Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

July 2006

Bulletin 24

Essex Day a great success

What a busy month for the Essex Group! First off was ESSEX DAY at Ingatestone hall on the 2nd July. Thanks to the unremitting hard work of Steve Tant and his team, the event was an unqualified success. Over 120 cars were on display, the majority being TRs, and we were “blessed” with one of the hottest days of the year so far. This was the first major event we have organised and it proved to be quite a steep learning curve, in organisational terms, but one which the Committee has unanimously decided to reprise. Financially we did slightly better than break-even so that is one area that we hope to improve upon next time!

Lamb kebabs and chocolate cake

The excellent weather held for the Bolings’ Barbecue on the evening of the 9th and a very enjoyable time was had by all (so I am told!). The lamb kebabs were the most popular speciality of the evening closely followed by Linda’s chocolate cake!

Race day at Brands Hatch

The following Sunday (16th) and still in sweltering weather, a number of Essex Group enthusiasts met up at Thurrock Services to convoy to Brands to watch “our boys”, Graham Seeley and Phill Lambe, racing. Unfortunately, they did not bring home any silverware but everyone had an excellent day out.

Malvern sunshine

And still the sun shone (well, most of the time!) for the weekend of the 22nd/23rd - the TR International Meeting at Malvern. Essex Group occupied the same enclosure as last year and soon had tents, gazebos and flag pole erected. Although we experienced a heavy downpour late Saturday morning, everything had dried out in time for our evening barbecue. 22 Group members gathered around a line of disposable barbecue trays for this feast and then adjourned to the Severn Hall to boogie the night away to the sounds of the ever-popular “Soul Trader” group. The highlight of the weekend for us was the bronze medal David Mayes won for his excellent TR6 which was entered in the “non-standard concours” – well done David and Linda! Two people that I was very pleased to see at the International were Terry and Pat Blake who both seem to be well on the road to recovery after their recent health problems.

And next its Ernie and Linda's BBQ

As previously announced, Ernie and Linda are, very kindly, organising a lunch-time barbecue (kick-off around 1 o’clock) at their house, 21 Laburnum Grove, Hockley on Sunday the 6th August. If you have not yet received a route map to No.21, please ring Linda/Ernie on 01702 206490 for directions.

Members new and old

Last but certainly not least, I am pleased to welcome three new members and their cars to the Essex Group. Stefan Fugl liked what he saw at Essex Day and has signed up with the Group. Stefan runs a ’79 TR6 and has promised to try to get along to our regular Tuesday meetings. Clive Elsdon and his TR2 (currently being re-built) used to be regular attendees at Essex Group meetings. Then Clive and his wife, Wendy, moved to the West Country and joined another local Group. Clive and Wendy have kept in touch with their friends in the Essex Group (they were at Salston Manor last year) and would like to receive our Newsletters etc. As well as TRs, Clive and Wendy are heavily involved with the RAF Charitable Trust and are able to arrange for Essex Group members to display their cars at the “biggest Military Air Show in the world”. This event is to be held in Gloucestershire on the 14th and 15th July, next year. If you fancy a weekend (camping, possibly) at this premier event, contact me for further details. Nigel Holmes, who lives in Elsenham, made the journey to the “White Horse” in his superbly original silver TR3a. Nigel has owned the car from new and although he reckons she is looking “a bit tired”, the general consensus was that the car is a fine example of the breed and is still looking great. It is nice to know that there are still some excellent early cars out there and I look forward to seeing Nigel and his TR at Essex Group events.

Keep supporting the group meetings

Attendances at our monthly meetings have been very good – no doubt due, in part, to the recent excellent weather. Let’s make the most of these “top off” evenings and get along to “The Rabbits” and “The White Horse” for excellent food, beer and company!! (see dates below). August meetings are 8th at the Rabbits and 22nd at the White Horse