JANUARY MEETING 2010
Thames Valley Centre
Only four intrepid members ventured out for our January monthly meeting on Tuesday 5th which was a ‘Noggin and Natter’. Snow was already falling in the early evening and a lot more was forecast and duly fell overnight. The main news was that we have had to postpone our Annual Dinner due to the weather and hope this will now take place on Saturday 30th January.
Bob Hughes has been looking back into his archives and tells me that our new meeting venue ‘The Jolly Woodman’ was used for filming ‘Genevieve’. His pictures show from the same angle how it was in 1950 and is today. The pub is only a few miles from Pinewood studios and the area has been used in many films. Bob went on to say “What made me think of this was the local pub in Hedgerley, ‘The One Pin’. It has been closed for some time now and I was surprised this week to see it has been demolished. I understand that a plan to build houses has been approved. This was the pub from which in the film the car had to be push started by a group of hikers. One thing that has not changed is the ford at Fulmer; this as I write this rather full of water and ice. It is the one ford that Brian Reed has not managed to include in the Autumn Amble route.” Perhaps a challenge for the future!
Philip Derbyshire
London A7OC - Thames Valley Centre
Annual Dinner – January 30th
Due to the snow earlier in the month our annual dinner had to be rearranged which unfortunately resulted in 10 of our original number being unable to attend – the evening was still excellently supported as our numbers still reached 51.
Roger Clark again did a brilliant job in organising this event – we are especially grateful as it transpired that the 30th was Roger’s 71st birthday. He had kept this quiet but we did find out and managed to recognise the occasion appropriately.
This year we again welcomed guests from North London and The Ridgeway Centres as well as other friends and family. It was particularly good that Rob & Marie, our hosts at our venue (The Jolly Woodman) were able to join us – I understand they really enjoyed the event – will they get a Seven?
It is all too easy to say but it is simply true, Ellesborough Golf Club provides a terrific venue, the staff make us so welcome and the food is simply outstanding. On behalf us all, we are extremely grateful to everyone who help make our annual dinner such a great evening.
As a teaser Roger & Carol came up with a photo quiz which contained some challenging faces. Following the dinner we had our speeches by Roger and Bob then the raffle - we are grateful for all the donations which enabled us to make the evening profitable as well as enjoyable.
Our prize giving followed with this year’s trophies being presented to:
Road Run – Trophy for top Centre member - Geoff Pilling
Concours Night – Vice Hodge and Brendan Traynor jointly
Ordnance Survey – David Coulton
Feelie Bag – Andrew Plank and Paul Brigden
Make a note in your diary for 2011 – our dinner is booked for 16th January
February Meeting
As the traditional meeting when we have our AGM, it might perhaps be expected that attendance may be down on other meetings – not the case this year as 15 of us got together at The Jolly Woodman. We were pleased that Chris Parkhurst joined us coming all the way from Aylesbury Rusty – a short journey in their terms! The only other classic car I was aware of being used was Roger’s Morris Traveller.
By setting this year’s programme at the end of last year the AGM suitably short! It was good to hear that we are financially sound, suitable thanks were passed to everyone and our committee re-elected.
With the AGM behind us, we were quickly able to move on to our evening’s main item – entertaining tales from the past by Roger Clark. A holiday to Tunisia included a trip into the Sahara to see the sunrise but unfortunately the bus trip into the desert and subsequent camel ride were somewhat eventful – particularly the latter after Roger had overindulged on dates the night before - the consequent effects resulted in an emergency of a delicate nature. Our second tale provided a revisit to Northern Cyprus for some of us and included a graphic description of the rather basic but thoroughly enjoyable hotel we stayed in for one night – one night being more than enough.
Rob and Marie at The Jolly Woodman kindly supplied us with some tasty snacks which included their really good venison sausages and spicy meatballs – all gratefully received.
Future Meetings – our new programme is available, if you do not have a copy please ask for a one at our next meeting. The most immediate monthly agendas include:
March – Tuesday 2nd
Philip Derbyshire – talk on Egypt
April – Tuesday 6th
Ordnance Survey – remember your glasses, magnifying glasses, pens etc
May – Tuesday 4th
We propose a run out starting off at 7.00pm – destination etc will be given at previous meetings
June – Tuesday 1st
Bob Hughes road run – please arrive 6.30 or as soon as possible thereafter. Visitors very welcome
Forthcoming Events
Hyde Heath Village Fete, Dog Show and Classic Car Display – 8th May 2010
I am now putting this year’s event together and look forward to it being as successful as previous years – in 2009 we had a record 132! Hopefully, we can welcome old and new entries this year. For those that do not know where Hyde Heath is – it’s high in the Chilterns between Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden.
Recognised as one of the best traditional village fetes around, the day attracts visitors from a wide area. Please do come along for a great afternoon out with a full programme of entertainment. Entry is free, you do not have to book, just come along – cars to please be in place by 13.00. For any further information please contact David Coulton – 01494 775967
Austin 7’s and Friends revisit Brittany – 11th June 2010
Following the great success of our run in 2008, we are organising a similar run this year – anyone wanting info please do contact me, you will be very welcome to join us.
London A7OC - Thames Valley Centre
March Meeting
It is always good to have other items of interest to report.
Firstly, I am sure we all thought winter and the snow was behind us – just as a reminder, Richard Hill provided us with the following photograph of the racing special built from snow in his garden – we are assured that it is based upon an Austin 7!
FULL STEAM AHEAD
Austin Seven Thames Valley Member Andrew Plank is full steam ahead with his 2” scale model Traction Engine.
In November 2008 from eBay on his birthday Andrew purchased in a very derelict condition a 2” scale Marshall agricultural traction engine called “Little Eva”, Many parts were missing and broken including piston rings, cylinder head studs, pressure gauge, pipe-work, whistle, gaskets, oil pump, water gauge and a very leaky boiler.
A full nut and bolt restoration took place over a fifteen-month period having many of the broken parts remade to the original specification, A new copper boiler had to be made with a test pressure of 200psi was purchased from a company in Weston Super Mare at a vast cost of £1,350 (well worth the cost) but had to wait eight months to be completed.
Once the boiler had been fitted new pipe-work had to be cut bent and silver soldered in place, a new pressure gauge, water gauge, whistle and safety valve were also fitted at this time.
New year’s eve December 2009 was Little Eva’s birthday “steam up time” A very cold day but it had to be done. Water and oil in, coal alight building up pressure but then the leaks started. After dropping the fire and letting the boiler cool down for half an hour or so adjustments to the pipe-work and water gauge were corrected. Second time lucky with no leaks she was “Full Steam Ahead” and running like a sowing machine.
After running Little Eva Andrew decided to complete his model by scratch building a scale trailer, One month later a scale Foden trailer was built from lawnmower parts and good old cheap Homebase timber. Andrew and Little Eva will be steaming it up at most local events this year including our clubs main event Littlewick Show in August. Note: As can be seen from the photograph Andrew kindly provided, Little Eva looks brilliant and resplendent with trailer – we all look forward to seeing them running at Littlewick
Whilst we are a Car Club, probably like most other Centres, we look for other items of interest to include within our monthly meeting agendas. It is very difficult to fill a whole year with meetings on cars and clearly, you cannot make every month car related albeit there remains ample time before and after the evening’s programme to have a good chat about cars etc. Members are always encouraged to come up with new ideas for meetings and we will gladly look to include spots for them when arranging next year’s programme. Our March evening’s programme was just such a case when Philip Derbyshire came forward and provided us with a fascinating and well illustrated talk on Egypt.
Philip’s travels to the country on business and for holidays provided a really good introduction beyond the usual tourist trips along the Nile. Photographs of the traffic congested streets of Cairo illustrated the longevity of cars in this climate and that are kept going by some very rudimentary back street repairs – taxis in particular.
Going on from Cairo Philip included some really great photographs of the Pyramids before taking us into Sinai and off the more usual tourist routes to St Catherine’s Monastery. The monastery lies at the mouth of an inaccessible gorge at the foot of Mount Sinai. The monastery is Greek Orthodox and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; this monastery has been called the oldest working Christian monastery in the world. Going onwards and upwards from St Catherine’s we learned of Philip’s other passion – hiking in the mountain terrain which clearly takes him to some of the most remote spots in the area. High up in the desert mountains, spending nights out under the stars there were some remarkable pictures of the Milky Way Galaxy and the sun rising across the mountains. From Sinai we travelled on to Aswan, to see some of the local characters and including the Hotel Pera Palace where Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Orient Express.
Philip provided us with a really professionally presented and fascinating evening – I know it enabled some of our members to look back at when they visited the area courtesy of Her Majesty the Queen – at least their trip was free of charge! Thank you Philip for a great evening, it was very much appreciated by the 14 other members and guests attending – great attendance, let us keep this level of interest up. Rob and Marie at The Jolly Woodman again kindly supplied us with some tasty snacks which were gratefully received and thoroughly enjoyed.
Runs Out
Sunday 7th June saw a great sunny morning and we were able to join our friends at North London for their postponed New Year’s Run. This year Thames Valley was really well represented with 7 of our members and 5 cars taking part. We are extremely grateful to Keith and the North London members for organising this event, which we thoroughly enjoyed as our first real run out of the year.
Future Meetings – our new programme is available, if you do not have a copy please ask for a one at our next meeting. The most immediate monthly agendas include:
April – Tuesday 6th
Ordnance Survey – remember your glasses, magnifying glasses, pens etc
May – Tuesday 4th
We propose meeting at our proposed destination - the Amersham Fairground Organ Museum for our evening to commence at 7.00pm. Our evening’s entertainment and tour will take 3 hours at a cost of £7 per person – to include teas, coffees and biscuits – partners, friends and guests will be most welcome. If you would like to take part, please book your tickets as soon as possible - David Coulton – 01494 775967 or email davidcoulton@yahoo.co.uk. For those deciding not to come then perhaps meet at The Jolly Woodman for a noggin & natter.
June – Tuesday 1st
Bob Hughes road run – please arrive 6.30 or as soon as possible thereafter. Visitors very welcome
July – 6th
Concours Night with quiz or film
August – 3rd
Ladies Night at Harleyford – from 6.30 pm. More information to follow
Forthcoming Events
Hyde Heath Village Fete, Dog Show and Classic Car Display – 8th May 2010
I am now putting this year’s event together and look forward to it being as successful as previous years – in 2009 we had a record 132! Hopefully, we can welcome old and new entries this year. For those that do not know where Hyde Heath is – it’s high in the Chilterns between Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden.
Recognised as one of the best traditional village fetes around, the day attracts visitors from a wide area. Please do come along for a great afternoon out with a full programme of entertainment. Entry is free, you do not have to book, just come along – cars to please be in place by 13.00. For any further information please contact David Coulton – 01494 775967
Austin 7’s and Friends revisit Brittany – 11th June 2010
Following the great success of our run in 2008, we are organising a similar run this year – anyone wanting info please do contact me, you will be very welcome to join us.
David Coulton
Tel. 01494 775967
Email address: davidcoulton@yahoo.co.uk
Dated: 7th March 2010
THAMES VALLEY CENTRE
Daffodil Run
Five Thames Valley Centre members and their wives together with two couples from the Morris Register joined this excellent run organised by the Bean Car Club. The weather was lovely, if a little chilly, as we all met at Knowle Hill, near Reading, on Sunday 11th April. Assembled there were some splendid examples of pre-war vehicles, all decorated with daffodils. Our route took us through many small country lanes to the coffee stop at Stockbridge, south of Andover. There other cars joined the run so that by the time we stopped in the New Forest for lunch there were over a hundred cars. The picture shows three of our cars at the lunch stop. The last leg was on to Christchurch Quay where all the cars parked up to be admired by the public. Our party stayed overnight in Bournemouth and then travelled back on the Monday having had a very enjoyable two days.
May Meeting
Being really the first meeting of the year when we have the opportunity for an evening run out with the old cars, it was only logical to try to find something new and interesting. Our visit to The Amersham Fair Organ Museum certainly proved a success. The museum, run by its trustees and volunteers, is certainly a credit to them all and it is rightly described as ‘Amersham’s Best Kept Secret’. With many of us living in the area it was surprising how few of us were aware of it and indeed, of what a great collection of fair organs they have.
For the evening we were joined by members from the North London Centre plus other friends as well as partners. Our party of 24 were treated to a highly informative and entertaining evening, with some hands on participation for those who wanted to be more involved and try cranking a barrel organ. To see, learn about and then hear close hand organs manufactured by such famous firms as Gavioli, Marenghi and Hooghuys, was a real treat.
To all at the Amersham Fair Organ Museum, we thank you for your hospitality and providing us with an enjoyable evening. For those that missed this visit and indeed those who may like to go again, the Museum is open various days during the year (see their website - www.fairorganmuseum.co.uk ) but most importantly, it will be open on Amersham Heritage Day – 12th September. Perhaps you can bring your car along on that day and pop up to visit the museum?
Hyde Heath Village Fete, Dog Show and Classic Car Display – 8th May 2010
With the weather not being as good as we would have liked, our Classic Car Display still transpired to be a highly successful event with 90 cars attending. To all of those who made the effort to come along, we are extremely grateful. Fortunately the heavy rain held off and we only really had some mizzle, so no one got really wet. Unfortunately, the low cloud did prevent the Dakota flypast but we still had a full programme of entertainment for our visitors. They certainly showed a great interest in the cars that were on display. Whilst, this is not a formal car show, we do seem to attract a great variety including some particularly interesting and relatively rare vehicles on display. I am pleased to say that the number of Austin’s exceeded any other single manufacturer!
Future Monthly Meetings
July – 6th
Concours Night with quiz or film
August – 3rd
Ladies Night at Harleyford – from 6.30 pm. More information to follow
Forthcoming Events
The Littlewick Show – Bank Holiday Monday, 30th August 2010. Thames Valley Centre’s premier event of the year with 300 to 400 classic cars of all types alongside a traditional country show. Free entry providing you book before 2nd August. Entry forms were distributed with the April magazine or contact Philip Derbyshire – editor@austinsevenownersclub.com
Amersham Old Town Heritage Day – 12th September 2010
Part of the Old Town’s Heritage Day celebrations, the car display has become a leading attraction. With the main street closed to traffic, you can park up in front of the many fine buildings. Entry is free, you do not have to book, just come along – cars can be in place from 11.00am but many of the attractions do not start till 1.00pm. As mentioned above, this could also be a good opportunity to visit The Amersham Fair Organ Musuem, For any further information please contact David Coulton – 01494 775967
David Coulton
London A7OC - Thames Valley Centre
June Meeting
This really was the first evening of the year when we had a good quantity of cars on ‘parade’ for the road run. With 12 cars setting off for a delightful run through the woods of Burnham Beeches and the surrounding countryside, it was an extremely pleasant evening – even the weather was kind to us! It was nice to have a visitor from North London – hopefully, some more will come to other of our meetings and/or perhaps take part in next year’s run?
The route was a joint effort prepared by Bob Hughes and Jim Musty who managed to take us around Dorneywood (with suitable questions about a previous occupier and his games on the lawn) plus passing a former home of the Thames Valley Centre – The Stag. Whilst we did have 12 cars set out, we lost two who did not manage to get back to The Jolly Woodman for an excellent buffet prepared by our hosts. Many thanks to Bob and Jim for setting this years run.
August – 3rd
Ladies Night at Harleyford – from 6.30 pm. To book please contact David Coulton – 01494 775967 or email 07703 107510
September – 7th
Auction Night – Clear out those unwanted spares & tools and see if others can use them. Make cash for yourself and the Centre
October - 5th
Show and Tell Night. Bring some items along that are unusual and get members to spot what they are or used for or bring something unusual along and tell us about it
November – 2nd
Model Car Competition Night. Build a model car from household scrap materials – rules to be announced
Forthcoming Events
The Littlewick Show
Bank Holiday Monday, 30th August 2010. Thames Valley Centre’s premier event of the year with 300 to 400 classic cars of all types alongside a traditional country show. Free entry providing you book before 2nd August. Entry forms – contact Philip Derbyshire – editor@austinsevenownersclub.com
Amersham Old Town Heritage Day – 12th September 2010
Part of the Old Town’s Heritage Day celebrations, the car display has become a leading attraction. With the main street closed to traffic, you can park up in front of the many fine buildings. Entry is free, you do not have to book, just come along – cars can be in place from 11.00am but many of the attractions do not start till 1.00pm. As mentioned above, this could also be a good opportunity to visit The Amersham Fair Organ Musuem, For any further information please contact David Coulton – 01494 775967
Thames Valley Centre’s Dinner – 16th January 2011
David Coulton
Tel. 01494 775967
Email address: davidcoulton@yahoo.co.uk
Dated: 6th June 2010
London A7OC - Thames Valley Centre
July Meeting
For what was probably the first time in 4 years, this year we had a sunny, warm evening for our Concours Night at The Jolly Woodman. The “Long Distance” award must go to David Southcott who came up from Sussex for the evening – it was really good to see David again, especially as many years ago he was a member at Thames Valley and did join us on the 2008 Brittany Run. Interestingly, he was telling me that they were in Brittany the week after us in June and met up with people who mentioned seeing four Austin 7’s the previous week – presumably our group on the 2010 “Austin 7’s and Friends to Brittany” trip?
Getting back to our Concours Night, as can be seen from the photographs, with 15 cars on display we had a good mixture of vehicles ranging from our many Austin 7’s through to Roger Gill’s Somerset and Paul Reader’s recently restored MG A. Additionally, this year the four mouth watering Ulster Specials really looked and sounded terrific – no doubt we will see them at Kop Hill in September? I am not sure where the Morris contingent got to this year?
As it was such a lovely evening, most of us spent our time in the car park where the cars were of considerable interest to other pub customers and walkers coming back from the walks in Burnham Beeches. The Jolly Woodman is a really great venue and we are extremely grateful to our hosts who once again provided a most welcome buffet selection to round off the evening. Whilst this was our Concours Night and judging did take place, the winner will be announced at our Dinner in January.
The Sunday prior to our Concours Night was of course the 750 Club’s National Rally at Beaulieu. Paul Brigden joined me for the run to Beaulieu and back on the Sunday in my Ruby. Note to our Editor - yes, we did use the motorways on the way down and some of the way back. If you drive on the motorways at the quiet times of the day you are far safer in the inside lane of a 3 lane motorway than the inside lane of two lane ‘A’ roads such as the, A34, A30 or A303 where traffic is in fact moving much faster.
Back to the Rally, the numbers attending are certainly well down on a few years ago, which is very sad especially when it is such a great opportunity for us A7 owners to get together, to buy bits and pieces from the autojumble stalls. If we do not support it we will lose it. Personally, I feel that the Rally needs to move more towards a more central area – perhaps the Thames Valley or Gaydon. Going to Beaulieu and back is a long journey for the majority of the country. On a positive front I was somewhat surprised that CER 69 won its class – especially as it had just returned from a 620 mile trip to France where it got a dented rear wing and twisted bumper – all put right hours before going to Beaulieu. What does surprise me are those who have used tyre black etc to make them look spick and span – the cars are for using!
September – 7th
Auction Night – Clear out those unwanted spares & tools and see if others can use them. Make cash for yourself and the Centre
October - 5th
Show and Tell Night. Bring some items along that are unusual and get members to spot what they are or used for or bring something unusual along and tell us about it
November – 2nd
Model Car Competition Night. Build a model car from household scrap materials – rules to be announced
Forthcoming Events
The Littlewick Show
Bank Holiday Monday, 30th August 2010. Thames Valley Centre’s premier event of the year with 300 to 400 classic cars of all types alongside a traditional country show. Free entry providing you book before 2nd August. Entry forms – contact Philip Derbyshire – editor@austinsevenownersclub.com
Amersham Old Town Heritage Day – 12th September 2010
Part of the Old Town’s Heritage Day celebrations, the car display has become a leading attraction. With the main street closed to traffic, you can park up in front of the many fine buildings. Entry is free, you do not have to book, just come along – cars can be in place from 11.00am but many of the attractions do not start till 1.00pm. As mentioned above, this could also be a good opportunity to visit The Amersham Fair Organ Musuem, For any further information please contact David Coulton – 01494 775967
Thames Valley Centre’s Dinner – 16th January 2011
David Coulton
Tel. 01494 775967
Email address: davidcoulton@yahoo.co.uk
Dated: 12th July 2010
London A7OC - Thames Valley Centre
August Meeting
Scheduled as “Ladies Night” it is when we hope that as many partners as possible will join us by the Thames at Harleyford. This year’s evening was again well attended with 11 old cars plus a few giving their moderns a run out – or in Paul Brigden’s case, an old Landrover. We all look forward to seeing Paul and Roger Clarks’ Ruby’s at Littlewick resplendent following re-sprays.
Back to our August meeting, as in previous years The Showboat is closed on Monday and Tuesdays so it was a case of self catering with our own bar and a great buffet organised by Ruth. The Showboat’s owners provided a keg of Rebellion and kindly allow us the use of their gazebo and bankside seating. Whilst, again as usual, the weather was not brilliant, it was still pleasant and warm enough to sit outside. We were pleased to welcome Keith & Roger from North London as well as Terry, Pauline and Maurice from the Morris Club. It would be nice if more members from other Centres and indeed the Morris Club could come along – where are you all?
For those interested, once again we were able to take a 20 minute or so boat trip along the Thames to enjoy the scenery and see some of the very expensive boats moored at Harleyford.
All in all it was a very enjoyable evening, providing a great opportunity for everyone to catch up.
October - 5th
Show and Tell Night. Bring some items along that are unusual and get members to spot what they are or used for or bring something unusual along and tell us about it
November – 2nd
Model Car Competition Night. Build a model car from household scrap materials – rules to be announced
Forthcoming Events
Amersham Old Town Heritage Day – 12th September 2010
Part of the Old Town’s Heritage Day celebrations, the car display has become a leading attraction. With the main street closed to traffic, you can park up in front of the many fine buildings. Entry is free, you do not have to book, just come along – cars can be in place from 11.00am but many of the attractions do not start till 1.00pm. As mentioned above, this could also be a good opportunity to visit The Amersham Fair Organ Musuem, For any further information please contact David Coulton – 01494 775967
Thames Valley Centre’s Dinner – 16th January 2011
David Coulton
Tel. 01494 775967
Email address: davidcoulton@yahoo.co.uk
Dated: 8th August 2010
