Mal, he who used to have a Westfield and defected to TVR, suggested we might like to join him and the Herts TVR group to go along to Duxford today. Although we have been there for the previous two years, we thought since there is always something new to have a look at, for example Hangar 1, we would go again. In true fashion, we extended the invite to all SG7s and RHOCaR members.

I have to say that the staff at the museum are well organised. Jessica Jeske kept in contact with me regularly and arranged with the Triumph Register and Mopar for us to join them inside the grounds of the showground.  Barry, who was in charge of the TR group even made the effort to come and find us at the Knebworth show to discuss arrangements, although we didn't meet up with him today.

Once again, we came up trumps with the weather. A chilly start to what would turn out to be a lovely sunny day. Mal, John and I arrived early to establish where we were allowed to park and were soon shown where to go; a very nice area next to the American hangar. We had a total of 19 cars and I think Mal had about 25 TVR, a very good turnout.

The Triumph group had a very good display; over a hundred cars at a rough guess. Mopar had about 30 cars, including some really nice Cadillacs, Mustangs, Dodge Rams, Charger & Vipers, Plymouth and many more.

We did get told off a little bit for taking photos by the airplanes, in our defence we didn't realise it was after 10am. We were asked not to move the cars around. Sorry! We did get some nice photos though!

I believe everyone who came along found something of interest. It s an amazing place to visit, and as a couple of people said 'you can spend all day looking round', even then you might not see it all. Of course, there were the usual stories, jokes, micky taking, general chatter, which all makes an enjoyable day out.

We had members from SG7s, East Anglia Kit Cars (Piddy is the area secretary for East Anglia RHOCaR and has now set up an independent car club on the same lines as SG7s - we wish him every success with it), Lincoln and Berkshire. Great!

Attendees:

John Hamilton-Smith, Graham Bowden, Nigel Farrow, Andy Petrie and Michaela, Mike Shearing, Martin Pidd, Steven Altwasser, Chris Brown, Roy Bowron, Ced & Lorraine, Alan Hudson & Friend, Bob Rowell, Steve King, Phil Shelton, Billy & Joey, Irene, Allan Day and not to forget John and me.

Some photos

                                           who parked that at the end of the row?

 John H-S in his NG

                                  Mike & Martin

                  Cadillac

 some of the group

                mustang

We visited Duxford two years ago and thought it would be a good idea to go back this year.  At the time of our last visit, there was a car club meeting within the grounds so we approached Duxford as to whether SG7s could do the same.  Apparently, they no longer allow individual groups to have access to the site but do have two days in the year when all clubs are welcome to attend and display their vehicles within the grounds.  We were under the impression that there would be a huge amount of support for this from classics to replicas such as ours.  Rather disappointing therefore to find, I think, seven clubs, ours; Westfield; Lotus; Porsche; Cobra; Honda Goldwing; Jaguar and a few classics.

We booked the pitch as a joint event with RHOCaR and SG7s, it was thought that this way it would be a bigger and more interesting gathering, which it proved to be.  It is good to catch up with other areas, a huge thank you to them making the effort to come and join us.

All went to plan, John and Mal went ahead to get the pitch set up with the banners and gazebo.  I met up with the bulk of the convoy at the Baldock Services and then Brian in his Dax Rush with co-pilot John met us at the Little Chef at Royston.  Stephen led the way to Duxford and arrived at the same time as a huge group of Cobra cars.  We even managed to get a hot sunny day for the event so it couldn’t have been better.  We were joined also by Essex, Anglia and Thames Valley lads and lasses.

                                               Meeting at the Baldock Services 

                                              Meeting at the Little Chef, Royston

Anyone who has been to the museum will tell you that it is an amazing place to go.  Disappointing that Hangar 1 was closed.  Also the price of ice creams and souvenirs was extortionate.  It all adds up to an expensive day!  However, we all enjoyed the visit.  Great to see the Spitfire in the air, and the B17 (correct me if I am wrong about this one).  There was also a display by the tanks which proved popular and a bi-plane doing pleasure flights (very tempted but didn’t..).

Attendees:

SG7s

Sandie, John, Stephen & Lesley, Peter Bell, Alan Rowe, Hugh Grant, Paul Brown, Ced & Alan, Doug & Maggie (plus family in tintop), Mike Montegue, Dan & David, Mal, Chris, Andy Barbet & Connor in the Marlin with Emily & Aiden (tintop), Brian & John, John, Helen & Abby.

Thames Valley

John & Christine Peach, Steve & Hilary, Peter Ray, Graham Bowden, Irene Maguire, Danny Maguire, Chris Newland.

Anglia

Nigel Farrow, Tim Clarke and his wife (tin top, he had a slight accident recently in his Hood), Fran & Steph Zbrozek

Essex

Glyn Rust, Paul & Family (tintop), Tom Brown & Son, Andy Hamilton and friend

Chris (who we met at Brooklands last Sunday with his Westfield) and Susie parked half in our bit and half in the Westfield area, so we will include him.  He even won a raffle prize.

(If I have left anyone out, as always please let me know and I will add you)

29 cars including my Mx-5 and  54 people

Speaking of the raffle, I hope everyone was happy with it and likes the prizes chosen.  It is difficult to make choices as to what people might like to win!  I will have to remember that gin might be more popular that scotch!  Thanks to all who bought tickets, we made a profit of around Ł13 which as you know goes towards the SG7 club running costs (no it doesn’t pay for our holidays..)

Once again, thank you to all those who made the effort to come along and make the day memorable and for the photos from Steve, Sandie and Doug.