Midland Rover Owners Club - Other Activites

4x4 Response

MROC 4x4 Response is one of many 4x4 response groups across the UK forming part of a now well developed, but growing National network of volunteers as a member group of Response UK.
4x4 Response is involved in assisting Local Authorities, local communities & the Emergency Services in time of need . 24 hours a day support can be provided via our volunteers "working" shifts during times of need.
MROC Members with a suitable vehicle can join this sub-group of the Club free, but subject to various training requirements etc.

A full website for our Response section can be found here:

Caravan and Camping

These events are open to all MROC members who camp with Tents, Motor Campers and Caravans. Camping at bigger events can be open to non members too.

Our mixed Calendar of events varies, with some Camping rallies run in conjunction with the Club's trials events, to the ALRC National & The Majors, Steam Fairs, plus some quiet weekend rallies, which are normally near to a Pub or places of interest. 
We typically have holiday rallies in May, August and October.

Rallies during the Autumn, Winter and Spring months will normally have some facilities such as showers and electricity hook ups and the Summer months do not.

We're always looking for volunteers to help take on an organisation role at specific events. It's never anything onerous as we try & divide up the various tasks & helps the events take place

Our C&C Secretary can be contacted to make bookings or for additional information via email: caravans@mroc.co.uk

Green Laning

Open to all MROC members, green laning is a social adventure - driving on generally un-serviced roads, tracks and trails that are open for motorised vehicles to use. 

Despite appearing as off-road tracks, this is technically NOT off-roading ! Green lanes are part of the public highway and therefore require MOT (if applicable for your age of vehicle), normal car insurance and a robust and road worthy vehicle.
Many of the lanes are well “off the beaten track”, although legal byways & would typically not be found / used in a normal 2wd car.


Lanes used need to be selected carefully – as many more modern Land Rovers / Range Rovers (especially post 2010 or so ) are a lot wider than old lanes were made for ! This can cause problems such as a vehicle physically not fitting between walls OR scratches to paint due to overhanging branches, brambles etc. “Lanes” can vary from flat & smooth tarmac through to extremely undulating, sideslopes or rock climbs / descents not suitable for “standard” 4WD cars.
We never organise Green laning where there is a high likelihood of body damage. However, it is possible that overgrown lanes could cause minor scuffing of paintwork, but we always warn beforehand if there’s a risk & provide an alternative route around it, as we recognise that not all our members want the “well worn” look to their Land Rover & many have vehicles with bodywork in extremely good condition that they want to remain that way.


Club events are NOT normally targeted at the extremes, but if you're interested & we’ve forgotten to say what’s involved, don’t hesitate to ask !

Club events typically only cost £5 per driver to contribute to event research / checking costs.  

Typically we meet up at an agreed start point for eg 9am & aim to get back @ 6pm or so. There's usually numerous stops to admire the scenery, take photos or have lunch / a brew up & chat.

To minimise environmental impact we operate in line with GLASS & Government "Countryside Code" guidelines, including limiting the quantity of vehicles in any group. Here's a link the Countryside Code.
MROC is a member of GLASS, so we have access to their Trailwise2 website database of Green Lanes - helping identify which lanes are open & legal to use & which are either temporarily or permanently closed (eg due to a Traffic Regulation Order [TRO] ).

MROC typically organises 2 or 3 Green Laning events each year, sometimes more. They normally take place within a radius of approx. 100 miles of Birmingham.
As examples, a few areas covered in the past have included North Derbyshire, Shropshire & Warwickshire & involved some fantastic lanes & scenery. Here's a Journal article of a visit to Shropshire - link here. Summary map here.

Club members also arrange their own events, inviting friends or other Club members too.

If demand dictates it, we'll organise more events, even weekends away with overnight camping (or B&B for the less adventurous!).

Check the Calendar for specific event info. or contact our Green Laning Coordinator via email to greenlaning@mroc.co.uk

If you are a regular or keen "Green Laner", we recommend membership of GLASS to get access to their really useful Trailwise2 website database. Membership costs approx £45 per year. More info. via their website, but you can ask us if you want advice about benefits.

Recovery

The aim of our "Recovery" activities is to provide support vehicles and / or marshals for radio duties, recovery units or transport at motor sport related events or any equestrian or other public event that may require our assistance with the running of the event where there may be a need for 4x4 vehicles. As the provision of these vehicles / services involves personal expense by the relevant members, we would normally expect some sort of donation towards Club funds unless perhaps the event was Charity focussed.

If you're an organisation requiring these services, please contact us for more information. 

Social

Currently we have no Social Secretary to organises our socials. However, Committee members are pulling together a few where there's demand. 

COVID during the last 2 years stopped all separate social activity, but having a chat while at Off-road trials or Camping & Caravan events still continues ! Post COVID Lockdowns , we're  asking members to let us know if they'd be interested &  we'll try & put more on.
When arranged, they're usually advertised here, via the Homepage "Events" area , "What's On" page & Facebook.

Typically, we've had a social evening every month (Drinks & a chat at a Pub, sometimes group visits to restaurants, beer and skittles, 10 pin bowling etc). They’re usually the first Saturday of the month. Locations vary to suit as many as possible of our members.

Friends, family & non-members are welcome & we can guarantee not all the conversation is Land Rover related!
They're often a good way for non-members to come along and find more about the Club.

Social events are usually free, unless specified.

If you have any ideas or requests for Socials, please let our Social Secretary know via social@mroc.co.uk. 

Play / Training / Open Days :

The Club occasionally organise what we call a Driver Training / Open Day - maybe once per year as a more disciplined approach to learning a little about how to drive your 4x4 off-road. At these, we have experienced drivers available to provide guidance & the event is marshalled to ensure minimal chance of accidents / vehicle damage due to driver exuberance etc ! This event is usually mid-year, when more consistent weather is likely & is open to non-members & even non Land Rover 4x4s. Ideal to bring your family, friends & / or neighbours !