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For this Eastern Area Rally held at Oulton Community Centre, Oulton Broad there was a barbecue at the Blue Boar Inn from 8pm on the Saturday evening and they were holding a grand raffle in aid of charity. The star prize was donated by Lowestoft Exhaust and Brake Centre. The landlord was trying to organise a ‘cheap beer night’! Camping facilities were available on the field and there were showers available.
On the Sunday from midday there would be a Concours d’Elegance for Morris Minors, an autojumble, trade and charity stalls, barbecue, amusements and refreshments. Plus a Tug O’War starring A ‘Minor’ Pull. Also there was a Pony Express Club Exhibition and stationary engines and a prize draw. A competition for Miss Minor and Master Minor would be held for those up to 7 years of age. The sponsors were The Norwich Brewery Co, Mann Egerton, Lloyds Bank plc and David Neville (Travellers). Entrance was free.
Other attractions would be a 25-1 chance of winning a bottle of whisky with 12 bottles to be won and Club regalia would be on sale. There was a chance of an extra prize for the first 50 entries received (excluding Branch members) and a £20 cash prize for the longest distance award. Together with numerous raffle and draw prizes as well as the competition awards, the aim was to make the event a happy time for all. The entry fee for Morris Minors was £2 and a rally plaque would be given out.
A report in the September/October 1983 Minor Matters was as follows:-
“Last years rally was successful but this year it was brilliant; as the sun for which we were thankful after the many weeks of worry about the sodden rally site. Unfortunately the suntan peeled away a few days later. The weekend’s events started on the Saturday night with a barbecue and enormous raffle. 39 prizes were kindly donated by local businesses. The £200 proceeds were donated to the Great Yarmouth and Waveney General District Hospital for the Children’s ward and the money is going towards an incubator.
Sunday surrounded us by 120 cars from all over the country with Neville Wright taking the £20 longest distance award, or perhaps we should call it the Endurance Award as Neville and family travelled from Bishop Auckland and back in one day! Minor owners also tried their luck in the Tug O’ War event, needless to say they did not win. No doubt all that polishing takes its toll!
Duckham’s balloons certainly helped to keep the children happy for their event – Miss and Master Minor competition. The awards went to Charlotte and Kelvin. No doubt they will be asking for their own Minors in a few years. The adults also had some ‘goodies’, their paper hats certainly helped to shade the sun but please don’t try to fill your engine with those key rings!
The awards were presented by Mike Ward from BBC Radio Norfolk. Chris Smedley and Bob Finch had their own Morris Minor chat show on the Saturday afternoon at Radio Norfolk.”
The prize winners were as follows:-
MASTERS CLASS
1st Bob Finch – 1952 MM Saloon – 321 1/2 out of 380. 2nd Roger Norton – 1949 MM Convertible – 319 1/2 out of 380. 3rd Bryan Gostling – 1952 MM Saloon – 317 1/2 out of 380.
CONCOURS
1st Neville Wright – 1958 Pick-up – 294 out of 380. 2nd Ray Newell – 1952 MM Saloon – 283 out of 380. 3rd Rachel Miller – 1971 Pick-up – 253 out of 380.
CONDITION
Series MM. 1st Henry Cooper. 2nd Alec Hawkins. 3rd Doug Curl.
SERIES II. 1st John Dowley. 2nd Anne and Mel Clarke.
1000 CONVERTIBLE. 1st Tony Buglass. 2nd Elaine Pritchard.
1000 TRAVELLERS. 1st Richard Cownden. 2nd Clive Vandome. 3rd T Machin. 4th Guy Langridge.
1000 SALOONS (948cc). 1st John Crosier. 2nd P.R. Mills. 3rd Ralph Conroy.
1000 SALOONS (1098cc). 1st Amanda Wright. 2nd Suzanne Pratt. 3rd John Mixter. 4th Robert Swan.
CUSTOM. 1st Colin Moore. 2nd Russ Smith.
COMMERCIAL AND VANS. 1st Dave Game. 2nd C.C. Jones.
NON-MEMBERS. 1st P.M Sayles. 2nd D.J. Stebbing.
Best Historic Value – June Cooper.
Most unusual feature – John Frye.
Cleanest under bonnet – P.R. Mills.
Restoration Challenge Car – Paul Barwood.
Best Literary Advisor – Mike Hupton.
Rarest Car – Ralph Conroy.
Longest Distance – Neville Wright.
Miss Minor – Charlotte. Master Minor – Kelvin Colbourn.
In our gallery we have a photo of Kelvin Colbourn who was the winner of Master Minor at this event. The photo was kindly sent in by his parents Jean and Glenn who are past members of the Branch.
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