March 1998

Surrey Madhatters

March 98

Number 75

Chat from the Chair

We had a good meeting again. Two friends from the Thames Tortoises visited and the Madhatters were there in profusion. I’m afraid the entries for the Valentine’s poems were few but they will be published. Lots of people were planning their ferry bookings for the May Celebration in Paris. It seems like half the Club will be there - the rest of you - think what you are missing.

Don’t forget next meeting is our A.G.M. If any of you feel you can contribute just that little bit more to the club please volunteer. John is giving up the Treasurer’s post because of pressure of work. He has also been our Editor of the newsletter for a long time and this post will become vacant. Ham Macdonald has been doing the newsletter in John’s absence and I am sure we all appreciate this. Ham’s problem has been the photocopying but Sandie has managed to cope. We need to think how we can resolve these problems - so if you have any ideas bring them on March 10th. We would like to start promptly at 8.30pm so please let’s see you all there.

Apart from this could I please ask you all to support Barry’s Open Day at Shalford Green - Peter, his son, and Gloria are making it into a Blue Peter "bring-and-buy sale". I feel strongly that as we get so much from our cars, we need to help others improve their lives and have some fun too. I will mention this again later.

Think about the A.G.M.,

Gill.

Just a quick reminder for all you Madhatters thinking of making the trip to the Paris celebration. DO IT ! There are two groups that we know of - Bill & Gill and some Escargots are travelling overnight Wednesday Portsmouth - Le Havre. About 8 cars will be making the Dover - Calais crossing 12:15 pm Wednesday. If you book before 31st March this 5 day crossing can be had for £50 - Barry or Ham for info.

Ed.

"Retromobile"

Bill went off to Paris overnight on 6th Feb. to see the famous French Classic Car Show. The Citroën stand was superb. There were the 3 original cars from a barn in Normandy just as they’d been found recently having been hidden before the war. Bill has photos and a new 2CV magazine. He says it was a superb "expo". Citroën really pushed the boat out for the 2CV as did the Citroën club of France. Graham had his ‘limo’ on the stand and he was most impressed at the work that was going on to celebrate ‘our car’. Citroën has their display on in Paris now and will bring it out for the May ‘Rencontre’ in St. Quentin en-Yvelines.

Gill

Puddleducks Valentine’s Convoy

Dick and Yvette represented the Madhatters at the annual St. Valentine’s Day convoy organised by the Pompey Puddleducks. You’ll find a superb report with pictures on the web site, www.surreyweb.org.uk/2CV_Surrey_Madhatters_Club/ , but in summary they had a wonderful time and were particularly impressed with the rose and chocolate provided as a welcome gift.

Valentines Poems

I love you dearly little twin-pot.
When I’m out with you I don’t care a jot.
Driving in you I cease to be blue
Be mine ... Be mine ...
My French Valentine.

roses are red roses are white my 2CV dolly is red and white tonight, through light and dark we visit parks. Through thick and thin, my 2CV toy, you are my proudest joy, and I hope with all my heart that we shall never be apart !

Barry Annells’ Open Day AND

Blue Peter Bring & Buy Sale

Shalford Green Garage

March 15^th1998

The Garage will be open from 11 am on this Sunday - have your underside checked and get advice from Barry... but there is more ...

Gloria is organising various competitions to raise money like ‘Guess the name of the Teddy or Doll’. She would also like any gifts to sell e.g. unwanted presents, packets of sweets, cakes and biscuits. If you can bring them to the next meeting so Gloria can price them it would be helpful. If not please price them for Sunday. Also please save enough money to spend on Sunday so that we can help young Peter, and his parents of course, send a sizeable donation to help children with Cystic Fibrosis. If you would like to bring a camera we could send some photos with the donation with a note about the ‘Safari’ fund raising and Blue Peter’s involvement in that.

1998 London to Brighton Run

You may think this a little early in the year but the South Downs Escargots have already confirmed many of the details for this year’s London to Brighton.

To avoid a clash with the big 50th Anniversary meeting in Paris the Run has been brought forward this year to the May_Day Bank Holiday weekend. Sunday May 3rd to be precise.

The price has been set at £3 per car in advance or £5 per car on the day. Cheques for £3 payable to "South Downs Escargots" can be sent to: Maurice Dilley, 46 Castle Road, Worthing, West Sussex. BN13 1DQ.

The theme set for this year’s fancy dress is one which should allow your imagination to run riot, both in dressing yourselves and your cars. To give very wide scope for both they have set a theme of ‘007’ and they await the results with some trepidation !

As last year camping will be at Cowfold, on a very basic site with water and portable toilets laid on. They plan to repeat the highly successful camp fire and barbecue on the Sunday evening.

Madhatters on the Web

Given that I’ve already mentioned the web site, www.surreyweb.org.uk/2CV_Surrey_Madhatters_Club/ , now seems a good time to repeat the address and mention Dick’s plan for a "Vehicle Showroom". He’s asked us to lend him photographs of our cars so that he can create the "Showroom" as part of the web site. I think this will further improve what is already an excellent display. We’re busy looking out pictures that show Dolly Green at her best !

Dates for Your Diary

Mar 10 8.00 pm Club Meeting - The Anchor, Ripley. THE AGM be there or be ‘volunteered’ for something. (I should know - ed. !)

Mar 15 Open Day & Blue Peter Bring & Buy Sale at Shalford Green Garage.

Mar 29 Tortoises - Convoy - New Forest/Beaulieu Motor Museum.

Apr 14 8.00 pm Club Meeting - The Anchor, Ripley.

Apr 26 Raid the Citroen Car Club AMI/GS camp nr Reading. More details from Barry.

Apr 19 Ducks - Ramble from Worth to Durlston (sponsored to adoption of an owl)

Apr 26 Escargots - 10th birthday - picnic at Bosham

May 3 London to Brighton run.

May 15-17 SouWescargots - St. Ives Bay camp.

May 21-24 6th French National 2CV Meeting, St Quentin en Yvelines Leisure Park, Paris.

Jun 5-7 SouWescargots -Shire Horse Centre camp, Yealmpton.

Jun 19-21 Ducks - Duck Race Camp, Red Shoot Inn, New Forest.

Jun 26-28 Puddleducks - Camp at Headley Park. £3.50 per night per tent.

Jul 3-7 SouWescargots - 5 day Summer Spactacular, Harlyn Bay Holiday Park, Padstow.

Jul 5 2CVGB - Registers Day, Peterborough.

Jul 24-26 Southern Clubs "50th Birthday Bash".

Aug 21-23 ICCR - Belgium

Aug 28-31 2CVGB - 21st International & 50th Anniversary, Worcester.