Representatives' Latest
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Please view the Area Representatives' Information in the Members' Area for more details on future & past events organised by our area representatives, plus much more.
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Representatives: Situations Vacant
If you are based in South/Mid Wales, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Eastern Europe, northern France, and several US state (see US/Canada page for details) and various countries worldwide (see Rest of World page for details) and would be prepared to take on the role of Club Representative, please contact Sarah King by emailing sarah@xkclub.com.
Australia, Tasmania – Explore Tasmania’s Tarkine, 31 March - 4 April 2020
The Tarkine is Australia’s largest cool temperate rainforest region. This five-night tour departs Hobart on 31 March, travelling through uncrowded sealed roads to the Tarkine region in NW Tasmania. Day one is scenic driving through the remote Central Highlands with an overnight stay at The Tiers Cottages, Deloraine. Day two will be travelling along back roads to the Tall Timbers Resort, Smithton, which will be our base for three nights. Day three will be a trip to Arthur River for a river cruise into the forest and to explore the coastal region and township of Arthur River (population 57). Day four’s touring will cover a circular route through the Tarkine hinterland, with day five travelling back to the northern city of Launceston, visiting the National Motor Museum. Cost is $960 per couple, which covers all accommodation and three evening meals at the Smithton resort. Please see magazine for contact details.
UK, East Anglia - 26th April 2020 - Spring Run
Debbie and Graham Dale have volunteered to organise the Spring 2020 run, which will cover the north Norfolk Broads and north-east coast. The spring run will take place on 26th April 2020. Please let Mike Griffiths know if you are interested and he will put you on the mailing list for this event.
Past Events
Technical Meeting at Agra Engineering
Members of the XK Club in Scotland joined the E-type Club for their winter technical meeting at Agra Engineering’s engine building and machining facility in Dundee. Agra have been in business since 1963 and even run their own racing team giving them first-hand experience of competing in many different forms of racing.
Those present were given an absolutely fascinating tour of the facility by owner and car racers John Fyda and his son Jonathan Fyda. This included a demonstration of a Coventry Climax race engine on one of their dynos and an in-depth insight into the use of the very many specialised engine machining equipment, including crank grinding, line boring, cylinder boring and honing, crank balancing, gear cutting, engine assembly etc… John also showed us a very special old Bentley engine where they are having to make the parts necessary for its rebuild. There were a couple of recently rebuilt Jaguar XK engines among the engines awaiting collection by their owners. All the members found the visit enthralling and all were there for far longer than anticipated. One hardy member, Rob Onslow even managed to travel to Agra in his E-type.
Thank you to E-type Representative Roger Sambrook for organising such an interesting visit!
Scenic Drive, Lunch and Motor Museum - 14th August - Peter Wells
Warwickshire has some delightful Cotswold villages and scenery with plenty of roads ideal for XK motoring and Terry Heyes volunteered to plan a 50 mile route and an itinerary.
That interesting itinerary attracted interest from outside our region and we welcomed the arrival of two cars from S. Midlands and two from E. Midlands regions. From our own region, John & Margaret Ellison came in their 140 from as far away as Anglesey.
On a very wet morning 11 cars met for coffee at The Fish in Wixford, described by Trip Advisor as “A wonderfully Wacky Riverside Pub” and Wacky it certainly is, with an array of life size metallic animals, political caricatures and interesting wall décor.
Foul weather encouraged some to leave the XK at home and arrive in a daily driver. Terry put the hood up on his 120 for the first time in 11 years, but Jim Morrison impressed us all by braving the rain in his totally open C type. At times the route was more like a river cruise than a scenic drive.
A private dining room at the Falcon at Warmington was ideal for a convivial lunch, following which we visited the British Motor Museum and Jaguar Heritage Trust Collection at Gaydon.
A most enjoyable day, despite the weather, and good to meet new faces from other regions. Nest time we must remember to order sunshine.
Pavenham Open Gardens - Don Grant
Pavenham Open Gardens 9th June 2019 The weather forecast leading up to the Open Gardens event was decidedly unpromising. The rain started on Friday afternoon and continued unabated through Saturday. However, on Sunday morning, the sun shone, and we were blessed with a lovely summer day. Some classis car owners felt that the weather was too unsettled to risk their pride and joy. However, what we lacked in quantity from the XK and E Type club we more than made up for in quality. Steve and Val White from the E Type Club brought their beautiful OTS and XK owner John Pollard and his wife Christina brought their stunning Jaguar Mk 5 DHC. My own XK140 FHC made up the classic Jaguar contingent supported by our F Pace and XE daily drivers.
In total 29 cars and motorbikes made a varied display ranging from a Morgan Aero to a 1993 Dallara historic formula 3 through Morris 8 tourer, a Fairthorpe Climax to DB7 Aston Martin and Daimler SP250. A total of 14 gardens were open to the public in aid of Cancer Research UK. They ranged in size from a two up two down farmworkers cottage garden, where the cottage contained a faithfully reproduced spinet piano that was played during the afternoon, to the farms at either end of the village where afternoon teas were served on terraces overlooking the river Great Ouse valley.
The event which has taken place for over 30 years raised £4777.00 for Cancer Research UK, a similar figure to last year.
The gardens will be open again next year on 14th June from 2.00p.m. until 6.00p.m. I would be delighted to welcome any XK or E Type owners who would like to attend.
My details can be found in the Area Representatives area or Magazine if you would like more information.
Drive it Day - W. Midlands & N. Wales - Peter Wells
On 28th April "Drive it Day" we met at Carding Mill Valley, Church Stretton
and drove a scenic route around Wenlock Edge through Much Wenlock
and Ludlow, ending with a convivial lunch in the courtyard of The National Trust's Berrington Hall. An unfavourable weather forecast reduced our numbers, but the six of us that risked it were rewarded with a great drive, a good sociable get together, a walk around the grounds and the house and no sign of rain. We even had sunshine. Suggestions for our next drive were made, are being worked on, and will be reported soon.
Tasmanian XK and E Type club weekend - 30 March - 1 April - Dale Pearce
We were fortunate that the weather was kind and the roads were uncrowded for our Tasmanian XK and E Type club weekend, held in the beautiful Freycinet coast region.
Nine cars, with nine couples, attended this inaugural event, and it's likely that it will become an annual get- together, as nothing surpasses seeing a line of classic Jaguar sports cars winding their way along the area's superb coastal highways.
It is a real pleasure to get a group of like-minded enthusiasts together, enjoying their cars, each other's company and the beautiful region.
Our main journey led us from Coles Bay north to the fishing town of Bicheno, then further north to Elephant's Pass, a very narrow and winding road up to St Marys township. These are relatively empty roads and suited our cars beautifully. From St Marys we headed back down to the coast, where views of the ocean are quite spectacular.
Back in Bicheno we visited the excellent vintage motor bike museum, where over40 bikes were on display. Some of our group also walked to the well-known Wineglass Bay lookout that afternoon.
We are looking forward to next year's event, with hopefully more XKs and E-Types joining us.
Spring run in aid of MacMillan, 17 March, 2019
After an indifferent week weatherwise, Sunday 17th March turned out to be just about perfect (in Cornwall anyway!). Although there were no entries from either XK (apart from ours) or E- Type members, two non – members took part who, hopefully, will join. The run started with a hearty breakfast in which some indulged more than others! The skies were cloudless and the sun shone as we headed off away from Padstow and up the North Coast towards Port Isaac. This is, of course, Doc Martin country and home of ‘Fishermans Friends’. If you’ve not heard of them I can recommend listening to them or watching their video. There was an alternative route provided as the indicated trail was rather narrow through the village! The route carried on up the coast to a lunch stop at Bowood Golf and Country Club near Camelford. After lunch it was across Davidstow, site of former racing circuit and down to Altarnun and on to Bolventor and Jamaica Inn. We were now in Daphne du Maurier territory and continued down the Draynes Valley, passing Golitha Falls and to Siblyback Lake. All the time searching for clues which had been given at the start. There were also a couple of places to find where entrants had to have a photo of their car taken to prove that they had followed the route. It was then time to head back, the route crossing back across Bodmin Moor through Warleggan and Poldark country. It was turning into a literary and cultural tour! Everyone, eventually, arrived back at Trevisker where tea and buns were available for those that hadn’t eaten enough to this point! All enjoyed the event and signed up for the next (date to be decided) and nearly £300 was raised for MacMillan.
