Category: <span>News</span>

News

Newsletter – February 2019

Newsletter, February 2019

You should know that since the Newsletter in November we have two lots of sad news.   Firstly, was the death of John Smith, husband of Pat and more recently the death of Kenny Allen.   You can see details for both these gentlemen in the Past Veterans section.  The image above taken some years ago, shows Kenny Allen working at his desk with his famous Lotos Elan in the forecourt of his garage in Crossford. A good many members were at Kenny’s funeral, both at the Church Service in Crossford and later at the Crematorium in Holytown.

2019 Spring Run

Already, Bob Baillie has had 19 rooms confirmed for the Hotel headquarters.  One of the major highlights of this Run is a visit to M-Sport in Cumbria. Anyone who has visited this establishment raves about for a long time thereafter! If you are considering coming to this event I would advise getting your entry in ASAP before Bob runs out of accommodation!   In case you have misplaced  the Entry Form, etc, here they are again

7th V.S.M.A. Reunion 2019

If you remember from a previous Newsletter our next Reunion will be held in the Hilton Dunblane Hydo Hotel on Friday 25th October, 2019.  Details will be issued at a later date, however if you wish to reserve accommodation for the Friday evening clicking here will take you to the appropriate page.

New Member:

I am delighted to welcome the following to membership of the Association.  Their details can be found on clicking their name in the “Members List” on the website:
Tom Wilson, Lanark
Frank Lethbridge

Member’s contact changes:

Geoff Stone has changed his email address to mail4gps@gmail.com

Member’s Stuff:

Just received member Eric Dymock’s latest Blog on the Morgan Plus 8.    Those with Morgans will surely find this an interesting read!

Bar Codes:

Here’s a few interesting things you might want to know about Bar Codes or really where stuff actually comes from.  With all the food and pet products now coming from China , it is best to make sure you read the label when buying products especially at Tesco / Asda. The whole world is concerned about China-made “black hearted goods” but can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or  China, or elsewhere for that matter?  Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products “MADE IN CHINA “, so they don’t show from which country it is made.
Many products no longer show where they were made, only   give where the distributor is  located. It is important to read the bar code to track it’s origin.
If the first 3 digits of the barcode are 690 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN  CHINA.
However, you may now refer to the barcode – remember if the first 3 digits are:
  • 690-692 …   Then it is MADE IN  CHINA
  • 00 – 09     USA   &  CANADA
  • 30 – 37….      FRANCE
  • 40 – 44...        GERMANY
  • 49 …    JAPAN
  • 471 ….     Taiwan
  • 50       UK
SO, if you want to BUY ‘BRITISH’ by watching for “50” at the beginning of the number.  Perhaps, it mat be worth printing this and cutting it out to have in your wallet or purse

Some YouTube and other funnies to hopefully brighten your day!

Where did I Park – Bill Barr.rtfd
Tom Rush – Remember Song
A Lucky Yellow Marble!
A Classic One Ronnie Sketch – For Computer Geeks

From Marylin Jack:

I was lying around, pondering the problems of the world, I realized that at my age I don’t really give a damn anymore.  
If walking is good for your health the postman would be immortal.
A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, but is still fat.
A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years, while a tortoise doesn’t run and does mostly nothing, yet it lives for 150 years.
And you tell me to exercise?? I don’t think so. 
Just grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, and the good fortune to remember the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

That’s all folks………………. !                                                               Stuart Parker, February 2019
News

Newsletter, December 2018

Xmas will soon be here, so just a few words of cheer!  I felt the above image of Sandy and Logan Morrison in the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally was perhaps quite appropriate. We have had 3 new members since the last Newsletter –

Ian Buttery from Larkhall

Carol Cooper from Kilsyth

James Pinkerton from Glasgow

Clicking on one of the above will reveal their details.

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14th Annual General Meeting – 7th December, 2018        –      

This was again in Tunnock’s Uddingston premises, curtesy of VSMA member Boyd Tunnoch.  As usual, it was a very brief and unremarkable affair. There were 19 members in total who managed to attend! As expected, there was no change in the Board of management, the following being re-elected to join standing Ordinary Board Members Duncan paterson, Barry Crichton, Ian smillie and Donald Gordon.

Chairman – James W. McInnes    

Vice-Chairman and treasurer  –  Robert Bailie 

Secretary  –  Stuart S I Parker

Ordinary Board Members  –  Mid Bruce, Charlie Young, Adele Paterson and Hugh MacKinnon

Following reports from the Chairman and Secretary, Treasurer Bob Baillie confirmed that our financial affairs were quite in order, and he went on to describe what was in store for us in the Spring Run in April.  In particular he stated that we would be more than impressed with our proposed visit to M-Sport in the Lake district.


Some of the Members and Directors at the AGM – notice the pies were almost finished!

Chairman Jimmie closed the meeting with a thanks to all for attending and also to Tunnock’s for providing an excellent repast (as usual)!

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MG Car Club (Caledonian Section) Film Night

Following last year’s enjoyable evening Nancy Crichton of the MG Club has invited our members to their 3rd Film Night at Kirkintilloch Golf Club on Thursday 24th January from 6.30-9.30pm. The Golf Club are providing a light meal for £6.50 with a choice of Fish and Chips Lasagna or Macaroni Cheese with tea/coffee. We are cordially invited to join them. The instructions on their website (www.mgcaledonian com) are quite explicit for non members.

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Finally, Bill Bar sent me an amusing YouTube video clip which I think will bring a smile to your face PLUS a happy feeling at this time of the year!

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Stuart Parker, Secretary V.S.M.A.

News

Newsletter, November 2018

November is upon us – and soon it will be Xmas!!  Before that however, is a very important event, the Annual General Meeting of V.S.M.A.  As before this will be held in the staff room of Tunnock’s factory in Uddingston on Friday the December at 6.00pm. Below are details in relation to the AGM.


An additonal item to this Newsletter is the information that Bob Baillie has just released details of the 2019 Spring Run.  Here is his invitation to you and below that are PDFs of the ASRs, Entry Form and Hotel Booking Form, to allow you to enter the event.  PLEASE NOTE THAT ENTERIES FOR THIS EVENT WILL BE TAKEN ON A “FIRST COME FIRST SERVED”BASIS.

 November 2018 

Dear Member, 

Spring Run 2019. ——- Friday 26th. April – Monday 29th. April 2019.

We have reached the time of year for organising the Spring Run.  For 2019 we are venturing into Cumbria with the highlight being a visit to the headquarters of M-sport near Cockermouth.

The Newby Bridge Hotel have reserved 20 – 25 rooms for us for the weekend and these will be allocated on first come first served so please get your entries in early to avoid disappointment.

The rates for the hotel per person on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis are as follows :                                     

2 Nights – £119.00       3 Nights – £169.00

The official proceedings will start with us meeting in the Dumfries area at a Garden Centre yet to be decided. We would be aiming to leave Dumfries by 11.30am. The morning run will simply be from our meeting point down to M-sport for a tour around the premises. The set up here is mind blowing.

Due to numbers, we will be divided into two groups with tours one after the other.  The tours will last approximately an hour and a half and there will be a break between tours.  Refreshments will be available on site before and after the tour.  

                                                                                  

On Saturday morning the run is very short taking us to Lakeland Motor Museum and this is followed by a sail from Lakeside on Lake Windermere to Bowness-on-Windermere. After time for browsing Bowness, the  boat returns us to Lakeside. Transport from Lakeland Motor Museum to Lakeside and return is by coach.

Sunday will involve a trip to the Stott Park Bobbin Mill followed by the Crystal Factory at Ulverston and the Docks Museum at Barrow-in-Furness. The return from Barrow-in-Furness to Newby Bridge will be via the Coastal Route.

On Monday we leave after breakfast and, since there is no set route to follow,  you can choose your own way back home. 

This is just a broad outline of the weekend and could be subject to change. I hope that you find the proposed Spring Run of interest. The numbers able to attend are restricted and I would stress again the need for early booking.

Yours sincerely

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Bob Baillie,   Vice Chairman VSMA.

2019 Spring Run ASRs                            2019 Spring Run Entry Form                 2019 Spring Run Hotel Booking Form


Annual General Meeting:

This will start sharp at 6.0pm when a light snack has been laid on, courtesy of Boyd Tunnock.  Here is the Location.   All members are more than welcome to attend this important event.  If you are unable to attend, please complete the Proxy form and send it to me. Here is the Agenda, Proxy and Nomination Forms  which will give you all the information you require for the evening.  Can I point out that the Nomination Form, duly completed, must be in my hands by 16th November 2018 at the latest.


New member:

I welcome another new member since last Newsletter, namely

  • Graham Smith for Napton, Southam in Warwickshire

All Graham’s details can be viewed in his profile page in the  Members List.


New email addresses:


2018 Autumn Run:   –  Sunday 7th October 2018 – The Story

This would be the third Autumn Run organised by Charlie Young and Eddie Hawke and the plan in moving to a Perth start was hopefully encourage VSMA members further North and East to participate. This unfortunately was not to be the case.

In starting our final reccie and on route to Perth, we received a call from our finish venue – The Boathouse Restaurant in Kilysth. This to inform us that they had ceased trading the previous evening and could we call and they would return our deposit. A good way to start the day!!

Anyway, to the event and starting at Dobbies Garden Center just to the West of Perth proved an excellent venue, where the management could not have been more helpful for the assembled lowly fourteen crews. The numbers were to be further reduced when firstly Chris & Mary Paton phoned to say that his Cooper S had ground to a halt near Kinross whilst heading for the start. Removing the rocker cover revealed a sheared rocker shaft and hopefully no further damage. Second casualty was the Porsche Boxster of Margaret & Ian Smillie – simply they got their dates wrong and were convinced that the event was the following weekend.  So, we are now down to twelve starters.

The Route:

The first car left at 12.00 on the dot, heading West past Huntingtower to turn right onto 8083 at Methven. The promise of sunshine in glorious Perthshire was not forthcoming with the weather starting to deteriorate and rain falling. From Methven they turned left left signposted Fowlis Wester then straight on over the offset crossroads at Fowlis Wester, past Quarter Bank and Raith before turning right at Kinkell Bridge and left at the next T junction and almost immediate left at Drumness – still no road numbers!!

From Drumness straight over the crossroads with the A823 (a road number at last) and then T junction left onto the A822 and almost immediate right on the unmarked road at Kaims Castle and the old Roman Fort before turning left at the crossroads onto the old Military Road and down into Braco.

Side road right in Braco onto the B8033 took the crews down past Wester Feddal and Mid Cambushinne to Kinbuck. Continuing on the B8033, then a hard left onto the main A9 next to the Queen Victoria School for a short drive down to the main roundabout at Dunblane. Taking the second exit, they were heading now on the old A9 for Bridge of Allan and looking for a sharp right onto the unmarked road sign posted Old Keir. This was a cracking piece of road taking crews past Craigarn Hall / Easter Row and Hillside of Row before T junction left onto the B824, and then T left onto the A820 into Doune. Through Doune, crews were looking for the B826 on the right and heading for Thornhill. Before Thornhill, they took a left at the T junction onto the A873, turning right onto the B8031 past Craighead and South Mid Frew,and turning left onto the A811

Passing  Boquhan Home Farm they were then onto a side road right to an offset crossroads left and right. Past Glentirranmuir / Auldhall, down past Craigend and then T left onto the B822 and then T left in Fintry onto the B818. Continuing left on the B818 the crews were now onto the Carron Valley road before taking a right turn onto the Tak Me Doon Road

Located almost at the end of the Tak Me Doon road was the new finish venue – Kilsyth and Lennox Golf Club where again the Club Manager and staff were very extremely help full .

The choice of several one courses with tea and coffee was well received and the day was finished off with a quiz.

 All in all a good run, on good surfaces and some seventy plus miles enjoyed by all. The promised views of glorious Perthshire had not materialised with the weather turning really nasty by the time the crews had reached the finish.  Good luck to next year’s organisers!!

Charlie Young

Many, many thanks to Charlie and Eddie for another enjoyable run – pity about the numbers, and of course thanks for the above narrative.

Stuart Parker

Goodwood Festival of Speed:

Eric Dymock sent in this YouTube video for your interest.


Amusing YouTube Clip:

This I’m sure will make you laugh!


I’m running out of “funnies” but here is an old one from/for our beloved Charman:

Perks of reaching or being over 65

Perks of reaching or being over 65 and heading towards 80 and beyond!

1.  Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run — anywhere.

4. People call at 9 PM (or 9 AM) and ask, ‘Did I wake you?’

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

7. Things you buy now will never wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 4 PM.

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won’t get Much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate than meteorologist or the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.

19. You can’t remember who sent you this list. And you notice these are all in big print for your convenience.

Forward this to everyone you can remember right now!

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING:  NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill, and a laxative on the same night!


That’s all folks………………. !                                     Stuart Parker, November 2018

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News

Newsletter, September 2018

Hello there,

We have had only a few comments regardng the new website – all good thankfully!   However no images or articles from members!  One waits in hope!  If you feel you have something that would interst members don’t hesitate to send it in.  The next VSMA event is the forthcoming Autumn Run in October (see details below).


Here are few changes of members details since the last update, however, I’m not sure if I have sent these amendments below to you earlier?  All can be found in the Members List.

New Addresses:

  • John More and Jim McGaughay

Email Address changes:  


Deaths which you might not be aware of:

  • Helen Morrison wife of Sandy died on Friday 6th July.
  • Anne Melvin, wife of John died in September 2017 having being in care for past 3 years.  Anne was a co-driver/navigator in John’s early days of Rallying.  Indeed they won the R.S.A.C. husband and wife prize in a pre-special stage Scottish rally in the 50s.  She had a quiet family-only burial in Eaglesham.

New Members: 

I am delighted to welcome this new member into our fold:

  • John Bennie from Glasgow

John’s details can be found in his profile in the  Members List.


2018 Autumn Run – Sunday 7th October

      Put the above date in your diary for another event being run by Charlie Young:

……..In an effort to encourage enthusiasts from more northern and eastern locations, the event will start in Perth and finish in Kilsyth covering some 70 / 80 miles between venues – most in glorious Perthshire.

Food will be available at the start and finish venues.

Regulations and Entry Form will be sent to previous entrants, but here are two PDFs of the Releveant documents.  They will also be posted to the Caledonian Classic & Historic Club website.

2018 Autumn Run Regulations 2018 Autumn Run Entry Form

Further details are available from the Secretary of the Meeting:-

Charlie Young

1 Sandhead Road

Strathaven

ML10 6HX

Tel: 01357 521696 / 07955 905441

charlieyoung2009@sky.com


Interesting YouTube Video:

Here is a video taken from films shot in New York in 1911 with an added sound tract.  Some marvellous old cars, etc. Enjoy


Some Amusing Items:

  • Here is a Youtube I received to day wihich I found engrossing  –  The Lucky Yellow Marble – it seem to go on and on.

 

  • No Newletter would be complete without some funnies from our “Beloved Leader”!!

 Dublin’s contestant in an international quiz was waiting for his first question.  

 “First, what is your name and occupation?”  The compere asked.   “Pass” came the reply.

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 Casey…..”if you can guess how many chooks I have in my bag, you can have both of them.”   “Three?”  suggested Shaun.

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O’Toole was coming through the customs at the airport carrying a large bottle.

“What have you got there?” said a suspicious customs officer.  “Tis Lourdes holy water I am bringing home with me.” said O’Toole.  The officer took the bottle and tried some.  “Why, tis Irish whiskey to be sure” he spluttered.

“Lord Bless Me!” said O’Toole, “another bloomin’ miracle”

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 On his way home one right Regan dropped into the pub.

 The barman poured him a beer and asked if he wanted to be in a raffle.  What’s it for?” asked Regan.

“It’s for a poor widow with 13 kids,” said the barman.

Regan shook his head.  “No good for me, I’d never be able to keep em.”


Well folks, that’s all for this Newsletter.  I wish you all well.

Yours aye

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Stuart S I Parker,  Secretary, Veterans of Scottish Motorsport Association

News

Newsletter, July 2018

I have had a few comments since the re-birth of the VSMA website – most, fortunately being complimentary, which was pleasing!  I have added a few Youtube videos for your interest and hopefullu, enjoyment!

I am still making changes to the site – hopefully improvements.  One of these is the enlargement of most of the thumbprint images which occur in groups within the various section, such as those within the previous Runs and Reunions. I suppose they should now be called handprints!!  Anyway, have a look to see what you think.  I wil continue to enlarge the images within members’ profiles if necessary. As before, the large group of images can still be further enlarged by clicking on any one of the images within the group. You may find that because of these changes some sections may be a bit slower to load.  Please let me know if this the case and I will have a rethink. 


One other improvement, I think, is the creation of another section “Images from other events”. If you look at it this section you will see the reason why it was created. If you have groups of images of such events which you think may be of interest to members, please let me know and I would certainly consider including them within this section.


Already some members have submitted changes to their profile, which I hope  Hopefully membership data is now up-to-date.  However, if you feel you would like to add or amend your own data, please use the method I suggested in the last Newsletter, namely use the Form Career Data , or if you have a change of address just send me an email.


2018 Spring Run

The picture above show some of the members departing from this year’s Spring Run. Details of this can be found in the Events Section.  All the images in this section were kindly given by Margaret Smillie. For those memebrs who were there, could I ask you to send me photographs you had taken on the event and I will include them with others (provided they are not liable!)


Member Eric Dymock has just released an updated book Jim Clark – Tribute to a Champion. It is on sale at bookshops and also signed copies can be obtained through the Jim Clark Trust. It is also available as an ebook at https://dovepublishing.co.uk/jim-clark-tribute-to-a-champion  available though Amazon. The text is much the same as the one before but has been but updated and completely redesigned.  Read Eric’s blog, which covers his recent trip to Mar Hall. https://goo.gl/Fo7ho9 gets straight into it.  A Royalty on every copy is being donated to the Jim Clark Trust.


Here are some of our esteemed Chairman’s amusing Irish tales

I don’t know where he gets them from and you may have heard them before –  maybe I shouldn’t be publishing them now in our new PC world, but here they are:

“Your glass is empty O’Flaherty, will you be having another?”  “And why would I be wanting two empty glasses?” replied O’Flaherty.

 

Two tough union men were working on a building site when O’Grady fell from the second floor scaffolding.

“Are ya dead?” cried Gallagher from above.   “To be sure I am,” replied O’Grady.

“You are such a liar O’Grady that I don’t know whether to believe you or not!” called Gallagher.

That proves I’m dead,” said O’Grady’s voice from the rubble below,  “because if I was alive you wouldn’t be game to call me a liar!”

 

Callaghan arrived home late from the pub, well oiled and ready for trouble. 

“Is that you Callaghan?” called his wife.  “Byjasis!  It damned well better be!”


And now Some Videos………….

If you enjoy really good jugling – Watch this from youtube.

This shows you how not to become too greedy  – Beware of this Black Hole!!

Be entertained with  Dancing at the Movies

Enjoy this flight attendant’s safety  – she may perhaps may be joining Ryanair from  South WestAirlines

If you enjoy some clasical operatic stuff   The people of Sabadell, Spain are treated to some awesome classical music in this entertaining flash mob created by Banco Sabadell to celebrate their 130th anniversary.–   Watch and listen here

Or if you just enjoy jazz on a guitar  Watch


Well folks, that’s all for the latest Newsletter.  I wish you well.

Yours aye

unknown.jpg

Stuart S I Parker,  Secretary, Veterans of Scottish Motorsport Association

News

Newsletter, January 2016

Dear Fellow member,

Compliments of the season.  I trust you have had an enjoyable festive season and, like me, looking forward to some Spring weather.

Firstly , we have been invited to the MGCC Caledonian Centre’s film show on Friday 29th January.  This will be held at Kirkintilloch Golf Club.  Barry Crichton’s wife Nancy is in charge.   Before the films a buffet supper will be available which will be served from 6.0pm, with the film show starting at 7.30   The programme should include some early Bo’ness material including MGCC member Donald Carmichael in his J4 special, some early MG factory films, some early MGA films, some Monte Carlo items & look out for Graham Hill & Raymond Baxter, & possibly some MG 6R4 items.  They are also hoping to get a film produced by the old Scottish Centre of a team of TFs they ran in the 1955 Scottish Rally.   Nancy is arranging some alternative entertainment for those who don’t want to watch a screen all night!  The cost for this evening is a very modest £8 per head payable when booking through our website  http://www.mgcaledonian.com/event/ladies-and-film-night-2016/

Correction – the date of Reunion is 14th October 2016 and NOT the 21st October as shown in the December Newsletter.

Derek Palmer sent me an email with a youtube clip of the first year of the Para’s first season of BTCC!!   If you remember Derek has been the Team Principal of the Infiniti Para Team throughout.  The video shows how they have done over the last season.  Have a look  at https://youtu.be/FCUlpoWjjDM?t=13

Finally, Bob Baillie has sent me all the info on the forthcoming Spring Run!  I have attached four PDFs including Bob’s letter to members, the A.S.R’s, The Entry Form and details of the Accommodation.  Bob suggests that you get your entry in soon as the accommodation is limited.  (Mine is already in the post)!

Before I go, here is a YouTube clip you might find amusing:  “Scots in lift” –   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FFRoYhTJQQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FFRoYhTJQQ

Yours aye

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News

Newsletter, June 2018

Welcome to our first real Newsletter since May 2015  when the old VSMA website “went down”.  It has taken all this time to get the site a new home while at the same time, trying to resurrect all the data, not just from the old site, but from my own huge collection of images and data sent in by members.  This has been an enormous task and not yet complete as there are quite a few images and members details missing.  So, if you find any errors or omissions, please let me know and I will do my best to rectify the problem.  Similarly, if you have any old images you feel should be included on the site please send them to me.

You will soon notice there are quite a few changes on “how to navigate” the site compared to the previous site.  Can I suggest, once you have logged in to the members’ area, you go to the “How to use this Site”where hopefully “all will be revealed”?  You will find a few differences from the old site – just persevere. I would be very grateful if you have any difficulty navigating the site, where it is not obvious, please you let me know, and I will try to clarify the instructions for other users.

Please look at your own “Profile” – let me know of any amendments are required or a complete update would be better, print out this Career Data  and send it to me – I will do the necessary.  Also, images would be vey welcome.

I’m sure you will notice that a number of our members (75 in all) have an unusual email address, such as factitious000@tunaweb.com. This is because, either they don’t have an email address or they havn’t let me know if it has been changed.  Hopefully, this number will be reduced in due course.

Recently I received an email from Jack Davidson who gave me an interesting tale about fellow member Andrew Jeffrey. While Jack had had a meeting with Andrew’s son Alex, to buy a new Toyota from the showroom he worked, Alex had observed the VSMA badge on Jack’s car and commented that his father Andrew was also a member of VSMA.  Getting back home,  Jack trawled through his extensive negatives and found a mono image of Andrew in his Formula Atlantic at the Ingliston Circuit, had it printed. He presented it to Alex who kindly purchased the image, had it enlarged, framed, and presented the package to father Andrew on his birthday. A nice story.  The photo below shows Andrew with the framed picture


 

News

Newsletter December, 2015

Dear Fellow Veterans,

Another year has gone! We had our AGM on Friday evening which again was held in Tunnocks’ factory. As usual, Boyd had laid on a suitable repast for those attending! I have attached a PDF of the minutes of the evening. As you will see we had to have an election for 4 Board member places when we had five applications. The result was we lost Andy Watson after a good few years service, to be replaced by Mid Bruce, along with Duncan Paterson, Barry Crichton and Donald Gordon.


May I welcome two new members Mike Murchie from Elderslie, and Andy Birrell from Kilconquhar.


Some email changes to your address book:

Tom MacMillan  –     tommacmillan24@gmail.com
Alex Young   –     lewiss@scotseats.cp.uk
Peter Rae   –    irenerae147@outlook.com
Iain Mitchell   –     mvraccidentrepairs@gmail.com
Tim Thomson   –     tim@andypriaulx.com
David Swinton   –     dswinton258@btinternet.com
Gus Pattison   –    angus.pattison@tannoch.com
Doug Niven    –    doug@dougniven.co.uk
Stephen Cooper   –   steviepiper2@gmail.com


Events to look forward to:

We will be getting busy early next year for our Reunion on Friday 21st October 2016, so look out for entry forms, etc in the Spring. Also, we off to the Borders for our annual Spring Run over the weekend of 22-24 April. Bob Baillie has some VERY interesting news on that – later!

Before that, however, we have been invited to a film night by the Caledonian section of the MG Car Club to be held on Friday 29th January – location and times, etc later.

Finally, may I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Guid New Year

Yours aye

Stuart Parker

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Newsletter August, 2015

Dear fellow Veteran,
As you will be well aware our website has not been running properly since the May 2015 Newsletter. I won’t bore you with the details of why this is so, but suffice to say that every effort is being made to get it back in proper order. Until then I hope to keep you posted by email on what ’s been happening in the VSMA world.


New Members

Nigel Galvin from Grangemouth and Rab MacDonald from Lasswade.  Details of these two will be found on the website in due course.


I have been asked to publicise the 50th anniversary of the Fintry Hill Climb on 15th/16th August details of which can be had at www.gac.org.uk A few of our members I’m sure will be competing there!

The other hill climb in which VSMA will again be involved in is the Bo’ness Hill Climb Revival. This is being held on Saturday/Sunday 5th/6th September. A number of our members will be competing and we will be manning a refreshment tent near the finish of the hill as usual. Bob Baillie will be in charge of the tent and he is looking for a few additional helpers on either day. If you think you could give him a hand please call him at 01290 550696 (Home) or 07721 755917 (Mob).


I couldn’t close without an amusing anecdote which landed on my laptop recently……… it’s what I might call a highly intellectual joke!!

The Deaf Mafia Bookkeeper

A Mafia Godfather finds out that his bookkeeper, Guido, has cheated him out of $10,000,000.00. His bookkeeper is deaf but that was the reason he got the job in the first place. It was assumed that Guido would hear nothing and would therefore never have to testify in court.

When the Godfather goes to confront Guido about the missing $10 million, he takes along his lawyer, who knows sign language. The Godfather tells the lawyer, “Ask him where the money is.” The lawyer, using sign language, asks Guido, “Where’s the money?” Guido signs back, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

The lawyer tells the Godfather, “He says he doesn’t know what you are talking about.” The Godfather pulls out a pistol, puts it to Guido’s head and says, “Ask him again or I’ll kill him!” The lawyer signs to Guido, “He’ll kill you if you don’t tell him.”

Guido trembles and signs back, “OK! You win! The money is in a brown briefcase, buried behind the shed at my cousin Bruno’s house.”

The Godfather asks the lawyer, “What did he say?” The lawyer replies, “He says you don’t have the balls to pull the trigger.”

Don’t you just love lawyers?

Yours aye

Stuart Parker

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Newsletter September, 2016

Dear Fellow Veterans,

I’m still in the USA but due to be back in Larkie next Wednesday.  It is less than a month since the last Newsletter but I am including the Regulations and Entry Form for the “Ayrshire Bash” an event similar to the most enjoyable last Autumn’s run organised by Barry Crichton Autumn.  This time Charlie Young is in charge and looking at the Regs is sounds as if it will be just as enjoyable. It is scheduled to run on Sunday 23rd  October.  If you have problems opening or printing the attached PDF please let me know and I will arrange to send you printed copies.

We have had another new member since the last Newsletter.  We are pleased to welcome Peter Clingan from Lochmaben into our Association.

A reminder::   The Reunion is only SIX weeks away.  If you have still to send in your entry form, get a move on!

While in the USA I have had the advantage of using my daughter-in-law’s Subaru WRX STI as a “shopping car”.  What a machine – the torque is quite amazing – in every gear!  Anyway, I thought I should include a youtube of a WRX doing a full lap of the Isle of Man flat out – obviously a still faster machine than the standard road version – worth watching click the link below and watch in full screen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7gmbQ8KxM4

Yours aye

Stuart Parker

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