TR Action 266
Spring seems to have been a little reluctant to appear in Sussex this year. March and April have seen freezing easterly winds, sleet and snow. Our "East meets West" run was cancelled due to bad weather and March's Chailey club night was snowed off. So there was none of the early TR action we saw last year. However on the day of Paul and Heather's Spring Burnout spring had certainly sprung. We had blue skies, sunshine, and TRs with tops firmly down. Paul led a swift dash through many fine Sussex villages and lanes, terminating at a popular curry restaurant outside Uckfield. Once again P&H surprised us with amusing presents to round off the day. Many thanks to Paul and Heather for organising such an excellent day and breaking the weather jinx.
Just days before the Spring Burnout Colin's TR6 had an unfortunate meeting with a large deer on the outskirts of Hadlow Down. The damage to Colin's car was fortunately limited to the front wing, but a scary experience none the less. Anybody know a good panel beater?
Club nights continue to be well attended both at Chailey and Netherfield. The Netherfield Touchy Feely evening (don't ask!) went well with Hugh and Willie ending up the joint winners. In February the Netherfield meet was switched from the usual Thursday evening, to a Sunday lunch; this proved popular and may well be repeated next winter. The Chailey Mastermind quiz was very well attended. The three quiz masters provided tough and sometimes contentious sets of questions. George and Rose were victorious, taking the crown from the ever competitive Cannons. Shame there was not a prize; we were missing the organisational talents of Mr Lucas.
Coming along soon is the ever popular and unique SDG event, the Cannonball Run on the 11th June. Later that month is the Newplace Park classic car show, Framfield, on Fathers Day 16th June, and fingers crossed (as rain stopped play last year) Gliding Evening at Ringmer Gliding Club on Tuesday 18th June. Then to round off the month of June in fine style we have the SDG Continental Tour 2013 to Honfleur. I can't wait!
See http://www.southdowns-trs.org.uk/ for more info.
TR Action 265
What an excellent year 2013 is promising to be for SDG, with an impressive range of activities lined up. But more of that later... firstly, what' has been happening recently? Our annual awards lunch was shifted from a slippy slidey snow covered day to a Sunday bathed in glorious sunshine. Very fitting for our award winning members: - congratulations to Hugh (Clubman of the year), John (Events attendance), Willie (Club attendance in a TR), Maggie (Members choice), Heather (Special Award) and Derek (Best Presented and Photo Competition). A memorable day out, many thanks to Bob and Dawn for organising.
Our first outing of the year is normally South Down Stages, but horizontal sleet put paid to that - only Robin P braved the elements for a short time before returning to the warmth. Club nights in both Chailey and Netherfield continue to be well attended despite the dark and the cold.
However looking forward to the warmer weather, have we got some treats in store. Spring Burnout 7th April country lanes followed by all you can eat curry; Drive it Day 21st April (Wakehurst Place) not much chance for us local folk to win the mileage award; Herstmonceux Observatory on 12th May,your chance to increase your knowledge of matters celestial at knock down prices. Then the Best Presented Competition 14th May; 21st July, can a Dove hang on to the trophy or will a certain TR6 wow the judges? Cannonball Run 11th June; an annual classic, Newplace Classic Car Show 16th June; Gliding Evening 18th June - view our cars from up in the blue; Honfleur Continental trip 28th June to 2nd July revisiting this delightful town; SDG BBQ 21st July with possible mini competition; Hooe Classic car show 4th August; TR International Malvern 9th to 11th August; Coastal Fish & Chip run 18th August with weather guaranteed by Glynn; Bexhill 100 26th August another delightful show; Autumn Getaway 27th to 29th September staying in a pub with all the advantages that go with hostelry living. Phew! Plus second Tuesday of the month meet at Chailey, and last Thursday of the month meet at Netherfield.
It is going to be a busy year, so get your cars fettled and ready for action! See http://www.southdowns-trs.org.uk for more details.
TR Action 264
The on-set of winter may have seen a reduction in the number of TRs attending the club nights, but I am pleased to say that the head-count of members turning up to the December and January meetings has been most encouraging.
Our pre-Christmas meeting was purely a ‘beer and banter’ evening with traditional mince pies and sausage rolls provided to get into the seasonal spirit. Only a couple of hardy souls braved the elements in their TRs, but a healthy gathering celebrated the last club night of 2012.
Same again at the January meeting, although only two TRs graced the car park at the Five Bells, there was an excellent turnout for our first SDG meet of the year despite it being a cold and rainy evening. It was good to see Mark Treadwell, our South East Group Co-ordinator and also Ian May, one of the founding fathers of SDG. Much banter around the bar. Due to popular request, Hugh chaired one of his now famous, and hilarious 'Tell Me' quizzes which was a very close run thing with the winning team of John and Sue Bancroft, Glynn Boyd and Martin Jane securing victory by just one point.
We were expecting forty-four attendees at our annual SDG Awards Lunch, but the threatening snow warnings led to its postponement. The severe conditions materialised and the decision proved to be the right one. The revised date for the Awards Lunch is now 17th February, and I look forward to seeing as many members as possible then.
Coming up we have planned a trip to the South Downs Rally Stages at Goodwood Motor Circuit on 9th February, and the usual club nights at both Chailey and Netherfield. See www.southdownsgroup-trs.org.uk for all things SDG.
