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Amada Hazlett spent the weekend at Moggyfest at Beaulieu and has very kindly sent us a report and some photos.
This year I decided I should attend Moggyfest at Beaulieu. I had heard it was a great show and had seen pictures of the previous events, so I sent off my application and a cheque for £15. Camping is free and your entry includes the Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, Museum, Palace and gardens, so it is amazing value for the two days. The journey is long, just over 200 miles, as I chose to travel via Bicester and avoid the M25. I actually stopped at Bicester Heritage Centre for a sandwich and coffee, not sure anyone can just turn up, but the man at the gate seemed happy to let me in! I spoke to some of the students at the Heritage Skills Academy who were working on a Morris Minor.
I was camping on site and the facilities were very good at Beaulieu, with nice clean toilets and large hot showers. Display vehicles needed to be in place by 8-30am in the morning, so I parked mine up Friday afternoon, knowing that some Dorset Branch members sleep in the marquee overnight to ensure the vehicles are safe.
The Dorset Branch put on a super display in the marquee each year and this year celebrated the Traveller and LCV models. There was a Traveller shooting brake that was specially rebodied in the Morris factory with a drop-down rear door and one side door. The oldest known van was also on display; it had been hidden away in a Suffolk barn since 1967. There was also a parts stall and refreshments for a small donation. On entry to the show, you receive a small gift; this year it was a China mug which came in handy for the refreshments.
Saturday, after a good breakfast, I set off round the Autojumble and by lunch time I was not even halfway round the stalls. There are a lot of Automobilia on sale these days as well as car parts. I did bump into Dom from the Repair Shop who was filming a set of very small English wheel rollers. Lunch was at the high-quality food stalls and then I hit the rest of the stalls for the afternoon. At 6pm we all gathered at the marquee for our supper. I was treated by Bryan Gostling as he had a spare meal available. My fish and chips were lovely as was my salted caramel cake for dessert.
Sunday morning the Trunk Traders arrived and again I was walking round the stalls looking for bargains. I had a good chat with Daniel Hopkins of Practical Classics about my Minor and also helped Idriveaclassic You Tuber with some filming. After lunch I visited the Museum which houses over 280 cars, motorcycles, and motoring related items; from the earliest motor carriages through to F1 and land speed record breakers. There is a recreated 1930’s garage which contains the contents of the actual Jack Tuckers garage; absolutely fascinating.
I took a ride on the monorail; that opened on site in 1974, and travelled through the roof of the Museum and round the beautiful gardens and kitchen garden. Unfortunately, I did not have time to visit the Palace, but as I enjoyed the weekend so much, I will be attending again and will ensure the Palace is included next time. A super weekend, value for money, a lovely friendly Branch and lots to do; totally recommended.
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