Scribe Notes

From your South East Scribe

Denis Bass
Seaford, East Sussex
01323 890757
Denischarles.bass@btinternet.com

Hello everyone and a belated happy New Year to you all. Here we are at the beginning of another exciting new year but before we launch into 2008, we must first reflect on the final two events in our section during December 2007.

Our most grateful thanks must go to Paul and Gail Noon for organising both these events; they worked tirelessly to ensure we all had an enjoyable time with the minimum of hassle. The first of these events took place on 15 December; it was an evening to remember on the Bluebell Railway, commencing at Sheffield Park in the heart of Sussex. As you may recall, at that time we were experiencing some bitterly cold days and this one was no exception. On arrival, the frost was already beginning to settle and all forty-nine people who attended hurried from the car park to the station bar for a welcome refreshment before embarking on the Golden Arrow steam train and it's Pullman Victorian coaches for the evening's entertainment. By the time the train departed from the station the weather outside was minus three degrees, but the warmth and bonhomie inside was already warming to a delightful glow. The wine flowed as the traditional Christmas meal was served followed by hot mince pies and coffee. All this time the train is steadily making its way through the Bluebell countryside to Kingscote station where the return journey commences. During the return journey a break in the proceedings occur as the train stops at Horsted Keynes station, to the echo's of Christmas carols being sung by a local group on the platform as the train arrived. This was a good opportunity to stretch your legs and join in a carol or two. Some of the male group took this to mean that they would investigate the more technical operation of the Golden Arrow. The "driver" was more than helpful as he explained some of the workings of this magnificent machine, still going strong after so many years. On arrival back at Sheffield Park, it was time to say goodbye and clean off the ice from the screen before making our way back home.

Christmas Day, Boxing Day, they came and they went and hopefully every one of you had an enjoyable time in your own environment. The following day is now a date firmly fixed in the SE Section calendar, this year we had a change of venue. Our friends Robin and Jane Loder were unable to host the event; however we had a most generous offer from Alistair and Marylyn (Mi as she prefers to be known) Hacking who live close to Billingshurst in West Sussex and we were invited to use their superb barn for our event. To assist with the operation we agreed to provide the food and drink and Paul ensured he had volunteers at hand to prepare the main menu. As a result Paul, Graeme Bennett and I each avidly prepared, following the same recipe, a superb "daube de boeuf provencal" to cater for some twenty people. I can say, it worked well, but don't take my word for it - there were sixty-five other people who polished off the entire meal!! In addition Paul and I prepared the hot mulled wine in preparation for the guests while Gail and Sharon laid the tables in preparation for the arrivals with French bread and other accompaniments. In the meantime Alistair was ensuring the magnificent open log fire was well tendered and warming the entire barn with a glow reminiscent of medieval times. Imagine the scene, you enter the main doors and immediately you are drawn to the splendour of the log fire, en-route you are handed a piping hot mulled wine, naturally laced with a tinge of brandy, what more could you ask for a post Christmas event? It only remains for me to thank, especially, Alistair and Mi for their hospitality and all those who helped to make this a memorable occasion.

The winter season is well known to be the time when not too many veteran cars are out and about, if you have ventured out please let me know your experience so that I can tell others all about your journey. One such intrepid motorist was the man driving his 1909 Brush (DS9145) on Saturday 22 December in Eastbourne. It was a bright sunny but cold day and as I passed in my modern. He looked extremely happy with himself, but who was it? Please let me know.

I have also made contact recently with Alan Sinclair; he is a relatively new VCC member with a passion for old cars from Peacehaven in East Sussex. He has two recent purchases, the first a 1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile (CDO) that he purchased off the EBay website and a 1908 two cylinder Buick purchased from Canada, both are in pieces and on axle stands in his workshop, so he has plenty of winter work to keep him busy. Thankfully Alan is now retired and has plenty of time to meddle with his toys!! Alan was taken in by the photo of the CDO when it was advertised on the web but little did he realise the photo was some nine years old and when his purchase eventually arrived on his doorstep it was literally a number of containers full of bits and pieces of what appeared to be "car bits". He tells me, the last three months have been a steep learning curve, thankfully our friend and fellow CDO owner, John Waite (husband of our own SE section secretary) came to the rescue, he provided Alan with help, assistance and photographs of the car he had purchased, this gave Alan the impetus to progress with his restoration. Remarkably Alan has already prepared the chassis, restored the engine and rear axle and is well on with the steering, suspension and gearbox. All I can say is, watch this space for next season, as Alan fully expects to be out and about with his CDO at some of our SE events. This is a great start to the year and that with standing Alan must also tackle the '08 Buick before the end of 2008, good luck and we look forward to seeing you on the road.

Talking about "seeing you on the road" is a good enough link for me to remind you all about the forthcoming events of 2008. We start with our Spring Opener that takes place this year on 6 April, organised this year by Ron Clark and being held at the world famous site of many wonderful races, Brooklands Motorcar Racetrack at Weybridge in Surrey. Brooklands saw it's centenary celebrations in 2007, the circuit itself closed in 1939, but the site itself has today a superb Museum and not least of all the Brooklands track that has now been designated as an historic monument by English Heritage. As you can see from my brief introduction to our Spring Opener, this is an event not to miss. By the time you read this article Ron Clark will have confirmed the final details, so please make contact with Ron to book your place at this event. Trailer parking will be available to make travel around the motorway network a little easier, instead of driving your Veteran on these busy access roads. Ron can be contacted 01903 816026.