2021 - 2024
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AJS Car Club Rally 2024 - Cranfield, Beds
This year's annual rally was organised by Stephen George, and was based around Cranfield from 21 June 2024 to 24 June 2024.
It was great to see so many members over the course of the weekend, including Peter H (unfortunately without wife Suzi who had an alternative engagement), Pete & Gwen, John & Minty, Pat & Bernard, Warren & Julia, Mark & Eleanor, John & Moya, Ken, Caroline & Martin, Barbara and of course our organiser Stephen. It was particular good to welcome Colin and June Thew to, I believe, their first rally, although they have been members for a number of years. Unfortunately due to mechanical breakdowns, ongoing rebuilds and driver's health issues, we were once again a bit short on AJS cars.
On Friday, most of the early arrivals made their way to Wrest Park, an 18th Century Mansion in 90 acres of magical grounds in Silsoe, Beds, but unfortunately they left Martin (and Caroline) to grapple with a broken fuel pump. On Saturday we visited the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Park, a fascinating collection illustrating not only aviation design from the Edwardian times up until the 1950s, but also showcasing early 20th century aircraft, cars, buses and motorbikes to steam engines and farm machinery. While most had a lovely afternoon at the collection, Martin was still hard at work in the hotel car park trying to fix the Barton car!!
Sunday, and with the Barton car back on the road again, we headed over to Twinwood Museum, only stopping for a brief clutch adjustment on route.
Twinwood Airfield was a RAF training base. Glenn Miller and his Orchestra were based in nearby Bedford and regularly used RAF Twinwood Airfield. On 27 August 1944, Glenn Miller performed a special concert at the base, the only outdoor concert he performed at a British base. Later that year, on 15 December 1944, Major Glenn Miller was due to leave England for France. He boarded a Norseman aircraft outside Twinwood Control Tower, and he was never seen again. An unexplained tragedy, but a great choice of venue to round off an excellent weekend.
Wolverhampton Transport Festival 2023
Whilst the club was unable to attend the Wolverhampton Transport Festival on 16 July 2023 "en masse", we were very pleased to hear that Nigel had taken A930 to "fly the AJS flag",
AJS Car Club Rally 2023 - Anglesey
The annual meeting for 2023, was based at the Gwesty Gadlys Hotel, located close to Cemaes Bay, almost at the most northerly tip of the isle of Anglesey. It saw the largest gathering of AJS members and cars since pre COVID. In all 15 members attended and it was great to be able to welcome relatively new member Stephen George to a rally for the first time.
The island provided the club with some great suitable motoring through its relatively low lying landscape. The itinerary for the weekend was
Friday 9 June - Informal evening at the hotel. Evening meal at the hotel restaurant.
Saturday 10 June - Following breakfast, a route through sympathetic countryside on a circuit of the Island. Stops for lunch and at various places of interest en route. Arriving back at the Gwesty Gadlys Hotel later in the afternoon.
Sunday 11 June - The club will travel across the island back to the mainland on a leisurely drive to take in some more dramatic scenery with the mountains of Snowdonia as a backdrop for the day.
Monday 12 June - Following breakfast, unless staying on to explore further, members to depart for the return journey back home
A few pictures of the rally below
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AJS Car Club Rally 2022 - Evesham, Worcs
Great to see everyone at the 2022 AJS Rally over the weekend of 25 and 26 June 2022
The weekend, based around Evesham and organised by Peter & Suzi with help from John & Minty, saw a good turnout of members, but was somewhat less successful on the car front, at least three members unexpectedly without their cars because of last minute problems.
Notwithstanding the lack of AJS cars, we had our usual packed weekend of activities. Saturday morning saw everybody go off to Hidcote Manor, a national trust property formerly an Abbey until it was disbanded by Henry VIII in 1559. After some of the now obligatory heads under bonnets and running repairs - Warren having lost a pin from brake pushrod needed to effect some emergency repairs to get his brakes working - we all enjoyed a wonder round the gardens.
In the afternoon members went in different directions, some to Snowshill Manor and Gardens and some to Edgehill, the site of the first major battle of the Civil War in 1642.
Saturday evening saw our usual AGM, but on this occasion, it was unusual as it saw the celebration of our club chairman Peter Hubbard 30 years of service. John Goose gave an excellent speech and presented Peter and Suzi with gifts from the club, for Peter, a book on Hill climbing and a few bottles of Red, for Suzi a gift voucher to spend as she wishes. Thank you to Peter for all his continuing work for the club over all these years and to Suzi for all her help and support.
Sunday, again saw members going in different directions, a number went to Blenheim Palace, built for the first Duke of Marlborough in recognition of his military triumphs in the War of Spanish succession, culminating in the Battle of Blenheim, and birthplace of Winston Churchill. Others went on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway from Broadway to Cheltenham racecourse, a route previously travelled by the club on our 2014 rally.
In the afternoon a number of us who hadn't
been there the previous day went to Snowshill Manor and Gardens. Snowshill was
created by Charles Wade , architect, artist and collector of everything from
snuff boxes and toys to armour, weapons and musical instruments.
All in all another successful weekend. It was fantastic to see so many old and new members and friends.
AJS Car Club Rally 2021 - Ilminster, Somerset
A few pictures a rather wet 2021 rally at Ilminster, Somerset