Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

September 2010

Bulletin 71

Welcome to new members

We had a good crowd at our August meeting at The Rabbits even though the weather was cold and rainy! Amongst those attending was a new Register member, Andy Stanners. Andy and his partner Meryl were introduced to the Essex Group at the I.W.E. and, under the expert eye of Ernie Turner, were guided through the minefield of buying a second-hand TR. Andy, again with Ernie’s help, has since settled on a very tidy TR6 and we are now looking forward to seeing Andy, Meryl and their “new” car at our events and monthly meetings.

A pleasant evening failed to draw the usual numbers for our final get- together at The Old Windmill on the 24th August. Amongst those attending were Tony and Kim Newman and their excellent TR4. Tony has decided that joining the Register (and the Essex Group) makes good sense and we look forward to seeing them on a regular basis. As reported in the last Bulletin, T.O.W. has recently changed hands and the new owners seem to be in the process of running the place down. Service was exceptionally poor and, in the circumstances, I am confident that our switch to The Shepherd & Dog this month will be to everybody’s satisfaction. Whilst on the subject of Monthly Meetings, please note there is a misprint on the September page of the Group Calendar. The dates are incorrectly shown as the 7th and 21st – these should, of course, be the 14th and 28th!! Please don’t turn up on the earlier dates and thanks to Barry Street for the “heads up” on this one!

Recent outings

An enjoyable and interesting time was had at the Royal Gunpowder Mills on Sunday 8th August. The weather was quite kind and the attractions were up to scratch but the general consensus was that attendance by the classic car enthusiast brigade was down on last year.

This was certainly not true of the TR contingent at the Knebworth show on Bank Holiday Monday. Twenty TRs from this Group joined an excellent turn-out of TRs from the rest of the region and, together with H.Q.’s pavilion, formed up into the best club stand of the whole show. We ran two convoys – the first from Boreham Services (A12) joined up with the rest of the Group at the Birchanger Services (M11). A very pleasant, if somewhat chilly, run through the Essex and Hertfordshire lanes (courtesy of Nigel in his newly re-painted silver TR3a) found us at Knebworth by 10.00hrs – just in time to warm up on the complimentary coffee supplied by the Register in their spacious pavilion!

The weather remained fine and dry but the persistent cold wind, which so often whips across Knebworth Park, ensured most people kept their anoraks on or very close to hand! I felt that there were fewer Traders at the show this year and the grounds did seem a little less crowded than in the past. There were certainly more “toys than tools” on sale and I suspect that there must be some new collecting craze for what I still think of as MatchBox cars!! I was very pleased to see Nick and Glynis Webster who had hacked over all the way from East Norfolk in the pouring rain! We may have had it cold but at least it stayed dry! It is a very pleasant run to and from Knebworth and the show is always enjoyable and often has one or two surprises up its sleeve – this time it was an absolutely immaculate Triumph Italia 2000 sporting the registration 59TR! The owner (whose initials just happen to be TR!) very obligingly brought the car over to the Register’s corral where it received a very great deal of attention. It had been re-built to an exceedingly high standard in Switzerland about 4 years previously with absolutely no expense spared – hence its present value of circa £90K! Eat your heart out, Ernie!!

Members Cars

After over a year off the road, Mike and Seonaid Forrester now have their long door 2 up and running. What started off as a “simple” weekend’s job of replacing the rear springs (which had become very saggy) turned into a mini-rebuild – like they do!! Mike has promised to “do a piece” for E.G.N. which will explain why it took so long and what was eventually involved. We’ve got loads of photos, Mike, so get that keyboard clicking!

Terry Blake, on the other hand, is still TR2less. Progress on his 30+ year re-build has recently been delayed by Pat’s month away visiting family in the Antipodes. Most blokes would think this would provide a fine opportunity to spend unlimited time in the garage – not so our Tel. He reckons he has been far too busy shopping, cooking, cleaning and ironing to spend any time on the 2!

You will recall that Group Leader, Andy D, had his TR5 nicked from Battlesbridge back in the Spring. Andy still has his ’55 TR2 but has now joined the Dark Side and bought a TR6 with the insurance pay out! One remitting factor is that the car is fitted with a carburettor conversion and should do more than 20 to the gallon!!

Forthcoming events

Tuesday 14th Sept - "Rabbits" regular meeting.
Sunday 26th Sept - Battlesbridge Classic Car and M/cycle Show - pre-booking req - contact Steve Tant
Tuesday 28th Sept - First meeting at new venue – The Shepherd & Dog, Crays Hill.
Sunday 24th Oct - National Restoration Show, Stoneleigh – car sharing to be arranged.

In conclusion, just a reminder that quite a few regulars, including most of the Committee, will be sampling the delights of the Loire Valley from the 5th to the 12th September. Should you, for any reason, need to contact a Committee Member during this time, Mike J and Steve T will be happy to help – see the web-site for contact details. Stay safe and see you soon,

Essex Group Regalia

Polo Shirts @ £17.50
Sweat Shirts @ £20.00
Rugby Shirts @ £20.00
Fleece Gilets @ £20.00
Limited number of Essex Group vinyl windscreen stickers - £1.00 ea.

The above are available from Mike Boling

TR Photos

Please Note: Webmaster Paul Sealey is always on the look out for photographs (etc) of TR activity - you can e-mail Paul on: webadmin@essex-tr.com - this is the only current address for Paul and supersedes all others.