DEC 2003

GROUP MEETING – 20 JANUARY 2005

MEMBERS PRESENT: Reg Bowler

Andrew Burford

John & Chris Day

Martin & Sue Faulkner

Mick Forey

Phil Gunn

Roger Guy

David Guzzetta

Andy & Jennie Holyoak

John & Margaret Martin

Andy & Claire Moltu

Nigel Rees

Tony & Ruth Richards

John Soffe

Ben & Lisa Ward

Martin & Jenny Ward 2000 Estate

Allan & Westbury

GUESTS: Adam Booth & Son

MEETING NOTES

The theme for tonight’s meeting was “Cylinder Heads”. You didn’t know it was a theme night? Nor did anyone else!

MartinW thought as he had a couple lying around, he may as well bring them into the meeting so anyone interested could have a look at them close up. One was “standard”, just back from being re-skimmed but with valve inserts fitted; the other was from Bens TR6 which has had a fair bit of work done to it. This one has been gas flowed, skimmed for higher compression and with larger valves fitted. Martin was quite right, it was interesting to be able to compare and see the differences between the two.

Next month is gearboxes and clutches – you have been warned! This should be good; Martin is well versed in all the intricacies of the TR6 clutch. Considering his track record over the last few years he has certainly seen more than most.

The main topic of debate was this year’s provisional calendar. Some of the suggestions raised were:

· Triumph Spares Day at Stoneleigh 6^th Feb.

· Tour of Leicestershire – first run out.

· Murder Mystery evening – Rachael knows of one in Coalville although it was suggested this might not be the best venue – don’t they do it for real there?

· Return skittles match against the Coventry Group – mid March.

· Rachael will be in a show at the newly refurbished Loughborough Town Hall called “Crazy for You”, 24 – 29 May. MartinW wants to know “will Rachael be looking as sultry as last time?”

· Weekend away in June to Derbyshire – Tony R to organise.

· As part of the discussions on the Derbyshire w/e above, a trip to France was also discussed, possibly to the Champagne region. As it was felt we couldn’t do both, the discussion then proceeded to debate which one to go with. As you can imagine, first we were doing one and then it was the other, so in the end I gave you trying to keep a record (too many crossings out!). The Derbyshire w/e is my recollection on the final outcome – Tony if you think different then please let us know.

OTHER BUSINESS

Le Mans 2005 – It’s on again for this year!

Message from Dick:

· David Gazzetta and I are going to make the pilgrimage again this year, but Blackfour will stay at home and Redfive will be given an airing.

· Graham Ransome and his son will also be making the trip, and threaten to bring some Essex Group with them.

· Travel arrangements as per last year, camping at Houx Annex, sailing from Newhaven on Wed. evening 15th June, returning from Dieppe on the afternoon sailing Monday 20th June. Each driver to make their own booking with Continental Car Tours.

· If you are coming, book straight away, Houx Annex tickets are no doubt hard to find.

Le Mans 2005 – ~~It’s on again for this year~~. CANCELLED

Message from Continental Car Tours:

· I have sold out of "Houx Annex" camping permits however I can offer a private site six miles north of Le Mans and include a car parking permit at Le Mans.

· I have availability at the moment on the Newhaven - Dieppe crossing but space is becoming limited.

Message from Dick:

We left it too late, so have decided not to go this year. A campsite six miles away does not compare with Houx Annex.

Suggested to Continental Car Tours we make a reservation for 6 cars from Leicester TR Group for Houx Annex 2006.

Dick Goodey

Christmas Dinner 2004, Friday 21^ST January 2005

Mid January saw the Leicester Group assemble at La Tosca, London Road, Leicester for our annual post Christmas bash, which is the fourth time in a row we have been there. We have moved the event to a Friday evening so that we could book the entire restaurant, something our numbers wouldn’t have been able to justify for a Saturday night. This event seems to go from strength to strength with a steady increase in numbers year on year; we had 73 members and friends attending this time, the largest number I can remember.

As ever, the awards were the highlight of the evening. Normally two are given, one for Pratt of the Year and one for runner-up, but such was the competition this year that a total of four prizes were awarded, truly a splendid effort by all those concerned.

The main award (Rachael’s knickers) was this year presented to Rachael herself, for her “boob” at last year’s International; and no amount of scratching through numerous waste bins would let her off the hook this time.

The runner-up with the pickled cabbage this year was Alan Fuller, for his breakdown on the European tour, where to compound his troubles, he was unceremoniously towed to a Skoda garage!

For the first time this year we decided to create a brand new award, the Guest Pratt of the Year Award, presented to Rob for his fun and games on the Saturday night at last year’s International. For those not there (and you had to be there really!) Rob, driving a Mazda MX5(!!) locked his keys in the boot. Well, his evening just went downhill from there! Numerous attempts were made to obtain entry, but none were successful without causing (too much) damage to the car. Finally a distress call was made to the AA, who, when he arrived, looked a little daunted at the prospect of trying to break in, aided and abetted by a now quite large group of hard drinking car enthusiasts. Many helpful suggestions were offered, some even sensible, but after another 45 minutes he too admitted defeat and drove away into the night – hence the new catch phrase “but we know a man who can’t”. The final outcome was that Rob’s wife had to drive down to Malvern from Derby with the spare set of keys, to which he could be heard muttering something about having to pay for this for a long time to come.

Just when we all thought last year’s awards were in the bag, there was a sudden late entry. For locking themselves out of their own house. Twice. In the same week! This we felt could not go unrecognised so although not up to the standard of the other entrants, it was felt their valiant attempt should be recognised in some way, so a fourth and final award was made to Clair and Andy. One Cock-hat for two lock-outs.

On reflection, this was a really good night, and a really big thank you to Allan for organising the event – it was good to see so many friends together, old and new.

MEMBERS’ CARS

MEMBERS’ GARAGES

Update from Terry on his partially constructed garage after it underwent some wind correction by Mother Nature. Luckily the wind blew the walls towards the neighbour's fence, which prevented them from crashing down on his newly acquired caravan. The door was already dismantled due to the wind blowing it out from its fixings a day earlier.

The bags are full of the old asbestos roof, which require a permit to transport them through Nottingham to dispose of at a toxic waste site. We did not know this, and were surprised when our fully loaded skip was rejected and returned for sorting out the asbestos from the rest of the rubble. Sue did most of it, managing to find the same dead rat three times.

When complete the nest will measure 24' x 17.6" with power, swimming pool, snooker table, tennis court, hot and cold running women, etc etc. [Ed, Dream on Terry]

Don't forget, membership fees of £15 are due now. Please pay by the March meeting, if you wish to keep receiving your copy of the newsletter. All cheques should be made payable to Leicestershire TR Group.

The Preliminary calendar for 2005 is not attached, but if anyone has any ideas as to what they would like to see included please let Phil know. In any event, please come to the next group meeting with ideas for this year’s calendar.

Update from Massachusetts: Attached are contributions from Pete and Heather.

AND FINALLY: New words for 2005 Work-place

Testiculating: Waving your arms around and talking Bollocks.

Blamestorming: Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.

Seagull Manager: A manager who flies in, makes a lot of noise, cr*ps on everything, and then leaves.

Assmosis: The process by which people seem to absorb success and advancement by sucking up to the boss rather than working hard.

Sitcom’s: Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay home with the kids or start a "home business".

Percussive Maintenance: The fine art of whacking the cr*p out of an electronic device to get it to work again.

Adminisphere: The rarefied organisational layers beginning just above the rank and file. Decisions that fall from the "adminisphere" are often profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed to solve. This is often affiliated with the dreaded administrivia: needless paperwork and processes.

404: Someone who's clueless - from the World Wide Web error message "404 Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located.

Ohnosecond: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realise that you've just made a BIG mistake (e.g. you've hit 'reply all')

Next meeting Thursday 17^th February 2004, the Rose & Crown, Tilton on the Hill.

See you there,

Martin & Sue.