Miniadix celebrates 50 Years of the Mini with the
London Mini Run & Mini Tune PremierOn Sunday 4th October 2009, nine years after the classic Mini ceased production, masses of Minis of all shapes and sizes gathered at the Ace Café to take part in The London Mini Run. The event was organised to celebrate 50 years of the classic and BMW Mini and the demise of the Classic Mini on 4th October 2000.
The start of the event was at the famous Ace Café London, a venue made popular in the 1960’s as a meeting place for car, bike, scooter and music lovers.
To kick off the evening, The Mini Tune, a song produced to celebrate the Mini’s 50th Birthday, played for the first time to an attentive Mini/Music loving Ace Café audience. Lee commissioned and contributed to The Mini tune, a 60’s style produced in collaboration with Ben Jones (singer, songwriter, musician) and the very talented Fabulous Boogie Band who played under the name of “Austin Mini and the Mayfairs”.
After the tremendous reception to The Mini Tune, Minis gathered to run across London taking in famous landmarks, going over and under all the bridges and tunnels of the River Thames. Donations from the run went to Carers Support (www.carers-ashford.org.uk) Youth Worker Project based in Ashford, Kent. Carers Support provide help and advice for home carers. The event was kindly sponsored and supported by Paul Cartwright (web designer www.designbods.com); David Harvey (Frizbee Promotional Printers); MiniWorld Magazine (The magazine for Mini owners www.miniworld.co.uk) and MINI UK/BMW (www.mini.co.uk).
After an eventful run, including a flat tyre on the 6 wheeled xxft BMW Mini Limo and several ‘lost’ Minis most of the participants completed the run at the O2 Arena, Greenwich.
Organiser Lee Pegrum said...
“The noise of the Mini’s going into the Kingsway Underpass was ear-blasting, especially the exhaust boom from the Cooper S behind me, and coupled with the many ‘hoots’ of the Mini horns. That’s what Minis were made for driving – in tunnels!”
The significance of the two venues, the Ace Café London and the O2, represented both eras that the Mini has been in, the 1960’s to present day. Hopefully the MINI, The Ace Café and The O2 will survive another 50 years! See you in 2059!
Austin Cooper & The Mayfairs (aka The Fabulous Boogie Band)
This year, Lee commissioned her favourite band to help with The Mini tune. Lee says “I am so pleased with The Mini Tune, Ben has really captured the feel of the 1960’s in his melody, and I am glad to have part of the creative writing. Long live the Mini!”
Led by the talented John Jackson, the Fabulous Boogie Band were form in 2000 and play all around the Southern England. For The Mini tune the line up under the band name of “Austin Cooper & The Mayfairs” is Ben Jones lead singer & keyboards; John Jackson lead guitar; Wayne Agnew on drums; Chris Cassar on bass guitar; Dave Smith on Saxophone and Shawn Kissane on Trombone. The core re of band met whilst studying music at Mid Kent College.
The Mini – Born 1959!
The Mini was invented by Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, CBE, FRS (18 November 1906 – 2 October 1988). There were over 5.3 million Minis made between 26th August 1959 and 4th October 2000. In 2001 the Renaissance era started with the new MINI’s re-birth in Oxford, England. Today both classic Mini owners and new BMW MINI owners share the same philosophy, a Mini is not just a car, it is a way of life! The Mini/MINI is not just a car, it’s not just a piece a metal, it’s a character!
Thanks very much to those that supported this event:
Ace Cafe, London (Venue)
Mini World Magazine, Croydon, Surrey (Promo)
Paul Cartwright, DesignBods, Redditch (Logo creation & Promo)
Mike, Minimenders, Bolton (Promo)
BMW & MINI UK (Gift Packs & Promo)
Frizbee, Promotional Printers, Ashford, Kent (FREE Printing)
Medash, Sign Makers, Ashford, Kent (FREE Printing)
Wood and Pickett, Leatherhead, Surrey (Promo, see News section)