May Newsletter
Our May Club Night at the Foresters Bagshot, will be on Tuesday 5th May from 7:30pm, although if you intend to eat beforehand we suggest you arrive around 6:30 to ensure you are ready for the start of the meeting.
Paul’s name was first out of the hat last month so will be organising the monthly Raffle for us this time.
GL Report
Wisley Pop Up Event
On Saturday 8th August, the TR Register is organising a ‘Pop-Up event at RHS Wisley.
Jeff Roberts had kindly provided some background to this initiative:
- This is a new venture by the TR Register and is intended to run in addition to local group organised events
- It is hoped that the Wisley event may attract participation from around the Region and also possibly neighbouring regions. Hopefully, it could be a special event and an opportunity for members to meet up with those they don’t have an opportunity to meet up with often.
- We have indicated to RHS Wisley that we anticipate between 30-50 TRs taking part but possibly more.
- Before we confirm to RHS Wisley and our members that the event is going ahead, we need to be confident that local groups will support it.
The offer from Wisley is as follows:
- Use of one of their large coach car parks, free of charge. This is situated 110 metres from their front entrance.
- Use of their car park site cafeteria and toilets.
- Discounted entry to the gardens for those wishing to enter at £14.95pp (approx. 20% discount). All valid RHS members may use their membership with a guest for free entry.
- No charge for anyone just visiting the car park event.
- They are able to offer groups the opportunity to book ‘Tea in the Garden’ Vouchers at £8.50, valid for redemption at Wisley Cafe (car park side), World Food Garden, Food Hall (within the garden)
- Alternatively, they could offer the use of the Tulip Room for 2 hours (early booking required) which is situated within the garden overlooking the stunning 7 acres (admission required).
- Breakfast buffet selection of pastries/tea/coffee from flasks £8.25
- Buffet Lunch – tea/coffee glass of juice mini Danish pastries, granola pots, breakfast baps £18.50
The 8th August clashes with The Camberley Car Show so this would be an alternative event for those interested.
Please could you give this idea some thought ahead of the May meeting when we can discuss it in more detail.
All organisation will by the Events sub-committee of the TRR. All we would need to do is turn up!
Area Coordinators Meeting
Roger Hogarth has reported back on the Area co-Ordinators meeting held on 14 April 2026. I have picked a few items out of his report which may be of interest to WFTR members.
- The Glamorgan group have dropped off the radar recently so their Area Co-Ordinator (Bob Cornwell) will be tracking them down. They may have problems.
- It was mentioned that Derek Hurford from the Devon area has passed away last week. He had been fighting a battle for a number of years.
- Ian Cornish had a stroke in March. He is not very well at present. I’ll update if things improve.
- The AMM 2026 from last month went reasonably well.
- Several directors have now stood down – Dave Burgess, Leslie Swain, Chris Thirtle & Alan Westbury. Chris and Leslie will be staying on till the summer to see things through.
- If you have a member that can add two numbers together and want a job on the MT get them to contact Mick Forey – we need a finance man/woman
- Mick Forey has taken over running the Events Sub-Con until there is a permanent person positioned.
- CarClubFest – as of last Tuesday there were 954 tickets sold
- The Euro breakdown app is not fully running. There was consideration given to other car clubs using it. however, it would be expensive so has been stood down.
- Event director – still looking – but for how long!!.
- The next Area Co-ord meeting will be 16/June/2026 if you have anything that you want discussing then please send it to me near that date.
Next Meeting Feature Presentation
The meeting entertainment at the May meeting will be a short (25 minute) film celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Basingstoke Canal Society which has been made by a friend of mine for the Society. This includes a history of the canal and the lengthy battle to firstly secure ownership of it and secondly to restore it. It includes some interesting archive film including of the steam powered dredger which cleared much of the Hampshire end of the canal.
I hope this will be of interest to everyone but especially those who have been on the two cruises on the canal which we have run in 2024 and 2025.
James
Recent Happenings
Bugatti Run 19 April 26
Nick writes: The run took place on a beautiful day with 16 people doing the run in 9 cars. Great to welcome Mark and Gaynor Mumford for their first run in their lovely Powder Blue TR3a.
The run was through the Surrey and Hampshire countryside with some great views. A coffee stop at the Chocolate Frog proved very popular as we had our own room and stayed there an hour chatting.
Numbers increased to 22 for lunch at Barn Owl Binsted where we were joined by Julian and Emma our hosts for the afternoon.
In the afternoon Julian showed us a collection of cars including two Lancias and a couple of Bugattis. Including his Brescia. We all enjoyed his talk on Bugatti history with some fascinating insights into how both motoring and racing developed in the 1920- 1930 period across Europe. We thank them for making us so welcome.
Drive it Day at Hollycombe Steam
We gathered at Hogs Back Services and it was great to meet Jan and Tony in their TR5, who were joining us for their first outing with the club. We left to follow a very pretty route that Terry provided for us and arrived in good time to join with many other Southern Region members for a lovely day organised by the Goodwood Group.
Our tickets allowed us five rides each on any of the fairground or steam train rides and the Hall of Mirrors caused many a giggle. One of the steam train rides stopped a couple of times to allow us to take in the glorious view across the South Downs, while the other meandered through wooded glades filled with bluebells.
The groups came together in the afternoon to hear Roger give a short presentation before handing the baton to the South Downs area who will organise our Drive it Day event next year. The finale of the day was the raffle with all proceeds going to the Childline Charity.
Upcoming Fixtures
Below are the events that are coming up soonest. To register, and to see full details of these and all other events, please Click Here
22- 25th May (plus travel time) – Tour to the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales – Staying at The Fat Lamb pub with breakfast and evening meals included, you will explore some of the best roads and scenery in the UK.
NEW!! 4th June – Visit to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum plus Lunch on board the Lightship – Starting with a run through the Surrey & Hampshire countryside this is a unique opportunity to visit this fascinating museum. Hurry to secure your place at the much reduced ticket price of £27pp.
19th July – Thames Valley Tour – A 100 mile tour around the Thames Valley. Starting with breakfast at Blackbush Airport Cafe, there will be an organised coffee stop and the cost includes lunch at a 200 year old pub. Those who have already registered their interest will have received an email from Helen with entry and payment details.
STOP PRESS!! Just added to the website is a long weekend trip to Llanerchindda Farm in Wales. This event has been extremely popular in the past and although it is not until 2027 there are just 18 places currently available so you are advised to book early. See website for full details.
Around our Patch
Here is your chance to spread the word about what is going on in our area. If you hear of anything that may be of interest that you would like to share, then either let Jenny know at a Club Night, or email the details to jenny@emailgreen.co.uk
Here are some suggestions to get you started.
10th May – Basingstoke Festival of Transport, Memorial Park, Basingstoke RG21 4AG
For more info and applications go to Basingstoke Festival of Transport Facebook Page
Monday 25th May (Spring Bank Holiday) – Best of British, Brooklands Museum –
21st June – Hart Classics Car and Motorbile Show, The Elvetham Hotel, Hartley Wintney. Raising money for Hants & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance CLICK HERE for further information
3rd Sunday each month – Mow and Motors Car and Coffee Event, The Barley Mow, Winchfield. For further information CLICK HERE
The Japanese needed a name for a car company and quickly. They called the Germans and offered them $100 million if they could come up with a name by the next day. The German said “Dat soon?” The Japanese said thank you and hung up.
