So this was the Castle Howard weekend that wasn’t, and what a great weekend it was. Organised by John & Jean Hussay. For those who had Friday afternoon free it started at 12.30 lunchtime on 30th June with a meet at the Local Pantry Shop & Cafe on the Harrogate Road, near Pool. We left at around 1.30 for the run to the Crooklands Hotel in Crooklands. John & Jean had devised a dog leg route to Crooklands via Blubberhouses, Hawes & Ingleton, with a mid afternoon stop at the Creamery in Hawes. As usual the convoy managed to get split up, but magically came back together again just before Hawes. Tea time saw us arriving at the hotel, checking in and seeking a well needed beer. The other members of the group who had travelled directly to Crooklands started arriving, and by 5.30 ish all 21 of us were there. The Friday evening meal was bar snacks in a very busy and buzzing bar, with very generous portions, and much conviviality. The 21 were – John & Jean Hussay, Keith & Julie George, Stan Lowe & Jean, Mike & Kate Sloan, Ian & Linda Meeson, Barrie & Pat Simkin, Keith & Jane West, Dave & Anne Whincup, Ken & Janet Bailey, Roger & Fiona Wiper, and Phil Warcup from East Riding group. Saturday morning was a 9.30 ish meet after breakfast, ready for a 10am start, John had devised a fiendish route heading West along the Southern Lakes, then turned North on VERY minor roads heading over Wrynose Pass, on through Ambleside and on into the finish at the Garden Village in Grasmere. We had a coffee stop roughly mid way at the High Cross Inn at Broughton, which had once been a pub, but sadly closed down, but now reopened as a Café, we were it’s first customers, and they welcomed us with open arms, explaining what they had done, and what their future plans were, it was a great stop in a great location, and we wish them every success. We arrived in Grasmere about 2pm, with the afternoon being DIY. The only criteria being to be back at the Hotel ready for the booked evening meal at 7.30. Linda and myself called at Holehird Gardens on the way back, just at the bottom of Windermere, it’s the home of the Lakeland Horticultural Society. A real stunning 10 acre garden, free to enter, just put a donation in the box. Back at the Hotel we had our own room for the booked evening meal, and a great meal it was too, followed by the evenings entertainment of a raffle and quiz, hosted by Ken Bailey, a great end to a cracking day. Sunday morning saw us meeting in the hotel car park reading ourselves for a 10.30 departure. Heading up towards Kendal, then cutting across to the Windermere Ferry to cross the Lake, then running down to the Lakeland Motor Museum near Newby Bridge, John had arranged reduced group entry, and along with the Café/ Restaurant it ended what had been a superb weekend, the weather held for us as well, so it was all good, tops down a plenty weekend. Already provisionally booked for next year.

First organised outing of 2017 organised by John Collinson. We met at Ponden Mill cafe, which is approximately 2 miles west of Haworth, at 9 am for a 10 am start. The cafe is run by a lovely couple called Richard and Barbara Trainer. They have a TR6 but it is in need of repair and is not on the road. They were very keen to have a look at our cars before we set off on the run. The run was an anti clockwise route via Laneshawbridge, Trawden, Colden, Blackshaw Head, Walk Mill, Portsmouth, Cornholm, Todmorden, Littleborough, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Oxenhope and Stanbury. There was a short comfort break just outside Todmorden at around the half way point. The run was about 57 miles in total, and for some of us took in some untravelled roads, thank you John. We finished at the Old Silent Inn Howarth for lunch. A big thank you to John for organising the day. All went well, apart from Mike & Kate having to run in the first reserve car, due to starting problems with the TR4.

The New Years Walk on Sunday 15th January 2017 was a success with 20 members attending. We met at the New Inn, Eccup at 10.30 am. After coffee and a natter everyone set off on the walk. This took us through fields and woods skirting TVs Emmerdale film set. Some of the trail was muddy very muddy so much so I decided to take a mud bath and fell face down in the mud. Apart from a stubbed finger a small cut and injured pride all was well. The meal was good. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Thanks to Keith and Jane West.

Weekend of September 24/25th 2016. We debated this for a while and decided on having a combined weekend of Ex Castle Howard, and Autumn Leaves Run. We met at the Holiday Inn nr Brighouse at 10 am on Saturday morning the 24th for coffee. We set off from the Holiday Inn on a route devised by Stan & Ken, which took us to Wentworth House Garden Centre for a leisurely lunch stop. Before setting off on the second leg to take us to the Fox Glove at Kirkburton for our dinner and overnight stay at The Inn Keepers Lodge. An entertaining evening ensued with Ken's obligatory fiendish quiz. On the Sunday morning we set off at 9.00 ish, to arrive at the Carding Shed / Oil Can Cafe for breakfast starting at 10.00am. We had hoped to book a workshop tour, but were unsuccessful. However the Oil Can Café is a museum displaying various cars and all sorts of things motor related. There are a few shops selling bits and bats and vintage clothing. We left the Oil Can Cafe on our third and final leg travelling south to the Peak District for a late lunch at the 13th century Strines Inn.

The Husseys, Le Veys and Sloans went on the Traws Cambria weekend and enjoyed a brilliant tour of the Beacons.

On Sunday the 3rd July we had a run out starting at McDonalds on Clifton Moor York and finishing at the Sidings Restaurant. This weekend would normally have been the Castle Howard Weekend. The run did pass by the House. This excellent run was organised by Gerry and Mary Le-Vey. After our lunch it was my pleasure to present the Le-Veys with an engraved Trophy in recognition for their support over the years. They have organised approx 20 Castle Howard runs!! They always refuse to accept any re numeration for fuel expenses. Also they very rarely miss a meeting despite the long evening drive from York. We thought it was time to thank them for there support and the Castle Howard Day out was the most appropriate time to make the award. Gerry has asked me to express his appreciation and thanks see below. Mary and I were thrilled to receive the award and thank you card yesterday, I am not often lost for words, but I did not know quite what to say, I wonder if you could send out a message to everyone, to express our appreciation, and thanks for your kind words. It has always been a pleasure to be a part of Wharfedale TR's, and just hope that our friendship continues to flourish. Thanks again, Stan. Best wishes from Mary and Gerry.

22nd May 2016, Spring Clean Run. We met for coffee at Ripley Castle Tea Rooms, then set off for a mid point stop at Masham, skirting Fountains Abbey on the way. After leaving Masham we set forth for the Punch Bowl Inn at Low Row in Swaledale.

Sunday 17th January 2016 the post Christmas Lunch at Moorlands Inn Ogden Halifax. We met at 11am for coffee, then set off for a short walk around Ogden Water, returning for lunch in the Loft Room at about 1pm. The start of the weekend had seen some heavy snow and it was touch and go if it would be clear enough to get there. Ogden being fairly bleak at the best of times. But the sun shone, and with snow still on the ground made for a very pleasant scene and day.

21st November 2015. Wharfedale visit to Robin Hood Airport, Ex RAF Finningley to see the Avro Vulcan XH558, sadly no longer flying, a great visit to see such a Cold War icon. RAF Finningley being one of the original Vulcan squadron bases.

11th October 2015 Autumn Leaves Run organised by Ian & Linda Meeson. We met in Skipton at Paul Watson's Cafe for coffee, before setting off. We went via Bolton By Bowland & Slaidburn then up towards Wray to head West across the top then come down the to the Inn At Whitewell just below Dunsop Bridge, for lunch.

On May the 28th Jean and myself (Stan) were to travel south to Dover. Then on the 29th meet up with Gerry and Mary Le-Vey for the crossing over the Channel to France and on to the Circuit Historique de Laon. Unfortunately Gerry’s back complaint prevented him from driving and so he had to cancel his trip. Jean and I did go on to Laon and had a very enjoyable weekend. Barrie and Pat Simkin also went over. We met Barrie in the square on Sunday.

SPRING CLEAN RUN 2015 10th May 2015, Spring Clean Run organised by Keith & Jane West. We met at the Farm Shop just outside Pool in Wharfedale. The destination was Richmond and the The Seasons Restaurant, within the Old Richmond Station for a late lunch / early afternoon snack. The route took us up through the dates with a stop off at Pateley Bride.

12/10/2014 The Wharfedale 2014 Autumn Leaves run organised by John & Helene Dennison. We met at a Garden Centre on Otley Road just beyond Leeds Bradford Airport, for coffee. it was quite a murky morning. Then down to Otley across Blubberhouse Moors and onto Lofthouse over the moors to lunch at Aysgarth Falls Hotel. We then should have gone though Hawes and onto Bolton Abbey tea rooms but ran out of time. The sun came out as we travelled so it turned out to be a great day. Thanks to John & Helene.

Ten members and one TR6, two TR3s and two TR4s were to be found at the Burley in Wharfedale Classic Car Show. Weather was reasonably good, sunny with a few very light showers. Paul and Sharon had their camper van with them and so provided bacon butties for breakfast.

30th Anniversary weekend

Spring clean run, organised by John Hussay, we met at Paul Watson's cafe in Skipton, then headed for Settle, then up to Wray for lunch at the Greenfoot Garden Centre, then back to Settle via a alternative route. The cars lined up at Greenfoot Garden Centre, there were a few ringers, the Subaru and Keith Wests very nice Mk2 Lotus Cortina.

11/08/2013

Seven Trs attended the Autumn Leaves run on October the 7th. Ken and Jan Bailey made it eight but Jan was not feeling very well and so they did not complete the run, choosing instead to join us at the Sidings. Helene Dennison also joined us at the Sidings for the meal, John did the run in His TR5.

Is Keith's glass half full or just empty

We celebrated the 25th anniversary with a Champagne toast and two cakes. Mr Howard kindly cut the cakes and joined in the toast proposed by Keith George a former group leader. It didn't take long for several bottles of bubbly to disappear!

Work in progress on Wharfedale cars