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I hope you are well and getting ready for Christmas.  The lights are on in all the town centres, the Parades and Christmas Fairs are abundant and I might just get out that Christmas Tree later this week.

Many thanks for a good turnout at the AGM. This went smoothly and we have a committee of 7 to run our affairs. Our thanks to Les Smith for his service on the Committee since 2019. All the presentations have now been made and they will be covered in the next newsletter.  The deadline for that is January 27^th.

My thanks to John Meiling for organising our Christmas Meal at the Woodman.  This was once again a most enjoyable evening, with a chance for people to relax and chat with no talk about the business.  Yanna laid on a great meal  in festive surroundings and says we are welcome next year.

I am still hoping to get details/cards of recommended garages, engineers, mechanics, body work businesses to put together for us all.  Please do let me have them. Just send a text  to 07852 804465 or email to edvvs@yahoo.com or pass to me on a Tuesday or Society Meet.

Museum Closure for the Christmas period:

 Last open day Tuesday 16^th December

Autojumble January 4^th. Come early but please park off-site unless you have a blue badge.

Museum re-opens Tuesday 6^th January

SOCIETY MEETS COMMENCE MONDAY 9^th FEBRUARY AT 1.45 P.M.

The full programme for the year is being worked on and will be with you in the new year.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Thank you to those who have already renewed for 2026. That is 1/3 of you to date.

As I write this letter our oldest member has celebrated his 100th birthday and we send our love and congratulations to Len as he continues his celebrations.

Thank you so much to those who attended the Steward Pageant De-brief. It was extremely useful and there were lots of very useful ideas about overcoming some of this year’s snags.  I will put out a summary of the main points and this will be helpful for the Trustees. I can report that work on the new lift will be put in hand with a commencement date in September.  

John is delighted to report that there is a very full summer newsletter which should be with you early in July.  It shows how busy we have all been at the Museum.

DATE REMINDERS AND MORE INFORMATION

TOMORROW 23rd June from 7.00p.m. is a chance for us to display our own vehicles in the courtyard and maybe enjoy a picnic in the picnic area. There will be awards. Recycle some water and get those vehicles gleaming.

The forecast is good so hope to fill the courtyard and have a  relaxing evening.

Sunday 29th June is an open day with the Rootes club attending.  Please park off site.

Saturday 12th June is the Railway Modellers Show.  This is a great event with many varied layouts. Come and support the Railway Children. Please park off site.

Monday 14th July  A run out to the Farmer’s Boy in Brickendon SG13 8NU  Come in a classic if you have one but come anyway.  Go straight there or leave the Museum at 7.00 sharp.  Useful to let  know if you are planning to come from there.. Plenty of parking opposite the pub in the Beer Gardens.  The main restaurant is closed but light refreshments should be available if you wish. 

Sunday 27th July  Open Day with the Mercedes Benz Club. Please park off-site,

Monday 28th July  7.00 p.m. Discovery Evening.  Details to come.

FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION: SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST.
We are invited back to form a classic vehicle display at Hatfield House AL9 5AE. Please support this lovely event.  Entrance is from 9.15-10.00 via the private entrance – Station Lodge- opposite Hatfield Railway Station. (Ignore the brown signs which take you to the public car park.) We will park around the fountain and down the drive. Do please display details of your vehicles.  The House is open so there should be a good deal of interest. There will be a guided tour of the House for exhibitors at 2.00p.m.Expect to leave from 3.30 onwards.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND ASAP. Friends from other clubs will be welcome as my target is 50 vehicles.  Apart from the display at Hatfield there are no Society events in August  Enjoy the season, whatever you are doing. We return on the 8th September at 7.30 when we have a Forum to discuss the nature and frequency of Society meetings.

This letter is very much a mixed bag.

I will start with sad news.  Richard (Dick) Rogers and Brian Healey passed away a few days ago.  Richard had suffered many health issues over the last couple of years and Brian died suddenly. Both were members of the Jaguar club.

We are pleased to see Les Smith, Dan Smith and Bryan Sloggett back at the Museum and continuing to make progress.

Our last Society meeting on 12^th May was really excellent, but a source of disappointment. We had just six members in attendance.  This was very embarrassing. Speakers’ fees are now £75-£80 and the Committee will have to consult those members who do attend meetings what to do for 2026.  Perhaps a real rethink is needed.

The planned visit to the World War 1 Remembrance Centre in Portsmouth arranged for July 9^th has been cancelled due to lack of interest and will not be rearranged.

The Pageant has come and gone!

A huge thankyou to those members who were able and willing to give up their time to enable the show days to run smoothly and make it a great day out for the thousands who attended. Led by Ossie the Site Crew dedicated themselves to set-up week and worked solidly, with determination and dedication.  The Pageant Committee and Jess the Trust  Administrator saw the fruits of their 9 months preparation.

Whether your contribution was one stewarding shift, or the 12 hour days worked by some it is valued. I am so grateful for those who showed great flexibility and worked extra shifts in the public entrance.  Thank you to those who sourced additional stewards, several of whom came from great distances. We should really  have enough folk among our members.

I hope you are all rested now and can look back on a job well done. If your duties prevented you from seeing much of the show, then do look at some of the excellent videos on You tube.

he beautiful spring weather has been good for our spirits. I get twice as much done on sunny days. How did I get so many forget-me-nots and bluebells in my garden? I am sure that all those on Mike Pierce’s classic car mystery weekend are enjoying themselves in the Cotswolds. Please will someone write something for the newsletter about it. 

Thank you to those who have responded to volunteering to steward the Pageant.  However we still need more of you to assist.  We need to know that we can staff the Pageant by the end of this month so please see who else you can approach amongst friends and family.  Some of you are brilliant at this and it is really appreciated.

Please also return your booking forms to exhibit your lovely vehicles.  We have our EDVVS slot in the Arena on Saturday morning at 11.30.  Do please make this a priority as  many if our members have static duties, which they cannot leave.

We also have posters and flyers for the Pageant.  Please would you take flyers to places you visit, especially any car meets and at least take one poster and display it.

Some April Dates for you:

It is currently the School Easter Holidays. If you are coming to the Museum this Tuesday please park off site, unless in a classic vehicle. 

Monday 14th: 1.45 meeting.   This is entitled: ‘Look what I found in the garage/loft/attic.’ I hope people will bring along something unusual or if the object is large then send me a photograph.

Sunday 27th  Open Day at the Museum where there will be a Gathering of Geezers with their hotrods and Big Paul there to entertain. There is always a brilliant turnout for this. Please park off site.

                       Visit to N. Weald for a guided tour of the Herts and Essex Air Ambulance.  This is fully booked. If you need details please ask me.

                       It is National ‘Drive-It Day’ so if you are are not involved in anything just get the vehicles out on the road and enjoy seeing others enjoying their classics.

Monday 28th 7.30pm  Lynn Watts is giving a talk entitled- ‘What I have learned from 10 years of volunteering.’

I do hope we will have a great number of members and volunteers present for this. We have room for 70 people!

A thank you to Bryan Sloggett who has made us an uplighter, which is on the ‘stage’.  This will be of great benefit to speakers who will be able to see their notes.

May 1st is the Royston Rotary Club Classic Car Show with lots of attractions in the park.  Best to contact them as I think it is become a popular show.

I do hope that those who are unwell on on the road to recovery. Our thoughts are with you.

Spring’s arrival has definitely raised the spirits and I am sure is helping those members, whose health issues are a concern, in their recovery. We send good wishes to Dan Smith, Les Smith, Les Topham and Dick Rogers, who remains in hospital.

Good to see more members bringing their classics along on a Tuesday. There have been some lovely vehicles we have not seen before. I would urge EDVVS members to book your vehicles in for the Pageant. Very few entries so far from members!!  There are forms available on line or in the cafe or office.  Just ask please.

Thank you to those who have responded to the appeal for volunteers for the Pageant.  Everything is now in place and staffing  is the vital component now.  Please encourage friends, neighbours, family to come and do at least a half day shift.  There are application forms in the office and the cafe or email me and I will send you one.

I hope that you will come along and enjoy the talk on Monday 24th at 7.30 which is given by Marion and Roy Ellard, who is an expert photographer.  They will be presenting wildlife shots taken On Safari.

Please bring a friend along so we have a good audience for them.

There are still some places left for the guided tour of the Herts and Essex Air Ambulance at North Weald on Sunday 27th April.  I have a flyer with full details for anyone interested. Although it is Drive It Day you do not need to come in a classic car. I would like to know by the end of this month please. 

30th March is Open Day at the Museum with a visit from the N. London M.G. club. They are great supporters of the Pageant. with their amazing club stand every year. Please park off site as usual.

I am sure that you are all enjoying this spring-like morning and, like me, catching up on all sorts of tasks. 

Just to remind you that the meeting on Monday 27th January which starts at 7.30 takes the form of a quiz.

Please bring 5 questions on any subject of your choice. This makes for an interesting and challenging wayof doing a quiz where you are both a quizzer and a quizmaster. 

On February 10th at 1.45 Charles Heskell from the World War 1 Centre is coming up to give us a follow-up talk.  He is a terrific speaker and if you possibly can, do come along.

On February 24th  at 7.30 Emma Rigby will be coming to tell us about the Community Patrol. She is a well-known person in Enfield as she runs Enfield Love- Your Doorstep.

Do please bring along friends and family to any of our meetings, which are open to all.

Is there anyone who has a drone and a licence? If so please text me on 07852804465.

If you run a business and would be interested in sponsoring/supporting the Pageant in some way please get in touch with me.

A new member is seeking help/advice on completing a kit-car he has. Let me know if you can help.

Thank you for your concern over my Riley. She is sorted and back home.  I can’t wait to be back on the road with her. The recent very wet, flooded roads, salt and mud have not been conducive but the season will soon be with us.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year.  I do hope that you have all had a good Christmas. The preparations are long and the festivities are soon over.  Today things seem to be getting back to normal.

There is an excellent article about ‘Wendy’ in the January copy of Old Glory.  I will put a copy up on the EDVVS Board.

Thank you to all who have renewed membership for 2025.  I will be at the Museum on Tuesday if you plan to renew in person.

Here are some dates to note for forthcoming events.

Sunday 5th January:  Autojumble Sale   Good number of stalls booked in.  Please park off site and ensure you do not park on the pavement.  Avoid Carterhatch Lane if possible as the temporary traffic lights from the A10 are causing problems.

Tuesday 7th January  Museum re-opens as usual.  Please have your membership cards with you. In case of difficulty ask to see me in the Canteen or  Museum Office. 

January 13th 1.45  Meeting:  Games of Yesteryear. Feel free to bring along anything relevant.  We will be using some of our exhibits.

January 26th   Open Day at the Museum

January 27th 7.30  Fun Quiz Evening   Please bring 5 questions of your choice.

February 10th   1.45  Meeting : Charles Hesketh from W W 1 Centre returns to give us a second talk.

February 24th  Meeting: 7.30 Emma Rigby from Love Your Doorstep will talk about the work of the Community Patrol.

We hope the weather will enable all these events to run but if there is deep snow and ice stay safe at home.  I will advise you.

        I hope you are keeping safe in this spell of bad weather.  It should pass soon.

        Just a reminder that we are holding our end of year social on Monday 9th December with doors opening at 7.30p.m.   We are being entertained by the lovely ladies’ the Music Hall Madams’ and there will be a chance to join in.  They do this entertainment to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research.

        Special Christmas raffle, light refreshments, good company and a quiz. 

        Open to all members, volunteers and partners.

        Do come along and join in the jollifications.

I draw your attention to the updated application details for Trustees.  Do please read this and consider if this is something you could take on.

Also the Trustees are inviting sealed bids for the sale of two project cars:

A Triumph Herald 13/60  convertible 

An MG Midget with  the later 1500 Triumph engine.  This is a finishing off project

View at the Museum on a Tuesday or Thursday

Offers to david@whitewebbsmuseum.org by December 3rd

We had a very disappointing turnout on Monday afternoon for our meeting.  Meetings and meeting times will be discussed at the AGM.

This takes place on Monday 25th November and I trust that with 367 members we can expect a good number of members to attend.  Please show your 2024 membership cards on arrival.  A gentle reminder that members should have their cards or on their phone with them when attending the Museum on Tuesdays. 

We would also like more people to attend the Carvery Meal at the Woodman.  We need to let them know the numbers next week so please contact myself or John Meiling and book your place and pay your deposit of £5.00 per head.  Last year there were 40 o us.  Partners are welcome.

Finally a reminder about our Christmas social, the last meeting of the year on 9th December.  We have super entertainment in the form of the Music Hall Madams. Again partners are welcome.  They raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research so please support the special raffle.

How nice to see a sunny day for a change.

Colin Sarling sends his thanks to all the members who came to MIke’s funeral last Monday and for the cars that took pat on the funeral procession.

Here are some reminders for you:

Meetings:

Monday 14th October at 7.30Charles Haskell from the WW1 Remembrance Centre Portsmouth will be giving a talk about WW! with artefacts from the Museum he has established.  

Monday 28th October at 8.00  Colin Spong is giving a talk on Streamlining

Monday November 11th 1.45p.m. Talk by John Harrison: One Family’s Cars.

Monday November 25th 8.00 AGM Meeting. Please make every effort to attend. Nominations, questions and resolutions need to be in by 18th November. Members only.

Wednesday 27th November Christmas Meal at the Woodman Pub  21 Warrengate Road AL9 7TT

Organised by John Meiling. Christmas carvery+ £17.95 per head.  Pre-booked only.  Deposit o £5 per head to John or Judith Open to Members, Volunteers and partners

Other Events of Interest:

Sunday October 6th:  Classic cars at Antique’s Fair at Broxbournebury Mansion . £3.00 entry

Sunday October 13th: Open Day with Classic Cars at Copped Hall.  Be in place by 10.30.  Entry from Crown Hill only. No charge

Sunday October 27th: Open Day at the Museum with Beds, Bucks & Herts Saab Club.  Off site parking please.

Saturday November 30th: 19.30 Music at the Museum- Rock’n’ RollRecord Hop- in the club room with DJ Big Paul Tickets £8.00 on the door.  Please take flyers and distribute wherever you can.

The newsletter will be with you later this month and will contain the AGM proposal form for your Committee and question form and renewals form for 2025.

The top-two floors are still out of action due to the poor weather interrupting the work on the lantern.

I hope to see you as many of you as possible on October 14th. It is a long way to drive from Portsmouth!