Brighton Run

The sight of a Morris Minor takes me back to my childhood days when I spent many happy Saturdays having 'a day out', travelling in the back seat of a Morris. The car belonged to the parents of my childhood friend, and the Morris Run has that small car, small family feel about it today - though the children have now grown up and left home long ago.

Morris was the dominant car manufacturer in Britain throughout the 1930s and 40s. In 1948 it introduced the Morris Minor, a line of cars that continued in production until the mid-70s. Sometimes thought of as the British Beetle, a reference to its similarity in curvy looks to VW's popular car, the Morris and the Beetle are actually very different in engine and drive mechanism. But they both aimed at the cost-conscious family market.

Around 200 cars take part in the run, and there is little razzle-dazzle about the day. There's only a couple of stalls selling memorabilia. Many park up, open the boot, and get out the tea and sandwiches. All that's needed is for the sun to shine and the day is counted a success.

Though, when compared with the Mini Car Run, the Morris Run is small beer, none the less, if you would like to see 200 plus Morris Minors in the one place - all working models - this is the place to be.

The introduction of the Morris Minor Traveller in 1953 saw a return, or at least a backward reference, to the days of coach building. The rear bodywork of this little estate-type model had a wooden frame. It also had two vertical rear doors as in a van.

The Traveller had a certian rural provenance to it, much favoured by the Countryside Alliance type of yesteryear.

Today, Traveller Timbers which makes new timber frames for the Traveller, is based in rural Yorkshire, and describes itself as a "cottage industry".