East

Below you can find all the East Social Scene reports submitted for the most recent TR Action, in full. If you have any problems with the content then please contact the office. Should you wish to find your nearest group then please use our postcode search facility or visit 'We're Only Hear for the Beer' for listings of all group details. Please use the links below to find your report:

• Abbott & Stour
• East Saxons
• Essex
• Lea Valley
• Wensum

Abbott & Stour

Hazel Humphries

Our Christmas dinner at the Manger was, as usual, a great success, with thirty two members and friends attending. The Manger staff did us proud with a superb choice of menus and the evening was enjoyed by all. Lin, the pub manager was presented with choccies and a poinsettia for putting up with us all year and Gary won the cup this year for his excellent organising of several runs during the year, especially the pub run when everybody started off together but ended up arriving at the pub from all directions! Well done Gary! Sadly, it was the last club visit for Ian and Terry, who are heading off to Coventry; no we have not sent them there, it seems Ian has landed a dream job with the Caravan Club. Ian’s input as events co-ordinator will be greatly missed but Peter Hudspith has very bravely volunteered to step into Ian’s shoes.

Our January meeting coincided with the AGM, which was well attended by sixteen members. Peter presented us with an almost complete 2012 events list, and several members have already stepped up and volunteered to organise events such as the April Showers run, Treasure Hunt, summer pub runs and the Fish ‘n’ Chip supper. We are very lucky to have so many proactive and enthusiastic club members. Unfortunately, for various reasons the committee has all stepped down for this year and, apart from Peter as events co-ordinator, no members put themselves forward for election. Peter Dadson is stepping down as Group Leader, but is still willing to look after the website, thank you for your sterling work over the past two years. We are still looking for a new group leader, a treasurer as Andy and Lynne are heading off to the Cayman Islands for two years, and a TR Action write up co-ordinator, as, hopefully Richard and I are moving across country to Shropshire fairly soon, not quite as exotic as the Caymans but we hope it will be an enjoyable move, and although we love Suffolk, it will be good to have a few hills to climb in our TR.

The first event of 2012 is, as usual, the Pudding Club, which should be held either at the end of February or early March, although a firm date has yet to be set. I hope that by the time the new write up co-ordinator does the next write up he/she will be able to give details of the new committee.

East Saxons

Allan Jezzard

As I have received no death threats from north of the A14, I must assume that either the Abbotts from around the Stour missed it, or are of a very equable disposition. Somewhere between leaving my PC and being reproduced on the pages of the last issue, an important “t” was omitted in the fourth paragraph of my report thereby suggesting our neighbouring group was a bit less than “sweet”. Not so!

To close our 2011 season, as has now become the norm, we had a very successful and well attended “Nibbles” night at the Three Compasses in West Hanningfield. Publican Rosemary Cotton provides a seasonal buffet that seems to hit the spot, and forms the basis of a very friendly and sociable warm-up for the approaching festive season.

Our 2012 season was somewhat inappropriately opened on 14th January by what would normally have been called our Christmas Dinner and Dance. Fifty three of us enjoyed a three course meal with a choice of three roasts complete with all the usual trimmings after which, as an aid to indigestion, we were given the opportunity to dance the rest of the night away. In a break in the proceedings, I presented Colin Collingwood with the Pist’n’ Broke Award. Had I not taken it upon myself to award it to Colin, I have a feeling that I would have got it for being complicit in the action that brought it about. Once again we owe thanks to Mandy Leslie for her organisation and hubby Pete for getting the East Saxons’ name in his golf club’s diary before anyone else.

Recent weekly meetings have been boosted by visits from Barry Cockayne of Derbyshire Dales Group – he’s been working in Chelmsford for a time. It was also good to see his wife Hazel accompany him to our last Compasses meeting in January. Also new to meetings were Peter Rees, who is working to get his TR5 back on the road, and Richard Crewe-Read who has been encouraged to restore his car (30 years resting) to provide transport for his daughter to her wedding in the summer.

I guess the score vis-a-vis input versus output (to/from Social Scene) now stands at 1-1. I advised you that our AGM was to be on Thursday 5th March – no such day date combination this year! The correct date is Thursday 1st March at the Farmhouse. There will be changes to the Committee so do come along and have your say. In the meantime, do look at www.eastsaxons.com where you will find an updated photo gallery and a rapidly filling events list. The first “driving” event will probably be the Medway Festival of Steam and Transport on Easter Monday. Our two weekends away – Hythe in May and Old Hunstanton in September still have vacancies, contact details are on the website.

Essex

Mike Boling

As thoughts turn to springtime, the pace of rebuilding picks up and the Essex Group is looking forward to seeing some “new” TRs hitting the road. After some unexpected delays, Vic Russo now has his freshly painted body-shell back in his garage and is cracking on with the reassembly of his TR3. Bob Norfolk is also nearing the end of the rebuild of his very early long door TR2 which will join the Essex ranks during the summer. After 35+ years, Terry Blake’s long door is also nearing completion. Terry says that “There are just one or two bits to finish off” before his epic rebuild will see the light of day. Let’s just hope we get some suitable weather to show off these lovely “newbies”!

Regulars at The Old Windmill will doubtless remember Joe Smith. Jo was a quiet and pleasant man who was keen to acquire a TR but had not decided which model best suited him and his wife Gill. Eventually he settled on a rather nice TR6 which he enjoyed driving until he became too ill. Even then, he maintained a strong interest in the marque and this Group. I regret to report that Joe succumbed to his illness at the end of January at the age of 68. On 17th February, Essex members (in their TRs) attended Joe’s funeral held in the large church of St. Mary’s, Great Baddow. The church was full with Joe’s relations, friends and colleagues who had gathered to celebrate his life and bid him a final adieu. After the service, the mourners reassembled at Chelmsford Crematorium for the “chequered flag” and then on to South Lodge Hotel for the reception. I know all of you who knew him would wish to join with your Committee in expressing sincere condolences to Gill and family.

On a happier note, February’s Shepherd & Dog meeting saw our annual Classic Video presentation. The conservatory area was packed but, due to a couple of technical glitches, screening didn’t start until 9 o’clock. It would have been later than that had it not been for the intervention of Richard Highfield’s Anita, who quickly solved the “no picture” problem – many thanks, Anita! Events Co-ordinator, Steve Tant, had obtained permission to show part of a film still covered by copyright. This gave a fascinating insight to the workings of Revington TR and many of the after market bolt-ons they produce. The 1954 Alpine Rally film featuring Gatso and Ken Richardson driving TRs was given another airing. It is the third time we have shown this Standard Triumph Film Unit production but it still gets applause and raises the occasional gasp!

Triumph Spares Day at Stoneleigh provided long time Essex Group Member, Graham Stewart, with the opportunity to surprise Register Staff by presenting them with a large framed Standard Triumph promotional poster depicting a 1954 long door TR2. Graham had rescued this artefact many years ago from a Garage which was closing down. This piece of TR memorabilia will be on permanent loan to the Register’s archive at Didcot.

By the time you read this, our A.G.M. will be done and dusted but I will report on the salient points next time. Meanwhile, have a peek at www.essex-tr.org to see what we have organised for the coming season.

Lea Valley

Brian Chidwick

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the weather will have improved and there will be many more TRs in action. Recent meetings have been ‘Wet, Wet Wet’ or ‘White, White, White’ as evidenced by this photo of all the TRs that made it to the LVG February meeting!

In fact, apart from Lynda and myself, the only other member that arrived was Jon Marshall - even Diana declined. Personally, I enjoy the challenge, but sadly, that was the last of the snow and we were too busy to get out again before it was all gone. Who's afraid of a little bit of snow and salt?

Readers of our newsletter ‘TRunnion’ will be aware that we are planning to introduce a little more variety into the events calendar this year with greater emphasis on using the cars, including mid-week/evening runs, visits to race meetings/sprints/hillclimbs, transport museums and other local groups, etc. Some new ideas have already surfaced but we really would welcome suggestions from all members in the area, especially newer members and those who cannot attend the regular monthly Sunday lunchtime meetings.

Those of us addicted to touring are already looking forward to some action in the next few weeks, including the CACCC Springing-Up Tour and MK Classic Tours’ Drive It Day event with a drive on the Alpine Circuit at Millbrook, The Porsche Driving Experience at Silverstone and a visit to Prodrive to see their famous display of competition cars including the new WRC Mini. At the end of April, there is a Nostalgia Forum Motor Sport Film Show, with guest speaker, five times Grand Prix winner, John Watson MBE. Unfortunately, I will miss this, as we will be on a Sporting Bears tour in Cumbria, but Lynda and I have been to a couple of these quarterly events and can highly recommend them. The classic car season really takes off in May with too many potential shows to mention here, so make sure you are on my mailing list.

All recent TRunnions are available on the website, but if you are not already receiving them directly, it is probably because I do not have your current email address. I only have email addresses for just over half the local members, and many of those are out of date. To keep in touch via TRunnion (or to contribute letters, articles or photos), email me at bjmole1-trlvg@yahoo.co.uk. Check the website (www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/lea-valley) regularly for the latest information on meeting venues and additional events.

Wensum

Graham Carr

Sorry - missed the deadline for last edition’s report because I was abroad but in this edition you can catch up on the events over the winter and look forward to what is planned this year. Last year ended with the Christmas Dinner at the ‘Bird In Hand’, which we all agreed was a great venue. This year Wensum group was joined by members of Norfolk TSSC and everybody enjoyed a fun evening plus a dinner of a very high standard. In fact it was so good we plan to return next year to the Bird in Hand the pub, which welcomes members and their cars throughout the year for our monthly meetings.

In February we held our group AGM. Most officers agreed to continue in their roles for a further year with the exception of the events coordinator Peter Pierce who asked if he could stand down.

Club Officers are;

Group Leader - David Solomon
Treasurer - Mike May
Club Secretary - Adrian Richmond
Club Liaison - Mart Talbot
Events Coordinator - Graham Carr was elected as Events Coordinator for 2012 and has already published an exciting calendar of trips and events for the coming months. Graham wishes to be as inclusive as possible so as well the old favorites Graham hopes to hear from members both old and new who have any new ideas for trips or would like to organize an event or create a run themselves.

We must also say a big thank you to Peter Pierce for his efforts as events coordinator over the last few years. Thank you, Peter.

It was very encouraging to hear from head office that we have over twenty five new members around Norfolk who have joined the register in the past few months. If you are a new member please come along to our next local group meeting at the ‘Bird in Hand’ pub, Ashwelthorpe, to meet us. Tell us about your car and find out what the group is planning to do over the next few months; that way you can start using your TR amongst friends who carry spares! One of the unrealized benefits of being a member of the TR register is the chance to meet with local experienced car owners who can offer advice on where to find a trustworthy expert or even that elusive spare part.

Whilst on the subject of trips and spares, Wensum members went on a group outing to the International Triumph Show and Spares Day at Stoneleigh Park on Sunday the 4th March. This was a busy show but I cannot help thinking that there were slightly fewer Autojumble stands than in previous years and it was bitterly cold inside the halls. Warmed by free hot coffee and biscuits on the Register stand, Wensum members soon got into shopping mode and on the return trip Mark’s estate was filled to the brim with distributors, chassis parts, a TR6 rear bumper and other various goodies that had been purchased.

Looking to the future our next group outing will be to the Donington Historic Festival on May 5th - 6th. Last year we predicted that this would become a regular Wensum event and Donington are trying to make it even better this year by introducing music and attracting more auto stands. Entry prices have been kept low for car clubs and if the weather is good again this year it should be a great weekend. Contact Graham Carr or Adrian Richmond for details - contact information is on the Wensum web site.

Happy Motoring.