Solent - An MX-5 Weekender with IOW Group on Sunday 4th May 2025
2025-05-04 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | The Bear & Ragged Staff, Stoneymarsh House, Michelmersh,, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 0LB, United Kingdom
Dear all,
In conjunction with Jeff and Gavin (IOW Area Coordinators) we have arranged what is affectionately known as: “The MX-5 Weekender”?
The IOW Group are coming over to the Big Island? on Saturday 3rd May and staying at the Potters Heron, Romsey.
The programme for their visit is as follows;
Saturday 3rd May: The IOW Members come over from the small Island to The Big Island and will partake in a small drive via the Hamsphire Countryside to have lunch. This will be followed by a visit to Doctor MX-5 for a Technical visit to see Doctor MX-5’s fully approved Electric MX-5.
NB: Unfortunately, due to a space limitations, we have had to limit the visit to Doctor MX-5 to 20 poeple max, so we will set up a seperate future visit for Solent Area members to see the Electric MX-5.
Sunday 4th May: Solent Area will neet up with the IOW Group and partake in a drive that the IOW Group had all read about in a Solent Area Newlsetter, back in the days when, IOW came under Solent Area and specifically wanted to do, courtesy of Diane & Terry.
This drive was affectionately termed Terry’s infamous “Wet Run”? as it poured with rain all day and the night before and we enountered some serious flood waters on the route but the actual day of the drive was bright and we proceeded with the drive and the route took us through some very scenic Hampshire Countryside.
Rendevous Point: Roman Road, Stockbridge, Hants. SO20 6HA
Rendevous Time: 09:45 to 10:00
Departure Time: 10:30 prompt
Drive time: 2 hours (approx)
Arrival time at Bear & Ragged Staff: 12:20 to 12:30
***IMPORTANT*** Here is the Bear & Ragged Staff menu and the venue has requested pre-orders on the day, so please make your choices and let us know, as usual, on the Solent Area of the forum!
Bear & Ragged Staff Menu
We look forward to seeing everyone on the day.
Regards
Team Solent

Solent Area – A drive & visit to The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens on Sunday 1st June 2025
2025-06-01 | The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyns Lane, Romsey, SO51 0QA, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
As per the Solent Area Programme, we have a drive and visit to The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, near Romsey coming up very shortly.
I have been in contact with the venue to confirm they can indeed take our group on the 1st June and the idea is to do a drive first and finish at the Gardens in time for lunch and then wander around the gardens at our leisure, before departing for home.
Rendevous Point: The Coffee Pod, Durley House, Durley, Southampton SO32 2AJ
Rendevous Time: 10:00am
Departure Time: 10:45 PROMPT!
Arrival Point: The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Jermyns Ln, Romsey SO51 0QA
Arrival Time: 11:25
Tour Start Time: 13:30 to allow for lunch and a discounted group voucher and menu is given below for info.
We have organised a Group Tour, which will enable everyone to get the best out of the visit to this wonderful venue and the cost of the tour is factored into the admission cost of £17.00 (Group Discounted Rate) but to acheive this we need to get a maximum of 25 people attending.
Also, there is a group menu and if you decide to choose something off the Group Menu, please add this cost to the £17:00 Admission & Group Tour Cost !
NB: For ease of getting your choices correctly recorded, please reply to the forum post only, where the Group Menu is posted and we will pick up your choices there?
Payment via PayPal Only to; solent@mx5oc.co.uk
Finally, apologies for the late notice of this event but it took the venue a while to come back to us, so hopefully you will find the visit very worthwhile ??
Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent Area - Annual Fish & Chips on the Beach Event
2025-06-18 18:15 - 21:30 | Gilkicker Car Park, Lifeboat Lane, Gosport, PO12 2TR
Hello everyone
The fish and Chip drive for 2025 is to be held on Wednesday 18th June. It will start from Bishops Waltham car park SO32 1AR and we will drive down to Stokes Bay (Lifeboat Lane) to have our food. Meeting time is 18:15 at Bishops Waltham to leave promptly at 18:45. The drive takes about 45 minutes and I will be collecting our food order between 19:30 and 19:45 from the village chippie. The food will need to be pre-ordered so I would be grateful if you could let me know your orders by Friday 13th June.
You can pay with cash on the night when we meet at Bishops Waltham or by PayPal to ‘Nicholas Greest’, remember to say it’s a friends/family transaction to avoid a charge.
Food choices and prices:
Fish and chips £9.50
Jumbo sausage and chips. £6.00
Beef pie and chips. £6.60
Chicken fillet bites and chips. £6.80
Veggie burger and chips. £7.50 comes with salad and choice of mayo or relish
Curry Sauce. £2.10
Mushy peas. £1.30
Remember to bring Salt, Vinegar and sauces if required.
Fingers crossed for the weather.
VERY IMPORTANT; Please note that we are having to put a limit of 40 food orders to ensure the chippy will be able to complete our order. In the past the maximum has been around that number so I am hoping no one will be disappointed.
Caroline and Nick

Solent Area – Thruxton Retro (Formerly Thruxton Historic) 20th to 22nd June 2025
2025-06-20, 2025-06-21, 2025-06-22 | Thruxton Circuit, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8PN, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
Many of you have enjoyed Thruxton Historic over the years we have been attending this event, since our first attendance, for the 30th Anniversary of the MX-5, back in June 2019.
Elaine Jell, who has been our direct contact since 2019, has emailed us to say that “Thruxton Historic” has now evolved for 2025, into “Thruxton Retro” and as such the event will be much bigger and have not only historic vehicle racing but it will also be a weekend filled with music, family friendly entertainment, motorbike clubs, legendary machines and soap-box racing, all on the fastest race circuit in the UK??
To book your “discounted tickets” as an MX5OC member, Elaine has kindly provided the following details;
How to book Car Club Tickets
Please visit the car club ticket booking page (see link below). Each order allows you to book one free club vehicle display pass when purchasing the driver and any passenger tickets.
Adult Car Club Tickets: Friday £10; Saturday £16; Sunday £16; Three Day £30.
Children 15 years and under admitted free with an adult ticket holder.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You will need to purchase a ticket per adult for this event!
https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/event/tr-car-club
Scroll down to the numbered section, select a ticket type/day, and click ‘ADD TO BASKET’
Click ‘CHECKOUT NOW’ to go to your basket where you can amend ticket quantities.
Enter code MX5OC251TR in the DISCOUNT CODE field (bottom left of the basket) click APPLY to activate the discount, repeat for each ticket type on the order.
Please check the total before clicking PROCEED TO CHECKOUT
Car Club tickets must be booked by 2pm Monday 16th June. Tickets and display vehicle passes will be sent to club members by first class post on or before this date.
Club displays will be on the banking and grass areas in the outfield and your allocated club area will be signposted. We will require a copy of your club public liability insurance and a risk assessment to hold on file for the event. If you would like to use a gazebo, please let us know the dimensions and intended purpose. We will email you final details and arrival information before the event.
Car Club Weekend Camping Discount
A valid three-day event ticket is required to access the campsite.
Shower facilities, toilets , fresh water and waste point available.
50% Car Club discount available on the Standard Pitch 10m x 5m only (no electric hook up, max 6 people per pitch).
Email marketing@barc.net quoting your ticket order reference number to request a one-time use camping promocode. Pitches must be purchased in advance via the main event page.
https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/thruxton-retro#tickets Click on the BUY THRUXTON RETRO TICKETS where you can apply your promocode and select camping e-tickets.
Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent – Wallop Wheel & Wings Event 2025
2025-07-12 | Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Kentsboro,, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8FB, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
We are sure, like us, you are all fed up with the current gloomy weather ?
We can’t wait for the Spring and Summer to arrive, so we can partake in some “Top-Down Motoring and especially the Wallop Wheels and Wings event on the 12th July 2025 ??
We hope that you can join us again this year, so here is the direct link to the booking form : https://form.jotform.com/242482944561058
It was a great time last year and you may recall Geoff and I had a chat and photo call with Henry Cole (see photo below) and Terry and I visitsted the Porsmouth Gliding School Stand and entered their raffle to win a flight in a glider, of which I was amazingly one of the winners and had a great time when i went up in a glider on the 31st August last year?
Please reply to the forum post, once you have booked your ticket, in order that we can track numbers and update the venue, so they can allocate the right size parking area for us!

Solent & Neighbouring Area Beach BBQ – Wednesday 16th July 2025
2025-07-16 18:00 - 21:30 | Calshot Beach Car Park, 138 Jack Maynard Rd, Calshot, Southampton SO45 1BR, 138 Jack Maynard Rd, Calshot,, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 1BR
Hi Everyone,
With July fast approaching, it seems only fitting to provide details for the “Solent MX5 Beach BBQ 2025” – it’s got sizzle! ?
As per our Solent Area Programme for 2025, this event is being held on the evening of Wednesday 16th July 2025, especially with the evening should still be reasonably long at this time of year, so we get to sit and relax on the beach to chat and partake in convivial chatter ?
We will meet at Rownhams Services, M27 Westbound, as there is plenty of parking there for us to gather and toilets facilties are available in the services, from 18:00 onwards, ready for a swift departure at 1830!
We will then drive in convoy down the A326, so we can swing into Morrisons, Spruce Drive, Totton, Southampton SO40 8AD, to pick up those travelling for the West, or who live closer to the Morrisons Superstore?
We will then proceed to to Calshot Beach and park in our normal area by the beach huts, adjacent to the toilet facilities there. Unfortunately, parking charges now apply at Calshot Beach, since 2023 and in 2024 they removed the £3 for 3 Hours option? so we will sadly be lumbered with a £4 charge per MX-5 for parking, which is ludicrous for the relatively short time we will be there but the saving grace is that the machines accept payment by the RINGO APP and it’s a great venue for our Beach BBQ, with WC facilities close by ?
Please note we did investigate other possible beach venues in 2024 that don’t charge for parking after 6pm, such as Hayling Island and East Beach, Selsey but sadly they have all jumped on the bandwagon and imposed evening charges now ?
***Please confirm your attendance by replying to the forum post for ease of admin and state which location you wish to rendevous at, so we can gauge numbers and know who to expect for the drive! ***
If you cannot make the drive start time, please drive straight to Calshot but please let us know via the forum that you are doing so. The location is given in the screen grab below and we park in the Calshot Beach Car Park, which has great views of the Solent at Ships that happen to be passing by at the time ?️
Our destination is what3words – cadet.backyards.spiking
Please remember to bring your own Portable BBQ, or Gas Stove and food of your choosing, together with any drink, tea, coffee or other favourite tipple.
The owners club stopped paying for the BBQ’s a few years back, so we have to buy our own portable BBQ’s but they can be obtained very cheaply at various budget High Street outlets and it is a great sociable evening and if the weather is anything like it has been recently, it will be a fantastic evening – we have our fingers crossed ???
For those that have not been before we drive to the Calshot Beach and set up camp on the beach with either deckchairs or blankets to sit on and then proceed to burn perfectly good sausages and burgers! ?
When we have watched the ships go by, partaken in friendly chatter and hopefully watched the sun go down, we then drive home at dusk – “Perfick” as Pop Larkin would say ???
As before Small Gas BBQ’s, or stoves are best, as they dont have the same fire risk issues and the nause of having to fully extinguishing them and dispose of them at the end of the night! However, New Forest Council had installed Fire Resistant BBQ Disposal Points last year, so all is good on this front.
NB: If you google Calshot and the use of BBQ’s, they say “small private BBQ’s are permitted but Charcoal BBQ’s must be raised of the ground to avoid damage or fire risk to vegetation”. The beach is pebbles so this does not really to us, but for campers using the grass area at the rear of the beach.
We look forward to seeing you on the night.
Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent – MX-5’s on The Boardwalk, Port Solent
2025-07-17 18:00 - 22:00 | The Boardwalk, Portsmouth PO6 4TP, The Boardwalk, Portsmouth PO6 4TP
Hi everyone,
Join us for another great evening on The Boardwalk at Port Solent, where for the past few years we have displayed our MX-5’s in all their glory and also partaken in a lovely meal in Wildwood (Discounted ?).
Jason, who runs this event, has allocated us the whole Waterfront Area and it is for the sole use of Solent Area MX5OC Members only, so the area by Wildwood, Port Solent. This is better defined in the screen grab pasted below and highlighted, by Jason in Light Blue, which is Brilliant.

image797×599 90.8 KB

Jason has had 30 Ferraris parked in this area in the past, so there would be room in the blue highlighted area for at least 30 to 35 MX5’s, parked sensibly, so we should fit fairly easily
The plan is to have Terry and I parked down at the Waterfront, with the Solent Area Flag and to be joined by a good selection of MX5’s across the model range, i.e. Mk1, Mk2/2,5, Mk3/3.5/3.75 and Mk4’s for the public to view.
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and we will need a couple of Marshalls (please voulnteer if you can possibly help with this) to ensure that only Solent Area Members enter the Blue Highlighted Area, as others will have to park in the main car park.
If you wish to come along to this event and park by the Waterfront, please respond to the Forum Post soonest and book your place and you and your MX5 will be placed on our list, on a first come first served basis, which is in Post#1 on the forum.
I will be collecting a £1 minimum, from each MX-5 to go towards giving the Marshalls a drink for their efforts on the night, so raid those Piggy Banks before attending?
The important thing to remember, is that once parked for 19:00, cars will not be allowed to move on Public Safety safety grounds, until after 21:00. So, members will need to ensure they are happy to stay past 21:00 and Jason will be there to ensure this rule is strictly adhered to on safety grounds.
Please aim to be at Port Solent for 18:00 in good time for Jason to guide us in and direct us to the assigned parking area
Finally, the important thing to remember, is that once parked for 19:00, cars will not be allowed to move on Public Safety safety grounds, until after 21:00. So, members will need to ensure they are happy to stay past 21:00 and Jason will be there to ensure this rule is strictly adhered to on safety grounds.
Please aim to be at Port Solent for 18:00 in good time for Jason to guide us in and direct us to the assigned parking area
I have booked a table for 20 people initially, at Wildwood, where we have eaten before and had good food and service. I can always increase the numbers based on take up for this event

Solent & Neighbouring Areas – Simply Jap Event at Beaulieu, on 20th July 2025
2025-07-20 | Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hants. SO42 7ZN
Hi Everyone,
If you enjoyed attending this event in 2024, then why not come and join us again for “Simply Jap 2025″☺️
It promises to be another great event and with free admission (included in your ticket price) so, what’s not to like?
Event Timing: Sunday 20th July 2025
Event Address: National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Gates open : 8.30am until 10.30am for Club display entry – show open until 4pm
Simply Japanese will be returning to Beaulieu on Sunday 20th July 2025, for an excellent day out that members enjoy. Held at the National Motor Museum, the rally is open to all ages and models of Japanese cars and motorcycles and is always a highlight of the Club calendar.
All participants also have the opportunity to be chosen as the winner of the People’s Choice Award, selected by public vote. Prizes will be awarded to the winner and runners-up.
The Club will be hosting an MX-5 Display at the show.
To add your car to the Club display
Order your tickets here – Simply Japanese – Beaulieu
*Early Bird Offer (until 31st January 2025)
Then add yourself to the registration list here

Google Docs

Simply Japanese 2025 – MX-5 Owners Club Display Registration
Travel arrangements on the day; Event Timing: Sunday 20th July 2025 Event Address: National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Gates open : 8.30am until 10.30am for Club display entry – show open until 4pm.
We have not had the final update from Beaulieu yet, for the Simply Jap Display of MX-5’s at Beulieu on Sunday 20th July 2025. So, using last years information, we can arrive at Beaulieu – South Gate after 08:30 on the day, so as not to cause an issue with public access to Beaulieu.
The drive to Beaulieu is approx 30 mins from Rownhams Services (Westbound), so we will are planning to leave Rownhams prompt at 08:30am. This is unless Beaulieu advise us differently in the meantime, in which case we will update this post accordingly!
So to summarise;
Rendevous Point; Roadchef Rownhams Motorway Service Area, M27 Westbound, Southampton SO16 8AP
Rendevous Time; 07:45 onwards to enable us to leave prompt at 08:30 and drive via Morrisons at Totton to pick up Wessex Area Members and drive down to Beaulieu. Morrisons address is: Spruce Dr, Totton, Southampton SO40 8AD
From Morrisons we will drive down the A326 Hythe Bypass and turn right at the roundabout onto the Beaulieu Road at Dibden Perlieu, for the short drive to the South Entrance at Beaulieu, arriving between 09:15 and 09:30 am
We may have to queue with others entering Beaulieu but this is only to be expected for an event of this scale
Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent Area – An evening drive, finishing at The Hampshire Bowman for Supper
2025-08-20 18:30 - 22:00 | The Hampshire Bowman, Dundridge Lane, Southampton, Hampshire. SO32 1GD
Dear All,
Following on from our last drive and visit to The Hampshire Bowman back in April , many of you messaged us saying you loved the food and venue and we said at the time, we would organise a return visit later in the summer, so here it is?
We will use the same route as we used back in April, as it is very scenic and also the right drive time in order to get to the venue in tine for supper.
We have been in touch with Vikki & Kieron and they would be very happy to have us back and I promised to update Kieron on numbers of attendees as soon as possible.
To this end, please can you confirm your attendance by replying to this post a.s.a.p. In order that I can capture numbers and also if you would kindly pay £10/person deposit to our PayPal Account: solent@mx5oc.co.uk it would be greatly appreciated.

Solent Area: A drive to Avenue Nurseries Garden Centre for Lunch on Sunday 7th September 2025
2025-09-07 10:30 - 16:00 | Avenue Nurseries & Garden Centre, Avenue Road, Lasham,, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 5SU, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
Unfortunately, Ramster Gardens could not take us on the 7th September due to hosting another event ? However, fortunately, Patricia & John Wheeler kindly stepped up to the plate and suggested that we move the finish point to Lasham Gliding Club but they are sadly not taking on any large groups, so could not take us???
John quickly came up with an alternative to Lasham Gliding Club and just a few minutes away at “Avenue Nurseries & Garden Centre”, which Patricia and John have visited here and say they do good food. So, the upshot is, we are driving to Avenue Nurseries & Garden Centre and the details are as follows;
The menu is posted on the forum, as pre-orders are required and the venue has requested meal orders by Friday 5th September.
NB: Time is of the essence, as the 7th Sept is not for away, so please reply to the forum post with your meal choices and paypal payments soonest and no later than 10am on the 5th September, so we can pay the venue and get the meal choices to them in time for the sunday ?
Rendevous Point; Bishops Waltham Central Car Park, Basingwell Street, Bishops Waltham SO32 1AL
NB: The toilets located in the building in the car park, are currently closed due to major renovations of the building taking place. However, there is, at the side of the buidling, just past the scaffolding, a one-at-a-time toilet that is functional?
A route map will also be provided to each car at the rendevous point, for you to follow ?
Rendevous Time; 10:30 onwards
Departure Time; 11:00 PROMPT!!!
Drive time; 46 minutes (approx)
Arrival time at Venue; 11:45 to 12:00 (Patricia & John will already be at the finish point, in their marhsalling role, to ensure we all get parked up together) ?
NB: For those that wish to, they can go the short drive to Lasham Gliding Club after lunch and walk around the garden centre for an afternoon cup of tea and watch the gliders ?

Solent AREA – MX5OC National Rally, Stonor Park, Oxfordshire
2025-09-14 | Stonor Park, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 6HF, Stonor Park, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6HF
Over 2500 MX-5’s attended the 2024 National Rally at Compton Verney .
This is always a great event to go to and to meet other members from different regions and also pick up some great products on offer by the various vendors at the National Rally.
See the latest edition of STHT for more details.

Solent – 24th September 2025: A drive via the New Forest, finishing at The Bear at Burton for Supper
2025-09-24 18:00 - 22:00 | The Bear at Burton, 15-17 Salisbury Rd, Burton, Christchurch BH23 7JG, 15-17 Salisbury Road, Burton, Christchurch,, Bournemouth, Hampshire, BH23 7JG, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
For our last evening drive before British Summer Time ends and the clocks go back, we are heading off via the New Forest for a lovely drive to “The Bear at Burton”, kindly suggested, along with a scenic drive route, by Roy & Vicki Newman.
Many thanks to all who submitted suggestions of where to drive to and have supper on the 24th Septmeber, these have not been ignored but have been kept, so we can use them for future drives out, as we like to post drives and events that you suggest…..so keep those suggestions coming ?
Roy has come up with the route, which we have both “fine tuned” and it is now good to go ?
I have rung The Bear at Burton and spoke to a very helpful lady called Claire who was very helpful and booked a table for 20 max in the library, which has doors that open out on to a covered area, so if the weather is nice we can be nice and cool ?
***PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKINGS WILL BE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS UNTIL WE REACH OUR MAXIMUM NUMBER OF 20 PEOPLE***
The details for the drive, is as follows;
Rendezvous Point: Morrisons, Totton, Spruce Drive, Totton, Southampton SO40 8AD
Rendezvous Time: 18:00 (Ready for a swift departure at 18:30 prompt)
Arrival time at venue: 19:30/19:45 (table is booked for 19:45)
Please note upon leaving to go home after the event, there is a quicker route along the B3347, which is more direct up to the A31 (29 mins) at Ringwood and from here you can proceed East or West on the M27 to return home, as desired ?
The venue has requested meal choices up front and have finally today, 5th September, and just sent me the latest menu, after i chased them twice. So, there is not very much time to turn the pre-orders around, as they have asked for the pre-orders to be sent back to them a week in advance, so thats the 17th September ?
Sorry to ask but please can you let me know your choices a.s.ap.in order I can enter them on the spreadsheet, prior to the event and send them to The Bear of Burton on the 17th Septemmber.
The Bear of Burton Revised menu is given at; https://portal.onlinepcstorage.co.uk/shares/file/3DUfXsQngM8/ any problems accessing the menu, please let me know on: solent@mx5oc.co.uk
Finally, here is a link to the route map for this drive for you to download;
https://portal.onlinepcstorage.co.uk/shares/file/qC6uzNp9I6D/
NB: Copy and past the link into your browser if it does not work by clicking on it
Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent – A drive and visit to The Battle of Britain Bunker, Hillingdon, for a Tour of this fascinating Wartime Stronghold
2025-10-05
Hi Everyone,
I have had a reply back from Conor at The Bunker, Hillingdon on the 5th October.
We have planned the visit as follows;
Rendevous Point; Caffeine & Machine, West Meon
Rendevous Time; 09:00 onwards for Coffee & Bacon Rolls (as arranged with Mike wells on 21st Aug)
Departure Time; 10:30 prompt!
Arrival time at venue; 12:00 to 12:15 (depending on traffic)
Tour time; 13:00 (approx finish time 14:00)
Once at the venue, there is a lovely cafe and outdoor seating in pleasant surroundings and also museum wartime items to view prior to our tour.
The tour will be approx 60 minutes and you will definitely enjoy the visit
Tickets are £10 per head and if you would kindly reply to this post to confirm your attandance on the day and then pay your admisison fee via PayPal at; solent@mx5oc.co.uk it would be greatly appreciated, as the vanue has requested payment up front
Return trip home can be of your own accord or happy to lead the drive back via possibly the same route or slightly different depending on weekend traffic
Kind Regards
Mal

Solent Area – Technical Visit to Wheel Alignment Solutions on Saturday 11th October 2025
2025-10-11 08:30 - 14:00 | Wheel Alignment Solutions, City Industrial Park, 20 Southern Rd,, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1HA, United Kingdom
*** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN MX5OC MEMBERS ONLY EVENT ONLY ***
Hi Everyone,
Is your MX-5 pulling in one direction when braking, or is your tyre wear uneven?
If the answer to any of the above is yes, then here is the solution for your MX-5, so it will drive like it is on rails afterwards?
On Saturday 11th October we will be visiting Wheel Alignment Solutions, where Darren Pracey will conduct 3D Wheel Alignments, using the SUPERTRACKER™ System.
As many of you are aware, Darren at Wheel Alignment Solutions (WAS) was seriously ill with Cancer last year but the great news is, the good old NHS did their usual brilliant stuff and he is now clear and back at work and it was good to see him looking so well?
I visited Darren a short while ago, after having my Mk1 steering rack reconditioned and rebuilt and Darren set up “Una the Eunos’s” steering brilliantly and she now drives like she is on rails and the steering is superb, like driving a new car, after “Power Steering Servivces”, in Greenwich, London, did their reconditioning work ?
Whilst at WAS, I discussed the possibibility of holding another Technical Session for Solent Area and Darren kindly agreed and we settled on a date of: Saturday 11th October 2025.
Darren is an expert in the field and worked at SUPERTRACKER for some years, along with Nick the previous owner of the business and knows steering geometry and the Supertracker System inside out. Darren also had considerable input into the design of the Supertracker system, so he definately knows his subject and the results are absolutely incredible
The cost for this event is cash Or card, at £50/car, unless he comes up against a problematic alignment requiring more attention, then it will be their usual rate of £70/car, which is their normal charge for a 4-wheel alignment.
Once done your MX-5 will drive like it is on rails and you will definitely notice the difference
We need to be at WAS for an 9:30 start, hence no time for a pre-drive, Darren is kindly giving up his Saturday morning to host us and said he should be able to get a good number of MX-5’s through and set them up and should be done by 12:30, or soon after.
NB: Any changes to these timings will be updated on the FORUM Thread for this event, so be sure to check back for any updates.
For anyone interested in following me down to WAS, I will swing by Sainsburys, Hedge End about 08:30, on route, to rendevous with those that wish to follow me down and we will depart Sainsburys at 09:00 prompt and should arrive in good time for an 09:30 start.
For info, for those wishing to drive straight there, the address is; The Wheel Alignment Centre, Southampton, 20 City Industrial Park Southampton Road, Southampton SO15 1HA.
The Wheel Alignment Centre is situted very close to IKEA off of West Quay Road and on the South side, nearest the docks.
I am running an Attendees List, on the forum, to track numbers, so if you wish for your MX5 to be tracked by an expert in the field, then please reply to this forum post only and I will add you to the list.
Please note, the list below, will be the running order of the day, so if you have a burning need to be away early let me know and I will do my best to accomodate you.
Finally, in previous years there have been some cars that were very difficult to adjust and required lots of effort by Darren and Russell, applying copious amounts of penetrating oil and heating nuts and bolts with a welding torch to free them off without shearing them off, which burnt up a lot of time and meant it became a long day for everyone. So, if you are coming along, please take time to give your MX-5’s front track rod alignment nuts and Front & Rear Castor Angle adjustment bolts a good couple of doses of penetrating oil between now and then to ensure that your MX-5 can actually be done on the day – to avoid disappointment
Best Regards
Mal

Solent – An evening visit to The Red Lion, Horndean on 15th October, for supper and a talk by Solent Member (Tony Amis) on “Chauffer to the Stars”
2025-10-15 19:00 - 22:00 | The Red Lion, 2 Havant Rd, Horndean, Portsmouth PO8 0DT, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO8 0DT, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
As the summer evening drives will have ceased in September, so this will be our first evening event indoors ?
For this event, we are very fortunate to have one of our members (Tony Amis) who, in his working life chauffered many famous stars to various destinations in the UK. Tony has kindly agreed to give us his talk and Tony’s natural wit and way of putting things across is a joy to behold and you are strongly advised not to miss this one ?
The details are as follows;
Venue: The Red Lion, Horndean.
Time: 7:00pm for 7:30pm (please aim to be at The Red Lion for 7 pm, if you wish to join us for supper prior to Tony’s talk)
Best Regards
Team Solent (Mal, Serena, Diane & Terry)

Solent – A breakfast meet, starting at Hilliers Garden Centre, Botley, on Sunday 2nd November 2025
2025-11-02 10:00 - 12:30 | Hilliers Garden Centre, Woodhouse Lane, Botley, Hamsphire, SO30 2EZ, United Kingdom
Hi All,
Those purveyors of great drives and events, Patricia & John, have come up with a “Breakfast Meet” at Hilliers Garden Centre, Botley, where we will tuck into a hearty breakfast ??
Steve, John’s contact at Hilliers, is currently on holiday but will be sending out the Breakfast Menu on his return on the 20th/21st October and we will update both this calendar post with the updated details and breakfast menu, for you to make your choices, so we can capture them but wanted to get a peg in the ground, by posting this event, so you all know what is coming up ?
Timings; Arrive by 10:00am, ready to be served breakfast at 10:30am!
Best Regards
Patricia, John & Team Solent

Solent – A Daytime Drive on Wednesday 19th November, in the West Sussex Countryside to The Bluebell Inn, Dockenfield for lunch
2025-11-19 10:30 - 15:00 | The Bluebell Inn, Boundary Road, Dockenfield,, Farnham, Hampshire, GU10 4EX, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
Steve Wagg has suggested a drive to the Bluebell Inn, Dockenfield, which lies South of Farnham, between the A31 and A3.
Steve tried to book this venue for a Sunday drive but unfortunately the venue could not fit us in and given the venue does stunning food it gets very busy and parking would be an issue ?
However, the Landords are very nice people and would love to host Solent Area, So, have booked us in for a mid-week lunch and this decision has been taken, due to the fact that in the winter not many members wish to venture out in the dark to a venue, especially if the weather is inclement.
We have done a few lunchtime drives before (pre-covid) and they have proved very successful, so this one will test the water to see if there is an appetite for more lunchtime drives in the 2026 winter period?
Drive Details
Rendevous Point; Halfords/Hobbeycraft Car Park, Selbourne Rd, Havant PO9 1ND
What3Words: shared.ocean.paths
Rendevous Time; 10:30
Departure Time; 11:00 (prompt)
Arrival time at venue; 12:30 (approx) so a drive time of approx 1.5 Hours (39 miles).
Venue: The Bluebell Inn, Boundary Road, Farnham, GU10 4EX
What3Words: sofa.nourished.shippers
The link was updated today (3rd October) as technical issues prevented members opening the drive route;
https://portal.onlinepcstorage.co.uk/shares/file/YRjOpewnUaz/
Hopefully, it’s all fine now for everyone ?
Steve Wagg & Mal

Solent – The Solent Area Christmas Meal – Sunday 7th December 2025
2025-12-07 12:30 - 18:00 | The George Inn, Finchdean, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 0AU, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
Following on from our delicious Christmas Meal at the George Inn, Finchdean, last year, the feedback we received, both at the meal and afterwards was really excellent and led us to book the same venue again for this year, as the dining area suited our needs perfectly ?
We have recently received the Christmas menu from The George Inn, which looks great and it is given at; https://portal.onlinepcstorage.co.uk/shares/file/2sHqM6YJFaR/
Please view the menu and make your selections and send them to us via the Solent Area of the forum only! so we can capture them and this way, choices don’t get lost by being sent to us via other means!
The George Inn require a £10 deposit person, to be paid via PayPal to: solent@mx5oc.co.uk by 21st November 2025 at the very latest! “So, dont delay and pay us today”?, so as to avoid disappointment, as we have only 40 places available ?
We are running the usual Meal Order Spreadsheet, so your choices and PyPal Payments will be logged and you will be all set?
Best Regards
Mal, Serena, Terry & Diane (Team Solent) ????

Solent – New Year Breakfast Social at Brambridge Park Garden Centre, on Saturday 10th January 2026
2026-01-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Brambridge Park Garden Centre, Kiln Lane, Brambridge, Hampshire, SO50 6HT, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
Patricia & John Wheeler have kindly arranged a Breakfast visit for Solent area to Brambridge Park Garden Centre on Saturday 10th January 2026, with an option to purchase some post Christmas bargains afterwards, so raid your Piggy Banks?
Please see Patricia & John’s write up for this event at the following link; MX-5 Owners Club Solent Brambridge Garden Centre write up
Please remember to reply to the forum post for this event, to secure your place and to enable Patricia & John to update the venue on our numbers ??
Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent – 21st January 2026: Supper at The Harvester, followed by an evenings bowling at the Hollywood Bowl, Eastleigh
2026-01-21 18:15 - 22:00 | Hollywood Bowl
As per previous years, when both the weather and dark evenings are not conducive to conducting evening drives, we are returning to The Hollywood Bowl Eastleigh for another entertaining evening of bowling, as follows;
Event Details;
Date & Time: Wednesday 21st January 2026 at 7:45pm
Venue: Hollywood Bowl, The Swan Centre, Eastleigh, Hants. SO50 5SF
Pre Bowling Supper: 18:15 at The Harvester, Unit L1B The Swan Centre, Wells Place, Eastleigh, Hampshire. SO50 5FX
NB: Please arrive by 7.30pm, as the game starts promptly at 7.45pm and you will need to get fitted out with suitable footwear before the game(s).
Diane has kindly paid for 21 pepople to bowl on the 21st Jan on three rinks but this number can be increased, should take up for this event exced 20 people.
Cost: £10/person, as per last year, which gives you two games and includes a free drink and shoe hire. So, If you wish to bowl, you will need to pay in advance and at the latest by Sunday 18th January 2026, by emailing; solent@mx5oc.co.uk saying you wish to bowl and Diane will pick up your request and email you her BACS details, so you can reimburse her direct.
If you’ve never bowled before, please just come along and join us to see what it’s all about, as it’s been a popular and great evenings entertainment in and enjoyed by all in the past and there will be prizes for the highest scorer on each rink?
There are plenty of eateries nearby, within the Swan Centre, if you wish to partake in some culinary delights elsewhere before the Bowling but for those that are able to get to the Swan Centre beforehand, a group of us will be venturing to The Harvester, which is also located in the Swan Centre, close to The Hollywood Bowl, as per previous years, at 6:15pm for supper and chat prior to the bowling. To this end, please respond to the forum post confirming your attendance and also letting us know if you will be joining us for supper at Prezzo, so a table can be booked. Initially, we have booked a table for 15 people, as a starting point and will run a list of attendees in this thread and increase the numbers accordingly, as required.
List of Attendees for Bowling;
Names/ Paid via BACS

Diane Botto/
Mal Rowland/

List of Attendees for Prezzo beforehand;

Diane Botto
Terry Botto
Mal Rowland

Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent – Sunday Drive finishing at Palmerston Bowling Club for Lunch
2026-02-01 10:00 - 15:00 | Palmerston Indoor Bowling Club, Palmerston Business Park, Palmerston Dr,, Fareham, Hamspshire, PO14 1DJ, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
As some of you know I play Lawn Bowls for “Meon Valley Bowling Club”, Bishops Waltham but during the winter months, when the green is closed, I bowl at Palmerston Indoor Bowling Club, Fareham.
At Palmerston there is a great restaurant, run by Debbie and her team, who do wonderful food. I have been to several evening social events and the entertainment and food have been excellent
I have spoken to Debbie and have asked if she would be happy to host a group from Solent Area on the 1st February 2026 and she is totally happy and will allocate tables for our group. There is ample parking and you will love the facilities at Palmerston.
The menu, which I know will be good, will not be available until nearer the time and I will post it on this thread when it does become available but I need to give Debbie and idea of our numbers.
So, if you fancy an hour or so’s drive on the 1st Feb followed by a Sunday lunch at reasonable cost, in convivial surroundings, please reply to this post to confirm your attendance and I will add you to the attendees list.

Solent – Supper and talk on the Raising of The Mary Rose
2026-02-18 19:00 - 22:00 | The Red Lion, Horndean
Hi Everyone,
We are returning to The Red Lion Horndean for supper and a talk by our very own David Burden on his diving days on the Mary Rose.
You may recall that the raising of Henry VIII’s warship, the Mary Rose took place on October 11, 1982, and David was a diver on the Maritime Archeology Project that lifted the 437 year old wreck from the seabed, just outside Portsmouth Harbour. David will be giving an illustrated talk with a Powerpoint Presentation to show how the events unfolded resulting in lifting the Mary Rose and returniung it to shore for preservation.
Location: 2 Havant Rd, Horndean, Portsmouth PO8 0DT
What3Words: improves.kebabs.galloped
We have made a reservation for 7pm at The Red Lion and requested the big dining room we had for Tony’s excellent talk last year, where we can set up a 42” TV screen for David to play his Powerpoint Slideshow on
NB: Please aim to be at The Red Lion Prompt for 7pm, in order that we dont cause problems with the food orders and also leave good time for David to give his talk after supper!
The Red lion Main Menu is given: HERE
Please make your choices and reply to the forum post to confirm your attendance and meal choices and we will log them on the usual spreadshseet and attendees list, given below.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHOICES BY WEDNESDAY 11th FEBRUARY, SO WE CAN SUBMIT YOUR CHOICES TO THE VENUE
We look forward to seeing you on the night
Best Regards
Team Solent

Solent – Greyshott Pottery for lunch and tour on Wednesday 18th March 2026
2026-03-18 10:30 - 16:00 | Greyshott Pottery, Hindhead, School Road, Grayshott,, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6LR, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
Patricia & John have come up with a return visit, that we last did back in 2021 to Greyshott Pottery, up near Hindhead.
Serena and I visited the pottery on 11th January, with Patricia & John to have a cup of tea and final scoping meeting with the Pottery Manager (Toby) and Cafe Manager (Sue) and they have allocated us the conservatory for us to use for lunch, before the tours commence. I say tours, as each group will be 6 or 7 people and we hope to have about 12 to 18 members attending ?
Visit Details;
Date: Wednesday 18th March 2026
The visit will be preceded by a drive, from Ria’s Cafe, Waltham Chase, which is in the final stages of finalising and will then be posted of the forum for you to download, complete with timings.
If members wish to drive direct to Greyshott Pottery, that is fine but please let us know by replying on the forum as to whether you are going direct to The Pottery, or meeting at Ria’s Cafe, Waltham Chase (What3Words: freezers.highs.dished), so we know who we are expecting on the day, noting that once the departure time has been set we will not wait, as we need to be a Greyshott on time for lunch at 12:45 prompt.
Redezvous Time: 10:15
Departure Time: 11:30 prompt
Sue (Cafe Manager) said she does not require pre-orders as she usually has everything and all food is freshly prepared.
You will all be pleased to hear that pre-payment is not required, which is great and makes life simpler for us, so on the day, you just choose what you would like and order and pay at the counter. However, a menu is provided on the forum post, so you can see what your options are ?
As previously mentioned, tours will be in groups of 6 or 7 people and start at approx 2pm to 2:30pm.
Each tour will take 15 to 20 minutes and members are invited to sit and have tea or coffee in the conservatory (Photo given below), which is very comfortable, and heated by Infrared Heaters, I had to take my jumper off during our visit, as it was roasting🥵
We will be handing round a sweet container during lunch, for donations to the Cafe staff and also to The Pottery, as they have a charity they support, so please be sure to bring some tip monies with you on the day?
After lunch and the tours, members can walk around the lovely shop and peruse the shelves and buy some of the nice pottery there, as desired.
Please respond to the Forum Post to confirm your attendance – we look forward to seeing you on the day.
Best Regards
Patricia, John & Team Solent

Solent – Laon Historique Tour 2026
2026-05-22 - 2026-05-25 | Laon Historique, Picardie, France, Laon, France
Hi Everyone,
Join us in May 2026 for Laon Historique 35 – celebrating 35 years of Laon Historique.
We have particiapted in this great event three times before, in 2016, 2017 and post covid in 2022 and had a great time. By kind invitation of Scenic & Continental Car Tours, we have invited us to attend Laon Historique from 22nd May to Monday 25th May 2026 in order to celebrate 35 years of this wonderful event.
Three of us have already signed up already and paid our deposits and are going, via Eurotunnel and staying in the IBIS Laon. SCCT are offering us, as MX5OC members and Veterans of Laon Historique a £60/car discount if referred by us, so if you phone them, mention Solent Area of the MX-5 Owners Club and they will apply the discount to your booking.
Due to the early Eurotunnel departure on Friday 22nd May (08:50) we are driving down the day before and will probably stop off at Bodium Castle on route, and stay in the Premier Inn, Cherry Gardens, Folkstone, the previous night.
The rate is currently £95 for a room and unfortunately, SCCT do not have an agreement with Premier Inn, so no discount was available and this rate is without breakfast, that can be cancelled up to 24 hours before. We will get breakfast in France, once we have cleared Calais ?
The contact details are;
James Wickenden
Sales and Operations Manager
Direct Telephone: 01732 879171
PS: You may get hold of Katie or Brem, if James is busy elsewhere, but they are also very helpful and will sort your booking for you.
As a member you will need to state to SCCT that you are an MX5OC member and the area you belong to and that you have been referred by us and they will sort the rest.
***IMPORTANT*** Once booked, please email us on; solent @mx5oc.co.uk, so we can track numbers joining us for on this trip?
Best Regards
Team Solent (Mal, Serena, Terry & Diane) ?

Solent – Sunday 7th June: A drive finishing at The George Inn, Finchdean for lunch
2026-06-07 10:15 - 15:00 | The George Inn, Finchdean, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 0AU, United Kingdom
Hi Folks,
Whilst having lunch and paying the deposits for the Solent Area Christmas Meal yesterday, I also booked a visit for the 7th June, to finish at The George Inn and park on their field, before partaking in some delicous lunch ?️
The details are as follows;
Date: Sunday 7th June 2026
Venue: The George Inn, Finchdean, Waterlooville PO8 0AU
Rendevous Time: 10:15 am
Rendevous Location: TBA
Departure Time: 11:00/11:15 am
Arrival Time: 11:30/11:45 am
As many of you know, The George Inn is a fabulous pub, in the lovely hamlet of Finchdean and their field immediately behind the pub is ideal for car meets and once parked up we can wander in and and partake in some delicious food ?
Details for the menu, so we can give them an idea of choices, will be provided in the New Year, as the menu will have changed by then ?
Attendees List:

Mal & Serena

Best Regards
Mal & Serena

Solent – Wallop Wheels & Wings 2026
2026-07-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Kentsboro,, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8FB, United Kingdom
Hi Everyone,
We have been invited back to Wallop Wheels and Wings 2026 and I am pleased to inform you that we have been offered “early bird tickets” ? at the advantageous price of £13/adult ?
Please note that this is a limited time offer and if you wish to display your MX-5 on the Solent Area Stand, then please purchase your tickets and complete the entry form, with the required information, given at the following link;
https://pci.jotform.com/form/253002120287039

Please also note the times to be on site, as Middle Wallop is a live airfield and although weekends are quieter all cars must be in place by the allotted time before the site is shutdown to vehicle movements and no cars wil be able to leave until after 16:30 on the day!
Attendees List;
1. Roger Mead
2. Mal & Serena Rowland
3.
Best Regards
Mal
Solent Area AC
