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Newsletter Dec 2005
Dear members
Welcome to the first newsletter from your new chairman and 2006 committee. This is the first of what I hope is a regular news update.
AGM 2005
Those that attended the club AGM will know that after many years Mick, Sandy and Graham have decided to stand down from the committee. I'm sure you'll all want to say a big thank-you to them for all their efforts over the years. Without their amazing commitment and dedication the Thorney show would never have become the fantastic event it was.
.As well as Mick, Sandy and Graham, I'm sure you would also like to thank the other outgoing committee members, Bob, Lorraine, Kev and Denny for their efforts last year.
Thorney 2006
After much debate it has been decided that we cannot take on the responsibility of running a show at Thorney in 2006. The main reasons for this are down to increased health and safety legislation, coupled with the financial commitment we have to make to Defence Estates.
This is a big disappointment to us all in the club, and also many who have attended the event in the past both as participants and traders. But I know I am not the only one to think that it had become a monster. Time to re-group and come up with a plan for new show in 2007! Ideas for venues welcome.
Moving Forward
So what are the plans for next year?
Activities for 2006
Without a show to organise this year the committee propose that the focus of the club should be on it's members. Organising Thorney really sapped the resources of the club, and this year we want to organise some events that bring the membership together. Some ideas are for short cruises on Wednesday club nights, Sunday picnic cruises, breakfast meets as well as the events that we all attend throughout the year. In fact if you have any ideas you are more than welcome to put them forward. The club is here for all of us to enjoy, so we'll try to get some dates in the diary as soon as possible.
Throughout the coming year the intention is to provide a diary of up and coming events in the regular newsletter so that we can all get involved.
Membership for 2006
Membership fees for the year will remain as last year. 2005 members should have received a membership renewal form by now, but if you have not, or are a new member and would like to join please call the club line or drop a note to the info email address.
Just remains for me to pass on all the best for 2006 from the new committee, and myself.
Keep in touch via the website or better still come along to the club meet. Every 1st and 3rd Wed at The Chase Inn, Waltham Chase.
Cheers
Terry Clifford
Chairman
Victory Wheelers
November 05
Please note that the Thorney Island South Coast Internationals show will not be hosted again by our club.
The reasons for this are as follows:
The site rent has increased considerably over the last few years, making it touch and go as to whether we broke even. The rumour is also that the land will be sold off anyway in 2007.
The show has become a victim of it's own success. A small club like ours has struggled to keep pace with the numbers of attendees, and the pressures on the everyday lives of the organisers, who are only part time volunteers.
Health and safety raised its head in a big way in 2005, and caused so much extra expense, not to mention worries of litigation claims.
We know that many of you will be bitterly disappointed, and we are sorry to let you down. The Club thank you for your support and the praise you have heaped upon the show - it is much appreciated, and made the members' hard work all seem worth it.
On a personal note it has given me much pleasure to have been the catalyst for the event, having found the site initially and developed and nurtured a relationship with the Army over the five years that we have been there. I am sure many Rodders and soldiers will share our fond memories of the event.
The club will be taking a break next year, but rest assured will be back in 2007 with a new show in our 30th year, with a somewhat scaled down formula! The show has helped create a strong bond between club members, so you can be rest assured the club will be around for another 30 years. I and several of the organisers have decided to step down and chill out, and have left the chairmanship in the capable hands of Terry Clifford and a fresh committee.
Mick Mears
Outgoing Chairman
March/April 05
THORNEY ISLAND UPDATE:
Pre-entries are still flooding in so no problems there. Shaun has arranged for BBC camera crews to attend for a slot on “Three Minutes”, which should boost Sunday attendance. Talking of publicity we have thousands of colour flyers, so if you think you will be able to dish some out please get in touch.
GOODWOOD RUN
Jo arranged for us to attend a Top Hat Racing event at Goodwood Motor Circuit on Saturday March 5th. We had a small but enthusiastic turn out on a rather cold but dry Saturday morning. Shaun and Lucy braved the cold in their Y type, Brian drove his A with Alan riding shotgun as official photogarapher, Matt had the pick-up, with Denny in the comfort of the Corvette. I decided on the Chevy rather than the T. Dave and Steve rode their bikes, and Rob turned up at the meeting point just as we were leaving in his F1 truck – well it is powered by a Transit diesel! At the venue one of our new members (who’s name escapes me – I’m hopeless with names) arrived in a very tidy 2.8 powered 100E. The racing, which consisted of classic saloon racing, fielded some interesting machinery – everything from a Hillman Imp to an Alvis Grey Lady. We had a little snigger when the screaming Imp finally spat most of it’s internals through the flaming exhaust, as a Galaxie sedately rumbled past! We were be joined by a bunch of hardy old rockers on their vintage bikes – Mad! We had enough of being frozen by lunchtime and took a leisurely cruise home. Nice to have a day out like that and thanks to Jo.
ELVIS LIVES! …….IN DURLEY
If you came to our party at Durley Village Hall then you will be all too familiar (or maybe not depending on your tipple). “Blue Hawaii” was of course the theme and this was adopted by nearly everyone. The hilarious sight of Graham as Elvis “the burger years” will stay etched on my mind forever! A sea of rubber Elvis wigs, and loud shirts was also a sight to behold. It was nice to see Sue and Dave from Hot Rod Tiki come up from Bournemouth. So impressed were they that they have been telling the hot rod world and our evening has become quite a talking point. Perserverance award goes to Larry and his long suffering partner Patricia who spent several hours touring the whole of Southampton area trying to find the venue – thankfully they found us eventually. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves!
Thanks go to Sandy & Bob who did the main organising, with invaluable help from Louise and Clare (catering), Graham. Trevor drink purchasing (it’s a dirty job but someone had to do it!). Thanks also go the Trevor/Kev for bringing last minute back up when my Disco gear blew up, and I forgot the light controller – I think the Tiki Gods were at work. Big thanks to Marvin for taking over DJ duties from me so I could wind down, after retuning to Southampton to scour around for a replacement Amp at the last minute.
WHEELS DAY
Wow – what a club turn-out. We gathered in Wickham Square and by the time we left there must have been at least a dozen cars. It was good to see two prospective new members and their rides as well. We kept a good formation as we twisted up the A32/A31. Ray kept a steady pace at the head at around 55-60mph. Although due to something to do with the law of physics those at the back reported having to do 90mph to keep up?! Calvin plodded up separately on the Harley, which in true Calvin style has been tinkered with over the Winter and looks even cooler than before.
As we arrived it was clear that it was going to be busy, as we were already three rows back and it wasn’t even officially open. As usual by the time we had caught up with old friends and perused the trade stands, we never had time to see all the cars.
Sandy and I took the T for it’s first show outing, travelling light – even the flask wouldn’t fit in the trunk – so what did I do – well buy a beach cruiser of course. When I pleaded for someone to take it home for me it was suggested I rode it home. We were pleasantly surprised to find we won Best Roadster trophy, amongst all those other candidates, especially as we hadn’t even put the show no. in the windscreen. It felt a bit awkward as I hadn’t built the car, but it was nice to see it get the recognition it deserves.
JO’S SHOW – FORT BROCKHURST
Quite a few Wheelers arrived on the Sunday, and I understand a few on Monday as well. Mick and Lorraine were rewarded with the best Custom trophy. It was great to see their rare Y coupe alongside Shaun and Lucy’s. Rob did his usual “dress down” with the 57 Chevy wagon and didn’t bother to clean it! Nice to see our friend Mark Churcher get another trophy for the 53 Caddy on hydraulics. It was fun to hear the locals puzzling as to how it went over the bumps!
ROCKABILLY RAVE
Rob Faulkner, Brian & Liz Karley, myself (Mick) and Sandy all went off for our second winter visit to Camber Sands to the Rockabilly Rave. As you will see from the photos the Executioners, Geordie Paul etc put on a great indoor show and generated a lot of interest from a crowd, many of whom would not normally have taken such a close look at such diverse and superb cars, with everything from gassers to bobbers.
OTHER NEWS
Brian has bought himself a 56 Fairlane at Wheels Day, Rob has bought a 57 Pontiac Chieftan and Steve a PB Velox both via Ebay – is this becoming a challenge to see who can have the most toys? Check out the Member’s Rides section to see pictures of their new machines.
Mark Grant’s Model B Roadster is coming on. He’s got the bodyshell back on. Looking good and very yellow - here it is. Also pictured are the crew trucks!
Well that’s about it. Those of you who receive the Newsletter on email will find some interesting photos attached. To those who don’t, get into the 21st Century and let us have an email address and save Lorraine all that stamp sticking!
January/Feb 05
THORNEY ISLAND:
Pre-entry forms are now on the Website and they have started flooding in already. Please ensure you fill one in if you are coming. The show arrangements continue, and in particular you will be interested to know that Martin has done us proud again and come up with two excellent designs for T-shirts this year.
Other dates for your diary are:
19th Feb Xtreme Wheels at Ally Pally
6th March NSRA Swapmeet at Essex Arena
25th March Wheels Day, Rushmoor Arena
27th & 28th March Jo’s Show – back at Fort Brockhurst this year
Nearly forgot, Trevor has been working away at the 2004 DVD and it should be available soon, and at only £8 it seems rather a bargain compared with the Nats one at £14.99 (which embarrassingly wouldn’t play at its premiere during the AGM!)
Many thanks to Lorraine for knocking the membership records back into shape. You should have course renewed by now. You will be interested to know we have 40 members this year – a nice manageable amount. The emphasis has been on true enthusiasts rather than those who join in the hope that it may land them some freebies along the way!
Terry Clifford now has a website where you can keep up to date with all the latest news on his Ratcatcher slingshot. Check out: www.ratcatcherracing.com.
January 05
Ann Jordan was delighted to find she had won an award for her striking purple 1970 Chevrolet Camaro at the Blue Ridge Runners show a couple of months ago – this is a show we have never done before, and her husband Denny reckons it is well worth attending.
Rob Faulkner, Brian & Liz Karley, myself (Mick) and Sandy all went to the Rhythm Riot at Camber Sands last weekend. The Chevy decided to make its ignition light vanish, presumably in protest at the new arrival due in the garage, so we resorted to the daily driver. Rob took his F1 pick-up and Brian and Liz took their immaculate FB Victor. They were rewarded by a rather nice trophy for best British Classic. It was a great weekend and the amount of Rods and Classics was up on last year -particularly amazing as the weather was lousy.
22nd Oct:
Thorney Island show. We have started negotiations with the Army, and have verified the date as Fri 8th to Sun 10th July 05. The cost of renting the site looks as if it will virtually double, but we will not receive any extra income from the increased gate price (likely to be £20-£22). The extra all goes to the exchequer I’m afraid- still, at least it may go to pay for a new road somewhere! Our only option was to look for another site, but we know how much you all like this one. We have managed to absorb some of the increase to try and still make Thorney one of the best value for money shows. SEE THORNEY ISLAND WEBPAGE FOR LATEST DETAILS.
24TH Oct AGM:
The club holds it’s AGM this Weds 27th Oct, and it is expected that most committee members will stand again. The continuity of the committee is helping to establish a winning formula for the show and the membership. All current members are of course invited.
CLUB CAR NEWS:
Shaun has bought a Model Y coupe, making us probably the only club to have two Y coupes!
Danny now has his replacement for his written off Model A coupe, and yes it is another one.
Mark Grant has sold his multi-show winning green and flamed Model A sedan as his latest project, a model B roadster, is nearing completion. Look out for it next season.
Simon Phillips has had his model B sedan’s interior trimmed, as it continues to bring home more trophies. Now he can sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labours in luxury.
Calvin Evans has sold his Triumph bobber, and no doubt will be making a few tweaks to his 1959 El-Camino before next season. Look at it very closely next time you see it.
Bob White is close to finishing her Nash Metropolitan with 2 litre twin OHC injection, with the help of partner Gary.
Terry Clifford has added dished steel wheels with whitewalls to transform his ‘37 Ford Woody. He is now spending all his time keeping them clean!
Check www.bjnostalgia.com for an update on the chassis for his 'Ratcatcher' slingshot.
Mick Mears should be working on his 47 Chevy, but instead has acquired a ‘23 Ford T to share the garage with it.
Marvin Cooper is still working away at transforming an orange 70’s style Pop into a unique ‘50’s style cruiser. Keep at it Marv’.
Ray Evans Well what do you expect? His Model A pick up is still in progress! The Ford Falcon pick-up is still giving him the grin factor though!
Matthew Bennett has got his 30’s Plymouth Pick up on the road in a great rat rod style. Dare to be different – when was the last time you saw one?
Many other members cars are also under construction or being tinkered with – well it’s what the scene is all about isn’t it?
See you next season!!!
