Organized by the Epsom Area MG Owners Club, the Southern National MGOC Event took place at the Leatherhead Leisure Centre on Saturday and Sunday 21st and 22nd July 2001. Although cloudy and a few showers during the journey, the weather improved considerably over the latter part of the trip and during the final stages into Surrey we were bathed in sunshine. A telephone call back to Cornwall that evening signaled that we had made the right choice of venue for the weekend as it was still miserably wet back home.

Although camping was available in the grounds of the Leisure Centre, we decided to stay some distance away in Lingfield (where the Racecourse is). Not knowing London very well, it looked a short distance, three exits round the M25 in fact, between our campsite and the Event. Well, call me naive, but that distance could have been 500 miles in a Saturday afternoon's traffic. To make matters worse, the campsite was exceptional but for its situation - on the glidepath to Gatwick Airport. Trust me - 747s passing overhead at two-minute intervals do nothing for insomniacs!

Once we had put up the tent and settled in, it was time to venture up to Leatherhead for the Saturday evening's informal Bar-B-Q. We were made to feel extremely welcome by the members of Epsom MGOC and we were soon shown where to go to cook our food. Once again you'll have to trust me on this, but I had left the plates and cutlery back at the campsite in Lingfield. Oh well, fold the steaks over and shove 'em in a bap and no-one will be any the wiser - now the coleslaw proved a little bit trickier!

BBQs over, it was time to make our way to the evening Disco being held in the Leisure Centre, which also provides for: Swimming; Badminton; Squash; Tennis; Table Tennis; Five-a-Side; Fitness Suite and a Water Park. Sadly we didn't have enough time to avail ourselves but the opportunities were there for others arriving earlier in the day. The Tylney Room, in which the Disco was being held, was very attractive and the Bar and seating area had a wonderful ceiling packed with different lighting set-ups to catch the mood of the evening. Again we were made to feel welcome by the Epsom members who thanked us for travelling up from Cornwall.

After a sleepless night, we were up early - too early and note the lack of the word 'bright'. Breakfast was dispatched and the tent was packed away for collection later in the day. The journey around the M25 again seemed like an eternity and we arrived at Leatherhead at 10.00am and shown to our allotted peg in the Concours line-up. Soon the Concours and Condition cars had filled the available spaces and the Judging commenced at 11.00am. As with all MGOC events, the judging of the cars was to the highest standards and it was pleasant to be interviewed by the Judge as to the history of the car and other relevant information. This showed a genuine interest in the owner and their car and provided for a relaxed atmosphere. Well done Epsom Judges.

The standard of presentation of cars at National MGOC events is of the highest order and continues to get higher by the year. On a personal note, it was nice to meet up again with John Heagren who was showing his MG TC in Police Livery. The quality and high class of presentation of John's car serves to inspire and sets the yardstick for the standard required for anyone thinking of showing their car in the ultimate section, that of Masters Class. John has led by example over the years since the 1980s with his immaculate MGB GT V8 and his latest acquisition is immaculate. 

The MG Owners Club were present with their Control Centre and the Accessories and Regalia Tent. The Spares and Insurance departments were on hand to give advice and technical support to members. The Accessories tent always draws a large crowd and the slight downpour during the morning ensured that a brisk trade was done in umbrellas and rainproof jackets. Once again the MGOC Project Car - The MGB Roadster Super V8 was on display to tempt the cash-happy brigade into a 'more modern' restoration project. Sadly the wife won't hear of it!

The event brought together a number of Trade stands which serve to interest restorers and non-restorers alike. Whether endeavoring to keep your car on the road with as little cost as possible, searching for that elusive part or simply rummaging through curiosity, the dismantlers and breakers prove an unavoidable distraction. This year's Surrey 2001 event was sponsored by Moss-Europe, the largest suppliers of MG parts in the country. With outlets from London to Manchester and Bristol to Bradford, Moss-Europe supply parts for Mgs from Triple-M to MGF.

During the day, time was spent walking the grounds in which the Leatherhead Leisure Centre is set. The land forms part of the Thorncroft Manor Estate which dates back to 1005. There is reference to the Manor in the Domesday Book in 1086 and has been in a number of families over the generations. Since 1971, the Manor has provided the Head Offices for Howard Humphreys & Sons although its more interesting history surrounds the Second World War years when it was occupied by the Canadian Army from 1939 until 1946. There are reported to be underground bunkers in the basement which were sealed off after the War, and according to one of the Security Guards we met, it is also haunted although he said that he hadn't seen a ghost - yet. The grounds are extensive and include a flowing stream and The Shell Bridge which was designed by Capability Brown.

Our weekend was concluded in the late afternoon with the Prizegiving. This turned out to be a protracted affair due to the wide range of sections in both Concours and Condition, Premier and Masters classes. The Awards were presented by the development Director of Moss-Europe who commented that the MG cars we have on show today, didn't come out of the factory to the high standards they now exhibit. A fair observation, and one that cannot be denied. Perhaps we should try to re-create the wafer-thin depth of orange-peel paint with chrome finishings that rust through within 12 months. Or, maybe not!