Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

July 2008

Bulletin 46

A warm welcome to more new members

I’ll kick off this Bulletin with a warm welcome to Phil and Daphne Auston and their newly acquired TR6. P & D are familiar faces in the Group having joined us on several occasions whilst they were hunting down a suitable car. They finally settled on a very clean red six and are now looking forward to some pleasant summer motoring (if it ever comes!). A very smart TR4 attracted a lot of attention at our last meeting at “TOKH” on the 24th June and I am pleased to welcome its owner, Andy Digweed, to the Group. The car comes from the West Country and has a bit of a competition history which would make interesting reading in Essex Group News (hint, hint, Andy!!).

Have you got your Essex Group News?

Talking of Essex Group News – most of you will have received your copies at either “TOKH” or Essex Day and the rest should find their copies being delivered by post by the weekend/early next week. If you haven’t received your copy by the end of next week, please let me know by phone or e-mail. Some always seem to go astray in the post but sometimes non-receipt is due to subscriptions to the Newsletter & Events Fund being overdue! Our (French domiciled) editor, Carol King, has done another excellent job on this issue and the Committee would like to express its thanks to both Carol and all the contributors for their support of what must surely be the best Local Group magazine in the Register. Keep the articles and pics coming for the next issue!

Weald Park show

The Group’s first outing to the Classic Car Show and Fun Day at Weald Park on Sunday 15th June was well attended with, unusually, a predominance of sidescreen cars in convoy from Billericay to Brentwood. The weather was unexpectedly sunny and the displays by an historical re-enactment group made an interesting diversion from the car displays.

Brands Hatch day

The Autoglym Historic Festival at Brands on Sunday the 29th June proved to be a popular event but with hindsight the organiser, Steve Tant, reckoned that the Saturday would have been even better as there were several TRs racing on that day but none on the Sunday. Steve managed to get a good deal on the entry fee and it looks as though this event could become a “regular” annual visit.

Sunshine and showers for Essex Day

At one point earlier in the week, due to the poor weather forecast, the Committee had considered cancelling The Group’s main event of the year – Essex Day – on Sunday 6th July at Ingatestone Hall. It was a good job we didn’t, as it was very well attended despite the unhelpful weather. Unlike the very wet event of last year, the ground was reasonably firm and the two marquees and gazebos were erected in dry conditions so, although the day was peppered with showers and very gusty winds, there was plenty of dry shelter. The free barbecue was kept very busy and a big vote of thanks must go to Val and Andy Jennings and John O’Connor for their stalwart efforts in keeping the masses fed! A big “thank you” to everybody who turned up to help and those who made the effort to attend – especially the strong contingent from the East Saxons.

Summer BBQ with the Porsche Owners Club

The regular meeting at The Rabbits on Tuesday 8th July was very poorly attended (see Terry if you want to know how poorly!) as many of the regulars from the east of the region, took up the invitation from the Porsche Owners Club to their summer barbecue. This was held at the Golf Club off Essex Regiment Way in Chelmsford and was attended by several hundred classic and sports cars. The Group sported 13 TRs but was severely overshadowed by the Lotus contingent with over 60 examples of the brand! The professionally catered barbecue was excellent and not too expensive but the service at the bar was awful with people having to wait up to 15 minutes for a beer! Although the day had been inclement, the evening was dry but a little chilly. Even so, most of the TR people had their hoods down!

Temporary return to the Old Windmill

Our current temporary venue for the fourth Tuesday of the month meetings, “The Old King’s Head” at Stock, suffers from inadequate car parking spaces for a Group of our size. This becomes particularly acute when pub Quiz Nights coincide with our meetings and, on some occasions, Members have turned around and gone home because there was no parking available. It had been our intention to return to “The White Horse” at Downham once the renovations were completed but this will not now be possible. Following a chance conversation with the manager of our original venue “The Old Windmill” at South Hanningfield, we were quite surprised to be told that they would welcome our return, even though the old pub has now become part of the Blubeckers chain of roadhouses. The old place still has the enormous car park but the building has been extensively renovated in a very sympathetic manner. The bar area is now very comfortable but still retains the “atmosphere” which made it so popular in the past. Surprisingly, the prices for meals are reasonable and whilst not in the “pub grub” class they aren’t as pricey as had been rumoured. After much discussion, your Committee has decided to give “The Old Windmill” a try and temporarily “rest” TOKH for this month. Please try to attend on the 22nd, as the Committee needs your feedback before we possibly “burn our boats” at “TOKH”! The address of “The Old Windmill” is South Hanningfield Road, South Hanningfield, CM3 8HT.

Two TR7s for sale

Fancy a TR7? Check out the two adverts at the end of this Bulletin – they both sound pretty good examples of the model. Speak to Steve Tant for the inside info on TR7s, their strengths and weaknesses etc.

Fancy a trip to Normandy?

....And finally, due to a cancellation, we now have a place available for another TR on the Group trip to Normandy from the 8th to the 14th September (inclusive). See page 18 of Essex Group News for a taster of what to expect this year. The total cost of the trip is around £305 per couple and there are ten TRs going on this bash. If you fancy a week in France enjoying good food, good wine and good company and superb TR friendly roads, contact Andy D on 01245 492416 for further details – but act quickly as the place will be cancelled by the 15th!