What a fantastic day Bingley was……..well worth all the hard work, blood, sweat and LAUGHS….!!!!!! Best of all…WE WON…!!!!!!  

Excited ride to Bingley after going to the unit to pick up Chunk….everyone helping out to set up stand……and wow…..what a fantastic stand it was…..!!!All three cars…2005 …BMW mini decked out using The Ashes theme…1985 Delorean with all its gadgets and the hip sixties Passion Wagon….the Timeline itself was fab….!!! The three back-drops done by Laura’s Mom, Pinky’s Mom and me looked brilliant and could be seen across the other side of the hall and had loads of admiring  comments.  Denise looked dapper in her cricket whites. Laura, Chris and Pinky were our time line mechanics and really looked the part in their custom designed t-shirts and mechanics overalls….. and then there were Marty and Doc…..and Marty and Doc juniors who posed several times for the cameras….. Denise did a first class job speaking to everyone she could and promoting us…she eventually lost her voice. Various people had a hand in giving out leaflets and flyers….at one stage Aaron and Noah went all over Bingley handing them out….Laura and myself were extremely enthusiastic when it came to persuading people to travel along our Timeline…..it was all taken light heatedly and everyone had lots of fun…. Lots of interest in our stand….lot of photos….lots of new members and……..we won!!!!Nice trophy…..lots of satisfaction….watch out at the next show……..!!!! By Lolly.  

Bingley Show Timeline  Saturday 28.01.2006  2.00pm Stand Builders meet at Bingley2.15pm Chain in operation moving all equipment upstairs2.30pm Let the work commence2.45pm Wow the practice run session really paid off3.00pm Groovy – all the hard work, planning & design comes together3.15pm Lighting circuit tweaked by Mr G3.30pm Still more tweaking, balloon blowing & lots of excited big kids3.45pm Are we the only ones building on the Saturday?4.00pm Oh no, other cars are in place4.15pm Final checks4.30pm Lots of a mini drivers best friend later (Gaffa tape to me & you)4.45pm Covers in place – Lets go party !!! 5.30pm Home -  not for long – quick brush up & change 8.00pm Curry with Minidirectory – several lemonades later (honest gov!!) 11.00pm Some of us left as early start tomorrow  Sunday 29.01.2006  5.41am Oh no we’re late – should have been up 15 mins ago5.45am SCREAAAAAAAAM6.00am Kids up – disaster – didn’t do sandwiches last night6.15am In kitchen sandwiches coming along6.30am Car ready to go6.37am Lets depart7.05am Meet other mad mini’ers7.30am All ready – lets go to the show8.00am (ish) Bingley we’re here 8.20am More tweaking8.45am More tweaking (lots of this isn’t there?)9.00am Hive of activity everywhere9.30am More Staffsmini’ers arrive9.45am  We’re on the final countdown10.00am Stand by your beds – let the show commence Blur, blur, blur – so many people, so many stands, so many exhibitors – where shall we start first.  I have to say this is my favourite of al the shows & it is always really well attended.   We had a members BMW Mini dressed to represent 2005 & England winning the ashes – decked in Grass, cricket pads & Ashes cup – Oh & crowd noise emanating from all around. How much fun did we have, with our Timeline.  Hundreds of people walked the timeline with us (younger ones encouraged by colouring competition & lollies!!!).  So many people said what a great idea it was & everyone seemed to be drawn to the MINI DELOREAN from Back To The Future – complete with it’s WORKING Flux Capacitor, Doc & Marty look-alikes as well as the FOG!!!  (Representing 1985 on the Timeline – the year Back To The Future was released) On to my favourite (mainly because I was the designer!!!) the LOVE MACHINE – complete with Mary Quant Mini Skirt, Hippy Hat & Sunglasses.  Period items in the back of the van included Furry Cushions, Real Cow Hide, Tie Dye & a Communal Smoking Machine …….. (Representing 1965 on the Timeline – the year Mary Quant designed the Mini Skirt). Lets not forget the walkway – working Mini indicator lamps across the front (donated by our sponsors Minimine), flashing warning lights at both ends & lots of groovy decorations along the way.   Just see the pictures – they’re awesome!! 1st place in the best dressed Club Stand too - WOWEE - too many people to thatnk and I'd be sure to miss some out so a BIG THANK YOU to everone that helped. Our first trophy & surely not our last.  STEPH G

 <img src="http://minidirectory.co.uk/coppermine/albums/Bingresize/normal_bing_019.jpg" alt="Bingley hall" title="Bingley Hall 2005" width="400" height="300" />

  <img src="http://minidirectory.co.uk/coppermine/albums/Bingresize/bing_098.jpg" alt="Bingley hall" title="Bingley Hall 2005" width="400" height="300" />