Issue 4 - April 1996

Geof Miller, ARC Press & Publicity
Brandlehow, Wolverton, Stratford-on-Avon CV37 0HF
Tel: (+44) 1789 73 1669

At the Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 16th March, the following major office changes were made:-

New Secretary

John S. Bradbury, 14 Bolton Road, Rochdale, Lancs OL11 4PB
Tel: 01706 38801

New Treasurer

Andrew Stavordale, 65 Longmead Avenue, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5PJ
Tel: 0161 456 8224 and 0161 292 0539
N.B. Please note deliberate mistake in ARC News 3 - Andrew has 2 phones - he did not change from one to the other!

New Overseas Liaison Officer

Derek Spooner, Bank Cottage, Abbots Morton, Worcester WR7 4NA
Tel: 01386 792767
Peter Oakden and Denis Bourne remain as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively.
It was agreed that Club subscriptions to the ARC are to be increased by 5%
General Meetings will be held at Lode Lane on June 15th, Sept 14th and Dec 7th 1996

NEWS

1996 is the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. During the year over £1 million is being spent to encourage young drivers to take the Advanced Test. This 1½ hour advanced test costs £27 (less than the current 35 minute 'L' test). Elf Oil UK have leaflets available at their company owned service stations, and there is a National IAM Day on Saturday 22nd June.
There is an exhibition on in Wolverhampton ("Wolverhampton and the Motor Car 1898-1958") at the Art Gallery and Museum, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU, till the 27th April 1996. Entrance is free 10 am to 5 pm Monday - Saturday.
Chamberlain's Seat Covers, available for all Lode Lane models, are having a sales drive this summer, on both waterproof seat covers and 'original material' seat covers. They are interested in 'club life' and would like to receive your club newsletter, and could be interested in advertising in it. Give them a call at 2 Tremaine Road, London SE20 7TZ on tel: 0181 778 7997 or fax: 0181 776 5818, and talk to Claire Churchill.
Off roading holidays are getting popular, there is a new one available in Scotland at Highland Off Road Holidays, The Bothy Bite, Canalside, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, PH32 4BA. Use your own vehicle on guided tours, with accommodation and meals available. Week-ends or week-day breaks, tuition is available if required. Week-end prices (Friday eve till Sunday pm) for two people, one vehicle, start at around £175. Telephone or fax 01320 366710.
8 day off roading holidays in north Portugal are available using your vehicle and staying in 3 and 4 star hotels, maximum of 10 vehicles per safari. Or you can fly there and use a rented 4 x 4. All tours escorted by a Land Rover with guide. Prices start around £250 (on a double room basis). Contact Paulo Oliviera, 4 x 4 Viagens & Turismo, Rua de Cedofeita 275, P-4050 PORTO, Portugal Tel: (02) 208 8797 Fax: (02) 322643.
Trailmasters are now fully booked on the Romanian trips mentioned in ARC News 3, but if a club wanted an exclusive trip this could be arranged and at special discount. Dates for Morocco safaris (22 days) are available in June, September and October. Dates for Canada are still available May to September.
Trailmasters are also now offering "Survival Weekends". Run in conjunction with Staffordshire Ambulance Special Casualty Access Team personnel, and Army personnel, these weekend courses teach survival, medical, navigation, camp craft and safe transport procedures. The course involves camping out and use of Air Shelters, but all specialist kit is provided. Contact Trailmasters at 45 King Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QT Tel: 01732 870184 or 870170, Fax 01732 845503
Land Rover Experience are expanding their training activities into the "On-Road Defensive Driving" scene. The course is based on the Police 'Roadcraft' manual, and uses ex Police Grade 1 instructors. Cost of one day courses using Range Rovers or Discoveries (or others on an ad hoc basis) is £150 + VAT. For more information telephone Land Rover Experience on 0121 700 4619.
After proof-reading the items above, a thought occurs to me:-
Should the ARC keep a register of all members with full on road training awards (IAM & Land Rover Experience), full off road training awards (a whole host of training centres) and full survival techniques awards, for use in emergency and disaster situations? Makes yer think - don't it?

EVENTS

ARC News 3 listed the forthcoming LARA Conference at Gaydon on April 17th. If any clubs would like to display an off road sport vehicle outside the museum entrance foyer with a display board about your club and the vehicle, you can get free entry to the conference, to the museum, and free lunches for three persons. Vehicles have to be in place at Gaydon by 9.00 a.m. latest. Only a few vehicles are required, so get in quick - contact David Kersey at the MFU, tel: 01788 541137 or contact Tony Kempster on 10797 252371 for more info.
North Wales Tourism are running the Snowdonia Classic Car and Vehicle Rally on 20th/21st April 1996. To be held at Padarn Country Park, Llanberis, it will cater for static show cars pre 1969, and touring cars pre 1979. A 2 day touring event is envisaged with or without accommodation. There will be a Children's Theatre, Antiques Fair, Craft Stalls, Autojumble, Hot Air balloons, Steam Railway and Slate Museum. Closing date for applications for entries is Wed April 3rd. Call 0800 834820 for more information - North Wales Tourism, 77 Conway Road, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd LL29 7BL
Rover Sports Register have an All Rover Rally in Scotland at Doune Motor Museum, Dunblane, Stirling, on May 31st-June 2nd. Beautiful cars in a beautiful setting. Contact David Anderson 0131 445 4731
Three Spires Land Rover Club have an Open Endurance Comp. Safari at Ironbridge, Shropshire on Sat 8th/Sun 9th June 1996. Camping is available at £5.00, competition is available Sat only at £15.00, Sunday only at £15.00, or both days at £25.00, with a barbecue on Saturday evening from 8 pm. For more detail ring 01922 31631.
South West Truckers have a Truck & Motor Show at Westpoint Showground, Exeter, Devon, on 15th/16th June 1996. Classic cars, custom cars or bikes are welcome. Free entry for display vehicle via a completed application form. Contact Shirley Brinicombe, 23 Hamlyn Close, Newbarn Park, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4NT or tel: 01823 276143 for more detail.
Motor Sport are holding their seventh annual Concours d'Elegance at Silverstone on June 15th 1996. For the first time, owner clubs are invited to have club stands and displays at no charge, and may enter up to 12 cars in the Concours at £12 per car. Individual entry tickets are £4.00. For more information contact John Deverell or Tara Wood at Motor Sport on 0171 294 8000 or fax 0171 638 8497.
If you fancy a mixture of vintage Rovers and vintage aircraft, Rover Sports Register have just the thing July 7th with the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome near Biggleswadem Beds, and the planes actually fly! Contact Mike Bevan 01767 312285.
Another occasion for nostalgia is August 4th with Rover Sports Register at Brooklands. As Alan Gilham puts it- "do silly things with motor cars and have lots of fun". Contact Alan on 01926 613843.
Peak & Dukeries Land Rover Club are running an interclub event over the August Bank Holiday Aug 23rd/26th at Hundall, between Chesterfield and Sheffield. Camping/caravans fee is £15, RTV and Bike Trial on Saturday, CCV and Night Comp. on Sunday, and Daytime Comp. on Monday. Booking forms available soon.
Gala Invitation Weekend in the Chairman's back garden (well - almost!) 6th to 8th Sept 1996 -- A village festival at Shackerstone, Leicestershire (map ref. 140/374067-ish) on the side of the Ashby canal. Camping/caravanning for ARC members and attractions include canal boat rally, boat trips, steam trains, hot air balloons, flying display & parachuting, horses & carriages, obedience & agility dogs, flower festival, trade stands, and vintage & steam traction vehicles. Static and/or mobile displays by ARC member clubs would be most welcome. Any rumours of 24 hour refreshments at Oak Cottage should be regarded as mischievous!

(up, back to issue 3, on to issue 5)

Disclaimer, May 1996

Last Updated:
30/12/2005