marker cones to point the way.

A comprehensive overview of the sport from myself and fellow competitor, Ian Webb, appeared in the February issue of Safety Fast .The MGLive! website has an Autosolo link for further information. If in doubt come and give it a go! We look forward to seeing you on the day".

April 2012
Abingdon Works Centre providing MG displays in 2012

We have been asked to provide three displays over the coming months. This provides an ideal opportunity to show off your pride and joy whilst promoting the Car Club! Please make a note of the dates and places and try to join us.

Sunday May 20th at Millets Farm Centre just outside Abingdon. This is a regular starting point for B Register events, but will be the first display for the public. 10am to 4pm, but cars may arrive and leave whenever they wish.

Monday June 4th in Abingdon’s Market Square. As part of the town’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Abingdon’s Town Council have asked for a display of cars in the Square on this Public Holiday. 9.30am to 3.30pm, but cars may arrive and leave whenever they wish.

Sunday August 5th at Wyevale Garden Centre just outside Bicester, Oxon. So successful have previous displays been, we’ve been invited back for a fourth year. 10am to 4pm, but cars may arrive and leave whenever they wish.

We’d be delighted to have your support. Further details from Richard Martin 01235 529331 or vicechairman@mgabingdon.org.uk

March 2012
A message from Kimber House

Many of you will know Lauran Gallacher who spent a year at Kimber House on an unpaid work experience placement. Lauran’s assistance last year really was invaluable and she played a huge role in the Club’s positive year. With that in mind, it would be great if we could help her out as much as possible.

Lauran is now working hard on her dissertation and is basing her project on MG. She has created an online survey for research purposes and to help her gather data for her dissertation we’re asking Club members to complete the survey which can be found by clicking here.

If you can, please take the time to complete the survey and also to spread it far and wide.

December 2011
Free 2012 AWC calendars - click here

As always, we have designed a new set of 2012 Abingdon Works Centre A4-sized calendars that you can print, all featuring MGs of course. Click here to download calendars.

Sunday 26th June 2011
Abingdon Works Centre awarded the Nuffield Gold Cup.

MGLive! was a memorable event for the AWC in 2011, not just for the pleasure of meeting many of our Centre members and other acquaintances, but also for the surpise news that we had been awarded the Nuffield Gold Cup! This award is made to the Centre, Register or Branch deemed to have made the biggest overall contribution to the MG Car Club throughout the year. The winners are decided by MG Car Club Chairman, John Day, from the Club’s Centres, Registers & Branches.

Abingdon Works Centre Chairman, Richard Martin, said:

"It was an honour to be presented with the award but it’s very much a team effort which has resulted in this accolade. I’m on record as saying that the Centre is very fortunate to have such a hard-working and enthusiastic Committee and they must take a lot of the credit for our success. However, it’s not just the Committee who should feel proud of this recognition, the Natter Leaders have played their part, as has anyone who has organised or supported an event within the Centre under the AWC or Car Club banner, or volunteered their car when we’ve been putting together a display or stepping forward when a particular skill is required.

Thank you all for your efforts and contributions. The Abingdon Works Centre is extremely proud to be the 2011 Nuffield Gold Cup winners!"

December 2010
Free 2011 AWC calendars - click here

As always, we have designed a new set of 2011 Abingdon Works Centre A4-sized calendars that you can print, all featuring MGs of course. Click here to download calendars.

Tuesday 9th November2010
Abingdon Works Centre donates a clock for the John Thornley Suite.

A decision was made that we should commission a unique timepiece for the club and early November saw a stunning contemporary multi chronometer presented to Kimber House to be displayed in the John Thornley Suite for all to see.
Click here for a full report.
Click here for photos.