Veteran Report

VETERAN REPORT

Once again a very quiet month, but this has at least allowed me to get some planning done for the branch Annual Veteran Rally on Sunday 25th September. Everything is now booked in and an event plan prepared, so all we need now are some participants! It will be springtime by then, and our lunch venue in particular will provide a suitable backdrop to enjoy that time of year. I hope all of you out there with a ‘still mobile’ veteran vehicle can summon up the enthusiasm to get it ready, or if not you, then perhaps call on a family member to use it instead. It’s vitally important that we have them out on the road whilst we still can, and with some great national and local events coming up in the next 18 months or so there’s no better time to revitalise idle veteran machinery than now. You will find all of the details for the Annual Veteran Rally on page 27. The entry form is available on line, or if you can’t access that then just give me a call and I’ll be more than happy to sort your entry for you. Planning has of course also continued with the Daffodil Rally on Sunday 21st August which I hope everyone is going to attend, whether in (or on) a veteran machine or other club eligible vehicle, or indeed a modern if that’s what you really need to do to get there. The emphasis is on participation, not just what you choose to drive or ride on the day. However, if you do want or plan to bring your veteran vehicle you will see that there are two routes more suitable for this type of motoring. Details are on Page 11. It will be a busy and fun day, with lots of things going on besides the runs themselves. There are also now two other important dates for the veteran calendar: Firstly, on Saturday 27th August there is going to be an informal memorial picnic at Terrace Station, Hororata, for the late Richard Foster, an identity and friend to so many veteran and vintage enthusiasts from all around the country. We’re planning a veteran run to Terrace Station to be part of this day, which will leave from

the Darfield Recreation Centre at 10.00am, and then the Hororata Domain at 10.45am. You have the choice of either start venue, so we will then drive the last 5km from Hororata to arrive together at Terrace Station around 11.00am. Bring your lunch. There will be more information about this on our Branch website and also the Veteran Facebook site closer to the date, or you can call me about it (or see me at the Daffodil Rally). Secondly, news has recently come through that we are invited to put on another veteran display at the Hororata Highland Games this year, which has now been confirmed for Saturday 5th November. Malcolm McGibbon is coordinating this event, which will be run along the same lines as it was at the last Highland Games 2 years ago. You will need to commit to the display until the close of the event at 4pm, but it will be a fun and interesting day as indeed it was 2 years ago, and the ticket price is discounted considerably for those who take part. More details will be provided in the coming months, but mark the date in your calendar now. A great opportunity to showcase our vehicles to a very large crowd of all ages. Best regards Colin Hey

SWAP MEET REPORT

Only three Noggins to go! The rosters are available at Noggins, and we still need lots of volunteers to provide a couple of hours of your time at some stage during the Swap Meet weekend to help do one of the dozens of jobs that ensures the smooth running of the event. Nothing difficult or arduous, and it’s the only time we really need the help of our general members during the year, so do step up and put your name down for something. You will find the rosters just inside the door as you arrive at Noggin, or you can contact me directly and I’ll slot in a time and duty that suits you. At the next 3 noggins we will also have weekend passes (wrist bands) available to pre-purchase. Site holders in particular are encouraged to get these, as it will greatly speed up everyone’s entry into Swap Meet on both the Friday and Saturday morning. As mentioned last month, one new feature this year will be a special display of VCC eligible Japanese vehicles. This is being organised by our newest committee member Tony Gooding. If you have a vehicle (including motorcycles) that would be suitable for the Japanese display, please contact Tony on 021 359 208, or drop him an email on: tonygooding999@gmail.com Lastly, there are now very few sites available, so if you don’t have one organised already please contact Neil Shaskey as soon as possible to book one. Neil also has site passes for everyone who has already booked sites – you will need these to get into the site gate, but you will also be required to pay the admission charge at the gate when you arrive, so please be prepared with both organised.

Colin Hey

OLD CARS, BIKES AND COFFEE (OCBC): JULY

What a great turnout for the July OCBC, despite it being so cold that icicles were hanging off the fountain on the lawn when we arrived. Hot coffee was certainly the order of the morning, and Amy kept up with the demand well. It was no doubt especially appreciated by the members of the Triumph TR Register, who used OCBC as the start point for a run to Terrace Downs for lunch. What’s more, they ALL had their tops down – now that’s dedication! As promised last month, I did organise an informal run from OCBC for lunch, but I was a bit nervous about going to an indoor venue because of COVID and the flu being prevalent at the moment so we tried going to Kirwee Showgrounds for a picnic lunch. I would have to say that this wasn’t one of my better ideas – it was bloody cold and there was quite a breeze blowing there! Five hardy carloads came along, but we didn’t hang around after the sammies were eaten! At least it was a pleasant run through the countryside to get there and back home again. The August OCBC is of course the same day as the Daffodil Rally – so it’s going to be on a grand scale indeed! Amy is going to turn up at Cutler Park a little bit later (with coffees ready to go from 9.30), but will stay on at least until midday to nourish Daffodilists as they arrive after their run in the country, complementing the Avonhead Rotary group who will be selling BBQ lunches. Hope to see you all there! Colin Hey