We are pleased to report that the two forthcoming events mentioned in August both went well.
The Skittles evening was great fun with a splendid buffet produced for us by Committee Member Sandra.
Noggin, Nosh & Natter was wonderful as always although we did miss Sheila’s barbeque, but of course we understand her decision to retire and would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all her hard work over the years. We would also like to mention and thank the marshalling team as this event requires a considerable number of marshals and although several regulars were unavailable for various reasons several new marshals stepped up and did a great job. We also wish to remember Dave Ede who had been a marshal at this event for many years who sadly passed away in August.
Our membership of the National Association of Road Transport Museums (NARTM) was renewed in August. NARTM is the representative body for organisations or individuals with collections of historic buses, coaches and goods vehicles who wish to make their collections accessible to the public. It represents the majority of UK road transport collections and has just under 100 members with more than 3000 historic vehicles in their collections.
Although as a club CTP does not have a collection of vehicles we feel it is still appropriate as our member’s vehicles go to make up a moving collection and we are obviously interested in seeing museums and collections of commercial vehicles continue to thrive.
Early September saw the Autumn Road Run and we were lucky with the weather as although some vehicles came through quite heavy rain to get to the start it was dry at the Livestock Market and all the way around the route. The number of vehicle entrants booked in was 25 but only 18 made it on the day. There was a diverse and interesting selection, which included a Southern Vectis double decker and an AEC Merlin Bus.
As we write this we are looking forward in September to an evening of member’s photos of the Bournemouth to Bath Road Run and the Autumn Coach Trip to the SS Great Britain on 23rd October.
The October & November meetings, which at the beginning of the year were still “details to be announced” have been confirmed as:
October: Accidents that changed our Railways and November: Halley VI which is about the British Antarctic Survey science station.
This year following feedback we have decided to change the time for the Christmas meal, moving it to midday. We hope this may help more of you to attend as we look forward to being able to celebrate Christmas a little early with you.