Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

August 2009

Bulletin 59

Excellent turn out for Essex Day...

The run up to our Essex Day BBQ was less than encouraging with rain and high winds predominating but the Gods were with us and Sunday 5th July was (apart from one brief shower) dry and sunny. Attendance was excellent and, at one time it looked as though we might run out of dogs and burgers! I was pleased to see Simon Winter back in the Essex fold with his “new” TR6 and new member Paul Milson and his excellent Peerless – the first in the Essex Group.

...and also for the Porsche Club BBQ

Our regular 2nd Tuesday of the month meet at The Rabbits was re-located to Chelmsford Golf Club where the Porsche Owners’ Club was holding its annual BBQ and classic car show. Unfortunately the evening was beset by a wave of showers which literally put a dampener on proceedings. This did not deter a superb turn-out and our 27 TRs made a very impressive line-up. Apart from the Porsche and MGs (which are pretty common!) we boasted the largest “one Marque” display. In between showers we toasted Nigel Holmes and his silver TR3a who had been together for 50 years on that day – quite an achievement and I suspect a record in The Register.

Prize winners at Malvern

The Essex contingent attending the International Weekend at Malvern was noticeably down on previous years. I imagine that the recession and the prospect of only one good day (Saturday) weather-wise was a deterrent for many and our usual mass BBQ on the Saturday evening was a shadow of its former self with only 14 people enjoying the burnt offerings. In all we mustered 16 TRs in the Essex enclosure but, due to the worsening weather, most had hit the road by lunch-time Sunday. The Trade Stands all seemed to be doing business but there were noticeably less people spending their pennies. Congratulations must go to Brian and Graham Stokes for their excellent performances in the Concours events. Graham entered his TR7 in the “Masters” and was rewarded with a Silver whilst dad Brian won a Cup and a Silver for his superb “Standard Class” TR4a. The Stokes’s family dog, Basil, also won two prizes – 3rd in the Best Looking Dog category and 3rd in The Most Obedient. The latter came as quite a surprise to Graham!!

The return of Bernie's TR2

The IWE was eclipsed by a superb turn-out of 21 TRs at The Old Windmill on Tuesday 28th July. Bernie Steeples newly rebuilt superb TR2 made its first appearance after over 30 years. There are still one or two minor jobs to be done before the car is completely finished but it is looking really very smart and Bernie is enjoying learning how to drive a “real” car all over again!! Bob Eve displayed an incredibly detailed model of his TR3a “Katie Bee” (KTB – get it?) which also attracted huge attention. Every detail is present even down to a micro-dot size Workshop manual! The highlight of the evening for me was a totally unexpected presentation of a “footplate day” (on the Mid-Hants Railway) to celebrate my becoming an OAP! It came as a complete, though very welcome, surprise and I should like to thank everybody involved for their kind thoughts and generosity.

Royal Gunpowder Mills - Sunday 9th August

This Sunday (9th August) sees our visit to The Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey. The cars will be in a formal display and we will need to arrive at the venue en-masse. We will, accordingly, be rendezvousing at The Rabbits at 09.30hrs for a prompt departure at 09.45hrs. If you have not been in touch with Steve Tant to register your TR for this event, please do so without delay, or you may be denied entry to the display area. Steve can be reached on 07931 180188.

Looking for a TR6?

If you (or anybody you know) are on the lookout for a decent TR6, give Essex Group member Walter Petchey a ring – he has something which may interest you! Walter can be reached (evenings only) on 01376 342724.

Knebworth - 31st August

The August Bank Holiday meet at Knebworth is now on the horizon and we will be running two convoys – one from Boreham Services at Chelmsford on the A12 and the other from Birchanger (Stansted) Services on the M11. The Boreham group will leave at 08.30 and rendezvous with the Stansted crew at Birchanger in time for a 09.45hrs departure to Knebworth. If you wish to take advantage of the concessionary entry rates, you must contact Andy D and register. Andy can be reached on 01245 492416.

Lulworth Cove weekend - May 2010

And finally, Terry Blake is organising a Group weekend away at a well recommended small hotel in Lulworth Cove, Dorset, from the 21st to 24th May next year. Contact Terry (or me) for full details and a booking form. Don’t delay on this one as space is limited and it will be “a first come first served” situation!