Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

May 2008

Bulletin 44

Wider range of Club merchandise now available

I am pleased to report that Group sweatshirts and polo shirts are now back in stock. If you have been waiting for a logoed shirt in your size, contact me without delay while these stocks last! There has been a major change to the subject of Group regalia, including a change of supplier. From now on you will not only be able to purchase the usual garments but also a wider range of (mainly) Fruit of the Loom products, e.g. rugby shirts and fleeces. See me at the regular Group meetings for fuller details. Additionally, if you would like the Essex Group logo embroidered onto your favourite anorak (or any other garment - excluding caps), we can now have this done for you at the cost of £10 a shot. Prices remain unchanged for polos and sweats at £17 and £20 respectively.

Air Show Barge trip

I am surprised to note that there are still a few places left on the Southend Air Show Barge Trip on this coming Sunday (the 25th May). If you have been wavering or can think of any friends/relatives who may enjoy this fully catered day afloat watching the air-show, please contact Steve Tant as soon as possible. The cost is £50 per head and any unfilled places will have to be subsidised from Group funds – so a bit of effort here, please guys!

Fish and Chips at Maldon

Although the morning of the 20th April dawned rather overcast, 21 cars from the North London and Essex Groups met up as planned at Boreham Services on the A12 for a whiz through the lanes to Maldon’s Promenade Park for a “Fish & Chips” lunch. The cars attracted a lot of attention as they growled through the narrow roads of Maldon and, again, when they were lined up in the car park. The sun came out, there was plenty of Thames Barge activity on the River Blackwater and a really pleasant afternoon was enjoyed. Group Leader Andy (who turned up in his 5) kindly loaned me his very peppy TR2 for this jaunt as I had not then completed the Yellow Peril’s engine re-build – many thanks for that, Andy, it was most enjoyable! The Promenade Park is a delightful venue – right on our doorstep – with masses of un-crowded, inexpensive parking and, I hope, one we may well re-visit during the summer months – perhaps incorporated with a tea-time visit to The Royal Tiger?

Open day at Great Baddow

With a very welcome improvement to the weather, attendances at The Open Gardens Day at Little Baddow on Saturday 10th were very good indeed. Thanks to Peter Jones, both our Group and the East Saxons were able to display their cars in the beautiful grounds of Riffhams House. I was a little doubtful about this event but, as my engine transplant was completed, I joined the Group on what was a lovely warm, sunny morning. I had a most enjoyable and interesting day and strongly recommend this show to everyone and I won’t hesitate to support this event next year – very well done Peter for the excellent organisation on the day!

First outing for Mike's new Engine

The regular second Tuesday of the month “Rabbits” meeting was quite well attended and the new management/owners seem pleased with our patronage. I was particularly looking forward to this meeting as it provided an excellent opportunity to rack up some mileage on my newly re-built engine which needs “running-in”. Apart from having to make an unplanned stop at Bicknacre to change a faulty spark plug, the “new” lump ran perfectly and it was a real struggle to keep the revs below 3000! The return journey, however, was not as joyful! I had only just left the car park at “The Rabbits” when I lost dipped headlights – a bit of a trial on unlit roads with oncoming cars and only sidelights and a fog light to light the way! As we entered Ongar, I noticed the ammeter was showing a full discharge and this, combined with a peculiar, acrid smell, lead me to deduce all was not well!! Fortunately my car is fitted with a battery isolator switch in the cockpit which Mary was lightning fast in turning to the “Off” position. A quick inspection revealed one of the wires to the n/s sidelight had burnt out, luckily with no serious collateral damage. A couple of minutes work with wire cutters saw us on our way sans a n/s sidelight but with all other circuits working. Investigations into the cause of this incident are ongoing but early indications point to a corrupt earth connection in the headlight circuit – watch this space!

Where has Battlesbridge gone???

Several members have queried why the very popular Battlesbridge Classic Car & Motor Cycle Show, held in September, has not been included in this year’s Events Calendar. This is not an oversight; the Committee decided to “rest” this event for 2008 in favour of two new shows being held in September – The Shuttleworth Collection visit on the 7th and Mile of Triumphs on the weekend of 19th – 21st. There is no problem if you wish to attend Battlesbridge, it is just that it will not be a formally organised “Committee Event” this year. John O’Connor has kindly offered to co-ordinate the Battlesbridge Contingent – so if you fancy it again this year, have a word with John O’.