This year we decided to make Rufford Country Park the home for the 1100 Club national rally. The setting of the monastery really sets you up for a good show.

With the weather being tipped for a hot one, I went prepared (or at least I thought I was prepared!). Saturday was by far the cooler of the days, but Sunday was supposed to be cooler! Since we live close to Rufford, we decided that we'd make the drive there and back both days.

On Saturday morning myself and Declan got ready, and jumped in the newly repainted K-C, and headed for Rufford. I wasn't sure of the way, after all last time I went I was still driving on "L" plates and had Mum sat in with me telling me which way I needed to go. It's amazing, once I got going I didn't make one wrong turn it all came flooding back to me. We arrived at Rufford just after 11 o'clock. By this time the usual suspects (Chris Jones, George Cross, Dave Wilkins, Ken Nicolle and Chloe) were all there.

The AGM was held on Saturday afternoon, and this was the first time I'd attended an AGM as Membership secretary. I felt worried when I saw else with reams of reports and there was me a few figures of members etc. Varying topics were discussed, and some officials have decided to call it a day (read further down in the report). We decided that we wouldn't stay for the evenings entertainment, as we had other plans and set off for home at about 4.30-5.00 o'clock.

On Sunday morning we left chesterfield about 9.30 and already the temperature was rising, and there was no sight of those clouds in the sky! Declan took ASDA and I took K-C. It was nice seeing a "mini convoy" of ADO16's. We arrived just after 10 o'clock to find things starting to take shape on the field. There were cars already in their judging positions, and some very nice examples at that. K-C would go in the Mk2 class, with a chance of winning a prize perhaps? Declan placed ASDA in the Princess section, and there was some very tough competition in both classes!

I had already been taking a look around the autojumble and spotted a dashboard top in very good condition i.e. no splits around the radio speaker panel, and purchased this. I had also purchased from Trevor Jones four over-riders and a GT rear bumper. These were fitted on the Saturday evening ready for the judging on Sunday.

In the Afternoon we continued the AGM, as the club required a new Chairperson, treasurer, Show Organiser and Deputy Chairman. Members came forward to take up the positions. Following the AGM the prize giving was underway. Firstly Chris Jones won 3rd in the Mk1 category with his Mk1 Austin 1100 Countryman, then I won 2nd with K-C in the Mk2 category and Ken Nicolle won 3rd with Gordon in the Not to original spec category.

It was nice to see everyone again, and of course meet new people. Its hard not to chat to someone new and find out more about their ADO16.