Time left until the next Legendary Grand Tour

World Record Attempt - 2007

See for yourself what 314 mini's on the open road look like...

 GRAND TOUR 2009 ITINERARY

Saturday 29th August   The Kebab Cruise

Sunday 30th August

Monday 31th August

So much going on next year and so many events all celebrating 50 years of the mini and the Grand Tour will be one of them but we will not be celebrating it in a field. The Grand Tour will be out on the open roads celebrating 50 years of the mini with the people of North Devon and Little Bridge House the Childrens Hospice SW.

If you would like to take part here what you do?

Let me have an address and I will send you a booking form, once I have done them. When you return your form I will send you your tickets and a sponsorship form. This year we are hoping you will try and raise over £50 and be part of our 50K for 50 years appeal. We think it is a fantastic way to celebrate 50 years.

Unlike most events the Grand Tour does not go up every year and it has been about 5 years since we last increased the entrance fee, it will go up soon but we feel this year is not the right time. This year will already be a very expensive time for mini owners with more shows than ever going on, including the IMM. We also have a recession that will affect a great many of us one way or another. So this year, the cost of the Grand Tour is the same as it was in 2004 now that has to be value for money and not many events can say that.

THIS YEARS THEME

For only the second time in its history and maybe the last time, we have given the LGT a theme and it is musical. We do not care what musical you do, you could even be a pop star. There is so much out there, as long as it is not signing in the rain, that’s banned.

SPONSORSHIP

We have also increased the sponsorship you have to raise from £35 to £50 that’s a pound for every year of the mini. So you had better start saving your pennies now but I am aware a great many of you already raise a lot more than that, so don’t stop.

Also this year under the Small cars, Big Hearts banner we are going to try and raise 50K for 50 years. There will be lots of events going on as part of it, events like Silly Mini Sunday organised by the silly mini team and Minehead Mini Owners Club have volunteered to run the reverse steer mini at the IMM 2009 next year for the Children’s Hospice South West. Keep an eye on our web page for the latest news and events.

Most of you nutcases that take part in the Grand Tour already know how it works. So all I have left to say is Thank You, together we have now raised and given away over a quarter of a million pounds. We must not forget that every year we also donate a lot of money to local N Devon charities that give us a hand. You have helped make the GT one of North Devon’s premier events that draws more and more people to it every year. The Grand Tour is something special and you have helped make it that way. So once again Thank You and see you soon.

The cost is £15 per day, per adult or £20 for both days Children go free (under 17).

This does not include camping, the main campsite is Braddicks at Westward Ho and will cost £5 or £6 per pitch per night but it does get a bit cosy. There are plenty of other campsites around and B&B's.

THIS EVENT IS A TICKET ONLY EVENT and you can get your booking form by e-mailing 

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Unless you booked in last year and we will send you one as per norm . We only send out the booking forms by post, that way we can keep control on how many we send out.

Please remember this is a charity event and we cannot give refunds and the Tickets are Not Transferrable except with the permisssion of the organisers.

Grand Tour Rules

We have already started working on the GT but I have to make a few changes to the rules of the event. Here they are:

1. No overtaking, snaking or weaving on the run.
2. No messing about on the roads.
3. No police sirens, two tone or any kind of emergency horns to be used on the run. (Musical ones are not a problem).
4. No water cannons or water bombs to be used on the Grand Tour at any time and that includes in the car park.
5. No standing up in the minis with your head out of the sunroof (if you have one) and that includes standing up in the back of convertibles.
6. Every mini will (must) try to raise a minimum of £50 but a lot more would be nice and we do not care if you do it as a club, a group, a couple or just by yourself. But please do not leave it to the car in front to raise the money.

Only 6 but it will make a difference.

We have received our first sighting of the new Calendar. Click on the link below to have a look for yourselves.

Calendar - February Page 81.85 Kb

I will leave you to guess what I said when Alison sent me the first page of the calendar and this is her reply:

Thats the reaction I wanted!!!! Brilliant!!!!

oh....go on then....seeing as you loved it so much.....and seeing as I know you...........I can show you February......but no more (cos I dont have anymore yet!....but they are ALL equally good....!!!)

You will love the register pages! All the ones not sponsored by anyone else carry the NDMR logo .....and it is in PINK!!!

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.

Now we are on another quest, we’re on a mission just like the blues brothers, that first £6,000 we gave to the Children’s Hospice South West went towards extending the Messy Play area at Little Bridge House. Then two years ago year we gave the CHSW £130,000 enough money to pay for and equip the Messy Play area at the recently opened Charlton Farm. We have already launched our new appeal for a, “Messy Play Area 3” a specially designed room for the New Children’s Hospice planned for Cornwall.

To help us raise the money we are putting together a very special calendar for 2009. The reason why the calendar is so special is because all of the pictures have been done by the children from the Hospice, in the Messy Play areas!

As you may already know Messy play is so important because it breaks down barriers and is used as therapy, not just for the special children but also their siblings. Sometimes the children have so much to say but cannot find the words to express how they feel, that’s when messy play works best.

Every picture tells a story and messy play has helped so many children tell theirs and just like a photo or letter the picture is there forever, alongside the treasured memories.

That’s what messy play is all about, besides giving the children a great deal of fun; doing what they want and making a mess that someone else cleans up!

The calendar lets you see a small bit of their world through their eyes and you will be amazed just how full of life the pictures are.

Messy play and minis really go well together. Alison Berridge and a few of the carers from the hospice are doing most of the work, she joined the dark side when she brought her New Mini

Before you go, have a read of this, which Alison sent me a few days ago.

"I am trying not to panic that it wont be ready on time and am doing my damndest!!!!
Have spoken to all the families for permission this morning......just to hear how thrilled they were does your soul good.......... One young deceased girls Dad said, "We would be honoured if you used Sarahs picture"............I'm speechless!!!....HE'S honoured??!!"