MG New Forest Run Sunday June 3rd 2007
By Poppy (RIngwood VIC)
On Sunday June 3rd 2007 Alex and I entered the annual New Forest Run with our old MGB GT. This was the 9th year that the Southampton and New Forest M G Owners Club have organised a trip around the New Forest. Each year the event raises funds for local charities and this year those to benefit will be the Children’s Friendship League (Hampshire) Ltd which provides holidays & days out for underprivileged children and also the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance a new county service which they hope to have operational later this Summer!
There were approximately 220 cars taking part – all M.G’s - from the oldest – an MG 14/28 Super built in 1925 and a TA built in 1938, right down to the latest Zr’s and TF’s of 2006 with the most common ones being those made between 1955 & 1980 – MGA’s, MGB’s, ‘Roadsters’ & GT’s,, MGC’s, & Midgets !!! Many local MG ers from all over Hampshire & Dorset came to the event, but there were also those who had travelled miles – Sheffield, Reading, Yetminster, Burton-on-Trent, Derby, Nottingham, High Wycombe, Axminster and Shrewsbury to name a few!
We assembled for the start at Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum at Bashley from 9 a.m. onwards . This was an opportunity for many of those taking part to visit one of the well-known Forest attractions.
The route itself is always planned so that the cars mostly stay off the major roads and everyone can enjoy a leisurely drive on some of the most picturesque lanes taking in parts of the forest not normally seen by tourists!! This year the run took us to Sway, Burley, Bolderwood, Linwood, North Gorley, Godshill, Hale, Nomansland, Bramshaw, Lyndhurst, The Ornamental Drive, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Lepe Country Park, and Exbury. A total of 85 Miles!!
It was a beautiful, sunny day and the trees are looking at their best at this time of year, so green and fresh, and while the bluebells are sadly over, the foxgloves and rhododendrums are out in profusion, plus many of the cottage gardens have flowers out in abundance! The world and his wife seemed to be out using various modes of transport, - cycles, tandems, riders on horseback, pony and traps, motorcycles ( we saw a group on vintage bikes), and canoes & sailing boats on the Beaulieu river! Last but not least, we saw 2 of the N.F.Tour buses packed with people taking advantage of the relaxing way to see the forest.
The forest animals all seemed to be enjoying the glorious weather too, - so many mares & foals, cattle, and donkeys to be seen.
With so much choice of great places to stop, MG ers could been seen picnicking all along the route , while the many local pubs provided much needed liquid refreshment to quench the thirst on a hot day!!!
Journeys end was at Exbury Gardens, so beautiful at this time of year with the Azaleas and Rhododendrums, and it was quite an attraction for the ordinary visitors to the gardens seeing so many M.G’s lined up in the overflow car park.
Alex and I had a great day and it never ceases to amaze me that whenever we go on these runs , even though we are locals, we always end up going down a lane we’ve not seen before!! The New Forest truly is an amazing place and always full of new surprises!!!
Contact the Southampton & New Forest MG Owners Club
Busketts Lawn on a June Morning
By Jane (Lyndhurst VIC)
It was what my Husband calls a “Champagne Morning”, sunny and warm with a light mist rising from the ground, as Phoebe (my Jack Russell puppy) and I take our usual early morning walk form near Bartley up our bridleway for about ½ a mile and then though the wood to approach Busketts Lawn from the North West. We passed a herd of fallow deer quietly munching in the field only visible by their ears and luckily they were unnoticed by Phoebe who was busy scenting scrumptious foxy smells instead!
I heard a woodpecker busy constructing a new home and also a cuckoo, I have never heard so many as during this spring. Then as we neared the open forest I noticed through the trees a Mare and her very young foal in a sunny glade, they were so peaceful I felt an intruder so I quietly put Phoebe on her lead and continued on.
We then met some of Phoebe’s friend and their human companions, and they played for a while, and then reality kicked in and I realized I would be late for work so made for home, thinking once again, how lucky am I to live in such a lovely part of the country as the New Forest.
A day at The New Forest Show
By Jane ( Lymington VIC)
During one of the scorching hot summer day’s of 2006, my friend and I decided to take a trip to the New Forest Show. Due to the high temperatures set of 28 degrees or more that day, the heat was unbearable.
The New Forest show, that occurs every year at the New Park grounds off of the A337 between Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst, is very popular with locals as well as visitors.
The show had many stalls to look around as well as plenty of wonderful animals and livestock to feast your eyes on. There were many events taking place throughout the short period of time we were there. One I was particularly interested in was the show jumping competitions that were on throughout the course of the day. As I used to horse ride I found this event the most spectacular. My friend and I were also lucky enough be around to witness the “Dancing Diggers”, which were great fun!
As midday approached walking around the show started to get very hot, luckily we walked past a stall selling water squirting battery powered fans, for the price of £5. I thought this was quite expensive but due to the extreme weather conditions we were faced with, I thought the fan would turn out to be a good investment.
During the course of the afternoon my friend and I decided to have a look around along some of the stalls. There was a great variety ranging from equestrian stalls to stalls selling a variety of fresh food and drink. There were also stalls selling clothing and promoting other forms of livestock. Also during the course of the afternoon we wondered over to where there was a pole climbing event. 2 heats followed by a final. It was a fun day out, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It is an event which would be ideal for all ages, and I know I will visit again.
More information on the New Forest Show
Aren’t Birds Brilliant! and the New Forest Reptile Centre
By Wendy (Lymington VIC)
In my spare time, when I am not working in the VICs, I help out with the RSPB. They are currently running an event, called “Aren’t Birds Brilliant! in the New Forest” at the New Forest Reptile Centre. This is organised in conjunction with the New Forest National Park and the Forestry Commission.
In the building at the Reptile Centre, there is a large video screen showing images from a live webcam, on a Goshawk’s nest somewhere within the New Forest. Therefore this is a unique opportunity to see these birds up close and in their natural habitat. Many visitors have been amazed at how close the bird appears to be to the camera, apparently unaware that it is being watched. This is because the camera is only about the size of a tube of smarties and as it is also camouflaged, the bird is not at all disturbed.
When the centre reopened for the Summer Season on 6th April, the first egg had already been laid, followed by three more by 10th April. The eggs then needed to be incubated over the course of the next 35 days. This was mostly done by the female, with the male occasionally sitting on the nest himself, and regularly bringing food for the female. Many visitors have been fascinated to witness this process, with several people making return visits to check on the goshawk’s progress.
41 days after it was laid, the first egg hatched on 11th May, followed by the others over the next few days. I was lucky enough to be visiting when the second chick hatched – quite remarkable that this small white fluffy chick would turn into such a large, magnificent bird of prey.
Unfortunately only two of the four chicks survived, and one of these passed away when there was a few days of heavy rain. The female was then able to put all her energies into the one remaining chick, which has now fledged and left the nest in mid-June.
Now the goshawk and chick have left the nest, the new bird of prey on camera is the hobby – again the focus is on its nest, somewhere within the New Forest. There are always volunteers and a member of RSPB staff on duty who are all very knowledgeable and can answer any questions people may have. In addition to the live webcam there is an additional screen, showing highlights of the activity at the nest, so therefore there is always something to see.
Naturally, as well as the Aren’t Birds Brilliant! Event there is also the added interest of the Reptile Centre itself. When I have visited I have been able to see most of the reptiles in the pods, including natterjack toads, green frogs, adders, slow worms and so on. There are information points at each pod highlighting which reptiles can be seen in each pod and some interesting facts about them. Children always seem to enjoy peering into the pods searching for the animals amongst the undergrowth and adults also enjoy seeing some of our native reptiles, which they usually don’t have the opportunity to see.
More information on Arent Birds Brilliant!
