** STOP PRESS - FIRST MEETING NOW 10TH AUGUST **
Not a great deal to report yet other than our first meeting is planned for Tuesday 13th July at The Devonshire Arms in Baslow, however as many of these places are still closed or have limited staff it is difficult to give any further information at this stage, although our Chairman Geoff Fox is liaising with them and as soon as we have more details we will advise. We have also booked Biggin Hall for Friday 30th July for lunch, 12.30 /1.00 and I will send out a separate email in due course, but if any of you want to come and can’t wait for the email just drop me a note as the list is now open. The restaurant is currently only opening for lunches on Wednesday/Friday and Sunday from the 21st June, although this may change, but they want to see the response before committing further. However they have already received a lot of bookings, both for the hotel and restaurant, which is good news, so obviously everyone wants to start getting out as soon as they can. I don’t have a menu or prices as yet, but we know from the past it is always good value and as a group we get very well looked after. Once I have more details I will circulate to everyone.
Has anyone spotted Jerry Climpson yet in Snafu in the Matlock area? He reports the car is now fully street legal with the IVA Certificate, MOT and new Q plate registration, so keep a look out and give him a wave if you spot him. He advises the springs need further adjustment to improve the ride, but overall he is very pleased and we look forward to seeing it at the July meeting. I understand for a small fee he will be offering rides round Baslow that evening for anyone interested, (he has to recover the restoration costs somehow!!)
My Green S Type now has a new home in Scotland, purchased by a JEC Member, who is very pleased with the car. The “replacement” S Type is now off SORN and at last being used, and I have to get used the 4.2 engine as opposed to the previous 2.5. As you know I have a 4.2 XK, but the S Type is a bit lighter and you need to be aware of this when pulling away, as a bit too much right foot can cause some embarrassment, as well as some comments from my good lady!! It’s a lovely car and effortless to drive and is coming up to 15 years old, but in excellent condition, and once I have ironed out the few rattles and noises, from what I suspect are the suspension joints/bushes, it will be even more enjoyable.
I have received an email from Yvette Thorman at David Manners ([email protected]) and as you many know they offer club members trade discount on parts. The enclosed attachment gives further details and it would be interesting to know if any of you have used them and if the scheme works well, so do let me know.
Some of you will remember Andy Barlow who sadly passed away in November last year, and a few of us attended his funeral over in Sheffield the following month. His sister Elsa Greaves is hoping to organise a memorial for Andy on 12th June, which is his birthday, and has invited any of us who knew him to come along. Because of the current restrictions we are not yet sure of the arrangements but put the date in your diary and once I have more information I will let you know. We suspect it may be at the Yorkshire Bridge Inn or the Anglers Rest both of which were his local “haunts”.
If any of you have any stories or items for circulation please let me know. I have done a short report for the June magazine, but to be honest there is not a lot to say at the moment and I don’t want to waffle on too much as you may all get bored!
** STOP PRESS ** FIRST MEETING WILL NOW BE AUGUST DUE TO REVISED GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS **