Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

September 2007

Bulletin 36

New date for Battlesbridge

First off, an important amendment to your Programme of Events. The date of the very popular Battlesbridge Classic Car and Motorbike Show has changed. It will now be one week later than advertised and take place on Sunday the 30th September – not the 23rd. We always have a good turn out for this show and have, in the past, won awards for Best Club Stand as well as prizes for individual cars. Please make every effort to attend with your TR – it is a very popular show with a massive Autojumble and loads of trade stands with plenty of bargains! The Committee is always grateful for help in setting up our show area so, if you could spare a couple of hours on the morning of the 29th, please let Steve Tant know you will be available. Details of a rendezvous point, time etc. will follow, closer to the date.

TRs at the Jaguar show

So what have the stalwarts of The Essex Group been up to during August? Sunday the 5th dawned sunny and bright and quite a contrast to the miserable weather earlier that week. This must have been a great relief to The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club who had invited us to their annual bash at Battlesbridge. Thirteen TRs filled our allocated area and examples of each model were paraded and described by Life President Terry who dominated the Show Ring for a good 20 minutes! We were all very pleasantly surprised to receive, at the end of the Show, a prize plate for “Best Club Stand”. I gather that the judges particularly liked the eclectic spread of models and the mix of near concours with the more “original” condition cars. After the show Mary and I were pleased to host an impromptu barbie back at ours in South Woodham – a nice relaxing conclusion to a very successful and enjoyable day!

Knebworth trip

Bank Holiday Monday saw a convoy of nine TRs wending their way through the lanes of Essex and Hertfordshire en route for Knebworth. The Register had been able to arrange space for members as a sort of makeshift “International” after the disappointment of the washed out Malvern meeting in July and around 150 TRs lined up in the beautiful surroundings of Knebworth Hall. It was quite a large show with the usual trade and Autojumble stands and a massive entry of both old and “new” classic cars. Although rather cold for the morning drive to the show, the day stayed dry and there were frequent sunny intervals which eventually joined up for a perfect evening’s ride back home. Congratulations and thanks must go to Nigel Holmes. Congrats because he won an award for ownership (from new) of his original, silver (yes, this was a rare factory colour for late sidescreens) TR3a and thanks because he led the convoy on an exquisite run through the byways and lanes from Stansted to Knebworth.

The Utling BBQ

Peter and Valerie Jones were hosts to the Group at their delightful home in Ulting on Sunday the 2nd. Peter and Val prepared a magnificent barbecue with a choice of six meats! The setting of their house is idyllic, overlooking miles of agricultural land and the lunch time noshing was a very relaxed affair in these tranquil surroundings. Although the day started with bright sunshine, as the afternoon wore on the wind got up and the cloud cover sent several of the ladies scurrying off for their cardies. It didn’t rain but the chill in the wind kept the guests out of the very tempting swimming pool! Many thanks to Peter and Val for their hospitality which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Member news

On the “local front”, regular monthly meeting have seen good attendances despite August being the prime holiday month for members with families. “New-ish” member, John Pottinger has now acquired his much sought after TR6 and we are all looking forward to being introduced to the car at the next meeting. Michael Erback, another proud TR6 owner, has recently joined the Group and I am sure you will all welcome him and his wife Sue into the fold. Michael and Sue run a London taxi business and I bet they have many a tale to tell!! Ernie is clicking up the miles on his recently 100% restored TR5 but is still having trouble in sourcing a two speed wiper motor that works properly! Kevin Hawkins is now up and running after being plagued by an infuriating electrical fault on his 6 and I gather that Vic Russo is also experiencing mechanical problems with his TR6 – no details to hand at this time. My TR2 is back on the road after a short lay-up during which all the hydraulics were refurbished/replaced. A long overdue job as nearly 30 years have sped by since the re-build!

Changes at the White Horse

The Committee has been on tenterhooks since it learned the ownership of our very popular venue, “The White Horse”, had changed. Apparently the pub has been acquired by a small chain who have installed an interim manager. Both G.L. Andy and L.P. Terry have spoken to the new management and it seems, for the meantime at least, that we will still be afforded the excellent facilities that we have so enjoyed up to now. I couldn’t help but notice that the usually extensive bar menu had been rationalised and quite a few members remarked that the prices of both beer and grub had gone up slightly. It’s early days as yet and we are keeping our fingers crossed!