The Presidents Run 2025
East Antrim Old Vehicle Club has been fortunate. 2025 has been a year when up until today we have been blessed with good weather. Unfortunately our luck ran out for this event. That said, the weather did not deter members who braved at times torrential rain to make our last run of the year a monumental success. Thanks to the Event Manger Norman and his fair lady with the help of William and Martin we ended up with, despite the weather, over 40 cars and 91 people for our visit to the Joey Dunlop Museum and Exhibition in Ballymoney. Thanks to Joey’s brother-in-law, Jim Stevenson, we were welcomed with tea, coffee and biscuits after our wet and windy dash from Corrs Corner. All credit to Norman who stood out at the carpark entrance in an absolute downpour to make sure that drivers did not end up in far off Bushmills. When everyone eventually arrived, and Norman dried off, Jim gave a talk on the amazing Dunlop dynasty and the exhibits which were mostly on loan from private collectors. Worth noting and grateful thanks to the council and Jim as the exhibition actually closed the previous week. Thankfully the powers that be were able to keep most of the exhibits in situ to allow us a privileged private visit. Once again on the move, the carpark brought back memories of a1950’s and 60’s starting grid at Le Mans which meant that we arrived at the Wild Duck in Portglenone well ahead of time.
This was our first Club visit to the Wild Duck and, from feedback and comments afterwards, I don’t think that it will be the last. The management and staff went out of their way to be as accommodating as possible. The provisional booking for 80 people ended at 91 including children. Not to be deterred, management moved us to a larger room which appeared to have been set as a wedding venue. The photographs do not do it’s magnificence justice - it would have done any medieval banquet proud. To say that the meal and service were exceptional would be an understatement and a perfect ending to the last run in 2025. The day ended in typical Northern Ireland fashion. The minute that we made for the carpark and a leisurely run home the rain stopped and the sun came out - well almost.
Many thanks to Norman, Carol and members of the committee for the time and effort that helped make this a memorable final run of the year.
Other than monthly meetings, the next get together will be the Annual Christmas Dinner on the 09.12.2025 at Corrs Corner.
