Hi Terry,

Sorry this has taken a while.  Here's a few words from the company...



Dartington Crystal are delighted to be part of the Small Cars Big Hearts mini rally.

Dartington was set up to help and support the local community in the area and today we continue to champion local businesses and support local charities when ever we can.  It is a privilege to be involved in the wonderful work done for the Children’s Hospice by Small Cars Big Hearts and we sincerely hope that the day is enjoyed by all.

The site here at Torrington has a lot to offer, something for everyone to enjoy we hope!

Is that OK?

Cheers,
Mike.

I think it is fantastic but what do you lot think. 

Dartington Crystal Mini Show

Formerly the sw mini meet

SUNDAY 27^th JULY

Dartington Crystal

Great Torrington

North Devon.

In aid of the Messy Play Room 3 appeal for the new Children’s Hospice being built in Cornwall.

With the loss of Atlantic Village due to building work we were looking forward to a quiet July but we have been made an offer that we cannot refuse.

As well as their car park, which has a nice grass area if you want to bring a picnic, they are going to donate 10 fantastic glass iceberg trophies engraved with the event for the winners of the show and shine.

There is a restaurant on site and they will be doing cream teas at a special price for the mini owners. There is also a big conservatory on the side that we can use if the weather turns wet for the prize giving.  

The event will start (not too early) say 10-00, and like Atlantic Village just turn up and park. No club stands as such.  Every mini that turns up automatically gets entered in the show & shine and every mini owner attending gets a booklet of voting slips and becomes a judge. There will be a prize for “This mini will not win anything today”, so everyone gets a chance to win one of the fantastic trophies. We hope to do the prize giving about 3-00pm, so it won’t be a long day.

We will charge you £3-00 to get in and we will try to take another couple of pounds off you somehow but every penny we get on the day will go straight to CHSW and our messy play room appeal.

As you can see, it is an offer that we could not refuse and I hope we will see you there.

Keep watching this page as we will be updating it as we go along.

 SMALL CARS BIG HEARTS

Together we can make a difference

Together we  have  already made a difference

So far we have given the CHSW £190,000

Today (1 st April ) I had a lovely surprise visit from a couple of children from the Hospice, Angel & Luke, and guess what they were in? This is what Little Bridge House thinks about your gift.

What a vehicle! Couldn’t be more thrilled with the way it is working out! It is a joy to drive, swift to load and easy to strap the children in; the fitting guys have even placed a small custom made box at the back of the car to hold an oxygen cylinder and suction machine perfectly so they don't wobble around in transit!! It is clearly being used... out every day since it was bought!! It is helping children who would never have gone out before experience the joy of a small trip. Just this morning a young lad asked if he could "pop to Blockbuster later"... Well, of course he can because we now have the car to "pop" in!!!! Staff are delighted to drive it as there are no apprehensive feelings about handling a "bus" or finding somewhere to park!.......an all round winner Terry!! Well done you!!! and all those fantastic mini drivers who made it possible.

Had a chat with Luke and Angel's Mum & Dad on our return and they are more than happy for you to use the pics of the kids if you want to put them on the website. They were as thrilled as us with the car and had been admiring it in the parking bay!

They send their congratulations for all your hard work and achievement and say if it helps to promote what you do and spread the word, then they are thrilled that Luke and Angel can be part of that.

Alison

That was from the Hospice.

I of course do have one more thing to add, Angel not only came to visit in your gift but she has been sleeping in the special cot that you brought. The carers said it was lovely this morning we could adjust the cot so she could watch telly in bed.

So here’re the pictures.

So just how big is this appeal, well it is alot bigger than the North Devon Mini Register and involves clubs accross the country all under on heading SMALLCARS BIGHEARTS.

If you do hold an event for the mini Wing Appeal why not save the money and bring it along to the Grand Tour and have a picture of you or your club handing it over to the CHSW.  

So what's going on.

WHAT ABOUT THIS?

Dear Terry and Linda,

With the Riviera Run fast approaching, Mark and I have been out to Trevelgue today to meet with Mr Finnegan and Laura to discuss this year's event.

We suggested that this year, we will make a charge of £1-00 to enter the Show'n'Shine and the money raised we will give to you towards the Children's Hospice. Also the money we make on the Saturday from the autotest we will donate as well.

Laura will let MiniWorld know so that this information will be included on their pull-out section of the magazine about the Run.

Also, on Saturday 19th July, the company i work for (Fairway Furniture) is holding its annual Fun Day and I have agreed with the Store manager to take along 3 or 4 minis from our Club to park outside the shop and try and collect as much sponsorship as we can for the Grand Tour. Would it be at all possible to have some Children's Hospice badges and/or lapel stickers so we can do a collection (i know Joy and Ted James from our club have had some before).

I expect we will see you at Trevelgue, so we can discuss it further with you then.

>Many thanks, all the best,

Bridget and Mark.

Are you holding an event for the New Mini Wing Appeal for the new Children's Hospice SW being built in Cornwall let us know and we can help tell the world.

I have been speaking to those who run Chappleton Barton and we are going to have another go at the Guinness world record around their field. The field that they use is a fifty acre field and twice around the the edges will give us 2 miles. But between then and now is a long time and someone else could come along and beat the current world record. We also have the weather to worry about as we found out last year.

Anyone can beat the Guinness world record for the longest parade of minis, just need 277 minis on a race track or a bit of closed road. But who can beat our unofficial record of the longest convoy of minis on the open road (312 minis in a convoy). We also have another record because no one else can do what we do and put all those cars into a a very special children's hospice.

Please do not panic about your tickets you will get them, just not sure when.

The shop, my mistake but the Grill plaques on sale in the shop are last years. We have not got this years yet. SORRY!

NEW THIS YEAR

For the first time ever you can now buy prints from Michael Bennett’s collection of photos of this years Legendary Grand Tour. The cost is:

The price includes Postage & Packing and cheques should be made out to Michael Bennett. All the proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospice South West. You can download a  Photo Order Form 106.15 Kb here and send it, with payment, to:

Michael Bennett
'Hilbre'
Azalea Close
Calne
Wiltshire
SN11 OQT

or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 The DVD's of last years LGT is now available and we have even found some pink and purple  CHSW beanie bears.

Just to let you everyone  know 360  booking forms are going out tomorrow 21/1/08 (second class). Thats how many minis we had booked in last year but there is always a percentage that do not come back. So if you would like a booking form let me know.

The Legendary Grand Tour is now open.