News Archive

News Archive


Hello! I’m Adrian John, and although you probably wouldn’t believe it for a moment, I actually own a Bongo! Yes, it’s true! (Ask Ian!)

Just because you haven’t heard from me since 1988 doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy! Oh no. For a start I have to keep the Bongo archives in order. And also, I have to present my regular show on Saga Radio!

Parp! Parp!

30/07/23: Black Circles

New recommendations have been added to the Tyres factsheet in the members area


29/07/23: Farewell

Member Ian Sparrowhawk of Swansea recently passed away following an industrial accident. He was a top bloke and our thoughts are with his family. See here for obituary, funeral and donation details.


29/07/23: Beyond the Call of Duty

Many thanks to member Pete Anderson who meticulously went through all 200 factsheets to see if the links were working correctly. Everything has now been fixed (I think).


24/07/23: Steering Fluid

Details have been added to the Lubricants factsheet in the members area


23/07/23: Alternative to Lush Projects

If you go to the Partsouq website, who are a UAE based parts broker, and input your chassis number, you will find the parts diagrams for your particular vehicle. Drill down further by using the “Information” icon and you can get the date of manufacture, paint code, trim code and lots of other useful stuff.


23/07/23: Finished!

All the factsheets have now been  re-uploaded. Don’t ask me to do it again! See the members area


23/07/23: Two More Photos……

…..have been placed in The Gallery.


18/07/23: It’s Doing My Head In

All the factsheets are gradually being re-uploaded and we have completed letters A to U. See the members area


16/07/23: Looking Ahead

Dates have been announced for club meetings for 2024 and beyond.


14/07/23: Looe

We are taking bookings for the Bongo Fest South West at the end of September and after initial sales we have 16 pitches left all with electric hook-up. Full details in the members area.


10/07/23: Not Quite There!

All the factsheets are gradually being re-uploaded and we have completed letters A to S. See the members area


05/07/23: Bongonaut of the Year

Carol Davidson has been awarded Bongonaut of the Year for 2023 for helping the Bongomaster through the most difficult 6 months of his life. The club wouldn’t still be in existence if it wasn’t for her support. Cheers Carol.


01/07/23: Latest Club Newsletter

Edition 79 of our quarterly newsletter is now available for download from the members area. If you are a webplus or postal member you will receive a copy in the post shortly.


01/07/23: Nearly There!

All the factsheets are gradually being re-uploaded and we have completed letters A to R. See the members area


30/06/23: Charity Update

This year’s nominated charity is the International Committe for the Red Cross. I am pleased to announce that including earlier donations, and money raised by a bucket collection at this year’s Bongo Bash, we have raised a total of £3,398.75. Thanks for your support.


28/06/23: I’ve Seen This One…..

…..and it is a fantastic machine at a bargain price. It’s in Sheffield and now re-advertised on  the For Sale page.


15/06/23: No More

We have now stopped taking bookings for the Bongo Bash.


12/06/23: Powerflow

New in the Top Tips section there is a recommendation for a firm that can custom build a stainless steel replacement exhaust.


11/06/23: Looe

Booking details and pitch fees have been announced for the Bongo Fest South West at the end of September. Full details in the members area.


10/06/23: Newsletters

All the quarterly newsletters prior to 2021 have now been archived to save space. In the members area you will find details of how to access these back copies.


10/06/23: Meetings Update

We have now sold 152 pitches for the Bongo Bash in Stourport. The last booking day is Thursday 15th June. The meeting at St Davids is now sold out and a waiting list is in operation. Full details in the members area.


04/06/23: Credit Where Credit Is Due

Pete Wainwright has been in touch to sing the praises of Dave at Barrnsley’s DL Bodyshop. “I went for some minor work and he was brilliant, very meticulous and extremely helpful and knowledgable. Really good value and a job well done”. So if you need any body work on your Bongo and you are in the North, phone Dave on 07584134811.


02/06/23: Progress Report

Following the recent server migration the factsheets are gradually being uploaded back to the members area. We have completed A to G and while we were at it have revised the Flowplugs factsheet.


24/05/23: It Should Take A Couple Of Weeks

Following the recent server migration the factsheets are gradually being uploaded back to the members area


17/05/23: Office Closed

I’ve gone to the Bongo meeting in County Durham and will reopen on Tuesday 23rd May. No membership applications, orders or queries can be processed until I return.


16/05/23: Website/Forum Issues

The Bongo Fury, Bongo Fury Forum and Bongoland websites have been migrated to a new server. Some functions are not available at the present time. This should be resolved early next week.


15/05/23: Bash

We still have availability at the main event in Stourport. Details in the members area.


13/05/23: Forum Access

There have been a number of reports of people unable to log in to the Forum. This is being investigated.


12/05/23: Go Bongo

John has a private plate  GO60 NGO on retention that he is willing to sell. Offers in region of £750. Contact him on [email protected]


07/05/23: Bongos in Central Glasgow

There’s a brand new fact sheet in the members area all about Low Emmisons Zones in Scotland. Glasgow goes live on 1st June with three more to follow next year.


04/05/23: Fuel Filler Cap

We have discovered that the filler cap on the Bongo is the same as another vehicle’s and you will find the answer in the Bongo Clinic.


02/05/23: Southern Softies 2024

The date and venue for this event are now in the members area. We are going back to Wallingford!


23/04/23: How Many Bongos Are There in UK?

You will find the answer in the Bongo Clinic.


23/04/23: Scottish Meeting

There’s no Scottish Bongo Bash this year but there is a weekender in early September in Dumfries & Galloway for subscribers to the Bongo Owners Scotland Facebook Group.


20/04/23: Expensive But Worth It

Prices have been announced for the Welsh Bongo Bash which will be held in Pemrokeshire at the end of August. See the members area for ofull details.


17/04/23: Don’t Get Locked Out

Have a look at the amended “Keys” fact sheet in the members area


06/04/23: Technical Hitch

We have received reports from members having difficulties when downloading fact sheets. We are aware of this problem. If you want to download a specific file but get an error message email me [email protected] and I will send you a pdf copy.


05/04/23: Once In A While….

…..we change the password for the members area so that freeloaders can’t access our hidden secrets. This will happen at 5pm tonight. An email will be sent to all paid-up members.


02/04/23: Back In Stock

We’ve managed to track down a small stock of genuine Mazda rear blanking kits and some wiring looms.


24/03/23: Bongo Friendly Garages

The list of garages in the members area has been amended as some contact details have changed.


22/03/23: Latest Club Newsletter

Edition 78 of our quarterly newsletter is now available for download from the members area. It is available in both Word and PDF formats. If you are a webplus or postal member you will receive a copy in the post shortly.


15/03/23: A Day at the Races

Booking details are now in the members area for our August meeting at Market Rasen.


13/03/23: Meetings Update

Due to a cancellation we have a place available at Wallingford. You must book all 3 nights. There are 8 places left at the County Durham event. All electric hook ups have been sold for the Bash. You will find details in the Rallies and Meetings section of the members area.


12/03/23: Hot Cars!

We’ve seen an increase in membership applications from the USA recently and I think I’ve found the reason why. See here.


03/03/23: Bongo Bash Availability

We still have 15 electric pitches left and booking will re-commence on Monday by telephone only on 0114-2550836.


01/03/23: Bongo Bash on the Forum

The Bash pages are now live here.


26/02/23: Bongo Bash in June

Prices and booking arrangements have now been published and can be found on our dedicated Bongo Bash page.


24/02/23: Cancellations

We now have 2 places available for Wallingford. You must book all 3 nights. You will find details in the Rallies and Meetings section of the members area.


20/02/23: Yes!

It’s “Dawn of the Bongonauts Part 2.”


19/02/23: How Much Paint Do I Need?

The answer can be found in the “Paint” fact sheet in the members area


17/02/23: Selling Your Bongo

We have updated the Selling fact sheet in the members area


17/02/23: Southern Softies

All 30 pitches at our April meeting were sold within 90 minutes when booking opened yesterday. We have started a waiting list and approached the campsite for more slots. You will find details in the Rallies and Meetings section of the members area.


10/02/23: Minor Revision

Some minor amendments have been made to the Alternator fact sheet in the members area


05/02/23: Tough Northerners

We have 12 places left for the weekend away in in County Durham. You will find details in the Rallies and Meetings section of the members area.


02/02/23: Revised Opening Hours

Although we can be contacted by email at any time, if you need to phone the Bongo Fury office (0114-2550836) we are now open the following hours only. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 0930 to 1230.


01/02/23: Charity Update

Marianne’s favourite charity was the International Committe for the Red Cross. I am pleased to announce that so far we have raised £2,132 from donations at the funeral and also online via this link. We will keep the donations page open until the end of March.


29/01/23: I’m Still Standing

Despite the recent traumas (see 18/1 below) we are determined to keep going and have taken a delivery of parts from Japan and many (but not all) items in the Bongoland Shop are now back in stock.


28/01/23: Minor Revision

Some minor amendments have been made to the Foglight fact sheet in the members area


27/01/23: May Meeting

We are now taking bookings for the weekend away in in County Durham. You will find details in the Rallies and Meetings section of the members area.


20/01/23: Another Revision

Some minor amendments have been made to the Aircon/Alt Belt (2 litre) fact sheet in the members area


18/01/23: The Founder of Bongo Fury

Today we say farewell to Marianne Maynard 30 January 1963 to 20 December 2022.


14/01/23: Southern Softies

Prices and full booking arrangements have been announced for our April meeting in the Thames Valley. You will find details in the Rallies and Meetings section of the members area.


10/01/23: Tough Northerners

Prices and full booking arrangements have been announced for our May meeting in County Durham. You will find details in the Rallies and Meetings section of the members area.


08/01/23: Another Revision

Some additional information has emerged regarding central locking so we have revised the Keys fact sheet in the members area


01/01/23: Announcement

It is with profound sadness that I have to announce that my wife Marianne passed away in hospital just before Christmas following a respiratory illness. Obviously myself, her family and close friends are overcome with grief.

I will keep Bongo Fury running but in the short term will be on restricted hours, Monday and Thursday mornings only. We have nearly 2,000 members, many of whome knew Marianne personally, so I would appreciate it if you do not contact me unless absolutely necessary.

No flowers or cards please, M did not like a fuss. Instead messages of condolence via M’s favourite charirty at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding … ne-maynard

There will be an opportunity to celebrate Marianne’s life at forthcoming club events