TRIUMPH ROADSTER 1947 and MacMILLAN CANCER RELIEF

 

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I was invited to participate in the The All Party Parliamentary Classic car Run on July 8th 2000 and again in 2001 in Penny, my 1947 1800 Triumph Roadster, representing Epsom.

Joining me was Helen Young who had then recently become the first female chief of the BBC's weather broadcasting team, managing luminaries such as Michael Fish and John kettley. Before our departure she was available to sign autographs and collect any donations which local shoppers wished to hand in.

We were waved off from the Clock Tower in Market Square by the deputy Mayor Cllr. Eber Kington and the then prospective Conservertive parliamentary canditate Chris. Grayling.

As we arrived at the Palace of Westminster we were greeted by motor racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss OBE . and photographed with him and our car. We then had tea on the terrace after which Sir Stirling presented all those taking part in the Run with special mementos bearing the logo of the famous portcullis. The event organised by the Parliamentary All-Party Motor Group in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief, raised a record breaking £23,000. We were congratulated as the third most successful individual entry, having raised over £1,400 and received a prize. A

total of 70 Classic cars from around the country took part in the Run, the oldest was a 1914 Rover from Stoke Mandeville and the furthest travelled a 1950 Bentley MK VI driven by a vicar from Liverpool.

Richard Burden MP (Birmingham Northfield) and chair of the All-Party Motor Group - whose own constituency takes in the motor manufacturing heartland of Longbridge - took part in the run in a 1972 Rover P5B which had originally been the official car of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, on loan from the Historic Motor Centre at Gaydon .

The event was sponsored by Footman James and Company, specialist vehicle motor insurance brokers in the West Midlands.

In 2001 I was again invited by the All-Party Motor Group to participate in their Classic Car Run and again the benefiting Charity would be MacMillan Cancer Relief.

On this occassion my travelling companion was Sarah Wilmhurst, meteorologist at the BBC Weather Centre. Before we departed, Sarah made herself available to sign autographs and collect any donations from local shoppers.

Chris. Grayling MP for Epsom and Ewell together with The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell Cllr. Alan Carlson and the Lady Mayoress waved us off from the Clock Tower. On our arrival at the Palace of Westminster we were greeted by Murray Walker, F1 Motor racing commentator. After we had our photographs taken with him and Penny, tea` was taken on the terrace in the House. This was followed by the presentations made byMurray Walker. Thereafter, participants and their guests were taken on a tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords (optional) by a member of the Group.

TRIUMPH ROADSTER 1947 and DOWN'S SYNDROME

TRIUMPH 1947 ROADSTER : The STORY OF PENNY & PHOTO GALLERY

At the 1998 Triumph Roadster Rally at Kimbolton Castle I first saw this 1947 1800 Triumph Roadster. At some point I was talking with the owner, Peter Gasgoine, and we were comparing notes on our respective cars. I gathered that on retirement he worked full time restoring this car...some 3,000 hours during the years 1994 to 1996. This vehicle was featured in Practical Classics magazine and also in Classic Cars magazine in the short period between 1966 and 1999. It was a very good example, but then at the Concurs most of them are.

On this occasion this was placed 5th I think. My own red 1947 Triumph 1800 Roadster ( Rosie )was placed 10th in The Triumph Roadster's Top Twelve, or so I was made to understand. It was the first time that Rosie was in the Top Twelve. I thought no more of it.

The following year we were at the Club's Annual Rally in June 1999 at the Cotswold Wildlife Park. Rosie was placed 6th. Early in August that year on my way home from a Classic Car Show in aid of Leukaemia Research held at Newbury Racecourse, Rosie was shunted into a ditch and was written off. Fortunately I was not seriously injured but ended up in hospital unconscious.

I made it known that I was looking for a replacement. I was soon directed by a fellow member of the TRC to Peter, who I was told was considering selling his car. Within three weeks of the accident I had bought his Triumph Roadster.  I named her Penny.  By a strange co-incidence though, at the Rally in 1999, Penny and Rosie were lined up next to each other, and also

"Penny", nearest in picture with Rosie alongside

Triumph Roadsters lined up at the Cotswold Wildlife Park with Penny nearest to camera and Rosie next to her.

Penny was 5th and Rosie was 6th in the Top Twelve.

I retained Rosie's registration number KHY117. Penny continued with Rosie's commitments. Penny retains her status in the Triumph Roadster Club's Top Twelve whenever she attends the annual Rally.

In 2006 she participated in the All Party Parliamentary Motor Group's Classic Car Run from the Palace of Westminster to Buckingham Palace to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's 80th Birthday. In 2008 the Run was to The Tower of London to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh's Diamond wedding anniversary.  She has travelled to Holland to attend the Benelux Rally  in 2002.  Last  year she travelled to Jersey for the Crediit Suisse Jersey International Festival of Motoring. In 2009 she won the Triumph Roadster Club's Concurs d'Elegance.   

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HM The Queen's 80th Birthday.

At Westminster  ready to depart to Buckingham Palace

Escorted by Metropolitan Police outrider

Arriving at the Palace Gates

.......and parked

Sir Stirling Moss in his D-type Jaguar

HRH The Duke of Gloucester spoke to each Driver

It  was a  very enjoyable day

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Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburg's Diamond Wedding Anniversary

The All Party Parliamentary Classic Car Run is an annual Run to raise funds for Charities.I participated in the 2008 Event which  was to commemerate HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's Diamond Wedding Anniversary.  Sixty cars,  one for each year of their marriage, assembled at Horse Guards Parade then drove in convoy to The Tower of London for inspection by HRH The Duke of Kent, representing the Queen.

At Horse Guards Parade

Arriving at Tower of London

HRH the Duke of Kent inspects the cars and talks to each of the drivers
His comment " A very elegant Car"

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In  June 2009 The Triumph Roadster Club held their Annual Rally at Ragley Hall, Alcester.

 Penny won the Concours D'Elegance Trophy 

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 I joined 6 other TRC members with their Triumph Roadsters to attend the Credit Suisse Jersey Motoring International Festival 2009

Cream Tea at Vinchelez Manor , St Ouen

Watching the Sprint Racing at Jersey

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In 2002 I joined TRC member John Hardy in his Roadster to attend the Triumph Benelux Rally.

Waiting to board Seacat

The line-up at Pricenbeek

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During his pre-election campaign every household in the Borough of
Epsom & Ewell received Chris.Grayling's manifesto featuring Penny.

At Denby's Vineyard near Dorking

The Palace of Westminster captured in both headlamps

Who said "you can't?"

Capel Classic Car ShowBrighton & Hove Classic Car Show at Stanmar Park, near Brighton

Sporting Bears at Kimbolton

With daughter Claire at Merton Lions
Where was I now?

Introducing Tuppence, Claire's 1967 Big Healey with Penny, at SVVS lunch at Surrey Oaks.

Wisborough Green
Collection at Clacket's Services in aid of Meningitis Research

at Looseley Park
Watching "old crocks "at Anstey

Second in Class at Southern Classic Car Show

at Dog and Duck in the spring
....in the autumnat The ReigateTunnelClaire and I with Penny and her Tuppence, at SVVS lunch at the Surrey Oaks, Newdigate.at Skimmington CastleCream tea with SVVS Dorking Antiques Festival in aid of The Children's Trust, Tadworth SVVS Bletchingley Classic Car Show

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