Morris Minor Owners Club

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In light of the growing media coverage of this issue, the MMOC would like to confirm that it is our intention that the MMOC stand at the NEC Practical Classics Restoration Show will go ahead as normal at the end of March.

We appreciate that there may be concerns due to the high level of media coverage, however, the current government advice is that risk to individuals In the UK remains very low and there are no restrictions to travel or trade at present. Our primary concern is the welfare and safety of our members and our volunteer teams, and we will continue to monitor developments on an ongoing basis. Should the situation change we will make further statement(s) in the same places as this notice is displayed.

Very Best Regards
Morris Minor Owners Club

For latest official advice, please see the following page
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
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I was at the NEC yesterday, for Crufts.
There was a lot of pre-show publicity about major sponsors telling their staff not to go but that didn't seem to affect the event at all. It looked as if a small number of trade stands had decided not to come and some competitors had pulled out but it was very much business as usual.
The toilets were clean, soap and paper towels were being regularly restocked and there were hand sanitisers all over the place.

Apparently the old are effected to a greater degree, the Morris Minor membership needs to be careful !!

Following information just released:

Important information regarding the show

It is with great sadness that Clarion Events has decided to postpone the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show with Discovery.

The event team have been continually monitoring the latest public health and government guidelines regarding the evolving COVID-19 situation and acting in accordance with their advice.

The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, exhibitors, partners, contractors and staff is the most important factor and therefore the only action for all involved is to postpone.

We are working with the NEC to find suitable options to reschedule the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show with Discovery, please bear with us as we work to secure a new date line.

Tickets already purchased will be valid for the rescheduled date. We will be in touch with all our visitors as soon as we have more information to share. We will keep you updated via our newsletters, website and social media channels.

We are truly sorry that we have had to make this extremely difficult decision and thank you all for your patience, understanding and support in this unprecedented situation.

Classic Car Auctions will be running their auction at the Warwickshire Event Centre. Please visit www.classiccarauctions.co.uk for further details, including how to view and bid.

I've just had an email from FBHVC, with the following attachment.


Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs statement on Drive it Day 2020

The FBHVC is committed to following the latest UK Government advice on events and public gatherings pertinent to our member clubs and as such, the following statement is in line with that advice, at time of writing, during this fast-moving situation.

Member clubs of the FBHVC are seeking guidance from the Federation with regard to Drive it Day, scheduled for Sunday 26th April 2020.

Many events are already postponed or cancelled and so, with such a crowded event calendar, the possibility of achieving consensus for a revised Drive it Day date later in the year will be very difficult to achieve, hence why we publicise the dates up to five years in advance.

Therefore, Drive it Day 2020 will continue to be celebrated on Sunday 26th April. This being closest to the date in 1900 when the One Thousand Mile Trial organised by the Automobile Club started from London on April 23rd and travelled via Bristol, Birmingham, Derby, Manchester, Kendal, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Sheffield, Lincoln, Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton and back to London in order to prove the viability of the motor car.

Currently, UK government are advising against all non-essential social contact. Our current general guidance to car clubs, that can be found on our website at https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/news/article/coronavirus , encourages the cancellation or postponement of meets, events and gatherings of people.

However, there seems no reason why enthusiasts could not take their vehicles out for a drive on Drive it Day, waving to each other from a discrete distance, so long as that drive avoids physical social contact.

The Federation is encouraging the use of your chosen social media platform to share images and stories for what you are doing with your historic vehicles and furthermore, if you are unable to drive them, what you might be working on within the self - isolation of your garage or shed.

The FBHVC are asking for all enthusiasts to share pictures of what they do on Drive it Day utilising their historic vehicles in any way that is safe and sensible to do so using the hashtag #DriveitDay. Post your picture on to the FBHVC social media feeds or those of your member clubs. We will be monitoring those social feeds and public posts published with the #DriveitDay hashtag will be gathered onto a special area within the FBHVC website galleries in the future.

We would like to stress that the more mature, or those with underlying health conditions that fall into the “high-risk” category, should not attempt to leave isolation, even for a short drive. Those able to consider a short drive on Drive it Day should plan carefully whether that journey may require interactions, such as the purchase of fuel or payment of road tolls for example and make a personal judgement on the safety of any Drive it Day journey. We strongly advise that you follow current UK Government advice and do not attend events, meets or visit public places such as pubs, restaurants or cafés on your Drive it Day journey.

For the latest advice for car clubs, events and other news – keep up to date via the Federation news pages at www.fbhvc.co.uk .

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