T.O.C. Newsbrief September 2009

Hi members, here goes with the September Newsbrief a few days later than normal primarily due to the Wilts Rally organisation and other happenings!

Wiltshire Rally 6th Sept

Fortunately we were blessed with a reasonable day, with some bright periods, but no rain thankfully. Twenty two members, guests and eleven prewar Trojans made the day with only two arriving by trailers - amazing! The highlight of my day was seeing the smile on Shaun Haskells face after he had just made the journey up from Okehampton, Devon (some 125 miles) in the ex Mike Roberts 3 door CDF without a problem. This followed a recent extensive engine rebuild by Shaun. WELL DONE. Chris Piercy also drove up from Kingsbridge, Devon part way along with Shaun which also deserves similar recognition. I have had lots of feedback that lunch, the event format, the scenic rally route and the tea were all appreciated. Thanks to my wife Christine who helped with all aspects of the planning and especially the teas at the village hall. John and Johanna Brown gained most correct answers 18/20 in the treasure hunt in the afternoon, followed by Richard Potter with 17/20. Thank you to every one who made the effort to communicate or attend.

Trials with Trojans

Just to inform those interested, the new trialling season commences this weekend for Steve Potter and John Wilton and their Trojan Utilties with an event starting near Exeter (Kennford Services) run by the Torbay Motor Club. The next triala will be the Allen Trial (Bristol Motor Club), followed by the (MCC) Exeter Trial in early January. If any body would like to spectate either John, Steve or Richard Potter or I can help with details. Also see the various club websites and the Association of Classic Trials Clubs (ACTC) website if at all interested.

Committee meeting

 The next committe meeting is now very close and hopefully we will decide then as to a proposed events programme for 2010 along with other formalities. Its my guess that we will start with another January social gathering/filmshow/slideshow as this was very popular last year

Website members pages update

 Following a communication and suggestion from John Brown, I intend shortly to identify previous owners of many of the vehicles listed, by this I mean; Registration No TA 9162 Trojan Utility, Group Cpt Scroggs, Patricia Stocken etc etc

Hopefully this will provide more interest to the browser !

Great Dorset Steam Fair

This was just prior to the Wiltshire rally and our secret roving reporter (Chris Tordoff) attended for the first time.

His comment/report was that it was overwhelming in the shear size of this event. He had never seen so many Steam Showmans engines but no Trojans present though!

Two stroke Rally at the Heritage Motor centre

note from Eddie Bellini he says:

"I have been looking through the photos from the events we have covered this year and come across your rally at the HMC. at which I took a lot of shots, mainly through enjoyment ie we were not commissioned to take shots that day. Should any of your members wish to see their photographs I will email proofs to them if they could just email their car type, colour and registration number to me. We are event photographers and work closely with John Bishop and the event team at the Heritage, hence the email address. Sorry to cold call on you"

Kind Regards

Eddie Bellini (Sands Photography) www.sandsimaging.com

VSCC 75th anniversary celebration in a Trojan, notes from our President

 "Dr. John Mills and John Stickney (who now owns the ex-Luscott Evans 3-door) came over from NZ to join me for the 75th VCC Anniversary meeting at Malvern. We met up with John Brown and got a good photo of him being helped out of a muddy lunch stop field. We also met father and son Bruce Young and at one meeting Mrs. Parkin but not Matthew nor their Trojan. Their sons told us he has a Trokart and two engines (but not one in it) .Maurice Luscott Evans we also met up with at a Brewery visit and he and John had a long talk about the ill used Trojan he now has. Dr. John drove the Trojan every day (but not in the Prescott Hill Climb!) with Big John as snavigator and me in the back or following in the Volvo, just in case of disaster. A split between rad and header tank meant we were putting in several gallons of water each day from imasses of empty 2 litre milk cartons carried in the well. Engine performed superbly thanks to Messrs Wilton, Potter and Potter, giving constant speed of 41 mph (measured on Volvo speedo, 45 on slight down gradient and 50 down the sort of hills where Dr John's driving was really scary. We also met up with ex-member Marcus Croome who now runs a superbly restored 1904 Wolsey. I spent a small fortune having my trailer brought up to scratch in view of the long haul, and if any member wants to borrow they can, but we need a 5 stud wheel as a spare if any one has one to dispose of. The VSSC organisation was incredibly efficient and the turnout about 420 cars each day magnifient. It overlapped with the 100 year anniversary of Morgans, many of which were also Vintage members. In 2012 it will be 100 years since " the design of No.1 crystallised the the space of a few weeks" although it was not until a year later the completed car was driven to a weighbridge. (quote from CYATW) So we ought to organise a celebration - possibly in the car park of "Toys are Us", the site of the old Works". Derrick Graham

Since the mishap with the radiator I believe John Wilton and Steve Potter removed the rad, had it repaired and refitted, well done.

That all for this month

Regards

Phil.