2024 EVENTS
Sunday, 28th April 2024
Some sixty cars signed up for the 25th Anniversary Rally and, despite a few fallings by the wayside because of the awful weather, it was still a good turnout. After tea, coffee and bacon rolls at The Gallow, we set off on a scenic drive, ending up a Fakenham Marketplace around mid-day. There were some ‘new’ and unusual vehicles on show, including a Midas, based on a Mini Metro, a Jowet Jupiter, and a very cute Austin. DJ Jim kept our spirits up with a great selection of music, and the raffle raised over £190 for Nansa, our charity for the year.
Sunday, 14th April 2024
The Club visited the City of Norwich Aviation Museum today. Twenty-one members took part and, because the ground was finally dry enough, we were allowed to park close to the aircraft. Some of us took guided tours of the aircraft, the Nimrod and Vulcan being particularly popular. The museum has been enlarged since our last visit several years ago. Some took advantage of the lunch at the Castle Carvery Racecourse. Thanks to David for organising the event and lunch and to the museum’s staff for being helpful and accommodating.
Car SOS meets Fakenham Auto Club
On 15th February, a small number of FAC members had been invited to attend the filming of a mysterious TV production. We were all sworn to secrecy and told that we couldn't talk about the programme concerned with anyone not 'in the know'. The venue was switched at the last minute from Fakenham Racecourse to Raynham Hall, and twenty members’ cars started to arrive early that chilly morning, to be greeted by Fuzz Townshend, Tim Shaw and the crew of Car SOS, filming an episode centred around Steve Cole’s beautifully restored TVR. The car had been fitted with false number plates so that Steve would not recognise his own car. Fuzz and Tim talked to many of us about our cars and Fuzz even gave Barry’s recalcitrant Ford Consul some successful TLC. Jacqueline enjoyed a warming cup of tea in her immaculate Morris-Minor Traveller while we waited for Tony Dossor to bring Steve along under the pretext of it being just another car display. Some vehicles looked entirely at home outside Raynham Hall.
Soon the cars were being rearranged ready for Steve’s arrival – as were we. Tony and Steve arrived shortly afterwards while we all avoided looking in their direction (nothing to see here!) Steve was stunned when he realised that the TVR he had been admiring was indeed his own car, and soon his family and friends appeared from their hiding place to add to Steve’s surprise. The restoration was much more involved than originally planned as a trophy made out of a section of chassis shows! It was a very special day for the Club and Steve, and we look forward to seeing him and his TVR at future events. The episode will be shown initially on National Geographic at 8.00pm on Thursday 18th April, and on More4 at a later date to be specified.
Saturday, 23rd March 2024
This was the first Fakenham Marketplace meeting of the year and, despite the chilly wind, we were delighted to welcome the nineteen cars which took part, including some new additions to the fleet. A group from Nansa, our sponsored charity for this year, also arrived and enjoyed sitting in the cars. Several potential and actual new members made it a great start to our motoring season.
Saturday, 16th March 2024
The breakfast at The Parlour, Binham, was one of the best we’ve had. Super food, efficiently served on hot plates by cheerful, smiling staff. Forty of us enjoyed the morning, thanks to Jim’s organizational skills.
Wednesday, 28th February 2024
The AGM was well attended and was a pleasant evening. Brian remains as Chairman, with Jim as Vice Chairman. Tim Colman joined the Committee, bringing the total to ten. Heather and Ray were both thanked for their contributions as non-Committee members.
Saturday, 17th February 2024
The winter walk yesterday started at the Queen of Hearts pub in Lenwade. Thirty-four people signed up for the event, a handful of whom decided just to attend for the meal. We set off at 12:00 heading towards the Marriot Way and the railway bridge over the river Wensum. The river was quite swollen and fast-flowing, enough to put off the hardiest of anglers! As planned, we returned to the pub by 1:00 pm for lunch. The staff were friendly and the food was excellent. However, the service was very poor: the person sitting next to me was the last of us to be served – 70 minutes overdue!
Many thanks to Jim for organising this event and for safely herding us sheep.
Wednesday, 24th January 2024
Club Night at The Gallow at which Brian presented a cheque for £1780 to The Fitzroy Centre, Fakenham, our sponsored charity for 2023. It was gratefully received by Kerensa, Mo and Toby on behalf of The Fitzroy Centre, and Toby explained how our funds will be used.
Our sponsored charity for 2024 is NANSA, and its representatives Michelle and Judy told us how the Norwich based organisation helps both children and adults from all over Norfolk. We look forward to co-operating with NANSA during the year.
