Author Archive: Niall Cook

2025 “Most Improved Apprentice” Award Winner Announced

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The Midget and Sprite Club is delighted to announce that the winner of its 2025 Most Improved Apprentice award is Rosie Fraser of EJ Ward Ltd, based at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire – specialists in Triumph Stag restoration. The award – comprising a trophy, £300 cash prize, and one-year membership of the Midget and Sprite Club – was presented to Rosie by representatives from the Midget and Sprite Club at the Brooklands Museum Heritage Skills Academy site.

Developed jointly by the Federation Skills Trust, the Heritage Skills Academy (HSA), and the Midget and Sprite Club, the Most Improved Apprentice award recognises perseverance, progress, and personal growth throughout the Heritage Engineering apprenticeship programme. It celebrates those who demonstrate resilience and commitment to mastering traditional restoration and engineering skills, regardless of their starting point.

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Andrew Parrott’s RWA Midget featured in Autotrader review of MG Cyberster

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We were delighted to be able to help the Autotrader team with the making of their review of the new MG Cyberster (“the Tesla roadster you can actually buy”).

Member and past chair Andrew Parrott’s RWA ‘Mungo’ makes a star appearance around 9m 25s, putting a massive smile on presenter Rory Reid’s face as he flings it around a few corners.

Even if you still prefer VOCs to Volts, the whole video is well worth a watch, just for Rory’s great review.

Thanks to the Autotrader team, Rory, Andrew, and – of course – to Mungo for making it an enjoyable watch.

We still know which one we’d prefer though…

Watch the full review below.

Alex Tyler featured in Classic Car Weekly “Next Generation Diaries”

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Fabulous to see young member Alex Tyler in the 7 May edition of Classic Car Weekly. Taking pride of place in their “Next Generation Diaries” feature, he and his 1971 Nissan Micra-engined racing MG Midget are profiled in some depth. Thanks for giving the club a mention too!

As editor David Simister says, “He’s on the money by leaning into club expertise to get the most out of his MG – that’s where you’ll find the people who know these classics best.”

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Drive-It Day 2025

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Sunday 27 April 2025 marks national Drive-It Day. Created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005, it is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention, the motor vehicle. It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping transport heritage on UK roads.

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Another member’s car featured in MG Enthusiast

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Another 10-page feature on a club member’s Midget appears in this month’s MG Enthusiast magazine.

This time, it’s Phil Dobbins’ 1500 Midget, bought brand new by his dad in 1980 as a reward for giving up smoking, and still in the family today.

Great photos as always from Gregory Owain. The May edition is on sale now.

Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show

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Once again, the Midget and Sprite Club will be at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show this weekend at the NEC, Birmingham.

This year, we will have several cars on display, as well as a live demonstration of a clutch release bearing replacement.

It is always a great event and a fantastic opportunity for existing, new, and potential club members to put faces to names. There will be a members area as well as a reception area where officers will be on hand to discuss the benefits of joining the club.

We’re in Hall 5, Stand 720 on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, so come and say hello.

Inaugural “Most Improved Apprentice” Award Winner Announced

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The Midget and Sprite Club is delighted to announce the winner of its inaugural “Most Improved Apprentice” award as James Keer of RW Racing Services. The award – which includes a trophy, £300 cash, and a one-year membership of the Midget and Sprite Club – was presented to James by Karl Carter, director of skills at the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) and chair of the Federation Skills Trust, and Mark Hall, chair of the Midget and Sprite Club, at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show on 8 November 2024.

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2025 Club calendar goes to press

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The 2025 Midget and Sprite Club calendar has just been printed, featuring 13 fantastic images taken by our members.

Taking pride of place on the front cover is a fabulous shot from Jonathan Colley of his Frogeye peeking through Cook Street Gate in Coventry.

All club members receive a free calendar, but we’ll have some extra copies available through our club shop, and on our main stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show.

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Clive Thompson makes Pride of Ownership final

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Fantastic to see Clive Thompson’s 1977 MG Midget selected as one of the finalists in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition, with the winner announced at the NEC Classic Motor Show on 8-10 November 2024.

And what a great backstory too. Known by Clive since 1984, the car was his link to a lost love he met 40 years ago. Reunited with his partner in 2012, he found the car again in 2019 close to being scrapped. Now it’s fully restored to the exact specification as when the couple first met, and still features the engine he rebuilt all those years ago. A proper love story for this much loved classic!

Good luck to Clive and all the other 19 finalists!

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