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.
