North Cumbria & the Borders Region Report December 2018
 
Well, it's time to look back on my first full year as Regional Organiser and I have to say it has been lots of fun! We had a pretty full calendar and managed to get a good balance between regular club nights, evening runs, car shows and full-on road trips.
We also welcomed several new members to the region and it was great to see a few old friends returning to the Club. The weather was (mostly) kind this year and the Gods of motoring were good to us - no bumps or scrapes (and only a few minor reliability issues to deal with…)
 
North Cumbria and the Borders has always had a reputation as a ‘social’ region and I’m proud to say that we’re continuing the tradition; Club nights are a great mix of car talk and general  catch up on each others latest news - finding out what we’ve all been up to at work and at play. Our TVR ‘family’ extends to our members’ partners, friends and relations; if you haven’t been to a club meeting or out on a run with us yet, please come along to any of our events - you’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
 
2018’s events ranged from indoor karting to a wonderful weekend up in Scotland that took in the Kintyre Peninsula amongst other delights. We also fielded ten cars at each of the two largest  car shows in our area. The Mad Hatters and Cream Tea runs were huge fun, as were our other social runs that take place on club nights during the lighter months.

On behalf of all of the region’s members I’d like to thank everyone who got involved in organising an event this year. We all lead very busy lives so taking time out to set up something for others to enjoy is greatly appreciated.

Finally - We’re all looking forward to our Christmas Party at the Hundith Hill Hotel, it promises to be our biggest turnout for many years so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone up here in Cumbria and the Borders - the best place in the UK to own a TVR!
 
Martin

North Cumbria & the Borders Region Report  November 2018
 
Things are starting to quiet down as we head into the darker nights, but we still enjoyed a run across to the Lakes Motor Museum to meet up with the Lancashire region. Some great exhibits on show including TVR number 2 and the amazing Speed 12.
 
The Rusty Nail Run is a highlight of the year for many of us up north, our distinguished Deputy RO Colin Muir has kindly provided the following report and photos on this year’s fun:
 
Ten years after  the inaugural meeting of The Rusty Nail Run,  the event returned  to Dumfries.
Founder  members Sandy and John from Lanark organised great runs across Dumfriesshire and  south Lanark on roads seldom  used,  including the Lead Hills, Wanlockhead and the Dalveen and Mennock Passes. Saturday lunch was at Drumlanrigg Castle and on Sunday The Devil's Porridge, Eastriggs.
 
Dry sunny  weather allowed two days of 'tops off'  driving and being a  non TVR  club event there was an eclectic range of some 40 cars taking part. RNR Eleven will remain in  Dumfries and Galloway next  year as Neil and Thomasina  from  Stranraer accepted the  baton.
 
Finally - We’re all looking forward to the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in November. I’ll be supporting the Dream Rides event in the Griff but also looking forward to visiting the Club stand and catching up with old friends.
 
All the best
 
Martin

North Cumbria & the Borders Region Report October 2018
 
We had a great time at the Dalemain Show in August. The weather wasn’t brilliant but the show field was relatively dry underfoot and Wigton Motor Club did their usual excellent job of organising a very large event - over 750 entries this year.
We brought 9 wonderful TVRs: Adrain’s 400SE, Ray’s newly acquired V8S (lovely), my precat Griff, Steve’s Chimaera, John’s Griff 500, Richard’s Cerbera, Alan’s immaculate Chimaera, Dave’s Tuscan and Piers’ Tamora.
 
Lots of admirers visited the stand, Adrian very kindly organised us into chronological order (cars - not owners) and cake was provided courtesy of Piers and Sandra and their award winning honey.
 
The Dalemain show is one of the best in Cumbria - a mix of classics and motorsport exhibits, well worth a visit. I know this is a TVR magazine but had to put this photo in as my answer to the perennial car show question; ‘if you had to take one car home from the show as well as your TVR..?’
 
Our club night run was great fun, James and Linda put together a great route out from Cockermouth, up through Buttermere and Newlands Pass, back around through Braithwaite and Whinlatter to a lovely meal at the Hundith Hill hotel.
 
Colin and Iona were waiting for us there and for once we had some proper club business to attend to: an update on the Christmas Party (it's never too soon to plan a party!) Linda has excelled herself this year with 30 people booked in for the festivities. Rooms are still available, let me know if you want to join in.
 
Photos from all of the adventures described above are in our gallery on the region website at www.tvrcc-northcumbria.co.uk
 
All the best
 
Martin

North Cumbria & the Borders Region Report September 2018
 
Another great month, our summer barbeque at Seascale was lots of fun - as well as TVR friends we invited family and a few neighbours (to avoid any complaints about the noise!)
Gordon and Carolyn brought their Chimaera, Peter and Isobel arrived in their Griff. Dave and Muriel left the Tuscan at home but the Merc did look good. Piers and Sandra swapped the four wheels of the Tamora for a pair of push bikes as they live just up the road. A fine time was had by all (at least I think it was, we carried on until fairly late so my recollection is a bit hazy)/
 
July club night run saw a great turnout: 2 Griffs, 2 Chimaeras a Tuscan and a pair of wedges (420SE and a SEAC). Gordon and Carolyn led us off from Eamont Bridge down the Mardale valley to a (somewhat depleted) Haweswater reservoir. We headed out towards Shap and then back to the Beehive Inn, great roads, amazing scenery and good company.
 
Lots of interest in the forthcoming Dalemain show, we have a dozen cars registered, photos and a full report next month but I’m looking forward to seeing Ray’s new V8S and meeting up with Alan for the first time in his immaculate Chimaera. I popped along in the Griff to a small local show this month, organised by the Rotary Club in a neighbouring village, it was pretty informal but well attended. One particular gentleman was very interested in my car and revealed that he was an apprentice at the Hoo Hill factory in 1957! His name is Alex Jones and although he only stayed with the company for a little over a year he had very fond memories of Trevor Wilkinson, Bernard Williams, Jack Bailey and the rest of the team. Alex related a few tales about the factory, including how the fibreglass seat moldings were ‘eased’ out with compressed air. The lads quite enjoyed cranking up the pressure to see how far they could get a seat to fly across the workshop…
 
Photos from all of the adventures described above are in our gallery on the region website. Some great events still to come in 2018, remember to keep checking the club’s main calendar for details.
 
All the best
 
Martin

North Cumbria & the Borders Region Report August 2018
 
Summer is in full swing and we’re having a great time. Our latest Scottish expedition saw us head all the way up from Gretna Green to Gourock for the ferry over to Hunter’s Quay. The merry band was led by Trevor and Sam in their Chimaera followed by Bronwen and me in our Griff, Peter and Isobel in theirs, Gordon and Carolyn plus John and Trish (two more Chimaeras). Germany was well represented by Phil and Kate in their Porsche with Linda and James in the Mercedes.
 
From Hunters Quay we enjoyed a lovely run via Auchenbreck along Loch Riddon and the Kyles of Bute to Portavadie for lunch at the marina. Onto another ferry across to Tarbet and the Kintyre Peninsula. Some more spectacular views and great driving roads were between us and a visit to Torrisdale Castle Estate kindly arranged by Trish. Those not doing any driving were able to sample the latest products from the Beinn an Tuirc distillery - home of the famous Kintyre gin.
 
Our overnight stay was at the Stonefield Castle Hotel back at Tarbet. Sunday’s route took in the Crinan Canal, Loch Awe and Inverary, with lunch at Otter Ferry before a drive over the peninsula for the return ferry at Hunters Quay and the journey back home. Huge thanks to Trevor and Sam for organising a superb event!
 
We also enjoyed a run up to Moniaive to visit Ian and Kate (and their Griff!) at Kirkland. Unfortunately I couldn’t make this one but I’ve heard all about the spectacular scenery, great hospitality and cakes complete with TVR logos! Thanks for having us - hope to see you both again soon.
 
I’m running out of space this month but am writing this as I recover from June club night and the Cream Tea run. Malcolm led us out from the Rheged Centre near Penrith, even his fellow locals Chris and Christine hadn’t ventured down some of the roads we travelled near Ullswater and the villages around Mungrisdale before club night and dinner at Stainton.
 
The Cream Tea Run was another triumph of organisation by Linda and James. Setting off from Bothel it was great to see Muriel and Dave in their Tuscan. Our route took is over Whinlatter Pass and back along to Allonby for a pit stop on the beach. A lovely run through the hills, dales and villages around Cockermouth and over Broughton Moor took us to the Melbreak Hotel for a gargantuan afternoon tea and an opportunity to get a photo of Trevor tucking into third helpings…
 
Lots of events still to come in 2018, remember to keep checking the website for details.
 
All the best
 
Martin