OPINION
Decayed roof surely can’t mean the end for a unique club
Here is one of the classic movement’s greatest treasures. The more we hear about the North East Restoration Club (NERC), the more we praise its 53 years of achievement. Hundreds of classics have been saved, restored by and repaired by members on the premises, with the opportunity to use the club’s excellent workshop facilities.
But the NERC, a registered charity, faces a serious risk – the decayed roof of its workshops. To replace and upgrade it is set to cost £250,000, and a Facebook Fundraiser has been started. ‘Every time we have high winds we’re worried the roof, or a large part of it might not survive and that we could face closure of one or both buildings’ said NERC secretary Andrew Billington.
Despite patching up efforts, leaks occur.
The club was set up in 1971 by a small group of enthusiasts, some of whom were in the motor trade, to restore and preserve older vehicles. In 1973 came the chance to acquire, for £50 per year ‘peppercorn’ rent from Washington Development Corporation, workshop premises once part of the old Blythe Brickworks site.
The first open day took place in June 1975. A clubroom was built in 1987, along with a cafeteria and toilets.
In 1994 Imex Properties, which by then owned the premises, decided to sell up, but gave the NERC, as sitting tenants, first refusal.
With the alternative of the club having to close, it was decided to go all out to raise the deposit of £11,000 and take out a mortgage on the building, paid off over ten years.
Today the NERC is achieving some amazing results. Cars currently being worked on range from a V12 Jaguar E-type to a Reliant Kitten via a 1935 Singer Sports Saloon and a Jensen Interceptor. Not forgetting a Triumph TR3 and TR6, Riley RME, Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Beetles and Type 2 Camper, Saab 99 Turbo, Alvis TD21, Ford Zephyr, Vauxhall Viva HB with a Lotus engine… the list goes on.
Nick Larkin has appeared in many classic car (an
