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Some basic stuff...

Hello and welcome to the South West Midlands Area of the MX-5 Owners' Club

Our monthly meetings are normally held from about 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month.  Most Members take the opportunity to dine at the venue.  Some even take to drink!

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.  There is usually a break for the main holiday month of August. Drives are normally held on the Sunday seventeen days following the monthly meeting.

Apart from the locally organised meetings and drives, Members can enjoy other events and national events.  The club's main site www.mx5oc.co.uk has more details of the national events.

Monthly Drives

Drives 2023

 Click the month name for quick access to the details
February   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.

NOTE: Check the SWM events page Here for latest info on drive special events
ALSO: Check the SWM events on the MX5 OC Club Calendar (Click Here)

Some ideas for future drives and events...

  • visit to a National Trust or similar property
  • take a picnic
  • treasure hunt
Download useful NOTES - CLICK HERE for organisers and participants.

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
Click here for record of previous drives


February 19th            Gary & Julie

February’s Frolics in a Five
Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Start: St Peters Garden Centre, Pear Tree Farm, Norton Rd Worcester WR5 2NY
Time: 9.00 am for Breakfast and tea/coffee.
Depart: 10:00
Intermediate Stop: Dobbies Garden Centre, Warwick Rd, Black Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 0QW (10 minute Comfort break)
Finish: Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9AT
 
Distance: 70 miles

Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.

Route

Useful Information:
Please arrive at the start point early (9:00 am) if you want to take breakfast as it is cooked to order and may take a while.
Heading east through Cotswolds to Stratford on Avon where we take a quick comfort break at Dobbies Garden Centre (approx 90 minutes driving) and then
Down fosse way to Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre (approx 45 minutes driving).
Back via fish hill if interested.

Batsford Arboretum Website:        http://www.batsarb.co.uk/



March 19th            John & Ron

The Mother’s Day MX5 March Drive
Date: Sunday 19th March 2023 (Mother's Day)
Start: Morrisons Car Park, Ashchurch Rd, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. GL20 8AB
Time: 09:15 (The Store Café opens at 9:30) for coffee / breakfast
Depart: 10:15
Intermediate Stop: The Hop Pocket Shopping Village. Bishops Frome, WR6 5BT,
Finish: Himley Hall, Himley, Dudley DY3 4DF
 
Distance: 66 miles

Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.

Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

Drive Options:
The drive heads through Ledbury, Stop at The Hop Pocket for coffee then onward through Bromyard, Bewdley and on to Himley Hall.

Useful Information:
Himley Park is open daily 7.30am to dusk.
Admission to the park is free but Pay & Display car parking charges are in operation as follows:
Up to 2 hours parking £2.00
All day parking £3.00
Disabled parking remains free of charge for those displaying a valid blue badge.

On the day we visit there is an Antiques and Collectors Fair at Himley Park.
This is from their website:
Every available space inside the Historic Hall will be filled with traders from across the UK selling a wide range of items from yesteryear, including, furniture, jewellery, coins, ceramics, silver, toys plus the strange & unusual a real eclectic mix.
Entry to the fair is £2.50, 9am - 3.30pm
More information is available on their website:
https://www.himleyhallandpark.co.uk/events-1/antiques-and-collectors-fair-31



April 23rd            David & Gina

The Cotswolds (nearly) 100
 In Support of National Drive-it Day 2023 & Childline

Date: Sunday 23rd April 2023 (St Georges Day)
Start: The Fleet Inn. Fleet Lane. Twyning. GL20 6FL
Time: 09:00 For Tea/Coffee/Breakfast
Briefing: 10:00 Including Team Photo
Depart: 10:15 Groups at five-minute intervals
Pitstop: 12:15 Aston Pottery. Kingsway Farm. Aston. OX18 2BT
Depart: 14:00 Groups at five-minute intervals
Finish: 14:45 The Cotswold Barn GL56 0QZ (Optional)
Travel Time: 4.5 Hours. approximately (including lunch stop at Aston Pottery)
 
Distance: 100 miles

Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.

Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

Drive Options:
National Drive It Day:

Created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005.  It is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention, the motor vehicle. It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping transport heritage on UK roads. 

NSPCC’s Childline service is the official beneficiary for Drive-it Day 2023. Up and down the country car clubs and bike enthusiasts will be taking part – observing government restrictions of course – and raising money for this important cause.

To find out more, order your commemorative plate or donate visit: www.driveitday.co.uk

Useful Information:
The Fleet Inn: 01684 274020   www.butcombe.com/the-fleet-inn-gloucestershire
A riverside pub, hotel, and restaurant with a history dating back to the 1800s,
Drive past The Inn on your left and continue around to the left to reserved parking by the river.
Meet in The Boathouse.
Bacon or Sausage baps – with or without egg will be served from 9:15 – cost £8.95 including Tea or Coffee.
Please pre-order via: southwestmidlands@mx5.co.uk, Private message, Facebook, Pro-boards Forum

Aston Pottery: 01193 852896   www.astonpottery.co.uk
From clay to finished product all hand stencilled pottery is designed manufactured and decorated on site. The award-winning country café serves a selection of homemade sandwiches, savoury flans, tarts, pies, and quiches. Cakes, scones, biscuits, sweet tarts, and bread are freshly baked on site each day. We have a reserved seating area – no need to pre order - please see website for menu.

The Cotswold Barn: 01451 830469   www.cotswoldbarn.com
(Optional Final Stop)
Now established as a popular meeting place for many car clubs and a friend to MX5 SWM OC
Enjoy dedicated display parking, coffee, cakes & cream teas while enjoying beautiful Cotswold views. In the company of owners Bernard & Jo.



May 21st            Mary Fenton

A scenic drive through Four Counties – take 2
Date: Sunday 21st May 2023
Start: Gupshill Manor, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. GL20 5SG
Time: 09:00 onwards for breakfast, tea/coffee
Depart: 10:15 (10:30 latest)
Pitstop: Coffee/Cake/Comfort stop at The Hop Pocket shopping village cafe. WR6 5BT
Finish: Ludlow Food Centre and Farm Shop SY8 2JR
 
Distance: about 72 miles

Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.

Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

Drive summary:
This is a second attempt at the drive planned for last October before the last minute changes due to a road closure for long term road works. It is not a repeat of the route we followed in October.
The start, mid-point and end are the same, but the route in between is mostly different.
A drive winding its way through 4 counties, using 'A' and 'B' country roads, with some great scenery, and hopefully quiet roads. Finishing at the Ludlow Food Centre and Farm Shop where there is a café and plenty of free parking.
At The Hop Pocket we will be parking where we parked for the March drive.



June 18th            John & Penny

BORDERS BASH
Date: Sunday 18th June 2023 (Father's Day)
Start: Ross on Wye Services, Southbound A40, Starbucks, Fuel, etc. HR9 7QJ
Time: 09:00
Depart: 09:45
Pitstop: Coffee/Comfort stop at The Three Salmons Hotel, 3 Porthycarne St, Usk NP15 1RY
Finish: The Mill Race Inn, Walford Nr Ross, HR9 5QS, The Mill Race Pub Website
 
Distance: 80 miles

Drive Options:

Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.

Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

Drive summary:
Heading South through some great countriside with wonderful views along the way, passing Tintern Abbey and heading to Usk for the comfort / coffee & biscuit stop. The second half of the drive heads towards Abergavenney then across country back to Ross on Wye where we end the drive at The Mill Race Inn at Walford for Sunday Lunch.

See the menu below. You must either ring the restaurant on 01989 562891 between the hours of 11:00 - 15:00 or 17:00 - 21:00 with your meal choice from the menu or email your choices to the email address on the top of the menu (see link below).
It is important to say you are with The MX5 Owners Club when ordering.

Right Click and save link / target to download the Lunch Menu.



July 9th            Jeff Long   Note the change of date.

Brecon Cruise to Crickhowell
Date: Sunday 9th July 2023
Start: Ross on Wye Services, Southbound A40, Starbucks, Fuel, etc. HR9 7QJ
Time: 09:30 Drinks & breakfast rolls from Starbucks if required
Briefing: 10:15 Please print a copy of the route instructions for reference
Depart: 10:30 In groups
Pitstop: 11:45 Old Railway Line Garden Centre. Three Cocks. Brecon LD3 0SG, 01497 847055
Depart: 13:00 A cruise through Bannau Brycheiniog National Park to our final destination
Finish: 15:00 Crickhowell
 
Distance: 108 miles
Travel Time: 3:30 Hours Approximately (Including Pitstop)Time

Drive Options:

Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.

Drive summary:
Heading out from Ross services we drive for about an hour to the Old Railway Line Garden Centre. Three Cocks. Brecon. where we will spend an hour or so.
Please park in the reserved area by hedge. We have reserved seating in the Tea Room (not the restaurant) and there is also an outside take away.
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre is "a family run, independent Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Restaurant combined, offering the absolute best gardening, home and outdoor living products alongside delicious, fresh, locally produced food and drink". Please assemble by your cars and be ready to depart for the second half of the drive by 13:00.

From here we cruise through Bannau Brycheiniog National Park to our final destination Crickhowell where, (weather permitting), we could picnic by the ruins of the stone castle built in the 13th century by Sir Grimbald Pauncefote. Like many castles it started life originally as a Norman motte and bailey castle built of timber in the 12th century but is now mostly ruins, you could climb to the top of the mound (or motte) for views over the town and towards the mountains, you can also enjoy the local pubs, cafes and a thriving high street of the town itself.



August 20th            Paul & Pamela Howe

A Shropshire Lad (with an MX 5!)
Date: Sunday 20th August 2023
Start: St Peters Garden Centre, Pear Tree Farm, Norton, WR5 2NY
Time: 09:00 for breakfast / coffee
Depart: 10:00 (10:15 latest)
Pitstop: Burford House, Burford, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8HQ
Depart: 11:45 (12:00 latest)
Finish: Attingham Park NT, Atcham, Shrewsbury, SY4 4TP
 
Distance: 100 miles

Drive Options:
Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.
Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

Drive summary:
Departing St Peters Garden Centre we head across country to skirt past Leominster and up to Tenbury Wells for the coffee stop. On leaving there we take the long way round through more countryside up to the final destination just south of Shrewsbury.
Estimated timings:
Depart St Peters Garden Centre 10:00
1hour 10 mins (38 miles) drive to Burford House coffee / comfort stop - arrive 11:10 onwards
allow 40 mins for coffee etc depart 11:45 - 12:00
1h 40 mins (62 miles) from coffee stop to Attingham Park arrive 12:50 onwards.

Entrance to Attingham Park is free to NT members, for non NT members we can get a group discount. If you are interested in going please indicate if you are a NT member or a non member.

Useful Information:
St Peters Garden Centre:    www.stpetersgardencentre.co.uk
Burford House:    britishgardencentres.com/burford-house-garden-centre/
Attingham Park NT:    www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/attingham-park


MyRouteApp Link:
MyRouteApp is the tool I use to create the satnav itineraries on a PC. It allows routes to be shared between users and the Android / IOS version also has a fully functional satnav app that follows these routes accurately. For more information on MyRouteApp go to
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/information





Sunday September 24th            Andrew Wagstaff   Note Changed back to Sunday 24th.

From Croome to Cotswolds: A Top-Down Trek
Date: Sunday 24th September 2023
Start: Croome Court NT, near High Green, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR8 9DW
Time: 10:00am for breakfast /coffee
Depart: 10:45 (11:00 latest)
Pitstop: The Valley, Evesham, WR11 4DS
Depart: 12:45pm (13:00pm latest)
Finish: Cotswold Barn, Ganborough, Longborough, GL56 0QZ
 
Distance: 60 miles


Drive Options:
Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.
Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

Useful Information:


MyRouteApp Link:
MyRouteApp is the tool I use to create the satnav itineraries on a PC. It allows routes to be shared between users and the Android / IOS version also has a fully functional satnav app (subscription required) that follows these routes accurately. For more information on MyRouteApp go to
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/information





October 22nd            Lin & Steve

A Drive on the Lee Side
Date: Sunday 22nd October 2023
Start: Costa Coffee, Gloucester Business Park, Whittle Way, Brockworth, GL3 4BJ
Time: 9:30 for breakfast / coffee
Depart: 10:15 (10.45 latest)
Pitstop: Oaksey Park, Gold and Leisure, Oaksey, Malmesbury, SN16 9SB
Finish: Carvery at The Whitminster Inn, Bristol Road, Whitminster, Gloucester, GL2 7NY
 
Distance: 68 miles

Drive summary:
Starting at Costa Coffee Whittle Way Gloucester. The drive will wend its way through the Slad valley and other byways, to Oaksey Park (Golf and Leisure) Near Malmesbury for a Coffee and cake stop Distance about 35 miles.
Driving off from the Golf Club, we will travel towards Frampton on Severn finishing the drive at the Whitminster Inn on the A38 at approximately 3:30pm, a further 33 miles.
The Whitminster Inn is conveniently situated near the M5 junction for those that need to go North towards Worcester. For those that wish to have a meal we have arranged for a roast to be available (maybe a carvery).

Click Here to view The Whitminster Inn Sunday Menu

This will need to be ordered in advance.
Please pre-order via email to: southwestmidlands@mx5.co.uk, or Private message on Facebook, the Pro-boards Forum or add a post to the Facebook Event for this drive on the SWM private facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/events/333136479099624

On the drive we will be traveling through forested areas and roads overlooking the Severn Estuary. So, with it being Autumn and (if the weather is kind to us) we are expecting lots of colour and stunning views of Gloucestershire.

Drive Options:
Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.
Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

Useful Information:


MyRouteApp Link:
MyRouteApp is the tool I use to create the satnav itineraries on a PC. It allows routes to be shared between users and the Android / IOS version also has a fully functional satnav app (subscription required) that follows these routes accurately. For more information on MyRouteApp go to
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/information





November 19th            David & Gina

Autumn Adventures in a 5
Date: Sunday 19th November 2023
Start: Apple Tree Kitchen, Pitlands Farm, Clifton Upon Teme, WR6 6DX
Time: 09:00 For Tea Coffee and Breakfast
Briefing: 10:30
Depart: 10:45 In groups
Pitstop: 12:15 Yewtree Farm Courtyard, Pettiford Lane, Wooton Wawen, B95 6BY
Depart: Depart: 13:45 In groups
Finish: 14:30 Fish & Anchor Inn, Offenham, Evesham WR11 8QT
 
Distance: 68 miles
Travel Time: 3 Hours 45 Minutes – (including a 1.5 hour stop at Yew Tree Farm)

Useful Information:

Set in twenty-five acres of landscaped gardens and orchards with picturesque views over the Teme Valley, The Apple Tree Kitchen is a special venue from which to start our final drive in 2023.
Click Here to view The Apple Tree Kitchen Menu


The Cowshed Café serves freshly prepared food and drink all day, or you can nip into the farm shop for a whole host of local delights.
Shopping - From exotic loose tea from around the world to garden furniture, antiques, fashion, and handmade chocolate they have something for everyone.


Managed by an MX5 owner and situated in the peaceful setting of Offenham. Join us for a Sunday lunch to celebrate the end of our 2023 drive season.
Contact Sam or one of her team by telephone to book your table quoting MX-5 OC and pre-order your choice of food from the Sunday menu.
Click Here to view The Fish & Anchor Inn Menu

Drive Options:
Right Click and save link / target to download the route and Itinerary.
Clich the map icon for a larger map
Route

MyRouteApp Link:
MyRouteApp is the tool I use to create the satnav itineraries on a PC. It allows routes to be shared between users and the Android / IOS version also has a fully functional satnav app (subscription required) that follows these routes accurately. For more information on MyRouteApp go to






December Sunday 10th             No Drive this month

Christmas Meal

Venue: Gupshill Manor, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, GL20 5SG, 01684 292278
Time: 12:30 for 13:00 sit down
Dress Code: Smart as you like but NO Jeans please

Penny is now collecting names and moneys if you wish to attend. Please let her know if you will be going. The prices this year are 3 Course £29.95, 2 Course £24.95

Click Here to view The Gupshill Christmas Menu

Please pay Penny the balance in full by the November meeting. You can contact Penny via facebook, see the SWM FB group for details.
DO NOT CONTACT GUPSHILL MANOR DIRECT - ALL CONTACT MUST BE THROUGH Penny White.




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