Kennet Valley TR Group Social Scene 295
Hello everybody and a happy new year to you all. Looking back over the last twelve months the end of 2015 marked 45 years since KVG started way back in 1970 at the Butt Inn, Aldermaston. This was celebrated by long standing members Toney Dines and Richard Owens cutting the cake. Next came our excellent Christmas Bash at Wroxton. Though it took place in January as we had a snowfall over the Saturday night it had a real Christmas feel to the event.
At the beginning of 2016 our meeting place, The Winning Hand, closed for business. This posed somewhat of a problem as it had been a successful place for us to hold our meetings. It was going to be difficult to find a place that ticked all the boxes. Over the next months we tried out three new venues. These were the Pincents Manor Hotel Calcot, The Holiday Inn West Padworth and The Angel at Woolhampton. The members took a vote and The Angel was the winner.
The Castle Coombe track day in April was attended by Stewart Highnett, Dennis Carter and Eddie Mace. It was a resounding success despite a very short storm which made driving through thunder and lightning a bit hairy. Fortunately, despite racing having to stop for one session, it soon cleared up to allow racing to continue. In May seven TR's drove down to the Weald and Downland Museum at Singleton, Chichester. With sunny weather throughout the day we rested for lunch under the trees and enjoying the last of Maureen's birthday cake.
The IWE was held at Lincoln and as this was a new location, members, particularly those camping, were concerned about the facilities. I am glad to say the reports have been very positive. The general view was it was a very pleasant venue with a lot to see in the area. Everybody had a good time and to add to this our GL, Phil Horsley won the Pride of Ownership with his TR250.
Our last local classic car show for 2016 formed part of the Thatcham Festival. This was organised by Martin Port, of Classic Cars and Sport Cars magazine, it is a drop-in event and took place on 8th October with many interesting cars to see ranging from the 1930's through to the 1990's. KVG had a presence with Ian with TR4, Gerry & Maureen with Stag and Emrhys & Linda with Stag. Considering the weather was somewhat overcast the turnout was good, but by the afternoon it had started to rain so people were starting to make their way home.
Our November club night was very well attended where members enjoyed a good chinwag and bevy with their friends and then a presentation by Eddie Mace on the recent tour of the Parrado's in Spain by five intrepid member couples. Sue & Eddie, Fiona & Bill, Val & Den, Sally & Mike, Moreen & Gerry took the ferry to Santander in September and toured the Parrado's in Spain, wonderful hotels, picturesque roads, great food, lovely people, good wine and pure TR pleasure was enjoyed by all. Everybody learned how easy it was to take your TR abroad and that great fun can be had. Kennet Valley TR Group is planning more tours into mainland Europe, so watch our events pages or come to the meetings to learn more. This is just a summary of some of the KVG events from last year. More pictures and information can be found on Facebook - TR Register – Kennet Valley Group.
Next Meeting at The Angel Woollhampton 1st February 2017.
The Christmas bash at Wroxton (pre-booking required) 20th - 22nd January 2017.
That's it for now, Keep TRing.
Photo: On Tour in Spain