RATTLES & sQUEAKS November 2020
Wednesday’s “Coffee, Cake ‘n Carbon” morning in the Truck Shed.
Chairmam’s Comments This month started off with the cancelation of the Settlers Day at Matakohe that was, to me, a disappointment. I was ready and prepared to go dressed in one of my Victorian outfits that day. Last year there were several people doing the same thing and it looked to me the appropriate place to pull these clothes out the wardrobe. So, when that was off the calendar Lou and I decided to attend the AGM for the Wolseley Club in Palmerton North. Lou reminded us both we are NOT taking on more duty’s, lucky we have been able to resist the call of duty. (they did quietly pull on my sleeve, but that might have to be another year) Because it was still school holidays we went afterwards to New-Plymouth and visited our son and spend time with the grandkids, always a fun thing to do. On the Tuesday we drove home to make sure the Coffee morning was happening at the shed. As you all know the Electoral Committee had hired the hall for the 10 days of the election. The truck shed had to be made ready on the Wednesday, which was not simple getting the chairs, tables, mugs, food, hot water and dishwashing station set up. Lucky there where Lou and Alan to help. We had a lot of people show up maybe because they all knew it would be a novelty to have the coffee morning in the shed. In the meantime, the committee have sent the constitution to Whangarei Museum & Heritage Trust, Kiwi North and we are waiting for them to come back to use with their feedback. This is necessary because we occupy their land and the old rules stipulate that the Truck Shed and the Motor vehicles will be staying in the Shed if the Branch folds. We also got, this month, the sad news that Keith Thomas passed away, I have been told he has been a long-standing and hard-working member in the Northland Branch and the Far North Branch. We have two Obituary’s in this newsletter from members who knew him well. The committee has at the last two meetings discussed the safety (or unsafety) of the fire place, and they have decided to replace it with a new one. I have done a bit of ringing around got some quotes and we have been able to secure a new one for $1000.00 a “Metro Xtreme Rad Woody”. We still have to get it installed and consent from the council but all in all we will have a safe way to heat the hall again. While doing the work on this I learned a lot about the old fire place, and I think it would be a great idea to get it into the Truck Shed set up as a display. To do this I would appreciate your input. I’m asking for story’s and ideas of how to go about this. It would be nice for it to get its own board with its local history on it. Send your ideas to my e-mail address ( vcc.northland@gmail.com). The Far North Tour entries have been steadily coming in, and the committee and some hard-working members have been in the back ground busy getting things organised. The route has been set, the caterers and venue booked and the raffle is getting sorted. I hope to see you on the day. With the daylight saving we have also started the Friday dinners again. We will do 2 this year one in October and one in November. If there is no involvement of the members, we will have to cancel it for next year. Well that was all I can think of for this month, so I hope you all stay well and see you soon on one of our activities. Kind Regards Ans Schoenmaekers
Whangarei A&P Show We have had an invitation from the Whangarei A&P Show that will take place on 5th of December this year. As a special display they like us to show our vehicles on the day. It is their 140th Show and like us to be involved in showing the past as part of the 140th celebrations. They have room to accommodate for 50 to 100 vehicles. We have at this stage 21vehicles signed up so if you like to participate let me know and I put you on the list. (vcc.northland@gmail.com or phone 09 434 6802) The A&P Show Society will provide 2 tickets per car to get in and donate $250 to our branch for the effort. The committee has decided that the money can be donated by us to a charity.
IN MEMORY OF KEITH THOMAS We say farewell to our long serving member, Keith Thomas who passed away on October 6th after having a stroke 2 days after his 88th birthday which was on July 30th. He had been such an active man until then, still enjoying making Cape Cod Chairs in his workshop having taken up this hobby later in life. He was a very active man not only in his working life but also in enjoying his hobbies and taking on the responsibility of Vintage Car Club committee work both with the Far North VCC as well as Northland. Keith served as our Chairman for 10 years from 2000 till 2010. We held a North Island Easter Rally on the Clubs 40th Anniversary which was very successful although still remembered by the caterer who let us down --- twice!! Keith’s reaction was very diplomatic and we were able to appease the members with some reimbursements. Keith and Ava were a very capable couple who enjoyed participating in club activities in their1939 Hudson or1930 De Soto Tourer and later the Triumph Herald. They were founding members of the Far North VCC and helped establish a good base for this club. They also took a lot of interest in the Northland Branch as well. Their first Pan Pacific Rally was in 1980 in Rotorua., which lead to a six week trip arranged by the then National Chairman, Norm Skevington to Canada and America in 1983 visiting car collections, rallies and swap meets. Keith has had a very fulfilled active life and we fully appreciate his involvement in this club. Our sincere condolences go to Ava and family. We will all miss Keith but do know he is resting peacefully now. Lyn Wrack Northland Branch VCC
It was sad to hear of Keith’s severe stroke a day after his 88th Birthday, and his final journey 8 weeks later. Our sub-Branch was formed in November 1975 and Keith and Ava joined 6 months later, so were 2 of our foundation members. Keith was elected Club Captain a year later, a position he held for the next 4 years. He purchased a local 1930 Straight 8 De Soto Cabriolet Convertible, which needed a full restoration, which he completed in time to attend the first Pan Pacific National Rally in Rotorua in 1980 and then all the National Rallies held every 5 years from Cambridge, Palmerston North, Christchurch (twice) and Invercargill. In 1984 while Keith was Branch President we were offered the school prefab owned by Hans Ording, provided it was removed within 5 days, which was done, and over the next 2 or 3 years he was heavily involved in the rebuild into our present Clubrooms. He also spent a lot of time on the restoration of the Club Plymouth. and restored, was a 1939 Straight 8 Hudson Sedan.
Another vehicle he purchased
Ava was Branch Secretary 1990-1991, when we were negotiating to obtain full Branch status and Keith did a lot of canvassing and work towards obtaining this end. He was always willing at Working Bees and catering events when for example for the Far North Tour we catered for up to 250 people. After a very active participation in all Branch events, they were sadly missed when they moved to Whangarei in 1997. However they continued to assist and take part in any Club events when they were in the area. Win Matthews. Far North Branch VCC
Dargaville Doings George and Iris set our mid-week run this month, a “No Exit Meander”. After leaving Dargaville, 11 cars headed east and turned into Ounuwhao Road, where there has been extensive logging. All the ground has now been replanted with more pine trees, so no respite for our future roads. At Tangowahine we turned right over the disused railway lines, although a local enterprise is working on extending their rail carts tour (which only go as far as Tangowhahine) to Waiotira. Following instructions, we could see preparation for the growing of kumara, watermelon and squash, in the fertile soils of this area. However, as we neared the end of this road, a harried farmer’s wife came rushing out, as they were making silage and using the road to cart from paddock to pit. We parked off road around their barn until said tractors and loads passed and we resumed our tour. The next road took us close to the NW River and it seemed you could almost touch Hoanga on the other side. Chatted to a farmer/Dad who was waiting for the school bus, who said we had provided him with the most excitement for a long time. Our final destination for afternoon tea, was at Janice and Michael Brenstrum’s property, where Michael is building a massive boat. His attention to detail is superb. Thank you George and Iris, Michael and Janice for a fascinating day. Ian Mold has purchased a 1948 Chrysler Windsor, Flat head 6 cyl. from Christchurch. Ian and his sister flew down and drove the car home, not all SH 1, but via Napier, just because he could! These were the Government car of choice back in the late 40’s. Five local cars joined others from Whangarei side for the drive to Waimamaku Fair. A glorious sunny morning, a few clouds and a strip of fog over the sea looking out to Maunganuui Bluff. Three flocks of turkeys thought they owned the road and didn’t even bother to move from a blast on the A7 horn! Could have had Christmas dinner sorted, but thought better of our paint work. A very pleasant drive through the forest early morning with hardly any other traffic. An interesting array of stalls selling all manner of crafts, baking, produce and a band playing in the background. The road was lined a long way on both sides, by customers’ cars, so the organisers must have been pleased with the response. We carried on to a look-in at a Wolseley car collection, east of Opononi. A three car Dargaville convoy viewed an interesting roadside collection off Gorge Road, and paid respects to the ‘Puzzle’ elephant on the way home. Claudia.
Enjoying a day out at the Waimamaku Fair. Photo by J Rummery
Motorcycle Report The September ride had 14 bikes and the first stop was at the clubrooms for a photo and then we rode SH14 until we turned up the Tangawahine Valley towards kaikohe and back towards Parakao where we stopped for refreshments and a natter before heading back to Whangarei and home. Ten motorcycles assembled for the October ride at the usual start place, everyone seemed to be very relaxed and having a catch up when someone pointed out lofty wasn’t going anywhere on his bike as the rear tire was pretty flat. He had been to the service station and put some air in on the way, Lucky Trevor Points had a hand pump on his 1963 AJS so we pumped some air in and checked the valve it was leaking so the cap was screwed on tight and he rode it to Robert and Lorraine’s home to get a new valve and more air. Lucky it was on the way. We were heading for Abbey caves , Whareora, Harris roads and the loop around Matapouri , Sandy bay and onto Hikurangi for a stop at the local for refreshments. On the way out to Ngunguru Lorraine taped me on the leg and indicated to me the mudguard was falling off the sidecar so a quick stop at the parking area for the riverboat to tighten the mounting bolts. We had a new motorcycle and ride who is joining the club Maurice Voss he was riding a nice MAC Velocette. Brian Taylor riding his 1963 royal Enfield had his grandson Andrew with him riding pillion. We also had Tim riding his 1948 HRD and long time Sponsor, Tony Gordon, riding his Triumph Triple. Everyone had a good ride and we are all looking forward to next months ride.
Robert and Lorraine Young.
6th September Run Such a lot of riders turned up for our September run, you could be excused for thinking everyone had been released from lockup! So many in fact, Robert organised us to ride out to Maunu and form up in front of the NVCC clubrooms for a photo. Thirteen bikes plus one sidecar outfit. All polished and looking good. What a turn-out! Well done! We headed west along State Highway 14 as far as Tangowahine, then north through the lovely road of Tangowahine Valley to intersect State Highway 15 at Pakotai. A quick run south brought us to The Old Parakao Store Café/Bar. The café/bar was really humming; everyone enjoying being able to escape town. As we arrived a large gathering of American cars with oversized V8 engine transplants and their mainly family owners were getting ready to leave, but not before our 2 groups checking each other’s machinery. 1 or 2 of the cars left very enthusiastically! There was just enough room for us inside to carry out our usual debrief before the run home. What a great afternoon. Peter Lovatt
South Waikato tour 17th October 2020 Cameron Francis rode his 1979 Moto Guzzi from Whangarei to Tokoroa and Robert and Lorraine Young took their 1961 BSA and sidecar on a trailer to Tamahere on Friday for the rally on Saturday starting at the Waikato VCC clubrooms in Cambridge. Rally briefing at 9am and first bike away at 9:30. Thirty bikes and 34 people at the start. Leaving the club we headed to south and crossed the Waikato river and headed toward Te Awamutu then south to follow the twisting winding road and finally we crossed Arapuni dam and on to the Rhubarb Cafe for morning tea. At morning tea Lorraine said, she had heard a tinkle tinkle noise and I had noticed the handling of the bike had changed so we investigated to see what it could have happened. Bugger the rear bottom sidecar mounting bolt was missing, what are we going to do? There is still 3 attachment points so lets continue on slowly I said. We started off ( first to leave ) with the next instruction left from the cafe and off we went but never found the next instruction Darby Road as we went the wrong way, we were meant to go the way we came. We ended up at Pataruri and there was a Hammer Hardware!!! so we was able to get a bolt, nut and washers to reattach the sidecar to the bike. After talking to a local we decide to head down SH1 to the lunch stop at the Tokoroa Club. After lunch we headed for the Tokoroa airfield to see an airplane, which one of the local members had just finished building, but he forgot to come to show off his plane. We were entertained by model jet planes costing up to $30,000 and speeds up to 300 kmph which were very impressive (makes my motorcycle a cheap hobby) so it was time to travel back to Cambridge following the Old Taupo Road and crossed the Arapuni dam again back some 80kms to Bob and Jillian Hayton home where we were staying. We travelled 120kms in the morning a total of 200kms. We finished up having a dinner at the Cambridge Racing club , a very enjoyable weekend, great motoring road and beautiful country side, what a wonderful country we live in. Robert and Lorraine Young
Waimamaku Artisan fair 2020
Dargaville 10 – Whangarei 6. No this was not a rugby score, but a simple indication about the enthusiasm between 2 groups of the same club. Whangarei had actually an extra 2 invited guests, which makes the score 10 – 8, but as the big member contributor we still didn’t have more members than our enthusiastic opponent. I know it was a run with a fair amount of kilometres involved, an early start ( the sun was shining already) and a non-car related event ( which actually did change at the very end ), but you would think after a long period of hardly any runs, members would be looking for some social contact. At least that is what it is all about. It is fair to say that for Ans and me a round trip to Waimamaku thru the forest and back via the twin bridges is always enjoyable as we used to live in Waimamaku for a while. As planned we left the clubrooms on our own but very pleased to learn that 3 more Whangarei couples did arrive in Dargaville to join the rest of the group to a very relaxed drive thru the forest and arriving as planned in Waimamaku before 10 O’clock. The welcome was warm and an area was reserved for our parking and they did supply us also with chairs and tables for our group to have our coffee and food. If not eating, drinking and visiting stalls we chatted away as you do about all kind of stuff what comes to somebody’s mind. Atmosphere of the fair was pretty good and the weather couldn’t be any better. Via the Wolseley club I learned the story of an exmember who used to live in Auckland, but now lives in Opononi for quite a while and I always wondered about all the cars covered under tarps on the right hand side when driving back to Whangarei. So after contacting him a few days earlier we could pay him a visit after lunch. Before 2 O’clock we saw at least 8 Wolseleys sitting outside a purpose build big shed which contained anything but a complete car. It is actually sad to see all those cars under tarps and close to the waterfront waiting for a slow but painful death (yes, Wolseleys do have feelings). But all credit to the hosts who provided us with coffee, tea and scones plus a lot of professional tips. For me it is good to know that not all the Wolseley parts are stored at my place alone. From here on everybody left for Dargaville or Whangarei again. I did suffer a flat tyre in Kaikohe and was a little surprised about this because how often do you get a flat tyre now a day? But apart from this I honestly can say that Ans and me where pretty satisfied how we spent our Labour Sunday and also had a good feeling trying to do some good for the club. Kind regards Lou Schoenmaekers
THANK YOU
The family of KEITH THOMAS wish to extend their sincere thanks to all members who have offered so much support at this fraught time of Keith’s passing.
There have
been so many of you and we feel very blessed to have so many friends. Thank you, Ava Thomas
DUNNY RUN Update
SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2020 * START: MEET AT NEW HUNDERTVASSER CENTRE IN KAWAKAWA {Behind Hundertvasser toilets} at 10.30 FOR 11.00 START Hopefully we can have a good look at this new complex before heading off. * We will head East on gravel / sealed roads with our lunch stop planned for a winery/ restaurant. * We have been offered a $30 PER PERSON PLATTER AND WINE TASTING at a special venue. * I will need CONFIRMATION OF INTENTION TO PARTICIPATE FOR CATERING PURPOSES BY 23rd N0VEMBER PLEASE I will keep you informed re final plans, but would appreciate expressions of interest . Regards, Dave DUIRS FNVCC 2020 Dunny Run organiser 09 406 1288, 0274068812, dave.duirs@xtra.co.nz
Parts shed and Library open every Wednesday morning 9-12 noon. Check out the Northland Branch VCC Facebook page for more photos of club events etc.
Calendar of Events 2020-21 November Sunday1st.
Motorcycle Run.
Wednesday 4th. Friday 6th.
Meet at Frings at 1pm.
Morning Tea NVCC Clubrooms 10.30am. Please bring a plate.
Far North Tour Dinner and pick-up of Rally bags at the Club rooms.
Saturday7th
Far North Tour to Kerikeri.
Sunday 8th
Hall and Parts open for morning tea.
Wednesday 11th.
Dargaville meeting at 7.30pm. NW Aero Club, Hoanga Rd.
Wednesday 18th.
Dargaville Mid-week Run1PM at NW Boating Club Car Park BYO afternoon tea.
Thursday 26th . Friday 27th.
NVCC Committee meeting Clubrooms 7pm.
NVCC BYO Dinner Club night Clubrooms 5pm.
Saturday 28th.
NVCC Parts Afternoon 2-5pm.
Saturday 28th.
Dunny Run set by the Far North Branch.
December Wednesday 2nd.
Morning Tea NVCC Clubrooms10.30am. Please bring a plate.
Saturday 5th. A & P Show at Barge Park. Get together at the club rooms at 7.45 leaving from there at 8 o’clock and park up for the day. If you don’t want to stay for that long you can go home and pick your car up at the end of the day. There will be members there at all times to keep an eye out for the vehicles. Sunday 6th.
Motorcycle Run.
Meet at Frings at 1pm.
Wednesday 9th. Dargaville Xmas Meeting at NW Aero Club from 5pm onward with your ‘take-away tea’ and Christmas dessert to share. Sunday13th.
Christmas lunch and Gymkhana. Starting 10.30 at Clubrooms.
January 2021 Sunday 3rd.
Motorcycle Run.
Thursday 28th.
Meet at Frings at 1pm.
NVCC Committee meeting Clubrooms 7pm.
February Wednesday 3rd. Morning Tea NVCC Clubrooms 10.30. Please bring a plate. Sunday7th. Sunday 7th.
Motorcycle Run.
Meet at Frings at 1pm.
Waipu Car and Bike Show
Wednesday 10th.
Dargaville meeting at 7.30pm. NW Aero Club, Hoanga Rd.
Wednesday17th. Dargaville Mid-week Run1PM at NW Boating Club Car Park BYO afternoon tea Sunday14th.
Discovery of the Kaipara harbour. Run set by Robert and Ngaire Wade.
Thursday 25th.
NVCC Committee meeting Clubrooms 7pm.
Saturday 27th.
NVCC Parts Afternoon 2-5pm
2020 -2021 Office Bearers Northland Vintage Car Club Inc. Position Chairperson
Name Ans Schoenmaekers
Phone
Mobile
Email vcc.northland@gmail.com
09 4346802
Vice Chairperson Secretary
Ray Sanders
021632563
Treasurer
Steve Cornwall
09 4025006
Newsletter Editor
Donna Nobilo
09 4376097
Committee
Roger Billing
northland@vcc.org.nz
jensteve@xtra.co.nz 021437601
empiretroop@actrix.co.nz
0273275059
rogerbilling@xtra.co.nz
Peter Meares
09 435 2002
petermeares@gmail.com
Allan Pearson
09 4376317
agpearson39@gmail.com
Gill Sanders Peter Lovatt
4596171
Lou Schoenmaekers
09 4346802
Ron Anderson
021776733
sanders.gill@gmail.com
0211936948
pandjlovatt@gmail.com
louans@hotmail.com
027538969
wishbone@ps.gen.nz
021420707
morgandennis@25gmail.com
Dennis Morgan
09 4338740
Lawrence Hillier
09 4346457
hillierlawrence@gmail.com
Allan Pearson
09 4376317
agpearson39@gmail.com
Peter Meares
09 435 2002
petermeares@gmail.com
Rob Hughes
09 4591171
poodlepalace@xtra.co.nz
Lou Schoenmakers
09 4346802
louans@hotmail.com
Jim Shaw
09 4387028
jim@donavans.co.nz
Bert Parish
09 4389492
Librarian
Peter Meares
09 435 2002
Motorcycle Rep
Peter Lovatt
4596171
Museum Delegate
Ans Schoenmaekers
09 4346802
vcc.northland@gmail.com
VIC Inspector
Allan Pearson
09 4376317
agpearson39@gmail.com
Webmaster
Martin Salter
09 4371969
Parts/Vehicles
Hall Custodian petermeares@gmail.com
0211936948
0212242102
pandjlovatt@gmail.com
martinsalter47@gmail.com