Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

February 2008

Bulletin 41

Rebuild News

The recent spell of bright, dry weather has provided excellent opportunities for some splendid top-down TRing. As long as one is properly dressed for the conditions, there is nothing to compare to hammering around the lanes in the cold winter sun. The cars seem to love the conditions and (once warmed up) the denser, cold air certainly produces that extra oomph which is absent in warm, summer conditions. Barry Street, usually an all seasons TRer, has been unable to enjoy these conditions and has had to make do with escorting my TR2, complete with four wheeled trailer, as we towed his recently re-painted 4a body shell back and forth from J.S. Restorations at Stow Maries. He is now busy installing the mechanics and the trim in the hope that the car will be ready for the road by Easter – best of luck, Barry!

Ladies day

The Ladies Chapter of the Essex Group had a most enjoyable day being “pampered” at the Peake Spa at Stoke by Nayland on the 26th January. This visit was organised by Chris Dimbleby and attended by 14 of the “girls”. The delights of the day ranged from mud baths and massages to saunas and Danish pastries – topped off with a box of chocolates supplied by Andy D! Apparently the lunch was first class and the ladies have made a provisional booking to repeat the “exercise” later in the year. Any ladies who would like to share this experience should contact Chris at one of our regular monthly meetings.

Day out at Stoneleigh

Although not one of our formal events, Triumph Day at Stoneleigh (Sunday 10th) saw an impressive turn-out of Essex Group enthusiasts all intent on spending their pennies on “show specials” – of which there were many! I picked up a Borg & Beck clutch assembly for a mere £70 and struck a deal on a Phoenix extractor manifold which “saved” me a cool ton! Everybody I saw seemed to have armfuls of purchases – don’t worry lads, I won’t go into details just in case you got them home under the radar!

Farewell Salston manor - Hallo Mundesley

We recently heard (via Gerald and Judith) that the Dowse’s have sold Salston Manor and that the hotel is down for development into a high class, i.e. expensive, retreat. The Group have had some great times at The Manor and, whilst we are obviously sad that these will not be reprised, we wish Martin and Sally a happy and healthy retirement.

Mundesley in Norfolk is the site of East Anglia’s equivalent to Salston Manor. The Committee have negotiated a special rate of £105 for a weekend break at The Manor House Hotel. Please feel free to ring me for full details (01245 324593) or see the Notice Board at the monthly meetings. We have reserved ten rooms and anticipate that these will fill quite quickly. So, if you fancy a weekend away with your TR on May 30th to June 1st please contact me without delay. I require a £20 deposit per head to guarantee your booking.

Last chance for the Air Show Barge trip

There are still a few places left on the Southend Air Show Barge Trip on the 25th May and we will soon be opening bookings to non-members (family & friends). If you like the sound of this fully catered day afloat, contact Steve Tant and cross his palm with £20 to secure your place. All cheques (for both events) to be made payable to “Essex Group, TR Register” – and make sure you get a receipt!!

Club meetings

The upcoming “Archive Video” evening at “The Old King’s Head” next Tuesday (26th) will provide the opportunity for you to “take the bung” out of your Hon Sec. We will be screening a short film detailing the rebuilding of my 2, some thirty five years ago. You will see some unconventional repair techniques as well as some strange hair styles and apparel. This epic (?) will be followed by another of the Frank Calaby classics from the archives of Standard Triumph.

The following month’s meeting at this venue (March 25th) will be largely taken over by our Annual General Meeting. The formal Notice of this meeting will sent out later this week together with a form for “proposals & motions”. We are always striving to recruit new blood onto the Committee as new faces prevent the management of the Group becoming “stale”. If you could spare a few hours a month to serve on the Committee, please complete a nomination form which will be in with the formal Notice. The AGM will start at 20.00 hrs and a finger buffet will be served at 21.00hrs – it is hoped that this will not only encourage attendance but also ensure the proceedings do not drag on too long!!