56 replies to this topic

[Neildanks]

Thanks tanya its people like you who make it worth while

[Tanya]

I think its the same reason Abbey Road has no road sign... because it's a Mecca for Beatles fans... prone to either theft or graffiti.

Apparently road naming is a very contentious issue according to the Austin and Longbridge Federation. We discussed road naming at ALF's recent AGM as a considerable number of new road names are going to be needed for the redevelopment of the Longbridge site. ALF were asked to put suggestions forward which had connections to the factory which they did with many rejected for one reason or another. However, apparently mini limited editions fared well, so watch out for Rose Road, Sky Drive, Designer Way etc!

what about Cooper Close?

Let's hope they have a Cooper Close or similar in the Longbridge redevelopment plans. I have a Cooper Place just round the corner from me, but it isn't related to Cooper cars, but was named after a local family.

[Tanya]

Thanks tanya its people like you who make it worth while

It was a pleasure to be apart of. I enjoy meeting various Mini people and meeting John Sheppard was a real treat. I am now taking John to Gaydon and he will be based (most appropriately I think) on the 1959 Register's stand and I sure that he would love to talk to anyone who would like to go and have a chat with him. He is very interesting and worked for 20 years with Alec Issigonis and was friends with him for a further 20 years.

I also had my letter about the unveiling of the sign printed in my local paper today.
http://www.oxfordmai...to_be_proud_of/

[H.M.M.]

What a great achievement Tanya. I might pop down a grab a photo for myself, I'm only 15 mins away. Or we could always try and get a few of us there, for a photo shoot.

[mab01uk]

The 1959 Morris Mini seen at the 'Alec Issigonis Way' unveiling in Oxford is now for Sale @ £12,500

Advert link below says Austin but it is actually a Morris........

"Sold on launch day Sept 1959 by Bournemouth BMC dealer & subsequently fully restored by them. Drives perfectly. Good history file. Ready to drive, show and cherish"

http://www.classicca...ni/1959/224191/

 

My photos of John Sheppard (The man who drew the Mini as part of Alec Issigonis's design team) carrying out the official unveiling cermony with local Cowley, Oxford East MP, Andrew Smith, Wayne Morse of MINI, a 1959 Cowley built Morris Mini-Minor and the latest 2012 MINI Roadster built at the Oxford Plant across the road.

 

Edited by mab01uk, 18 January 2014 - 06:29 PM.

[Tanya]

I thought it was about time I gave John a call.  He's very well, but his legs are a bit hopeless and keep giving way

 

He is hoping to come to the BMC & Leyland Show on 6th July at Gaydon and join the 1959 Register.  He is just a lovely man and so interesting, and although his body is failing him a bit, his mind's as sharp as ever.  I would like him to invite him to the Pride of Longbridge, but he would need a golf buggy or something similar to get round - thinking caps time me thinks!  

 

John regularly tells me, and told me again tonight that it is all the interest in Mini and enthusiasm from the Mini community that keeps him going - it really means a lot to him.  

[mab01uk]

As a follow up to this thread I wrote a brief tribute to the late John Sheppard along with a photo of him unveiling the 'Alec Issigonis Way' road sign in 2012 with Tanya and myself, which I see today has made it onto page 24 of the Summer 2015 edition of Miniworld magazine!

[Spider]

What a lovely story, really bought a smile to my face, a nice 'note' to the day.

 

Well done Tanya, good work.

[pierres]

Ok - so the City Council have been in touch (well, left a voicemail, so I have left another one back!)

As the road is on a private development, it is up to the owners/developers on the Business Park to install road name signs. It would then be a City Council responsibility to maintain them.

I have asked the City Council to let me know who I would need to contact on the Business Park with regards to the installing the road name sign. My guess (but I will ask when I hear back) is that the road name sign will need planning permission, which is back to the City Council!

My feeling is that we will probably get the road name sign, but it is going to be one of those long, tedious exercises! Firstly, I need to persuade the owners/developers to put one in and then the City Council to agree to allow it and maintain it.

I will continue with this (as and when I get the time) and keep you posted of any developments.

https://www.google.c...=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1
There was a sign at one time see link below
https://www.google.c...12!8i6656?hl=en
https://www.google.c...12!8i6656?hl=en

Edited by pierres, 12 June 2015 - 03:30 PM.

[leaky]

 

Ok - so the City Council have been in touch (well, left a voicemail, so I have left another one back!)

As the road is on a private development, it is up to the owners/developers on the Business Park to install road name signs. It would then be a City Council responsibility to maintain them.

I have asked the City Council to let me know who I would need to contact on the Business Park with regards to the installing the road name sign. My guess (but I will ask when I hear back) is that the road name sign will need planning permission, which is back to the City Council!

My feeling is that we will probably get the road name sign, but it is going to be one of those long, tedious exercises! Firstly, I need to persuade the owners/developers to put one in and then the City Council to agree to allow it and maintain it.

I will continue with this (as and when I get the time) and keep you posted of any developments.

https://www.google.c...=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1
There was a sign at one time see link below
https://www.google.c...12!8i6656?hl=en
https://www.google.c...12!8i6656?hl=en

 

 

Yea there is a sign now cause Tanya go one put there. Look at the date this thread was started

[Tanya]

As a follow up to this thread I wrote a brief tribute to the late John Sheppard along with a photo of him unveiling the 'Alec Issigonis Way' road sign in 2012 with Tanya and myself, which I see today has made it onto page 24 of the Summer 2015 edition of Miniworld magazine!

 

Martin, I have just had a chance to read your letter.  What a lovely fitting letter and I am sure many will enjoy reading it just as I have.

 

That was a great day and I know John loved it.  He was very fond of Issigonis so was delighted to be able to unveil the road sign bearing his name.  It's lovely as I'm beginning to see photos on Facebook of people taking their cars down there to take photos of them by the road sign.  John would be so pleased

[mab01uk]

 

As a follow up to this thread I wrote a brief tribute to the late John Sheppard along with a photo of him unveiling the 'Alec Issigonis Way' road sign in 2012 with Tanya and myself, which I see today has made it onto page 24 of the Summer 2015 edition of Miniworld magazine!

 

Martin, I have just had a chance to read your letter.  What a lovely fitting letter and I am sure many will enjoy reading it just as I have.

 

That was a great day and I know John loved it.  He was very fond of Issigonis so was delighted to be able to unveil the road sign bearing his name.  It's lovely as I'm beginning to see photos on Facebook of people taking their cars down there to take photos of them by the road sign.  John would be so pleased

 

 

Thanks Tanya and good to hear Mini enthusiasts are taking their cars for photos by the sign.

 

I am so pleased we finally got that road sign put up and unveiled by John Sheppard in 2012, so that people will always know that one of the last members of the Alec Issigonis Mini design team was there on the day.