ST. GEORGE’S DAY RALLY
ELSECAR HERITAGE CENTRE
SUNDAY 22^ND APRIL 2007

A fine sunny morning saw 11 MG’s and their crews join The Traditional Car Club of Doncaster for their start of season event in support of the FBHVC’s National Drive-It-Day.  After gathering, very appropriately, by the splendid St. Georges church in Doncaster we set off in the company of a wonderful mix of classics of all ages for a scenic drive through the byways and pretty villages of South Yorkshire.  Some extensive views were to be enjoyed along the way and the village of Wentworth, in particular, was as pretty as a picture in the spring sunshine. 

On arrival at The Elsecar Heritage Centre we were all expertly parked up around the numerous buildings that make up the Centre and the rest of the day was ours to wander round enjoying all the various attractions and admiring the wonderful assembly of classic vehicles, 220 in total that turned out.  We were all able to reminisce about makes and models that we had either owned in the past ourselves or that we remembered as family cars in our childhood. 

The Heritage Centre, set in the attractive conservation village of Elsecar near Barnsley, is located within the former ironworks and colliery workshops of the Earl Fitzwilliam.  The restores buildings now house an antique centre, individual craft workshops and exhibitions of Elsecar’s past.  On site there is also a Newcomen Beam Engine, which was used for mine drainage, and a stretch of rail track with a diesel electric loco pulling a carriage of excited passengers on short trips.

click on image to enlarge
Photo's by Cliff Hobbs

After picnics in the sunshine and a relaxing chat with friends it was time for the concours awards to be announced.

Our thanks go to member Jim Konsandelos (1935 MG PA Midget) for the initial invitation to join The Traditional Car Club of Doncaster for the event and for making all arrangements.

Review by
Andrew Murfin
South Yorkshire