Norwich weekend 3-4 August

Compared to previous years, attendance at the Shorten’s in Lenwade was obviously boosted by the early arrival of overseas visitors for the 60th, with the furthest travelled almost certainly being Peter and Jane Yarham from New Zealand .

There were also several new faces from the UK such as Martin Andrews, who was taking his recently acquired Varitone on more or less its first outing. As usual John Shorten showed interested first-time visitors around his workshop, including Allen Bachelder and Steve Kirby from the USA, whilst Lou dispensed spare parts and advice in equal measures.

Lou and John had wisely arranged for mobile caterers to feed the masses - not just any catering van though...it was a restored and adapted 1950s Citroen which blended in nicely with the assembled Magnettes, and served delicious coffee, sandwiches and cakes. In the evening Peter Martin arranged dinner at a local establishment, and for those with the stamina there was a visit to Bressingham Steam museum and gardens on the Sunday (more reports to follow)

Text and photos by Stephen Tickell