HUNDREDS of cars – all built in south Birmingham – will descend on Cofton Park tomorrow (Saturday, April 18) when this year’s Pride of Longbridge (POL) event is held.
The event, from 10am to 4pm, will be the 20th POL Rally after it launched the year after the closure of the factory.
The demise of the plant saw 6,000 people lose their jobs. Many had worked, most of them all of their lives, making an array of cars, including Rovers, Minis, Metros, Montegos, Allegros, MGs and more.
On top of that, a further 18,000 ‘supply chain’ jobs were put at risk, many also in south Birmingham.
While they were being built and since the plant closed, the brands of Austin, Rover and MG have built up a tremendous fan base of enthusiasts and tomorrow’s event will give those who own the models the chance to showcase their beautifully restored or magnificently maintained vehicles.
The event also gives former workers and employees the chance to meet up, chat and reminisce about their fond memories of working for the firm.
Gemma Cartwright MBE’s husband Andy was one of the many who lost their jobs during what was billed as ‘the darkest day in British motor-manufacturing history’.
She took the workers’ fight to Number 10, Downing Street, in a bid to get then Prime Minister Tony Blair to put together a rescue deal to save the factory and the jobs the area was built on and depended on.
She said: “MG Rover built up such a wonderful community here in Longbridge and in the surrounding areas and that strong community remains to this day.
“Everyone here is so proud of our motor manufacturing history and Pride of Longbridge is about celebrating that heritage and all the people who made it such a success.
“Tomorrow will be a massive milestone for POL – the 20th year we have gathered to remember everything the Austin and MG Rover accomplished.”
Cars built in Longbridge are still much-loved by local people and by motoring enthusiasts from all over the world.
Models descend on Cofton Park from across all four corners of the United Kingdom, from mainland Europe, Eastern Europe and even further afield than that.
