We'd like to say a BIG Thank You to everyone who came and visited us on 2nd/3rd June, especially to Six Ex MOC, New Mini Severns and all the clubs and their lovely members and the traders who came from far and wide to bring everyone great bargains and goodies.
CLICK HERE for the piccies
We thought you'd like to hear a first time visitor's impression of Bristol Miniday:
My first miniday
We entered Bath Racecourse and were greeted with glorious sunshine and a number of clubs were already setting up camp and various displays on their plots. We pitched our tent and I cracked open a few beers whilst basking in the evening sunshine and watching others arrive.
As the sun fell, it was then that I realised, we’d forgotten our BBQ! Never mind. We headed off to the pavilion for a Race night which involved choosing your mule, placing your pennies and screaming at a pre-recorded horse race on a large screen whilst consuming complimentary nuts and a snickers - “Botty Belch” was our favourite nag. This was great fun and everyone seemed to enjoy this unique form of entertainment. After the races was the disco - this got us all grooving on down into the early hours of Sunday morning until it was time to find the tent which I’m sure had been moved?.
I awoke with a fat head to the sound of yet more Mini’s of all generations arriving in convoy - a quick freshen up and it was back in the pavilion for a welcome cup of tea and a couple of rounds of toast before a scout around. As the show field hotted up, we checked out the auto jumble and traders to hunt out a few early bargains - there were a great array of traders and we got most of the panels and parts to restore “Monty” including a complete carpet set and dashboard.
Lunch was losing half a cheese baguette amongst the many show and shine cars, and dribbling over several fantastic dream vehicles all exceptionally organised by the Six Ex Mini Owbers Club and the New Mini Severns.
It was then that I thought “This mini crowd are a bit strange”! What appeared to be groups of cross dressed mini drivers and colourful women wearing funny hats had assembled at the information point! It soon became clear when the compare explained this to be the start of the club competitions - this particular one being “Best dressed Race day Couple”. Much fun and frolics ensued during the next hour or so - concluding in the macho “Mini Push”.
We sat on the grass and admired the Mod Scooters, watched the kid’s treasure hunt and colouring competitions in the sunshine, and deliberated over our choice of the best Mini Moke and Marcos. Mid afternoon saw the eagerly awaited show and shine results with prizes and rosettes for the winners - it’s not something I’d want to judge, they were all so fantastic.
By late afternoon we were both pretty tired, so the tent was packed, strategically strapped to my Raleigh Arena with the parts for Monty and as I pedalled and held the lead and “Barney” pulled me home.
Augustus Winthrop (and Barney)