Social Scene Report - TRaction issue no. 344

Chris Thirtle writes:

Whilst our TRs may have been dormant over the winter, the social calendar remained active. The highlight was, without doubt, the Group’s Annual Dinner held at Makeney Hall Hotel near Belper, on the 28 January. Some 56 people attended with guests travelling from as far as Salcombe. A Scottish ‘Burns’ themed menu and live music made for a convivial affair which continued into the ‘wee’ hours. Amusingly, the band did initially mis-read their audience but, once they realised it’s not just our TR’s that still have a spring in their step and some ‘va va voom’ in the tank, they quickly adapted and a great time was had by all. We were well hosted by the Hotel and plans are afoot to return in 2024. There was also a raffle to raise some funds and, to close the more formal proceedings, the presentation of prizes.

Barry and Hazel Cockayne won ‘Best Event’ for their excellent ‘Rocks, Ravines & Watter final run of the season’. Linda Smith and Gwen Walvin, both won Derbyshire Dales Club Gold Awards for their hard work and dedication in helping Dave W with the planning and organisation of all the TR Peaks Weekends between 2008 and 2022. In a similar vein, Dave Smith received a TR Register Clubman’s Award (pictured) for his role in making those ‘Peak Weekends’ so successful.

The final prize awarded was the much cherished, ‘Nut of the Year’. The usual suspects vied closely for the prestigious honour, but Jim Tulley proved triumphant (pictured). Having completed possibly the longest TR6 rebuild in Derbyshire Dales history, we learned the ‘6’ had ‘caught fire’ on an early test drive resulting in further extensive work. I have subsequently been assured it didn’t ‘catch fire’, but there was a ‘melt-down’. My notes weren’t that clear at this point, but I believe it was the permanent live to the fuel pump that suffered the ‘melt-down’ – or maybe that was Jim? Anyway, I understand both Jim and his ‘6’ are now ‘all fired up’, and ready to join us on this year’s runs. Well done Jim, and huge congratulations to all those winning prizes.

We’ve also enjoyed 3 excellent Club Night’s since Christmas. January saw us back at The Crispin, Great Longstone, then in February and March we were at a new venue for us, the South Wingfield Social Club. This is in a central location for our membership, provides plenty of parking, has a wide range of facilities, and could be a real contender for our new ‘home’. Time will tell. In the meantime, may the road salt stay in storage, the sun shine, and the TR always start first time. See you out there.

Diary dates:-

12 April 2023 – Club Night and Group AGM – 7.30pm prompt start – South Wingfield Social Club, DE55 7LX

23 April 2023 – Drive It Day - Group run

16-18 June 2023 - Derbyshire Dales Peak’s Weekend: details on the Derbyshire Dales pages, TR Register Website.