Social Scene Report - TRaction Issue 339
Magazine issue - TR Action 339
Author of report name - Chris Thirtle
Report content
Chris Thirtle writes: Yes, Derbyshire Dales has a new ‘Scribe’ and Alan Ford finally gets to rest his pen after nearly 7 years of ‘scribbling’. The changes aren’t stopping there either. Ryan Walker has taken over as Treasurer from Dave Sygrove, and Dave Worne (organiser of DD Weekend) and Alan Jones (Group Webmaster) have also declared their intention to step down from their roles. All have done sterling service for the Group over many years, and we take this opportunity to publicly thank them for all they have done. Thankfully, they’ve all offered to mentor us ‘newbies’ and ensure a smooth ‘changing of the guard’. Welcome also to our new members Nick Wright (2 x TR6) and Tim Birkin (TR4a).
The Group Club Night at the Hurt Arms (don’t mention the legs) Ambergate, on 8 June was a well-attended social gathering and even a few TR6’s made an appearance despite the threat of rain. The Group remains somewhat nomadic when it comes to Club meetings, but that’s not all bad as we get to visit new venues and enjoy a wide variety of beverages.
The DD Weekend (TRs at The Palace) is the highlight of the DD events calendar. Held this year over the weekend 10-12 June, it was also Dave Worne and Gwen Walvin’s swan song as its organisers. After an incredible 14 years of perfecting the event they’ve opted to quit while still ahead and, in doing so, have left the next volunteer(s) some big shoes to fill. Any takers? The DD weekend was attended by over 70 people, some from as far afield as Italy, and more than 30 TRs. Blessed with perfect topless TR driving weather, those taking part got to enjoy driving on some wonderful roads, test their pothole avoidance reactions, take in some stunning scenery, play ‘find a petrol station with E5 available’, and enjoy some ‘favourites’ like the ford at Tissington. The Group was delighted that Paul ‘Cat’ Tunnadine (Midlands Director) brought along TS2 for the weekend and a few DD members took the opportunity to take it for a spin (thankfully not literally). Whilst the dinner on the Saturday was the ‘main event’, the informal ‘meet and greet’ in the bar on the Friday night really set the tone for the weekend. How good was it? Well let’s just say it continued into Saturday.
June isn’t all about the DD weekend though. Dave B, Darren S and Alan W and their TR6’s made it to and from Le Mans, although I hear the return journey included a chorus of ‘3 wheels on my wagon’. Others enjoyed their TRs on trips closer to home. Steve B and Alan F attended the Rolleston Transport Festival on 5 June. Steve B took along his TR250 fitted with his DIY ‘car cloaking device’ (as per 007’s Aston Martin Vantage). Clearly making the bodywork ‘invisible’ is proving easier than the more solid elements of the car. Every cloud has a silver lining though and the quality of Steve’s rebuild of engine and rolling chassis made it one of the stars of the show. Lee C and Tim B, in their TR4 and TR4a respectively, have successfully completed the HERO Summer Trial. Tim was competing in his first event just 3 days after taking delivery of the 4a, and Lee achieved a 1st in class – congratulations to both crews. Breaking news as we go to press, I can report the intrepid Dave B, Sarah Southwell and Alan W with Wensum member Dave Solomon have made it to Bucharest in their 6’s for the TR and TRrabant Tour of Romania, but Alan and Liz F are currently stranded in Schiphol due to a cancelled flight. Will they make it in time? To be continued...
Diary dates
Wednesday 17th August – Deferred Club Night (from 10th August) –to celebrate the end of TS2’s UK tour - details TBC
Sunday 4th September – Club Run
Tuesday 13th September – Club Night – 7.30pm Hurt Arms, Ambergate. DE56 2EJ
Sunday 2nd Oct – Last Club Run of the season