New Forest Run 2007

Sunday 3rd June saw the 9th running of 1009 Southampton & New Forest branch annual New Forest Run. After several years of finishing in Christchurch, on the banks of the River Avon, Roy Sneddon and his band of hard working members had a new and exciting finish for this year’s run.

203 MGs gathered in warm sunshine at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, Bashley, where the legendary Sammy, 11times British and twice European motorcycle trials champion, set off the early starters.


What a mouth watering selection of MGs had gathered for this 85 mile run through all the best that the Forest has to offer in flora. Starting first was Mr Chris Keevill and his wife in their lovely 1925 MG Super Sports (14/28), possibly the oldest MG on the road. Chris had driven down from Reading that morning to meet local 1009 members and friends Andy and Jan Marsh (RV8). The Ts were well represented with TA, TC, TD and TF and the Duck’s lovely YT giving the 1940s/50s saloon flavour along with a nice selection of MG As. Of course there was a superb, and in many cases stunning, selection of Bs and Midgets and this was one event I’ve attended this year where the MG Fs didn’t outnumber the Bs. It was good to see so many MG Cs out, in their 40th year since production began, seven gathered 5 GTs and 2 Roadsters. The 1980s were represented by MG RV8 models, 7 in all and a lone MG Metro. Jim and Linda Read, in their RV8, had registration of the day on their beautiful red model, M6 RVB, I’m sure you can guess how it read. Modern MGs were well represented with all models of MGF and a good sprinkling of ZR and ZS models.

The route followed the northern boundaries of the New Forest before turning south through Cadnam, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu to finish the run at Exbury Gardens, on the eastern bank of the Beaulieu River. Exbury is the home of the Rothschild family since 1919 and has one of finest collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, exotic plants and trees in the world. It also has a lovely narrow gauge railway, restaurant and garden centre and many an MG was seen to leave with foliage protruding from back seats. Today it is home to Mr Edmund Rothschild and his wife Anne, who were honoured guests during the afternoon.  Mr Eddy, as he likes to be known, is 91 and on looking at the cars asked to see Chris Keevill’s Super Sport and have his photo taken in the car. Chris was delighted with the fact that it was the first time he had someone in the car that was older than the car itself.

The day finished with the award of prizes, the cars being selected by Maggie Gwynne of Hants & IoW Air Ambulance and Debbie Winyard of Children’s Friendship League (Hampshire), the two charities the run was  supporting this year. The cars they chose as the ones they would most like to take home were; an MGA belonging to Anne Marshall of Liphook; an MGB, a lovely early Isis Blue model whose owner escaped me, and the Midget of Bob and Alison Batchelor of Verwood. Modern MG; the F of John Banks of Nottingham, and finally they chose as their car of the show, the lovely 1949 TC of Brian Quarendon of Bishops Waltham. 1009 raised £2,000 to donate to the two charities, divided equally, and a presentation will take place later in the summer. 1009 hope you all had a truly wonderful day and look forward to welcoming many of you back in 2008 for the 10th New Forest Run.

Click here for more photos Report: Martin Charles Photos Martin Charles and Malcolm Bailey NEW - click here to watch the video!

2006 New Forest Run report