TR Lincs Social Scene Sept./October 2018
TR Lincs Sept./October 2018 Report
It's the last day in September and Autumn has finally arrived. Winter jobs list for the TR growing by the day, mainly because of all the jobs that should have been done last year are still on the list! No point rushing these things is there. Our days out for the rest of the year are probably limited now although we still have a couple of events planned and you can read about them further in this report. Speaking of events, and I know I keep on about it, but we need to start getting our 2019 programme populated and our TR Lincs monthly runs planned. If you would like to organise a run next year then please let me know and I can allocate you a month and date to suit you. Our group relies on the good will and efforts of our members to keep us viable, so come on, give it a go.
As you all know we have moved our monthly group meeting to the Black Horse at Ingham. We met for the first time there this month and thank you to all that made the effort to turn up. I know for some that this change will mean further to travel and for some less. Through the winter months that may be an issue but hopefully, come the Spring, the journey may not prove so onerous. Remember - " Nowhere's far in a TR!"
See you all soon
Adrian - Group Leader
Highlights Since Our August Newsletter
TR Lincs BBQ - 19th August
A slightly grey and dull morning saw us meet up at the services on the A1 at Gonerby Moor near Grantham. Once we had all ensured that we had enough caffine and croissants inside us off we set on a 47 mile tour through the southern part of the county working our way up towards Lincoln. All was going well until David and Pat Spolton's newly aquired TR6 decided that it wasn't going to play. After a brief stop, with the normal "helpful" comments from all gathered around, it started with no real obvious reason as to why it stopped. A few more miles and yes you've guessed it another unsheduled stop. Same thing, much scratching of heads and nothing obvious and off it goes again. By now our run was mainly a series of dashes with a nice break for TR6 head scratching and off to go again. Anyway, this didn't dampen our sprits, although I think Pat by now was ready to set fire to a certain red TR! and we did eventually reach our goal. With thanks to Mags and Lorraine we were greated with everything prepared under the marquee for our BBQ. Once suitably refreshed everyone set off home, including that red TR. Oh, just for the record the trouble was traced to a faulty fuel pump which has been replaced and all is well in that area - well at least for now, it is a TR after all.
TR Lincs WW1 Battlefields Tour, 13th - 18th September
A bright sunny morning marked the start of our TR Lincs World War 1 Centenary Tour to Flanders. This trip organised by Roger and Ann Clay was our way of marking the centenary of the end of the Great War and at the same time enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Belgium. Our designated assembly area for the big push was Tesco car park at Hessle. Where following the issuing of orders by our CO (Roger) we were advised to ensure our transportation was fully prepared and fuelled as it was uncertain what lay ahead. At zero hour we mobilised and set off for embarkation onto our troop ship, The Pride Of Brugge. This was clearly a major campaign, for as we entered the marshalling area we were joined by a large detachment of Vespa Scooters also joining the adventure. An uneventful passage saw us dock bright and, for some, a far too early disembarkation onto Belgium soil.
Our CO deemed that is was too early for us to RV at our barracks so we would carry out a reconnaissance mission to see how the land lay before going over the top. It was at this point we soon learned of Roger's encyclopedic knowledge of World War 1 and in particuar the area we were in, the campaigns and battles that were fought. On the way to Ypres, our base for the visit, we called at a number of noteable sights including at Ostend the memorial to HMS Vindictive, a fascinating operation to block U boats into both Zeebrugge and Ostend harbours. You can find out more about it by clicking here.
We then continued inland towards Ypres picking up further sites on our way. That evening we made our first walk down to the Menin Gate to witness the Last Post cermony performed every night at 8pm. This ceremony I think brought home the sheer scale of what happened back over 100 years ago and was a very emotional thing to witness. Our CO had orgainsed an accompained tour the next day lead by our Salient Tours guide Lionel. What a fantastic trip that proved to be with Lionel not only taking us to some major sights and sadly some equally somber cemeteries but added to the atmosphere by telling stories of real people and events that took place all those years ago. A frightening thought was when we visited a german cemetery and actually walked in the same footsteps as Adolph Hitler who visited it on the eve of Dunkirk in June 1940.
On our journey home we had time to spend a few hours in the wonderful city of Brugge. Many were on a mission including Sue Raistrick desperate to obtain as much Belgium chocolate as she could. In fact even Dave Dawson succumbed and proudly displayed to us all his chocolate nut and bolt! Not sure what part of a TR you would use that on.
A calm crossing over the north sea saw us all arrive safely back in Hull, all I think truly humbled by what we had seen over the last few days and thankful that we didn't have to live through it as our forefathers had.
Autumn Leaves Mystery Tour – September 23rd
For our September run we joined the Sleaford Rotary Club's autumn run. Starting at Sleaford market place having been fortified by the obligatory bacon roll and coffee, we followed our "tulip" diagrams to eventually end up for our halfway stop at Whitwell on the banks of Rutland Water. After spending a little time enjoying the lakeside scene and another cup of coffee we set off on the second half of the run. Our directions took us to the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum just outside North Rauceby. Here we were treated to tea and cake with a selection worthy of any high class patisserie. Sadly, due to the forecast suggesting we might have bad weather there we not as many cars out as the organisers would have liked, in the event we had good weather and lots more cake served in the very building that the famous Carlight Caravans were made. The opportunity was taken to visit the small but highly informative museum detailing the history of nearby RAF Cranwell. Did you know that RAF Cranwell started out life as a Royal Navy Air Service base for Airships during world war 1, hence the main access road being named "Lighter Than Air" road - every day's a school day!
Up and Coming Events
Classic Racing, Mallory Park – October 7th
Once again David McDonald is competing in the "Swinging Sixties" series in his TR6 this time at Mallory Park. As always he would be very pleased to receive your support and if you would like to go along then drop him a note (david.mcdonald18@btopenworld.com) and he will more than likely be able to sort some tickets out for you.
TR Lincs Monthly Meeting – October 15th
Our October monthly meeting will be held once more at the Black Horse, Ingham near Scampton (click HERE for location map). We had an excellent turnout for our last meeting there so let's see if we can repeat it
TR Lincs October Run – October 21st
Our October run, kindly arranged by Dave McDonald will take place on the 21
st of October. The run will start at The Apron Cafe and Bakery, Retford Airport, Gamston, DN22 0QL from 10.15am for refreshments and a comfort break ready for leaving at 11-00am sharp.
A run of approximately 50 miles back over the Trent and through Lincolnshire ending up for lunch at
Hall Farm, Ashby cum Fenby, near Grimsby. The menu selection for lunch can be viewed by clicking on the following link - Sunday-Lunch-21st-October-2018_1.pdf. Please let David McDonald ( david.mcdonald18@btopenworld.com ) have your meal choices no later than Sun 14th October in order to let the Restaurant know.
Classic Car Show, NEC – 9th to 11th November
If you are intending to visit the Classic Motor Show at the NEC, don't forget as a TR Register Member you can get discounted tickets through the TRR website by clicking HERE. The TR Register will be following this year's show theme "Built to Last" with a selection of unrestored Triumph TR survivors. In addition, we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Peerless entry to Le Mans in 1958 with a special display. Be immersed in stunning classics, fantastic features, one of the most high-profile classic car auctions with Silverstone Auctions, all in the presence of motoring celebrities including The Wheeler Dealers and many more. This truly magnificent season finale of the motoring calendar will welcome 72,000 passionate motoring enthusiasts - join us this November and be part of the UK's biggest and best Classic Motor Show!
Looking Ahead to 2019
TR Lincs Annual Dinner - February 16th, 2019
By popular demand our Annual Dinner for 2019 will again be held at the wonderful Washingborough Hall, near Lincoln. Those of you that attended this year will know how special a place it is and how wonderful the food was. You will be even more thrilled to learn that I have managed to keep the costs the same as last year. Even more of a reason to attend is that the chef, Mark Cheseldine, was crowned Chef of the Year at the Taste of Excellence Food & Drink Awards.
Costs are £33 per person for a 3 course dinner followed by tea/coffee and homemade fudge. For those who would wish to stay over then I have secured a reduced rate of £110 for Double Bed and Breakfast accommodation and have reserved 6 rooms for our use, but these will only be held until January 2019. If you would like to book a room then please contact Washingborough Hall direct and quote the TR Lincs event to secure your reservation with a 50% deposit payable at time of booking.
If you would like to attend the dinner then please contact me via TRLincs@yahoo.co.uk where I will send you further details and how to pay your £10 deposit per person.
This year was a great success, let's make next year's even better.
TR Lincs Run including a visit to Witham Oils
We plan to organise a run culminating in a visits to Lincoln's own lubrication oil manufacturer on Outer Circle Road. Watch out for the dates in next year's programme.
TR Lincs Run including a visit to Bomber Command Memorial
A chance to enjoy an airfield themed run culminating with a visit to the International Bomber Command Memorial in Lincoln. Keep an eye out for that one in 2019.