Members present

John & Helen Kirk, TR6

Reg & Irene Bowler, BMC’s finest!

Paul Bowler, Citroen SM

Allan Westbury, Ollie

Derek & Dani Bramford, TR9-Volvo!

Andy & Claire Moltu, latest development from Triumph (Saab convertible)

John & Chris Day, Eurothingy

Pete & Heather Hodgson, Nip-mobile

Tim & Kathryn Sharp, Eurobox

John & Angela Carter, Eurobox

Geoff & Liz Caple, TR4A

Ben & Lisa, TR6

Martin & Jenny Ward, TR6

Steve Lambert & David Guzzetta, Pi Estate

Martin & Sue Faulkner, TR6

John & Margaret Martin, Dagenham Dustbin

John Edwards, TR6

Roger Guy, TR6

Phil Gunn, Stag

Roger Corbett, TR6 (sorry but we couldn’t read your writing)

Andy Holyoak, TR6

Meeting notes

Terracotta

Saturday 14^th April. 36 attended. Despite Martin’s efforts by email to request everyone to give him a cheque, half of us didn’t understand the English language and turned up with a fist full of dollars! That said, everyone had a fantastic time and the food was excellent as normal.

Pumping Station

Ooops! Everyone forgot about this except John Edwards who finally admitted that he went. Having said that, it is open at this time of year and quite a lot of us have been already - and maybe once is enough? Perhaps we could discuss it again next year.

Reg’s Sunday Lunch

1^st April - first run out. Very well attended and a nice sunny day. Reg certainly knows his local area and we went through some stunning countryside and villages. And, amazingly, no-one broke down! Is this a record?

Lunch was held at Broughton where Graham Gillespie, former Group Leader of Coventry, runs a pub which serves excellent food.

The day was completed by everyone going to Andy & Jennie’s for a cuppa.

By the way, Reg said at the end of the day that he’s now done his bit - having done most of the leading in Wales for the TR Winter Ball, and again on this trip. It’s now down to someone else. Point taken Reg, but we are grateful.

Slot Car Racing

Although Martin Faulkner, our resident Formula 1 ace, came first - AGAIN - the overriding result was that we lost to TSSC. The results were:

234 points to TSSC

228 points to LTRG

Quite a small margin it has to be said. Perhaps the return challenge could be LRTG versus TSSC using their own cars?! There was good camaraderie between the groups and this has also been acknowledged by Didcot.

Group Leaders’ Meeting

This was also held on 1^st April which is why Martin & Jenny didn’t join us on the first run out.

The Register membership is still pretty level and, apparently, although we are always looking for new members, the graph of membership shows annual fluctuations but always seems to come back to around the same numbers.

One of the items discussed at the meeting, was TS2 doing a relay of all 50 groups starting at Brooklands. LTRG will get TS2 on 13^th and 14^th June. Those members who might be available on these dates, which unfortunately are a Wednesday and a Thursday, will be asked for a photoshoot. Martin would like to get the whole range of TRs for the photoshoot, ie TRs 2-7, at Stoney Stanton.

Somebody from the floor did say, “What are we going to do with TS2?”. A reply was heard, “Raffle it off for Marie Curie!”

Paul’s Hog Roast

Sunday 22^nd April. Allan, Andy M and Chris Hale were doing the cooking (and a great job they made of it too). The poor unfortunate pig was named Babe.

Others, mostly his son in law I think, had done other food preparation too. There was an excellent gazpacho soup which is supposed to be served cold. However, some of us were a little uncouth and dashed down to the microwave to heat ours up! The puddings were superb, although I think Paul said he bought them in. Who cares …. the calories were delicious J

The girls from LTRG also ran a Bring & Buy stall which made around £120, and there was a raffle for “your own personal chef, including £50 towards ingredients” (Paul’s son-in-law again). Sadly, Andy and I didn’t win that but someone from LTRG did (can’t recall who) but we’re all looking forward to a meal round at theirs J

The sun shone, albeit weakly, for most of the day and we only had a smidgen of rain lasting for about half an hour.

Paul had a target of £1,000 to be raised for Marie Curie on that day, and he just made it. He actually raised around £1,050. He’d already raised around £1,800 (assuming everyone who agreed to sponsor him pays up). That’s excellent news and well done to him and all those who’ve helped or contributed so far.

He’s been asked by several people to take lots of photos and videos of his trip which he’s agreed to do. He’s decided to have something like a coffee morning with a much lower ticket price of around a fiver where he will show them. Great idea.

This was also the first outing for Tim Sharp’s newly painted car. On a professional basis, both Tim Collins and myself agreed that apart from two minor flaws it was the finest paint job we’d seen for some time.

May Day Bank Hols

Eleven people are going to Wales for the Traws Cambria Weekend. Hope they’re enjoying themselves as I type! Could we have a report please for next month’s issue of TRipe.

Mid Month Raid

Tuesday 15^th May - Staffs & Warwicks. Exact location to be announced by Paul Hogan. Anyone who wants to go to meet at Andy & Claire’s at 7pm.

1^st-3^rd June Kelling Heath

At the beginning of the year, when the events were being discussed, it was agreed that we should give Derbyshire a rest, even though it had been a great success - thanks to Tony & Ruth.

An alternative weekend in Norfolk was suggested and the majority of the members put their hands up in support. However, the number who now want to go is considerably lower now than originally expected. It should be pointed out that it should be a cheaper weekend than Derbyshire despite those having to hire a caravan or camp. Those who are able to make it, please come as it is a fun weekend.

International

As a member of the International working party, I still feel there is a distinct lack of activities for our ladies and this is reflected in the reduced number of LTRG ladies them attending. Also, the general gate attendance is down. This reflects back, not only to the working party, but also to the main committee who grumble about the dropping numbers.

Personally, I think a full blown craft fair would be an excellent idea to bring the numbers back up and also open it to the general public which, again, would increase the amount of money taken on the day. This would enhance the Register’s funds. See next paragraph …

On the subject of entry fees, there must be a way of doing a day ticket for those who just want to come for the Saturday. I respect the fact that it is very hard for the family, who are so loyal to the Register on the gate, to police the entry tickets but perhaps this heartfelt plea might be read by the Committee and comes not just from LTRG but from several other groups who object to paying for a weekend ticket for a day’s pass. I shall be “suffering” personally this year as we, also, can only make the Saturday.

TR Register AGM, November

As most of you now know, Chris Cunnington has put himself forward for the new chairmanship which is excellent news for the club in general.

Date for your diary

Terry Goodlud sent us details of Large Model Airshow, Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th August at Catton Park, near Burton on Trent. Our scanner’s not working so I can’t scan the leaflet in but you can find all the information on www.tmlmfg.co.uk and www.largemodelassociation.com

Photos and articles

We are very short of photos and articles. Please please please send something to us …………..