WEST COAST BRANCH – VINTAGE CAR CLUB April 2021 NEWSLETTER
Elspie’s 1937 Buick ready for its first rally
COMMITTEE
PATRON
Tom Griffin
7627830
Daphne
CHAIRMAN
Ted Beer
762 5868
Jill
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Alan Giles
768 5771
Maria
VICE CHAIRMAN
Vacant
SECRETARY
Donna Lee
736 9994 021 030 4926
TREASURER
Tom Griffin
7627830
Daphne
CO-TREASURER
Lynda Tucker
7684847
Kevin
CLUB CAPTAIN
Tom Williams
DELEGATE
Roger Devlin
7685382
Irene
MEMBERSHIP
David Campbell
7684226
June
PR & MARKETING
Allan Giles
7686047
Maria
NEWSLETTER & BEADED WHEELS
Elspie Mitchell
elspie01@gmail.com
VIC FORMS
Tom Griffin
7627830
Daphne
John Fowler
7626538
Trina
tomjwill@xtra.co.nz
ROSCO TRIALS
Nick Harrison
Annette
SCENICLAND RALLY CONVENOR
The Giles
AND SUB COMMITTEE
Dave Houston
7687305
Allison
COMMITTEE
Lance Braid
7557427
Colleen
John Fensom
7686797
Janis
Jill Cowan
7625868
Ted
Elspie Mitchell
7684253
027 664 4249
Kevin Tucker
7684847
Lynda
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN … 1st Thursday month – Committee meeting at Clubrooms at Shantytown 7.30pm 3rd Tuesday month – Morning tea at Shantytown at 10.00am 4th Sunday month – Club Run
LOCAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE 20 April 2021
Morning Tea
Shantytown
July-August
Rosco Trials
Reefton (date to be confirmed)
If you are at a loose end during the month think about coming along to the morning tea at Shantytown. These mornings are always enjoyable and a great way to spend time in great company. I would dearly love to hear from members out there with stories/vehicles to share to try and keep the newsletter interesting and relevant. Any contributions greatly appreciated as it is very difficult to source interesting content. Thanks to those who have assisted to date and June and Dave Campbell for their ongoing support. From the Club Captain Our April run date will fall on Anzac Day so we will not have a run in April. Members are encouraged to consider the morning tea at Shantytown if looking for an April outing with great company and conversation! You can travel in your day to day vehicle and will enjoy a good natter and scone– give it a go. Planning is well underway for a May run following a very successful March Scenicland Rally. Congratulations to all who made the day such a success. Daffodil Day Was discussed again at this month’s meeting with the Club looking at a trip to Westport after our usual local display and we will hopefully joined by other vehicle enthusiasts – an invitation to be extended to the Hot Rodders. 2021 Scenicland Rally After prepping my car and getting all hyped up for last year’s Scenicland rally I, like many, was disappointed when Covid intervened and the rally was postponed last year. So it was with great enthusiasm that my friends -John (designated driver) and Janet and I rocked up to the Civic Centre in my 1937 Buick for the Rally briefing and to participate in what was our first ever rally. The light drizzle in the morning had us worried as we had found a couple of spots where the rain was getting in and hoped the weather would improve as we didn’t want to be wet inside the old girl! We were astounded by the number and variety of vehicles that had arrived for the briefing ranging from the early 1900’s through to many more modern classics. There were over 80 entries with two thirds from outside the Coast. For us we were like kids in a sweet shop so many beautiful, well loved vehicles. My favourite had to be the 1919 Buick with it’s soft top- a stunner! We chose to follow adventurous route A and take a trip through the forestry road at Kumara and then wind our way around the back of Lake Kaniere. Such a beautiful drive which I am sure those from out of the district would have enjoyed. It was new territory for us and we had to stop and enjoy the picturesque Dorothy Falls. When we arrived at the Heritage Park the wonderful volunteers had parking of all the magnificent vehicles well under control with row
upon row of classics perfectly parked. And thankfully, the weather just kept improving as we travelled southward. The Park gave rally participants the opportunity for a cuppa and bite to eat but also had some amazing engines, stagecoaches and vehicles we were able to wander about and look at. My friends and I grabbed the opportunity to have a ride on the wee model train over bridges and through some lovely bush. We didn’t ride on the tractor but saw many many folk enjoying tractor rides as well. If you have never been to the Heritage Park in Hokitika think about a visit as it has something for everyone and is run by a band of dedicated volunteers. We didn’t go to the evening meal so I was shocked when Alan and Maria Giles arrived at my home Sunday morning with some lovely goodies and two trophies – very humbling moment as the Buick was my Dad’s and then my husband and I got it when he died (both the men in my life just loved the old girl) -shame neither of them could be there to enjoy the atmosphere and comradery of the day. A huge thank you to all who made the day such a success – only hope I can map such an interesting day next year (part of winning the Coaster trophy is organising the route next year -lucky me!) Before the rally- a sea of beautiful vehicles
Above -My pick of the day – 1919 Buick!
Through the Forestry Road
And finally the lineup at the Heritage Park
Help your Committee Our Club has over 100 members, but we seldom see any but a few of you.at our monthly Club Runs or our Annual General Meeting. I would be delighted to hear from you what it would take for us to see you occasionally or once a year? Let’s make 2021 the year this club shines as covid has shown us all it can be taken away so quickly. Hit us with your ideas! We dearly want to make the as inclusive as possible. Looking towards next year’s rally – if you don’t want to make the trip are you available to be pencilled in to help with the gymkhana or briefing or anything? Please give it serious thought. Also, as the middle of the year and our AGM-13 June 2021 – (venue to be confirmed)- looms please seriously consider what you can offer to your Club. Last year was a real struggle to fill committee positions and if the same happens this year we may find ourselves having to fold and I’m sure no one wants to see that. If you can’t commit to the committee could you help the Club Captain organise one of the runs or make the load lighter for us. It is not taxing and is actually very rewarding to have the privilege of meeting and working with a fantastic group of like minded folk.
USEFUL INFO…PLEASE NOTE – If it is not suitable to you to use your Club eligible vehicle on the Branch runs, you are more than welcome to come along in your modern as we welcome your company. You can go online to www.vcc.org.nz to read the current Branch magazines. On the home page you will see News from the Branches on the left. Click on that and you have access to magazines from other regions. The Vintage Car Club of NZ is now on Facebook for those who are interested. For those who already have a Facebook account: Go to the VCC facebook page and LIKE IT. Posts will then appear in YOUR facebook stream and you can share them with your friends.
For those who don’t have a facebook page or don’t want to set up an account: type in the link below and then save it in bookmarks in your internet browser. You will then have easy access to the page whenever you want to see the latest posts. To access the Club facebook page, go to https://www.facebook.com/vintagecarclubof newzealand/ Or type Vintage Car Club of New Zealand into facebook search.
VCC DISCOUNTS OF COOK STRAIGHT FERRIES – QUOTE… BLUEBRIDGE – Discount Code “ANTIQUECAR” Valid until 30 June 20212021 (NOTE from Bluebridge: We’ve
recently tweaked a couple of our fare conditions to give your members more flexibility. They can now cancel or change their sailing for free right up until one hour before their sailing and they can make as many changes as they like up to 12 months from the original travel date. ) THE INTERISLANDER – Booking Reference “WH5465 Valid to 15 December 2020. Special link is - https//:www.greatjourneysofnz/members-fares 10% discount on Tranz Rail available to 15th December 2020 – Booking reference WH5465 Special link is – https//:www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz For details and conditions refer to the VCC of NZ Website or your local Secretary SERVICE BADGES – To those members who are nearing 25, 35 or 50 years membership, please contact Membership officer David Campbell. You are entitled to a service badge for your continued membership. Check out the date you joined the Vintage Car Club. NAME BADGES – Also, please contact David Campbell if you would like a name badge. The Branch supplies your first one. VIC FORMS - A reminder to all members who have VIC cards that are due to expire, you will receive a personalised RENEWAL FORM from the National Office at least three months before the due date. You cannot download a form off the internet. They are personalised for each individual vehicle. Please fill in and hand to Branch Secretary. Please note that new applications can be downloaded from the website or contact the Branch Secretary. If you wish to participate in any National VCC Event, you need to have a Vehicle Identification Certificate, don’t leave it until the last minute as it takes some time for the processing of paperwork. If you sell your vintage vehicle and it has VIC Certification please notify NZVCC, POBox 2546, Christchurch. Ph 03 366 4461 or email: admin@vcc.org.nz VERO INSURANCE - If you take your Insurance out with VERO they will then pay the Branch a small Commission which helps with Branch finances. Please note that when applying for Insurance cover with VERO you must quote the Branch number which is 36 plus your membership number. Also you are reminded that this scheme is set up for financial members only.