Bournemouth and Poole MGOC celebrated another successful Annual Garden Party and Picnic at Athelhampton House and Gardens near Dorchester.
Blessed with cloudless skies, the event attracted over 130 cars and 250 motoring enthusiasts and through the entry fees and various fund-raising stalls raised just shy of £2,800 for our nominated club charities, Macmillan Caring Locally and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
Both the charities were in attendance and reported lots of interest on their stands and merchandise which raised around another £300 for these good causes.
Joining members of 1020 were representatives from several other regional MGOC clubs, the largest contingent coming from Southampton and New Forest with other groups from Durnovaria and Cornwall as well as individual cars from Blackmoor Vale, Winchester, Chichester, Epsom, Newbury and Torbay.
We were also joined by a variety of cars from Dorset Midget and Sprite Club.
The displays of cars covered everything from pre-war models (supplied by members of the Octagon club), through the massed ranks of MGBs plus the occasional MGA, Magnette, RV8, MGF and MGTF up to some of the latest products bearing the MG badge such as the MG4, MG3 Hybrid+ and brand new all electric MG S5 sports utility.
Our two guest clubs this year were the Dorset Triumph TR Register (back for a third year in a row) and Dorset Jaguar Enthusiasts who added colour and variety to the display on the rear lawn of the historic Elizabethan house.
The various fund-raising stalls did brisk business including the ever-popular tombola, well supported Summer Hamper Draw (kindly supplied by Wendy Brooks), table laden jigsaw sales and a rolling wine raffle. New for 2025 was a cake stall which was busy all day long.
The Summer Hamper was won by a very surprised 1020 club member Eddie McTiffen (who was later on duty manning the exit gate) and the cake raffle by Jim Forrester (who did sterling work selling tickets for the wine raffle).
John Copleston of Phoenix Classic Cars reported lots of visitors on his trade stand where he was offering MG owners valuable tips for servicing, repair and the restoration of their classics while car valeting expert Wayne Healey was kept busy offering advice on car care and selling supplies of his car wash and polishing products.
Thanks to all the parking marshals, meeters and greeters and stall helpers who made the day run smoothly and successfully.