Hundreds at rally for MG Rover anniversary

Apr 16 2007 By Jabe Tyler, Birmingham Mail

HUNDREDS of Longbridge-built cars gleamed in the glorious weekend sunshine to mark the second anniversary of the closure of MG Rover.

Crowds of families enjoyed the unusually hot April weather as they watched the second Pride of Longbridge rally.

The sizzling temperatures brought a bumper turnout with more than 700 vehicles with a Longbridge connection - three times the number expected.

Organised by the Rover Community Action Trust, the vehicles gathered in Cofton Park after travelling in a convoy from Hopwood Services at Junction Two of the M42.

In the park there was a play performed by Birmingham poet and former car worker Spoz.

Other activities included face painting, nail art, a jumble sale of auto parts and an open stage for singing performances.

Five representatives from MG Rover's new owners, Nanjing, were also there to tell residents of their plans for the Longbridge site.

One of the organisers, Gemma Cartwright, whose husband Andrew worked at Longbridge, said it was a superb day.

"It was unbelievable so many people turned up and it made it an outstanding day," she said. "We are now thinking of making it an all-weekend event next year because it's so popular."