 | |||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
 |
Show & Event Reports
Battlesbridge Grand Motorbilia Day Sept 2009
As usual this show was extremely popular. The organisers had made some changes for this show and everything seemed to run smoother than previous shows when some queued for ages to get in. The club stand area was much improved and although space was limited it meant more clubs had organised displays. As this show includes bikes as well as cars there was a lot to see and the private owners display area was packed with hundreds of lovely cars.
I'm no motorbike fan but some of the older bikes on display could easily have made me turn to the dark side. The love and attention paid to some of them was plain to see.
The day was topped off for us when we received the trophy for the best car club stand.
Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.
Club Stand Video HERE
Brands Hatch September 2009
We all met at Thurrock Services and set off to run together to Brands Hatch. Predictably, the queue at the bridge split us up but we all found our way to the track. After putting up the gazebo we cooked up breakfast to set us up for the day. Although it didn't rain we were glad of the gazebo as it got quite cold as the day went on.
There was a great mix of cars racing and Triumph was represented by a TR4, TR3 and a TR6. Unfortunately the Triumph 2000 didn't make it off the trailer and the GT6 that was due to race was withdrawn.
The hero of the day was the Austin A40. The track announcer told us it had no straight line speed but in fact it went like a little rocket and kept up with the Lotus cortinas to come in third.
It was a shame it wasn't sunnier but we all enjoyed the racing and we'll probably do this again soon.
Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.
Faversham Hop Festival 2009
Another very enjoyable day out organised for us by George. About 25 of us visited this festival which was obviously very popular from the amount of people there. There was entertainment on every street and lots of stalls full of local produce. While some sat listening to one of the many bands playing on stages throughout the town, the rest of us wandered through the streets for a couple of hours visiting the stalls and shops before stopping for lunch at one of the numorous pubs. There seemed to be a band playing in every spare bit of space and it all helped to create a really good atmosphere. Everyone had a good day and I think this will be on our calender again next year.
Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.
Thaxted Windmill Run August 2009
We met in Dunmow and all convoyed through the lanes to Thaxed. Parking had been arranged at the foot of the windmill and there was a good turnout of classics.
We had a very informative tour of the windmill, our guide even allowed us right up into the cap so we could examine the workings close up.
Following our tour we sat and had our picnic and a chat in the gorgeous sunshine before wandering down into Thaxted and visiting the church and the guild hall. Followed by a cream tea and a slow meander back to the windmill for some more relaxation in the sun before heading for home.
A huge thank you to Phil for suggesting the trip and providing the contact, and to George for arranging everything.
Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.
East Mersea Picnic 2009
Once again the weather for our annual picnic was lovely all day and the gazebos were certainly needed. It was the usual mix of eating, playing silly games and this year paddling in the sea to cool off. We were joined by some friends from the Chelmer Valley meet and we all enjoyed a lovely day by the sea.
Please install Flash® and turn on Javascript.
West Bergholt 2009
As always, this was a really nice show to spend a day at. There was a good show of cars and it was good to see our friends from the TSSC Essex group. There was plenty to keep us entertained throughout the day and a lot of fun to be had on the many charity stalls without spending a fortune. Yet another tin of peas was won on the British Legion stall and a few pounds spent on second hand knick knacks that will probably end up in the back of a cupboard. The arena entertainment carried on throughout the day and included an impressive gymnastic display and a parachute display team dropping in to end the show.
Barleylands July 2009
This was our second year at Barleylands and we had five cars on show. Although it stayed sunny all day we spent most of the day making sure the marquee didn't blow away in the blustery conditions. Cars were shown all day in the arena and prizes given for lots of categories. There were a few stalls to explore and a good turn out of cars to see but as ever most of our time was spent relaxing and chatting.
Brentwood Strawberry Fair - 21st June 2009
Although this was not one of the larger shows with only around fifty cars, there was a lot going on with many charity stalls and entertainment all day. The day started for us with the parade of cars through Brentwood High Street lead by the mayor of Brentwood. The weather stayed fine all day and the fair attracted thousands of visitors.
Jigsaw Triumph Invitation Race - Mallory Park 25th May 2009
The Jigsaw Triumph Invitation race had a great mixture of cars. They were separated into different classes dependant on engine size but looked great on the track together. There were 28 cars in the race between Spitfires, GT6, Dolomite Sprint, Vittesse and all marks of TR except 7 and 8 which were excluded. There was one rather sad event during the race as a GT6 rounded a very fast curve where we were sitting. One rear wheel broke away from the car and was instantly followed by the other one.
Other races included the Ginetta Heritage race and sports cars of the 60s and 70s. It was a great afternoons racing and a full report will appear in the club magazine soon.
Battlesbridge Show, May 10th 2009
With the stand to set up we set off early and arrived at battlesbridge before 8am. There was already a long queue of cars waiting to get in so it looked promising for another packed show. With the posters and photos we had prepared and the cars in place the stand looked pretty good when we had finished. We had nine cars on the stand and many people showed interest in the cars and the activities of the club. Hopefully we'll see some of them at our next meeting.
The weather was good all day and everyone had a busy but enjoyable day.
Drive it Day 2009 - Bury St Edmunds
For this years drive it day Paul Bagshaw organised a run to Bury St Edmunds and a tour of the Greene King brewery. Most of us met at Chelmsford while others joined en route. There was a good turn out of cars which were lined up for photos and sparkled in the sunshine that was to stay with us all day. We took the shortest route for the run but because the roads are quite small and go through some nice countryside it was a nice relaxed drive.
Upon arrival we parked in the brewery staff car-park as arranged and immediately got lost trying to find our way to the visitor centre. Fortunately one of the tour guides came to our rescue and we were soon enjoying a very interesting and informative tour of the brewery. The tour lasted about half an hour and included the long climb to the brewery roof for a great view of the town and surrounding countryside. Our guides were very entertaining while telling us about the brewery and it wasn’t long before we were all ready to taste some of the ales that we had been hearing about. The visit ended at the brewery tap where we sampled many of Green King’s best ales before stocking up at the visitor centr
e shop.
e shop.
We had lunch at the Dog & Partridge where they were showing the Grand Prix on TV and we were able to watch Jensen Button win the fourth race of the season before we walked into town to see what Bury St Edmunds had to offer. When we left the pub we saw that the streets were lined with people as a marching band and four hundred scouts approached on their St Georges day parade. After watching the parade we headed to the Abbey Gardens which were recommended by our brewery guide. The gardens were very impressive with colourful flowerbeds and a backdrop of the monastery ruins and cathedral.
We spent an hour wandering around the gardens and the sun had shone all day so we headed towards the ice cream kiosk taking in the aviaries along the way.
After leaving the gardens we took a short walk around the shops and had a look at Britain’s smallest pub and then went on to the cathedral to take a look inside. It had been a very nice day out and it was five o’clock by the time we got back to our cars and headed home.
See more photos here
Powered by Create