Here we go again and a new year at that, happy New Year all, please please let it be a better one. I’ve just realised it’s the newsletter’s 3rd birthday in its electronic format. So the last couple of weeks have been a bit quiet on the motorsport front but that will all change on Friday the 7th when the hordes will gather at Haynes for the annual MCC Exeter Trial, just as the weather is set to get a bit colder, although after all the rain we’ve been having I’m definitely not complaining especially as the Dellow doesn’t do the “hood” thing.

Whilst the weather forecasters will I’m sure do their very best to give an accurate warning of what we are to expect in the weather department don’t take it as defo , having just turned on the camera on my the nest box just outside the office window I see a Sparrow has already started building its new nest so Spring can’t be that far off!
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Chairman’s Chat…….

As we look forward to 2022 it is time to reflect on the last year.   I would like to thank all the committee for their skills, enthusiasm and time to enable the Club to run successful events, carry out administrative tasks and communicate so effectively. Thanks also to the helpers and  marshals who work and officiate for us.  We are also grateful to the permission of land owners and local authorities that allow us to access the highways, byways and real estate where we  enjoy our sport. Finally to the competitors who enter our events and make all the efforts come to fruition – I look forward to seeing you and many more competing again next year.

2021 has been a year that has challenged us in so many ways and we must remember those who have suffered sickness and loss. Thankfully the club can also reflect upon many successes. Those events we were able to promote and run within new rules were well received and enjoyed by all involved. It was particularly good to be able to include competitors from all ages and generations. A number of our committee and members have represented us well at national level winning top awards.
We were also able, admittedly 12 months late, to celebrate our centenary as one of the oldest motor clubs in the country. Launceston was involved at the birth of long distance trials and we continue to maintain a strong presence in that branch of the sport and has  a colourful history as shown in the Lawrence House Museum exhibition. The Pop Up museum has been nominated for a Cornwall Heritage Award and I look forward to joining the Curator to attend the ceremony at the Royal Cornwall Museum in February.

Finally I hope you have enjoyed a great festive season and wish you all a happy, successful and healthy New Year.

See you dreckly.

Joe Caudle  Chairman
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Now over to our Club President Robin Moore

The Ramblings of RHTM     January 2022

I have a great number of interests, but it is fair to say in that the main, they are concentrated in the period of time between the two World Wars. Whether it’s motorcars, whether it is ships, planes, railways of Architecture and fashion, not forgetting music of course, all these things influenced no doubt by the surroundings by which I was brought up. The sights, the sounds, and the awareness of a world of change,- a defining point in history when the motorcar was taking over from horses and steam.
It has often been said, that “ Man and his Motor Car were the 20^th Century love affair”.  But this cannot be continued in any way, as comparable to the present age of change in which we currently find ourselves. A different exciting world which is embraced by the younger generation, but which I find disturbing and difficult to embrace.

Some time ago I started to chronicle for MCC Triple magazine , how I became “hooked” on classic trials, and how it had to be a pre-war car for me, Triple Editor Celia Walton has been waiting patiently for the rest of my story, so in all fairness  I’ll fast forward to the time when I was more so involved with competitive events.

I went in at the “deep end” , my first ever trial as a competitor being the 1958 Lands End, in which I retired but managed to limp home with a clutch that wasn’t up to the task demanded. It was 18 months  before my 1932 Wolseley Hornet was anything like competitive, and only then that local people became aware of my interest in old motorcars, and Trefrew Farm became a “mecca” for vintage enthusiasts. Many interesting motors and personalities have visited over the years, and still do for that matter, but particularly during the 1960’s and 70’s. one such person was Richard Farley.

Richard Farley, a member of the well known confectioners family lived at Darley House, an old mine Captain’s residence and not far from Deebles Garage at Darley Ford, were at one time we had a special test on the Tamar Trial called “ Robins Revenge” , but that’s another story ( and a slightly painful one at that, Ed). Darley House had a fine motor house wherein resided not one but two Hispano – Suiza cars,- a post vintage H6  6 cylinder fabric bodied saloon, as well as a vintage V12.

Richard was a very good friend of Anthony Blight the Callington Solicitor and great Talbot enthusiast, who was later to write the definitive history.- Georges Roesch and the Invincible Talbot, incidentally,- before Anthony Blight became so involved with his mission in life, to trace, collect and restore all the famous team cars of that marque, he would sometimes be found marshalling on one of our North Cornwall MC events, most likely at the behest of Nancy Parsons, our competition secretary at the time.

And so it came to pass, that, as all mechanical things are better for being used Richard Farley would exercise one of Anthony’s Talbots from time to time and on a nice Summer evening I would be honoured by a visit of one of these famous historic motorcars.  I well remember BGH 23 the ex Brooklands and Alpine Trial car driven by the legendary Mike Cooper in the early 1930’s , paying me a visit, but unfortunately I never recorded the moment by taking a photograph.

Anthony Blight kindly autographed my copy of “The Invincible Talbot”,- To Robin Moore, another 6 cylinder fanatic.

Anthony Blight  /  Callington, 22/5/80                                                                              
 to be continued  RHTM.
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On Wednesday the 8^th of December our club along with several other clubs and organisations turned out in force to say a last farewell to Pete Cooper at the Glynn Valley Crematorium, Bodmin. As you would expect it was standing room only as he was given the send off he deserved. Many of us were somewhat surprised at Pete’s accomplishments during his long and interesting life, I for one never knew he was a helicopter pilot, he was modest of his many achievements which I think summed him up rather well.

For Sale:- Triumph TorumClass 8 car for sale

Shortened & strengthened Triumph Spitfire chassis.
Steel tube spaceframe with aluminium and GRP panels.
2.1 ltr Pinto engine with Kent hi torque cam, 2 x Twin 40 Dellorto DHLA carbs.
Competition clutch, Rocket gearbox, 5 link fully adjustable rear suspension. 
Strengthened English axle with open Quaife diff.
Adjustable coil overs all round.
Premier Car Award in John Aley Trial 2021.
Comprehensive parts package including recon Rocket gearbox, wheels/tyres, Springs, manifolds, spare Webber carbs, bearings, Minx/Rapier 15inch wheels with Tyres and and many, many other parts that may require a van to remove them all.
MOT and Tax exempt although MOT’d every year of ownership for peace of mind.
This car is ready to Trial and will prove to be great fun.
Price £5,000
If interested, please call  Simon Oates 01566 785255 / 07768 781256 or a.oates@btinternet.com
Spare Trial ready 2.1 Pinto engine available separately.


Membership  Simon Oates would like to remind everyone that their membership sub’s are now due, either contact Simon on 01566 785255, email  a.oates@btinternet.com or just go on to the club website and renew online. The best £10.00 you will spend for a long time.

PROVISIONAL YEAR 2022 EVENTS CALENDAR    

Tailpiece

With the Exeter Trial fast approaching I thought I had better get out there and test the car , I had already spotted Simon Oates earlier in the week out testing the recently acquired Liege so I didn’t want to be caught napping. I did a mixed run of main road and lanes for about 25 miles (how far is far enough?) and on returning home double checked all the bits required to work on the Dellow, were working, after all having reached a certain age I was now told I could go and play with the “big boys” , class 2 in the main trial (foolish I know) . On extricating myself from aforementioned vehicle something became apparent to me, the car was probably fitter for the trial than its driver.

There’s not a lot of leg room in a MK2 Dellow even for someone as vertically challenged as myself which means the left leg struggles to find somewhere comfortable, basically sitting as if on the floor with one leg virtually tucked under the other is not ideal, several minutes passed before normal walking was regained. In light of this, I have sent an urgent email to the makers of Nurofen (painkillers to the unafflicted) to see if they wish to sponsor me for the event, I’m sure a catchy slogan could be found.  Not that I’m holding out much hope as it is a bit short notice, if push came to shove I suppose I could always buy some, but let’s not rush things.

All for this month J.T.        you know the contact details,   billjan299@gmail.com