Ever thought of joining The Austin Healey Club ???
The New Forest Austin Healey Club has an active social calendar
Up and down the country there are many national and local classic car clubs, whether it is the MG Owners Club, the Jaguar Enthusiast Club, the Austin Healey Club or another similar set up, whichever classic car club you belong to their main aim is to keep the marque alive, support its members, through social events, technical tips and provide a network of enthusiasts, reputable suppliers and recommended craftsmen.
Bill Rawles Classic Cars supports the The Austin Healey Club and is an active member of its local branch, The New Forest Austin Healey Club. The New Forest Austin Healey Club is probably one of the smallest units, with just over 150 members, but one of the most active centres. The reason why the NFAHC is so successful is partly due to its committee which is friendly, enthusiastic, and passionate about everything Healey, it works hard for its members and strives to provide an interesting and varied programme of annual events.
Thursday 17th October 2013 saw the New Forest Austin Healey Centre AGM being held in a pub on the outskirts of The New Forest, The Empress of Blandings, Copythorne. For such a small club it is always very encouraging when over 35 members turn up to hear what the committee have to report for the financial year just past. Typically annual general meetings can be very dull, but this meeting was lively, informative, very positive and succinct. The committee reeled off there well-rehearsed reports, which left enough time for a few drinks, some bar snacks and a lot of chatter.
Reasonable Weather Wednesdays are very popular
This year has seen the New Forest Austin Healey Club participate in a full schedule of events ranging from an Annual Dinner dance and prize giving, a bbq in the New Forest, a trip to Ross on Wye, a sail down the Basingstoke Canal, a summer tour to Shropshire, skittles, Beaulieu Classics & Auto Jumble, an overseas excursion to Angouleme, France, – just to mention a few.
The NFAHC in 2012 set up its Reasonable Weather Wednesday meets, which proved very successful and well attended by those who are free in the daytime. The first Wednesday of every month Apr-Oct a planned drive and lunch is organised to embrace the sights of Hampshire.
Noggins & Natters at The Kings Head Hursley
The region also has a number of evening pub meets, known as ‘Noggins & Natters’. These include The Kings Head at Hursley, SO21 2JW, the second Wednesday of every month, The Empress of Blandings, at Copythorne, SO40 2PF, the third Thursday of every month, The Star Inn, at Bentley, GU10 5LW, the fourth Wednesday of every month and The Fox & Hounds, at Wimbourne, BH21 2EQ, the last Thursday of the month. At each of these venues a sociable Austin Healey loving crowd will be ready to welcome you. So if you are thinking about joining why not take the plunge and try out one of these pub club nights.
The NFAHC Annual Dinner Dance at The Hotel Miramar, Bournemouth
The New Forest Austin Healey Clubs up and coming events include:
Wednesday 13th November 2013, Skittles at The Kings Head Hursley
Saturday 30th November 2013, Laying up Supper, The Three Legged Cross in Dorset
The Annual Dinner Dance at The Miramar Hotel Saturday 22nd February 2014
Already being planned a trip to Classic Le Mans 4th-6th July 2014.
4th European Healey Meeting saw a huge coming together of Healey Enthusiasts from all over the world
2013 also hosted The 4th European Healey meeting, based at The Crieff Hydro, Perthshire, Scotland. This event was enormously popular and over subscribed, bringing together Healey enthusiasts and there cars from all over the world to participate in an action packed week full of events to cater for everyones tastes. Our main purpose of joining the event was to reunite an Austin Healey 100-S with a previous driver, 92 year old Ted Evans, which is another story, we also have a few pictures from The Knockhill Track day on our Facebook Page
Bill Rawles has been racing his Austin Healey since the 1990s
The Austin Healey Club are also motorsport enthusiasts. Healey Sport is the motorsport centre of The Austin Healey Club UK, and coordinates the classic racing, sprinting and hill climbing activities in the UK and Internationally. Bill Rawles has raced regularly in various Austin Healey and Classic Car championships throughout Europe and the Uk since the 1990s. The latest event was at Castle Combe on 06th Oct 13. Bill Rawles Classic Cars are also sponsors of the 2013 Sprint and Hill Climb Challenge which report monthly in the National Austin Healey Club Magazine, The Rev Counter or all results can be found on the Healey Sport Website. The motorsport division is a very active part of the club and the annual dinner and prize giving event is scheduled to take place on Saturday 23rd November 2013, at The Village Hotel Swindon.
So if you are interested in becoming a member of The Austin Healey Club, why not take a look at the national Austin Healey Club website, see which region geographically suits you and maybe download the membership form and join today !!!