Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

August 2007

Bulletin 35

Its a wash out!

The largest contingent ever of Essex Group members and their cars was due to make the trip to the Three Counties Showground for the International Weekend on the 20-22 July – the majority intending to camp! Fortunately for most of us, Terry and Pat had travelled down to their B&B on the Thursday (in bright sunshine with the hood down!) so we at least had “a man on the ground”. El Tel phoned me on the Thursday afternoon and said that the ground conditions were “marginal” for camping but as long as it stayed dry he thought that we would get away with it. We know from previous years’ experience that the poorly drained ground at this venue can get waterlogged quite quickly if heavy rain is experienced so he was going to check it out again first thing on Friday morning.

As we now know, it started raining heavily in the Vale of Evesham during Thursday evening and by the morning the Showground was under water. Thank God for mobile phones! My small convoy was approaching Puckeridge in Hertfordshire when Terry contacted me just before nine on the Friday morning. In view of his report Andy and I, complete with wives and dogs, elected to return home to unload the camping gear and attempt to book B&B/Hotel accommodation. John and Marion, who had accommodation booked, decided to press on and with a cheery wave and a “see you tomorrow” they roared off in their 6. The next few hours were spent on the phone contacting the other potential campers and trying to secure accommodation which was dog friendly whilst keeping an eye on the increasingly gloomy reports on TV. By late afternoon it was apparent that it would be foolhardy to attempt the journey as, by now, the Vale of Evesham was under water. But what of those who had already set off? John and Marion reached the Stratford upon Avon area before the floods holed the rad on their 6 – Bob and Jo spent the night marooned on the M5 in their Fiat MPV, Trevor, Julie and young Harry got as far as Warwickshire and Peter and Rita covered nearly 500 miles having got within 10 miles of Malvern before they had to give up! Well done to all those who tried but the Gods are obviously Land Rover enthusiasts this season! I am pleased to report that everybody made it home without serious damage or loss although there are a lot of damp car carpets hanging in garages as I write!

Ernie's TR5 rebuild is complete

Ernie T has been burning the midnight oil over the past few weeks in order to complete his high quality, nut and bolt rebuild of his TR5 in time for the International. He achieved his aim only to be cheated at the 11th hour by the weather – never mind Ernie, at least it didn’t get wet and the car looks awesome!

Meetings and shows

Let’s hope the weather behaves itself for the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club show at Battlesbridge this Sunday (5th). We will be assembling in the car park of the ASDA store in South Woodham Ferrers at 0930hrs for the short convoy to the Showground. Look for and park within sight of the ASDA petrol station. It will cost you £5 to enter the Showground (we pay at the Gate) and there will be the usual attractions – Autojumble, hot nosh etc etc. Despite the bad conditions, the Jag boys were very supportive at Essex Day and your Committee would like to reciprocate by a good showing at their event so please do try to come along.

The TR Drivers’ Club (a complementary club not a competitor to the Register!) is holding a show at Skreens Park in Chelmsford over the weekend of 18-19th August. This is a ticket only event and you should contact Andy D to book your place and for more info.

Have a squint at the Register’s website for details of the event at Knebworth (Herts) on holiday Monday the 27th August. If there is sufficient interest we could organise a convoy and Knebworth is not too far – even if it pi**es down!