Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

November 2007

Bulletin 38

The Old Kings Head - temporary venue

I am pleased to report that the second of our meetings at The Old King’s Head – our temporary venue whilst The White Horse undergoes refurbishment - was very well attended and the restaurant area (which had been set aside for our exclusive use) was virtually full by nine o’clock. Our other regular venue, The Rabbits continues to be well supported and I was particularly pleased to welcome to the Group John Coshall who has recently returned to the U.K. after working in France for the last sixteen years. John owns a Californian/Jersey import TR3a which has just been refurbished by a company in France. John was hoping to collect his car and drive it back to Essex over the weekend of the 24th/25th November so, hopefully, we may see him and his TR at one of our meetings in December.

Welcome new members

Nick and Helen Quill, who joined the Group after Battlesbridge, have found and bought a very nice TR6, thanks to an introduction by Group Leader Andy D. Andy spotted the beast on the Register’s Stand at the Stoneleigh Restoration Exhibition at the end of October and mentioned this to Nick who wasted no time in snapping up this excellent example of the model!

Members in the wars

I am sure you would all like to join me in wishing a couple of our Members speedy recoveries from their medical problems. Pam Stokes fell whilst out walking and broke her forearm. It was a nasty break and needed plating but I am pleased to say that she is now well on the road to recovery and is due to have the plaster cast removed in the next few days. Mike Forrester hasn’t been able to complete the Girling back axle transplant in his 2 because he has been suffering from a severe concussion as a result of an accident at a fireworks party. Mike will have been off work for over three weeks but he tells me that he is now feeling much better and must get back to his teaching job before he goes mad with frustration and boredom due to his confinement at home!

Race night success

Our annual Race Nite on the 24th went off very well with nearly ninety people in attendance! Everybody – especially the kids – had a most entertaining time and enjoyed the chicken/fish and chips supper. Roxanne Armfield was the convincing winner of the children’s race but Graham Stokes was the overall champion of the evening with Louise Tant turning in the second fastest lap time of the event – much to the chagrin of her husband Steve! This is one of our principle fund raising events and early indications are that we will clear over £200 once expenses have been paid. Well done everybody!!

News from the Register AGM

The Life President, Group Leader and Secretary attended the Register A.G.M. at Gaydon Heritage Museum on Sunday 25th. This turned out to be a very amiable affair with none of the vituperation of the previous year’s meeting. The Register’s policy of holding large financial reserves was more than justified by events and, as a result of this prudence, we have not been wiped out by the Malvern wash-out. Ian Evans has (finally) retired as Chairman and been succeeded by Chris Cunnington. All of our existing Committee Members were re-elected unopposed. C.C.’s replacement has yet to be appointed – an announcement is expected in the next few weeks. One tiny negative point – subscriptions will go up by £3 when one next renews.

More river trips!

The hugely popular “Waverley” trip in October has persuaded your Committee to stick their necks out and charter the Thames Barge Thistle for the Sunday of the Southend Air Show (25th May). Thistle will pick us up from Tilbury Passenger Landing Stage (there is secure parking here) and sail downriver to moor off Southend pier. The view of the air show is unsurpassed from this location and, even if the weather is uncooperative there is plenty of cover for all souls on board. After the show we return to T.L.S. around 19.30hrs – depending on wind and tide. This is a fully catered trip and there is a licensed bar on board so all you need to bring is your camera and binoculars and wind/waterproof clothing. Thistle is licensed for 50 passengers only so this event will be on a strictly “first come, first served” basis. Initially, tickets will be available to subscribing members, their partners and their children. If, by the end of February, we have any unsold places, these will be offered to members’ guests. The cost of the trip is £50 per head – this may seem a bit pricy but remember it includes dinner on board. Bookings must be made solely through Steve Tant who will only reserve your place(s) on receipt of a deposit of £20 per ticket. If you would like further information on this trip, contact Steve, either at one of our regular meetings or on 07931 180188. I have been on a couple of these Thames Barge trips with my SCUBA Diving Club and I can thoroughly recommend them as an excellent day out with good scoff to boot!

Early TR2 for sale

...And finally, if you hanker after a really historic sidescreen TR, you should get in touch with Paul Loveridge of the Kent Group on 01622 859820. Paul is charged with disposing of T.S. 64 – a 1954 long door 2. This belonged to one of his members who sadly died earlier this year. This is a superb, fully restored car, finished in red, and sports a very unusual aluminium tonneau cover. This car won “The Best TR” award at Essex Day this year. Because of its provenance and superb condition it is expected to sell for between £14 -18K but if you are in that sort of market, you could not do better.