This ever-popular weekend event goes from strength to strength, judging by the numbers and enthusiasm shown by the T Register owners and partners who attended this hugely enjoyable and superbly organised weekend.
Grant and Barbara Humphreys have for the second time accepted the burden of putting together accommodation and activities for us all, and we owe them our grateful thanks.
The Coniston Hotel was admirable in its location, facilities and food, and the hotel staff were always ready to help.
Fifty five T Types arrived just outside Skipton from all corners of the country during Friday afternoon, comprising eight TAs, eleven TCs, twenty two TDs, and fourteen TFs.
After gathering in the bar, we were welcomed by Grant and Barbara and the outline of the weekend was explained. A new feature this year was a raffle, with prizes donated by John and Lesley Spencer. It was agreed by all that the proceeds should go to Help For Heroes, and such was the support that £410 was raised, so very well done to all.
The weather held fine on Saturday after some overnight rain, and was exceptionally warm, so we were able to appreciate the wonderful scenery of the Dales via some winding roads through the National Park that definitely needed local knowledge to uncover. Notably, all villages appear to have at least one if not more, attractive pubs!
At lunchtime we crowded into Bolton Castle for a sandwich and drink and a quick look round the castle which was “slighted” by Oliver Cromwell.
The only breakdown during the day was an exhaust manifold leakage, fixed at the roadside.
Before dinner on Saturday, we were treated to a private viewing, “close-up and personal” of the Coniston Hotel falcons, comprising a hen harrier, a Harris hawk, and an eagle owl.
On sitting down for the gala dinner on Saturday evening, we were all amazed by having a mug decorated with the correct model of car for everybody as a present! They are certainly mementoes to keep for the future.
Liz and Darren Alsworth from Kimber House were our guests, and Liz as Membership Secretary spoke of the dynamic and enthusiastic atmosphere at Kimber House, with its emphasis on the Club’s members being at the heart of everything.
Geoff Matthews, our chairman, spoke of the need for more electronic communication if we as a register were to continue to thrive.
T Register News was well received by the members, but he questioned whether it was effective use of our resources to be offering books etc through our Regalia Section, many of which were available from other sources. Regalia should be a little more focused on things specific to T Types and perhaps the things that would assist in what we undertake in our cars
Presenting the trophies, the Malcolm Hogg trophy is awarded in alternate years to exploits in racing or restoration. This year the lucky man and worthy winner was Stuart Penfound for his 40 year restoration of his £70 TA.
The Montague Burton Trophy is awarded in recognition of support shown to the Register, and this went to Sue Scott. Sue has been a consistent supporter over the years when she and Alan attended with “The Black Pig” (TC DBP, now in the custody of Geoff Matthews), and she and Alan still continue to maintain their contact and friendships with the register through the purchase and use of her TD.
Presenting the Secretary’s Award for past services to the Register, which is solely at her discretion, Sally Silcock awarded it jointly to David Butler for his 9 years as chairman, and to Chris Sundt, who has served as secretary for 10 years. Unfortunately, neither was present to take the award.
The chairman recognised the hard work of Grant and Barbara, and summed the event up as the best ever!
The evening finished after an illustrated account by Paul Critchley of how he uncovered the history of his ex Reg Harris, ex-Harry Crutchley TD MNE 4, and its entry in the 1952 RAC rally.
Sunday stayed mostly fine, but we were threatened later by the advancing gales. We cruised anticlockwise around different parts of the Dales, via Pateley Bridge and Hawes, after coffee at an amazing old pub with the only cruck barn built for 400years.
The final run over Buttertubs caught out some of us stragglers with horizontal rain and gales, but once down at lower level, we soon dried out.
Almost all the participants stayed on to depart on Monday morning, partly thanks to the good deal done with the hotel by Grant. However, the weather soon turned into the most ferocious gale that many of us had encountered. This did not lessen much for those going south; those going north must have had a torrid time. We hope everyone made it home safely.
So ended a memorable weekend, with most expressing a desire to “see you next year in the Cotswolds!”
Graham Walker
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