TR Action London Group report for issue 343

Steve Bamforth writes: London Group finished off 2022 with some fireworks and our Christmas party, followed by a trip to Brooklands on New Year’s Day to start 2023.

November’s highlight was our annual trip to the local school’s fireworks in Hampton, followed by an excellent meal at Tin Tin Chinese restaurant on Hampton High Street. Group Leader Mark Bulford also very kindly hosted pre-fireworks drinks and sparklers for everyone.

Our new venue for our first club night of the month seems to be a success, with plenty of parking and easy access (just off the A316) for many of our members, so please do join us at the Winning Post in Twickenham on the first Thursday of each month, with or without your TR.

The Winning Post was also the venue for our Christmas party, where a great time was had by all, and the annual group awards were presented. The “Dip Stick” award went to Mark Bulford for his numerous drive out cock-ups(!), while the “Piston from Above” award went to David Boucher for setting his TR3A on fire at Castle Combe – hopefully the award provided some small consolation… John Headden picked up the “TR Nut” award for winning the club “Best in Show” award at the Brooklands summer show (with a little help from some non-TRLG TRs!) and finally the “Clubman” award went to Graeme Cole for organizing a superb clay pigeon shooting event, followed by a fabulous lunch at a beautiful country pub.

Following its cancellation last year, New Year saw the Brooklands New Year’s Day Classic Gathering back on the calendar, so New Year’s Day saw eleven TRs plus their drivers having an early start, meeting up in the salubrious surrounds of the local Tesco car park before heading off to Brooklands Museum. We had an excellent spot to park up on the finishing straight and were joined by TRs from Thames Valley and South Downs during the morning.

Our first club night of the year followed soon after with our annual visit to the Weir Hotel in Walton-on-Thames, the site of the first TR Register local group meeting. The damp conditions resulted in only three TRs in the car park (plus Will Chignell’s Herald estate), but there was a healthy turn out of ten members inside enjoying the catch up.

Meanwhile, our WhatsApp group is busy with various car related discussions and updates on members cars. In particular, repairs to David Boucher’s fire damaged TR3A continue (see picture) and he hopes to be back out and about in it “soon” while Graham Baggaley is making good progress on his TR3A rebuild, with engine in and fuel lines now fitted.

Looking ahead, you should be reading this just ahead of the London Classic Car Show at Olympia (24 – 26 February), where London Group will be manning the TR Register stand – do come along and say hello.

So, finally, do come and join us for a noggin and a natter over a beer, you are most welcome. See our upcoming dates below - please also keep an eye on your emails or on the web site http://www.tr-register.co.uk/group/london.

Diary dates

London Classic Car show 24^th – 26^th February

First monthly club night at the Winning Post, Twickenham 2^nd March

Second monthly club night at the Star Inn, Malden Rushett 16^th March