Last Updated: 17/01/2012 13:34:51
We ended 2011 with our Christmas dinner at our December monthly meeting. 16 members in all met up. The picture did not really get everyone in – sorry, not too good with the camera! A big thank you to Mike the landlord at the Barley Mow for his hospitality throughout the year and our Christmas dinner was very good. We did manage a few runs in 2011, not as many as we would have liked but all the same we did a few. Our numbers at our monthly meeting have varied through the year but on average I like to think we did well with some new faces and some old popping in. We now start to look forward to 2012. Plans for next year for us as a group? Well it is pretty open book at the moment. One idea that has been mentioned is a long weekend drive down to The Millau Viaduct in France as one of our main events, along with our local annual classic car rallies, but of course we need to get winter out of the way first. Do make a note in your diaries though of our area group summer BBQ - 9th June, not to be missed like yours truly did this year! With it being quiet the last few months and not a great deal more to report, we would like to say a very Happy New Year to all.
Our BBQ was again held at the home of Richard and Sarah Penketh where a great time was had by all who attended. The numbers were up this year and 24 people turned up and only two were unfortunate not to make it from the response we had from the mail drop via the club. (A big thank you for Trisha's help at TR office for stepping in at the last minute and getting the mail drop sorted out, since our last report in the magazine was edited and details of our BBQ were missed out). The record for the furthest attendee at a local group BBQ must go to Laura Bridge who lives in Melbourne, Australia seen below with Hillary Collard. We also had two visitors, Roger and Sue Bridge from the Nene Valley group. Whilst the weather was not great it did not dampen the get together. The run out before the BBQ to Builth Wells was not well attended – five cars, only three of which were TRs – due no doubt due to the uncertainty of the weather and some car problems. However, the drive was enjoyable as the outward leg was “roof down weather.” Our thanks once again to Richard and Sarah who have offered to host next year?s BBQ which will be held on Saturday 9th June 2012 so put a note in your diaries now as it is an event not to be missed, as we did this year due to a clash of different engagements. A run to the Gower Peninsular organised at the last minute via telephone calls, text messages and emails on a Friday night saw seven cars gather on the Sunday for the run. What's the chance of, when you are out for a quiet drive in your TR by yourself, seeing seven of us coming around the corner? (John, sorry I lost your contact details). Considering the summer we have had I think as a group we have not done too badly in getting some miles on the cars. Myself, I ended the season with a run I have tried to do for a while, The Western Telegraph Pembroke run, well worth doing, which starts at Pembroke County Park. Approximately five hundred cars took part, undertaking a roughly eighty mile route around West Wales via St Davids, Fishguard, Newport, Crymych, Clynderwen, and Narberth finishing back at the Pembroke County Park. We notched up over three hundred miles for the day, as we had to drive up from Cardiff. If we can squeeze one more run in before the end of September I think it would be a good end to the year; talking of which brings me to my final words for now and that would be:- dare I mention, Christmas? Well we've booked our Christmas Dinner at the Barley Mow and it will be our December meeting date, first Tuesday of the month, 6th December. Numbers as yet not confirmed but if anyone from our local area or from any other area (we did have Laura from Melbourne Australia at the BBQ!) wishes to join us please contact either me or Colin.
It has been a while since we put pen to paper and presented our area's activities. With the winter well behind us and Mother Nature entering another season, there is a call to all of us TR owners to prepare for the forthcoming seasons. Its seem we have all of winter to prep the cars ready for those long days of sunshine, but somehow we never do and before you know it the weather breaks and the panic is on, the car needs to be MOT'd and small jobs that we had planned take priority over more important matters, such as those the ladies in our lives would like us to do first around the home before we are allowed to go out and play. Me being one not exempt from the scenario, having recently moved and trying to balance cars and home improvements. Since the Group moved from its previous monthly meeting venue, numbers have been somewhat slow to increase. For whatever reason, sometimes change does not suit everybody. Those members who have continued to come every month have found that the Landlord's hospitality has been second to none. With our own function room now, there is no need to try to talk over speakers on the wall and a busy Bar area. The car park is very spacious and private, and very TR friendly without the fear of having your car side being damaged from overcrowding cars parked too close. Having said all that, since our change of venue we have seen a few new faces and an increase in TR4s which now seem to outnumber us TR6 boys. New comers are David Wiltshire who for a while was without a TR but with patience and time he landed a very nice Valencia Blue TR4A. Neil Jarrett, also a newcomer with again a very nice Powder Blue TR4. Bob Butson after his very long long search has himself a TR4A, and Reg who has a TR6 carb version, and when I say nice, I mean very, very nice. The panel fit on this TR is the best you will find. Since our Christmas Dinner, activities have not amounted to very much; we are hoping that we can change this but we need the support of area members to come forward in order to get more things done. May Bank holiday was our first trip of the year as a group. Six cars in total met up at Cardiff Gate, junction 30 M4. Five TR6s and David Wiltshire flying the flag for the TR4s. Our planned route was to Bourton-on-Water in the Cotswolds, avoiding motorways, along the A48 through Chepstow and on to Newham for a pit stop for refreshments. A well proven stopping place, for a mug of coffee, Bacon Bap and a spectacular view across the Severn estuary, then towards Gloucester, A40 onto Cheltenham then local B roads. That was the plan but the inferior centre clutch plate problem that TRs suffer with reared its ugly head, it being the misfortune of Derek's TR6 to suffer this time. ( I wish someone would do something with these centre plates, about time they were removed from sale and the original spec was re-manufactured). Sorry to see his trip out spoilt, thankfully he was safely recovered and has since had his clutch replaced with the more robust 16 rivet version, rather than the inferior 3 rivet. The remainder of us carried on with our trip but due to a prior engagement Dave had only planned to travel as far as Newham and then turn back. After our small break the rest of us completed our trip onto Burton-on-water. Conditions couldn't have been better; the weather was perfect, sunny, hot, and quiet roads even for a Bank Holiday. The return trip was via Ross-on-Wye with a short stop at Symonds Yat for tea and coffee. Shall we say a few cob webs were blown away from TRs. A summer club BBQ is planned for later on in the year for which we hope to get past and present area members together again plus any non-members which we hope we can encourage to join us. A date has been put aside for the 3rd September at Richard Penketh's house. Plans are for a trip up around the Brecon area early on in the day and finishing at the BBQ. Full details will also be posted on the club forum notice board or anyone can contact myself srtanti@hotmail.co.uk or Colin: colinboon@btconnect.com Current information on BBQ: Map and route will be distributed at the start point Summary The run starts at the Sarn Park Services on the M4 at J36, the suggested meeting /departure time is 10:30am. The route crosses the M4 (north) and follows the A4061 to Treorchy via Ogmore Vale and continues onto Hirwaun. There is a great vista stop overlooking Treorchy at the top of the mountain just passed Nant-y-moel. Take some bread to feed the sheep. Another good vista stop is before the downhill run to Hirwaun. At Hirwaun take the A4059 to Brecon travelling across the Brecon Beacons to the A470 at the reservoirs. Continue on the A470 passed the Storey Arms down the valley to the roundabout outside Brecon and take a left onto the A40 to Llandovery. Llandovery will make an ideal lunch stop; the travel time so far will be approximately 2hrs and 30 mins. The return journey will take the A483 to Builth Wells and then onto the A470 back to Cardiff/Richard’s place for the BBQ at approximately 4:00pm. The return journey time will be approximately 1hr 45mins. 10:30am start at SARN Park services M4 Take A4061 to Treorchy via Ogmore Vale At Treorchy continue on A4061 to Hirwaun At Hirwaun take the A4059 to Brecon At the roundabout outside Brecon take the A40 (left) to Llandovery At Llandovery take the A483 to Builth Wells. Return via the A470 to Cardiff
