Outings page 2

Liverpool Maritime Museum

A day trip was organised with the North West group to visit the Maritime museum in Liverpool. On the day, having assembled the two groups, we set off for the museum. Despite the very obvious nature of our convoy, we still managed to lose the odd vehicle due to traffic lights. The museum granted a group discount, before we toured the various ships and a submarine, in the Albert dock. Remind me never to serve the Royal Navy in a submarine; I'm 6'4" which does not fit well in the confines of a submarine. 

Arrangements had been made for us to park the vehicles near the fortress in New Brighton after we had left the museum. This was the first time I had been to New Brighton, and was really surprised to find the old Napoleonic fort there. I would never have guessed there would be a fort in such good condition still standing in this area of the North West.

We were all invited back to the NW Area meeting venue, The Kicking Donkey in Ormskirk, for an evening meal, and what a meal it was!

Lancashire Life

The group was invited to pose for photographs to appear in the October edition of Lancashire Life magazine. The pictures were set around Carnforth railway station as it had recently been renovated to represent the station as it was in the 40s. Further photos of the group appeared in the December edition when a feature was made of the renovated station and tea bar to celebrate it's association with the film Brief Encounter starring Trevor Howard. (Details of Carnforth station and the film can be found at www.carnforth-station.co.uk)

Remembrance Day

A trip was organised with the North West group to the Ormskirk Memorial service to commemorate the signing of the Armistice. The vehicles took part in a convoy to the cenotaph. Unfortunately I do not have any photos of this event showing the vehicles.

In the lead up to Remembrance day, Dave was invited to take his Jeep to B&Q in Preston to collect for the Poppy Appeal, which contributed to raising approx £10,000 for Poppy Day. The Jeep certainly attracted attention, enticing people to add to the collection. The British Legion are looking for more vehicles to be used next time. The links made with the British Legion made them aware of the Hornby Castle event we are jointly organising. They are intending organising a coach party to the event.

St Michaels/Flookburgh/Beacon Fell

Steve's Hotchkiss with his Bedford in the background. Dave's Austin K9 is next to the Bedford, and you can just make out his Austin Champ to the left of the picture. They were all gathered at Flookburgh.

Steve's Bedford on a trip to Beacon Fell in Lancashire. Some of the most picturesque landscape in Lancashire can be found there, in my opinion anyway.

A gathering at Forton. This was a military display arranged in support of another event.

Steve's Bedford and Dave's Austin K9 at St Michaels. This was a weekend event involving a large number of stall holders. A dance was held in the large barn on site, that was host to many other stall holders on the Sunday. Geoff took his Dodge Ambulance on its first run here after collecting it from the Isle of Wight. Steve found a wartime bicycle to add to his collection. He will probably be seen riding it around the events during 2004, doing the bacon butty run.