Kennet Valley Social Scene - 284
Michael Field writes:
With summer well upon us, the sun shining, the wind through your hair with the top down, what better place could we be in. This was proven by the tremendous turnout for our June 3rd club night, when we saw 40 members and partners, and 8 visitors, for our Clean Car Pride Of Ownership competition. 22 shining Triumphs adorned the car park, and extra hands had to be commandeered to assist in the judging. Stephen Taylor won the TR2/3/3a class with a very early TR2 - not seen for several years but now back on the road, Paul Woodham took the 4/4a/5 class title with his self restored and lovely TR4, Karl Boulton took the TR6 class, and Karen Woolnough the TR7/8. Paul Woodham was the overall winner, receiving the winner's cup, with the most points overall. I also have to mention Ian Howatt too, as he missed out with his TR4 by such a small fraction of one point, that he was awarded a certificate too. All group's were very closely challenged, and not only was this a record number of Triumph's in the car park on a club night, but also a record number of attendees, ever. And that was with at least 6 regulars away on their jollies.
On 30th May, many of us were invited to the Craven Arms, just outside Newbury, to celebrate a milestone reached by one of our longest standing members, Tina Dines, who reached the ripe old age of...... no I better not say, but suffice to mention that it was an excellent party and social occasion, enjoyed by all those who attended. It would have taken 60 trips to bring each candle for the cake in, individually.....oops!
A usual venue for attendance is the Beale Park Boat Show, and this year was no exception, with a few KVG members and cars being part of the classic vehicles display, both on Saturday and Sunday. Sat. 13th June saw four KVG cars attend the Triumph Car Day at the Ace Cafe, on the North circular Road, in London. Phil Horsley, Roy Mitchell, Bill Bourne and Den Carter all set off with an early start, to make the trip. The weather was a little dull but OK, great breakfast and nice ambience at this classic café where the infamous café racers dwelled in the 60's.
Our next event was more local, at Thatcham Summer Classic Car Show and Family Fun Day, 28th June. Organised by the local Rotary Club, with plenty of stalls and activities for the children, it started just a few years back with a handful of cars, but gets larger each year, with probably around 150 - 200 vehicles on display this year. All funds raised are for charity, so happily supported by the KVG. Over the day we saw 7 members turn out, even though the promised rain in the morning, was spot on.
Post report, but pre publication, we will have been to our July Mid-Monthly, which was a visit to the Spinnaker Tower and Gunwharf Quays, meeting at the Winning Hand and taking a country route to Portsmouth, missing the A34/Motorways, arriving approximately 12:00. Spinnaker have agreed to reserve a display area for 6 cars to be parked outside with a KVG banner to add interest and display the TR range, the plan is for one of each body style. The cost included the viewing platform of the Tower and then a hot lunch. Afterwards we could continue viewing from the Tower or walk the short distance to Gunwharf Quays shopping mall and marina to enjoy at your leisure. More details of this event will be in our next report.
Of course, we can't forget the infamous IWE in early August, and there appears more interest this year, with the new Chairman and committee at the helm, so we look forward to meeting many friends, old and new, from home and abroad. Both the last two will be reported on in more detail, in the next social scene entry.
As always, anyone with an interest in TR's are always welcome at our club night, car or no car, member or not (we'll give you a membership form), first Weds of the month, at the Winning Hand, on the A4 at Padworth, from around 7:30pm. We will be delighted to see you there.