By Ian Doherty

On 25th September 2011, WVVMC held their first Run for older vehicles only. Whilst we were aware that this would exclude a large number of members we were sure that they would understand that to give the owners of these very old cars an opportunity to bring them for a run would be very special indeed. A  cut off year of 1955 was agreed, so it was named the "Pre 1955 Run".

In all, 33 cars took part with ages from 1911 to 1954. People who owned more than one qualifying car in some cases generously loaned cars to others who would have otherwise been excluded. This helped to increase the number of entries but also may have given those     drivers a taste of what it’s like to drive a much older car and can only be good in broadening peoples interest in our hobby.

The entrants met at the Salthill Hotel at 10am for registration. An entry fee of €20 per car was charged which covered Administration costs, Number plates for the car, a very substantial plaque, a souvenir programme and coffee and sandwiches in the hotel for driver and passengers.

A connection was made between this run and our very first summer run held in 1979.  In his opening address, Hon Member and Director Bill Fennell said that he was delighted to see that three of the entrants, Paddy Whitty, Thomas Connor and Joseph Crann were also on the 1979 run and that the latter two were doing it in the very same cars. A small presentation was made to these people.

President Padraig Giblin then said a few words thanking those who turned out with their beautiful cars, particularly those who had come from as far as Cork and Waterford. He noted the good turnout and wondered if small exclusive runs such as a 60's only run or a particular marque run might help  to bring people out.  He thanked those who had loaned and entrusted their cars to others so they could participate in the event.

Shortly after 11am, starting handles were cranked, engines started and the run began. Thanks to the Gardaí there was no delay exiting     Rockbarton Road on to the Promenade. The run went through Barna and Spiddal where a coffee stop was made at the Craft Centre.  Onwards to Inverin and Rossaveal Junction, Turning Right and through very rugged, beautiful countryside. In some places the road surface and steep gradient made for an "interesting" drive but everyone reached Oughterard safely and there was not one breakdown. There was no compulsory lunch organised and entrants were able to go where they liked and eat what they liked. After lunch the cars dispersed and headed for Galway via the main road.

(See Photo Gallery)

Heartbeat Run

By Frank Mullan

Twelve club members, with spouses and guests – 25 in all, set out to visit the mythical village of Aidensfield on Thursday 6^th October.   The afternoon fast ferry to Holyhead, on which we were booked, was cancelled due to stormy weather.  So most of us left Galway about 4:30am to catch the 8:05 Ulysses from Dublin.  Because of our early arrival in Wales, there was time to explore the beautiful Conwy Valley, or visit the seaside town of Llandudno, before settling in for our overnight stay at the Premier Inn, conveniently located about an hour’s drive from Holyhead.   Next morning we drove to Holmfirth – setting of The Last of the Summer Wine. After lunch at Sid’s Café, where the old codgers planned their mischief under the watchful eye of Ivy, we continued on to Whitby in north Yorkshire.  Here, we checked into Dunsley Hall Country House Hotel for the next four nights.

The North Yorkshire Moor is a wonderful combination of wilderness and well-maintained traditional villages.  On almost every road through the Moors, you will find 25% gradients to test the engines and brakes of the old cars.  But it is well worth the effort – the scenery is breathtaking.

On Saturday, we decided to ‘let the train take the strain’.  North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs a regular steam train service, using 1960’s and 1970’s carriages, on the old Whitby-Pickering line.  We visited D.T. Mathewson’s North Yorkshire Motor Museum at Thornton-le-Dale, a short bus ride from Pickering.  On Sunday, we drove to the village of Goathland, which is Aidensfield in the 1960’s-style police drama, Heartbeat. On the day, East Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club (EYTCC) was holding a static display at the NYMR station.  In the afternoon, people either continued touring the Moors, or visited the seaside town of Scarborough.  We had nothing specific planned on Monday – shopping day for the ladies!  Some of us visited York Minster or the National Railway Museum at York.  Some visited other market towns on the edge of the Moor.

En route to North Wales on Tuesday, we visited the market town of Thirsk.  This is where James Herriot, the vet, wrote the books that formed the basis of the television series, All Creatures Great and Small. Thirsk was, of course the mythical town of Darrowby in which the series was set.  We caught the mid-day ferry to Dublin on Wednesday after another pleasant night at the Premier Inn.

We had a group of 25 people.  It is fair to say we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. The quality of food and comfort at both of our hotels exceeded our expectations. We were particularly impressed by the standard of food and service at Dunsley Hall.

See Photos of the run

On April 10th 2010, the WVVMC held their first Vintage Display and Autojumble at Claregalway Corporate Park. The day was by all accounts a great success with hundreds of vintage exhibits and a large number of Autojumble, craft and memorabilia stands. The day was also enhanced by the fact that it was the warmest day of the year so far which definitely brought out the crowds. All proceeds from the show will be donated to local charities. It is hoped that this show will become an annual event.

SEE PHOTO GALLERY

After almost a fortnight of torrential rain and the worst flooding the county has seen in living memory it was left until the eleventh hour to decide that the WVVMC Pre-Christmas run would go ahead on Sunday 29^th November 2009
It was in fact a good decision as the day turned out to be dry, sunny and bitterly cold. A perfect day for a winter run.
The participants met at the Salthill Hotel and took the scenic coast road to Spiddal.  After a stop at the craft centre for a cup of tea and the usual motoring natter, the run resumed back to Galway and Salthill via Moycullen.
Only Nine cars participated but some members came along with their modern cars to support the event.
The run was followed by an excellent, optional meal at the Salthill Hotel and a lovely afternoon was had by all.

Ballinasloe and District Vintage Club Inaugural Run & Parade

Text by Bill Fennell
Photographs Courtesy of Theo Hanly

On Sunday 11^th October, 2009, the new Ballinasloe and District Vintage Club held their Inaugural Run and Parade in conjunction with the final weekend of the Annual Horse Fair. Over 80 cars, 60 tractors, a number of stationary engines, machinery and horse drawn vehicles took part.

A very successful run took place on Sunday, September 20th. The Weather was quite good and the scenery was really brilliant in a drive which took us by the scenic coast route through Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Black Head, Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, Liscannor, Lahinch and Spanish Point to Miltown Malbay on the west coast of Clare. Twenty five cars took part and we were joined by some members of the Clare club from Liscannor to Miltown Malbay. The Westbridge restaurant in Miltown Malbay provided a really excellent meal for the fifty people who took part, while of course the All-Ireland football final commanded a lot of attention on the television.

On Sunday, the 5th of April last we held our Meals after Wheels run. We met up at the Esso petrol station on the Claregalway Oranmore road. This is a handy place to start as we have the car park outside the Cold Chon offices and if we need petrol or other refreshments – it’s beside us. It gave a chance for us to meet up, do some tyre kicking and discuss the run etc. We headed out the N6 towards Loughrea, and then took the road for Gort going out by the lake.