Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

May 2009

Bulletin 56

New members sign up at Hylands Park

I’ll kick off this month’s Bulletin with a warm welcome to Steve and Laura Butler. They own a very tidy, low mileage TR6 and joined the Essex Group at the FBHVC “Drive it Day” held at Hylands House on the 26th April.

That event was well supported by the Group with our 22 Essex cars being joined by contingents from Abbot & Stour and East Saxons’ Groups. In total 35 cars squeezed into our reserved area at The Mayor of Chelmsford’s Charity Classic Car Show in the magnificent grounds of Hylands House. Unfortunately, a fatal accident (no TRs involved) closed the main route to the venue and, although an alternative entrance to the grounds was available, the gate connecting this area to the show site was locked!! After about 40 minutes delay the security boys opened this gate and we eventually made our way through to join those who had arrived prior to the crash. Despite a less than promising weather forecast, the day remained bright and dry and a very enjoyable time was had by all – all topped off by a visit to one of our favourite nosh houses (The Royal Tiger) on the way home!

Group AGM

I am pleased to report that the Group’s AGM at the Old Windmill on Tuesday the 28th April was also very well attended and proved to be an entirely amicable affair that was concluded without any glitches or surprises. John Andrews (Eastern Regional Co-ordinator) very kindly chaired the event and managed to keep order even during the (frequent) humorous interludes – well done John! Apparently the existing Committee must be doing an OK job as they were all re-elected uncontested. The evening wound up with an excellent complementary finger buffet which, puzzlingly, seemed to be enjoyed by more people than had attended the Meeting!!

Isle of Wight weekend

Six Essex Group TRs (and one Eurobox) joined a contingent of 10 TRs from the North London Group for a riotous bank holiday weekend on the I.o.W. (1st – 4th May). We were billeted in the excellent Albion Hotel overlooking Freshwater Bay and were all struck by the excellent value-for-money deal Howard Pryor (the NLG’s G.L.) had negotiated for this trip. We were exceptionally fortunate with the weather and the whole weekend was a fest of top-down motoring – well at least for the majority! A full account of this trip will be published in the next issue of TR Action and a less censored version in the Autumn edition of Essex Group News!! There was some talk of this venture being repeated next Spring and, if this comes to pass, I strongly recommend that you sign up for what you will find to be a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. There was only one aspect of the whole break that I would have wished to be different – the absolutely crap condition of many of the minor roads around the Island! They are so bad that I shall be writing to the I.o.W. Tourism Board to draw their attention to our concerns.

Riffhams open gardens

Saturday the 9th May saw the Group supporting a charity event (championed by our own Peter Jones) at Riffhams, a delightful Georgian mansion in Little Baddow. Peter has been involved with the “Open Gardens” event for some years and early indications are that the charitable donations from this year’s show will be the best yet. A chill wind blew all day but it stayed dry and the cars attracted a great deal of attention from visiting members of the public.

STandard Triumph Marque Day - 24th May

The Group will be supporting Standard Triumph Marque Day at the ever-popular Duxford Aerodrome on Sunday 24th May. (See page 14 of TR Action #234). There will be 2 RVs for this event; Birchanger Green Services, Junction 8 of the M11 (Stansted Airport) and the Boreham Services at Junction 19 of the A12 at Chelmsford - not TOW as previously stated.

Nigel Holmes will lead the Birchanger gang through the byways of Herts & Cambs and Andy and I will take the Boreham convoy on a similar rural route to Duxford. Nigel plans to depart Birchanger Services at 09.15 whereas the Boreham group will roll out at 09.00hrs sharp. If you fancy a fast blast up the M11 you should make your own way to the venue, aiming to arrive at around 10.30hrs.

Danbury Gardens Fete - 14th June

Please note that the date for the Danbury Garden Fete (also organised by our own Peter Jones) is the 14th June – not 6th as shown in the Events Calendar. This is another charity event and the Committee hopes for a good turn-out. This now clashes with the Weald Park show and the Committee has decided to withdraw from the latter in order to support Peter. Members preferring the Weald Park bash should contact Steve Tant (Events Co-ordinator) for pitch details.

Accommodation for the International weekend

If you are attending the TR International Weekend at Malvern on 24th – 26th July and have not been able to find a suitable B&B (assuming you’re not camping), give Steve & Carey Hammond a ring on 01702 233031 as they have a reserved booking they would like to pass on.

Thinking of John and Christine Saxton

Those of you who remember Christine Saxton will be saddened to learn that she recently had a further setback. I am sure that you will all join me and the Committee in wishing Chris and husband/carer John all the very best at this time.