I was born in Hazel Grove and grew up in Poynton before moving to Canada in 73 . I think black will look good on the valve covers i am also going to ditch the silicone hoses as i cant stand the blue colour . Just waiting in delivery of an alloy radiator . Should spruce up the engine compartment a bit .
I'll try and post or send you some images of my engine bay pre-2013 with crackle black covers and post-2013 with the rebuilt John Eales engine. Blue silicon hoses - I'm ambivalent to them but they can brighten up a dark engine bay. Poynton and Hazel Grove - nice part of Cheshire and very close to the Derbyshire Dales.