Monthly Drives
Due to the current Coronavirus situation all forthcoming meetings and drives have been cancelled
Check back here for latest updates to this.Drives 2020
Click the month name for quick access to the detailsFebruary March April May June July August September October November December
As well as monthly meetings we arrange regular drives and events. As you will appreciate, the winter months do not lend themselves to open air driving, so January and December tend to get a miss.
Drives are normally held on the Sunday seventeen days following the monthly meeting.
Some ideas for future drives and events...
- visit to a National Trust or similar property
- take a picnic
- treasure hunt
Organisers may claim 45 per mile up to £100 for doing their run twice. VAT receipts for petrol totalling minimum of your claim, a copy of the run and a completed expenses form should be handed to the Area Coordinator.
If you are planning a drive and wish to use Tulip Diagrams then CLICK HERE
for the template document
You can download an example Drive Route and modify this if you wish CLICK HERE for ExampleDriveRoute.doc
NOTE: always check the SWM Discussion Forum for latest info on drives
Click here for record of previous drives
Drives 2019 Statistics
Below are the statistics from our 2019 drives that some of you may find interesting.
Number of Drives: 9
Total number of Miles covered: 540 Miles
Average number of Miles per drive: 60 Miles
Total number of cars: 250 MX5's.
Average number of MX5's per drive: 27.7 MX5's
Overall mileage covered (Cars x Mileage): 135,000 Miles
Longest Drive of 2019: 81 Miles to Broughton Castle, hosted by Gavin & David
My thanks to all those who organised drives during 2019, great to see new names coming forward. Thanks too to everyone who attended, we had some great days out.
Drives 2020
February 23rd Theresa and Ron
The Elgar Route and Other Variations
The First Movement
Date: Sunday 23rd February 2020
Start: Ledbury Rugby Football Club Ltd, Ross Rd, Ledbury HR8 2LP
Time: 08:30 onwards for breakfast, tea/coffee.
Depart: 10:30
On arrival at the destination, please park in area at far end of the car park away from the main buildings. Look out for other MX5s. Facilities available include the Garden Centre, Homeware & Gifts, Food & Drink. There’s also gardens and picnic areas.
For those who are thinking of maybe having lunch at The Swan after the drive please see attached link to their website. You probably need to book beforehand. https://www.swan-inn.co.uk/
Another place of interest locally are Jinney Ring https://www.jinneyring.co.uk/ We pass this towards the end of the drive.
Also, Avoncroft Building museum is not too far away. https://avoncroft.org.uk/
March 22nd Gary and Julie
Finish: Webbs Garden Centre, Worcester Rd, Droitwich Spa WR9 0DG
Distance: 36 miles
Drive Options: On arrival at the Rugby Club, please park at far end of the car park on Right Hand Side of the entrance and walk back to the Clubhouse.
On arrival at the destination, please park in area at far end of the car park away from the main buildings. Look out for other MX5s. Facilities available include the Garden Centre, Homeware & Gifts, Food & Drink. There’s also gardens and picnic areas.
For those who are thinking of maybe having lunch at The Swan after the drive please see attached link to their website. You probably need to book beforehand. https://www.swan-inn.co.uk/
Another place of interest locally are Jinney Ring https://www.jinneyring.co.uk/ We pass this towards the end of the drive.
Also, Avoncroft Building museum is not too far away. https://avoncroft.org.uk/
March 22nd Gary and Julie
From Fairview to Great View
DRIVE CANCELLED (to be run in May)
Date: Sunday 22nd March 2020
Start: Fairview Garden Centre, Chapel Lane, Birdwood, Gloucester GL2 8AR
Time: 09:00 for breakfast, tea/coffee.
Depart: 10:00
April 19th Lance and Alan
Midway Break: The Valley, Evesham, WR11 4DS for Coffee etc.
Finish: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Toddington GL54 5DT
Distance:42 miles to The Valley, further 22 miles to GWR Toddington.
Drive Options:
The aim is to meet at the Fairview Gardener Tea room for 9am. Breakfast baps will be available (Bacon sausage and egg) with a hot or cold drink for £5.50.
As this will be a busy day (Mothering Sunday) for the Tea Room we have been asked if we could leave the Tea room by 10am. Hot drinks will be in Takeaway cups to help with logistics on the day, we are free to walk around the Garden Centre which is highly recommended.
If we could get an idea of the number who will want a Breakfast Bap and if there are any food intolerances that would help Luke and his team in preparing for us.
Please reply to the forum post here. https://mx5ocswm.proboards.com/post/17498/thread
There is plenty of parking but it would also be helpful if we could double park, it would make for a better photo as well!
The Tea Rooms Website is https://www.facebook.com/The-Fairview-Gardener-The-Tea-Room-415349875189204/
There is a midway stop at the Evesham Country Park (now known as The Valley, more a shopping park than a country park if you haven't been before!) Take a break here for coffee and cakes and look to depart again around noon.
As this will be a busy day (Mothering Sunday) for the Tea Room we have been asked if we could leave the Tea room by 10am. Hot drinks will be in Takeaway cups to help with logistics on the day, we are free to walk around the Garden Centre which is highly recommended.
If we could get an idea of the number who will want a Breakfast Bap and if there are any food intolerances that would help Luke and his team in preparing for us.
Please reply to the forum post here. https://mx5ocswm.proboards.com/post/17498/thread
There is plenty of parking but it would also be helpful if we could double park, it would make for a better photo as well!
The Tea Rooms Website is https://www.facebook.com/The-Fairview-Gardener-The-Tea-Room-415349875189204/
There is a midway stop at the Evesham Country Park (now known as The Valley, more a shopping park than a country park if you haven't been before!) Take a break here for coffee and cakes and look to depart again around noon.
April 19th Lance and Alan
TBA
DRIVE CANCELLED
Date: Sunday 19th April 2020
Start: TBA
Time: TBA
Depart: TBA
May 31st Gary and Julie
Finish: TBA
Distance:TBA
Drive Options: TBA
May 31st Gary and Julie
From Fairview to Great View
DRIVE CANCELLED
Date: Sunday 31st May 2020
Start: Fairview Garden Centre, Chapel Lane, Birdwood, Gloucester GL2 8AR
Time: 09:00 for breakfast, tea/coffee.
Depart: 10:00
June 28th Karen and Ian
Midway Break: The Valley, Evesham, WR11 4DS for Coffee etc.
Finish: Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, The Railway Station, Toddington GL54 5DT
Distance:42 miles to The Valley, further 22 miles to GWR Toddington.
Drive Options:
The aim is to meet at the Fairview Gardener Tea room for 9am. Breakfast baps will be available (Bacon sausage and egg) with a hot or cold drink for £5.50.
Hot drinks will be in Takeaway cups to help with logistics on the day, we are free to walk around the Garden Centre which is highly recommended.
There is plenty of parking but it would also be helpful if we could double park, it would make for a better photo as well!
The Tea Rooms Website is https://www.facebook.com/The-Fairview-Gardener-The-Tea-Room-415349875189204/
There is a midway stop at the Evesham Country Park (now known as The Valley, more a shopping park than a country park if you haven't been before!) Take a break here for coffee and cakes and look to depart again around noon.
Hot drinks will be in Takeaway cups to help with logistics on the day, we are free to walk around the Garden Centre which is highly recommended.
There is plenty of parking but it would also be helpful if we could double park, it would make for a better photo as well!
The Tea Rooms Website is https://www.facebook.com/The-Fairview-Gardener-The-Tea-Room-415349875189204/
There is a midway stop at the Evesham Country Park (now known as The Valley, more a shopping park than a country park if you haven't been before!) Take a break here for coffee and cakes and look to depart again around noon.
June 28th Karen and Ian
TBA
Date: Sunday 28th June 2020
Start: TBA
Time: TBA
Depart: TBA
July 19th John and Henry
Finish: TBA
Distance:TBA
Drive Options: TBA
July 19th John and Henry
TBA
Date: Sunday 19th July 2020
Start: TBA
Time: TBA
Depart: TBA
August 23rd Gavin and David
Finish: TBA
Distance:TBA
Drive Options: TBA
August 23rd Gavin and David
TBA
Date: Sunday 23rd August 2020
Start: TBA
Time: TBA
Depart: TBA
September 13th Theresa and Ron Note change of date.
October 18th Jeff
Finish: TBA
Distance:TBA
Drive Options: TBA
September 13th Theresa and Ron Note change of date.
The Elgar Route and Other Variations
Date: Sunday 6th September 2020
Start: Gupshill Manor, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. GL20 5SG
Time: 09:15 onwards for breakfast, tea/coffee
Depart: 10:30
Midway Break: Elgar’s birthplace, The Firs, Broadheath, Worcester, WR2 6RH
Finish: Hanbury Hall, School Rd, Hanbury, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 7EA
Distance:60 miles
Drive Options: On arrival at Hanbury Hall continue along the drive towards reception. Before you reach the car
park you will see the drive up to the Hall on the LHS. Bear left to head towards the House.
Weather permitting; we will park on the grass to the Right and Left of the drive. Please drive
carefully here; this is also the pedestrian access to the Hall. Once parked, please go to Reception
to check in. NT members go free. Non-members should tell Reception you are with the MX5 Club
to obtain the Group Rate. It’s £8 each to go round the gardens and £11 each to visit the Hall as
well.
If you would like to visit a local craft centre, the Jinney Ring is located 1.4 miles from Hanbury Hall. The address is Hanbury Rd, B60 4BU. It’s 1.4 miles from Hanbury Hall. Turn Left out of Hanbury Hall and continue along School Lane until you reach the T Junction. Jinney Ring is located immediately right of the junction.
If you would like to visit a local craft centre, the Jinney Ring is located 1.4 miles from Hanbury Hall. The address is Hanbury Rd, B60 4BU. It’s 1.4 miles from Hanbury Hall. Turn Left out of Hanbury Hall and continue along School Lane until you reach the T Junction. Jinney Ring is located immediately right of the junction.
October 18th Jeff
TBA
Date: Sunday 18th October 2020
Start: TBA
Time: TBA
Depart: TBA
November 22nd Gerard & Frances
Finish: TBA
Distance:TBA
Drive Options: TBA
November 22nd Gerard & Frances
Abbeycwmhir Dressed for Christmas
Date: Sunday 22nd November 2020
Start: TBA
Time: TBA
Depart: TBA
December Sunday 13th No Drive this month
Christmas Meal at Gupshill Manor
Please pay the deposit to Penny by the October meeting and the balance in full by the November meeting.
Finish: The Hall at Abby Cwm Hir, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6PH
Distance:TBA
Drive Options: A particularly fine example of Gothic Revival architecture, The Hall has a wealth of original features including; 23 fireplaces; roccoco, stained glass and vaulted ceilings; gothic windows and shutters; Maw and Co tiled floors; slate slabs; and a magnificent billiards room.
The most unique Christmas spectacle in the UK. The Hall has all 52 rooms decorated for Christmas. Trees and room designs include; china and glass; Disney; transport; nutcracker; crochet; The Nativity; books; chess; russian dolls; knitted figures; casino; and music.
December Sunday 13th No Drive this month
Christmas Meal at Gupshill Manor
Venue: Gupshill Manor, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, GL20 5SY, 01684 292278
Time: 12:30 for 13:00 sit down
Please pay the deposit to Penny by the October meeting and the balance in full by the November meeting.
Dress Code: Smart as you like but NO Jeans please