East Anglia Region - Newsletter September 2004

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Hi all,

August’s meet was our Annual Summer Barbeque, kindly hosted this year by David and Nicola Horsnell. Many thanks for your wonderful hospitality. With just a light summer’s breeze, we all had a very relaxing afternoon lounging around, chatting, drinking and burning various meat products. Those more adventurous amongst us attempted somersaults on the trampoline, whilst others played dodge the wasp.

I ‘kindly’ volunteered to drive home, so Steve managed to bring along some Leffe beer remaining from his travels to Le Mans. I was pleased to see one of David’s friends had turned up in a Triumph Spitfire. I’ve got a Spitfire 1500 in my garage gently decaying with each passing day; it gave me some ammunition to nag Steve to do some work on it.

David demonstrated his skill and agility at the barbeque whilst the rest of us, as can be seen, took it easy. The inevitable car chat cropped up once in a while, and Steve had to show everyone the new shiny carburettor on my car. It’s a Holley Street Avenger apparently and is ‘bigger’ than the old one (you now boys and their toys – size matters girls) and was a ‘bargain’ purchase in the States. He actually identified the shop in Atlanta that sold these, and gave me instructions to collect it during the conference lunch hour. I persuaded him to ship it to the UK, and it arrived home before I did! However, he’s now selling the old Holley 600, so if you want a bargain……



On August Bank Holiday Monday, we had a grand turnout of club cars at the Lavenham Rare Breeds Car Show and Carnival. Steve reports that the Greene King IPA and traditional hog roast were as good as ever, with an interesting display of dancing, music and parades in the carnival. My moles inform me that Steve joined in the conga line – too much sun no doubt. As can be seen in the photo over the page, we were given a choice spot, unfortunately Quasimodo was in residence and the church bells were rung non stop for 3 hours.

I, in the meantime, spent the day in the kitchen making a mammoth selection of jam and chutney as my fruit trees and crops were ready for harvesting. The shop is now open for business!



…..and so, to this month’s meet on Sunday 19th September at 11:00 (eleven) at the Norfolk Mead Hotel in Coltishall, east Norfolk. Previous year’s events here have been so popular that we have decided to return to Coltishall yet again. Coltishall is on the B1150 about 6 miles north of Norwich, the hotel being just behind the church. Directions are here: http://www.norfolkmead.co.uk/ . The Norfolk Mead is owned by club members and cobra owners Don and Jill Fleming. Don always apologises for not being able to get to the meets as they are working doing Sunday lunches for his guests, so, as before, we’re bringing the meet to them.

As previously mentioned, the Norfolk Mead will host our Family Road run and Treasure hunt and act as the start and end point. This consists of a fun drive around the immediate area for about 15-20 miles taking in local points of interest and collecting answers to fiendish questions set by Chris Ramsbottom (last year’s winner). It should take about 1½ to 2 hours maximum and is mostly over quiet country roads. Ladies bring your purses (or your husband’s wallet) as there may be opportunities for frivolous purchases en-route. We stress this is not a race, merely a pleasant drive around northeast Norfolk.

On your return to the Norfolk Mead after 13:30 hrs (to allow the Hotel to deal with the Sunday lunch rush), Don and Jill have arranged either a barbeque or buffet lunch (depending on the weather) with dessert for £11.00 so we can spend the rest of the afternoon in the garden eating and relaxing.

I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the weather will be glorious as in previous years so this should be a great social day. In order that you can complete the course, buy some early Christmas presents, and have an early afternoon lunch, I would suggest you arrive in good time to be sent out on the run with your question papers and directions. Unfortunately, Steve and I intend to be 30 metres below the surface of the Red Sea spotting Reef Sharks and Clown Fish, along with a couple of old Wrecks (not us). So you’ll just have to manage without us!

As is usual, and polite, in order that Don and Jill have a fair idea of numbers to plan and cater for, please confirm if you’ll be joining us and eating by the Thursday before the meet. I suggest you call the Norfolk Mead on 01603 737531 or Chris Ramsbottom on 01603 736649. This will give Chris a fair idea how much photocopying of the quiz sheets to do.

Bring your cobra, your Renault, your Smart car, your scooter, anything as long as it’s got an odometer (reasonably accurately calibrated and working!)



We’re in the early stages of arranging the CRC East Anglian annual Christmas meal. It looks likely that we may return to the Chequers in Bressingham. However, if you have a favourite venue that has a Christmas menu and fancy a change, let us know.



Here’s the list of the remaining East Anglian meets for 2004.

October 17th – East Suffolk – The Swan, Hoxne

November 21st – West Norfolk – The Fox Inn, Garboldisham

December 4th – CRC East Anglian annual Christmas meal

December 19th – West Suffolk - White Hart, Boxford

Plus local (and no so local) car events

Sept 25th - DAX Autumn open day, Harlow, Essex. Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm, see the new

Tojeiro 8.2ltr De Dion demonstrator.



Thanks to all you cobrateers, keep calling, and mailing.

Bye for now,

Eileen Call me on 01206 863804, or mail me at "route66@pgen.net"

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By all accounts, everyone at the Road Run / Treasure Hunt had a great day (I had a great weeks holiday scuba diving thanks).

Many thanks to Chris Ramsbottom for arranging the route and Don and Jill Fleming for again hosting us.