VISITORS from all over the country and beyond are expected to descend on Cofton Park tomorrow (Saturday) to mark the tenth anniversary of the collapse of MG Rover.
The annual Pride of Longbridge (POL) Rally starts at 10am and the organisers are also hoping — to mark the milestone — that there will be the largest ever collection of cars and other vehicles built at the plant.
Among the vehicles expected at the rally are Austin 7s, classic Minis, Rovers, MGs, Maestros, Metros, Allegros and more.
The event, which started in 2006, a year after MG Rover collapsed. brings together the community, enthusiasts and ex and present workers at the site.
There will also be children’s activities, including a make-and-take workshop being run by the Northfield Arts Forum.
The Standard reported last week how the event had received a welcome boost, with a classic Austin BT Maestro van being donated to raise funds for the rally and for the Midlands Air Ambulance.
It has been donated by Anthony Ellis and is being raffled off with tickets being sold at £15 each – £10 will go to the air ambulance and £5 to POL.
After the BT van was found, Anthony put his passion for repairing classic cars to good use by restoring it to its former glory. Now he has donated it to raise cash for the charity which saved his brother’s life.
Rally organiser Gemma Cartwright MBE said: “We hope to see as many people as possible at the rally. We want visitors to come along and celebrate everything that was achieved at the plant — let’s remember the past, catch up with old friends and look forward to the future of Longbridge.”
Admission to the rally is free.
