What were you doing in September 1979? Maybe you weren’t even a spark in your dad’s engine then? If you had already been jump-started into this world, you may have been watching the Prime Minister, Mrs Thatcher, on a news bulletin on one of three TV channels; or, you may have been listening to a vinyl copy of the chart-topping hit by The Police, ‘Message in a Bottle’ on your HiFi system, or even on cassette in your car.
You may have been sipping a Babycham to celebrate the win by Gilles Villeneuve at the Italian Grand Prix; or driving yourself around in a new Ford Cortina, one of more than 193,000 sold that year.
OR, you could have been at the inaugural meeting of what was to become the Hampshire Area Morris Minor Owners’ Club (HAMMOC).
The national club had been launched 3 years earlier and Phil Hughes mooted the idea of a local group. This year, in September, HAMMOC celebrates its 45th anniversary and its members have been reminiscing…The names of 16 members appeared on the first newsletter in October 1979, including those of Paul & Lin L and Ian B who are all still members to this day, but look a little different now.
Photo caption L – R: Lin L, Peter P, Peter T, Paul L, Mike S, Lee ? Les M
Back in 1979 there were plenty of Morris Minors on the road. Few people ever thought they would, one day, be collectible so drumming up enthusiasm for a local club wasn’t easy. Paul and Lin recall walking the streets handing out flyers promoting the club. Paul would go on to be Chair for 5 years as well as spells as Treasurer and Events Secretary. Lin was the first Secretary and continued in that post for nearly 20 years. She also held the job of Chair for a couple of years. We wonder how many female Chairs there have been in the Branch groups?
Ian admits that his main reason for joining the club was to get cheap spare parts. He wasn’t disappointed. Pete T became the man to go to for spares. Scrap-It days were organised when a Moggie that had seen better days was purchased and some of the members got together to dismantled it for spares. In later years Keith Adams and Giles V took over that role. If they didn’t have the part, they knew where to pick one up or knew a man who could.
Ian’s Traveller served him well but 96 DVJ was eventually sold to some “dodgy looking characters” when the woodwork started growing fungus. Perhaps they were magic mushrooms because, a short time after, Ian had a knock on the door from the police asking about the car. It had been used in a Post Office robbery as the get-away vehicle. Not only did Ian have a name for the new owner but he had some photos of them too!
Another early member was Kevin S, who was Vice-Chair from 1980-87. He was one of several members who took part in the London-Brighton M.M.O.C. runs in the 80s.
Photo caption: HAMMOC at the London to Brighton – with a dodgy looking character.
Kevin knows the exact date he drove his dad’s car - an almond green 2-door, RVY 809G - on that run - 13th April1986. It was the day after he got married to Fiona and the car was still decked out in balloons and ribbons.
Thankfully, the marriage lasted longer than the car which was poorly by the following weekend and Kevin had to remove the cylinder head and sump to replace the piston rings. Fiona was a lot less trouble!
HAMMOC has seen many changes over the years. Local rallies have always been popular. Those who were there have fond memories of the rallies held on Southsea Common with over 100 cars in attendance as well as stalls. A considerable sum of money was donated to charity from the proceeds.
Photo caption: Southsea Common rally 1983
Last year we hosted Miranda in aid of Marie Curie on two occasions. Ian and Freda W, who had previously been members but no longer owned a Morris, were asked if they’d “Like to have an affair with Miranda”. They said “Yes” and fell in love with Minors all over again and bought another one. We were delighted to raise £779.13 for the charity.
The road runs have always been well supported. Any organised by Keith Adams were fun but a bit of a challenge. Keith would lead the way but forget that he was the only one who knew where he was going and would charge off in front with everyone else trying desperately to keep up and hoping they’d made the correct turn. Keith was a well-liked member for many years. Sadly, no longer with us, his funeral was so well attended by Minors trying to get into the carpark that Keith’s funeral car was kept waiting outside.
There’s often a good turnout of members at shows along the south coast and beyond. Club nights are varied. Coffee mornings, arranged by Ian and Ann B, are enjoyed particularly by the ladies and more senior members not so keen on driving at night.
The size of membership has fluctuated but is currently rising steadily with an increasing number of female members. Several members, like Chrissie C, have rejoined after years away.
Mike H has now been secretary for over 25 years and does a grand job keeping everything, and everyone, in order. Abandoning pen and paper when he took over he computerised the records. The current committee, led by Steve H, is moving the branch forward with the times. Our new website and blog are being visited frequently by people from all over the world.
Who’d have thought that 45 years after a handful of enthusiasts met in a Gosport pub that HAMMOC would still be going from strength to strength
Comments