Laurel News

May/June 2010

My apologies for the lateness of this edition of Laurel News but I have been having computer problems recently, which unfortunately are not yet resolved. D.S.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Lisburn Classic Cavalcade Friday 6th August

We will be holding the popular Lisburn Classic Cavalcade on Friday night the 6th August at the Lagan Valley Island Civic Centre. Entry forms are enclosed. Please return to Laurence Bell as soon as possible.

AOVC Autumn Run Saturday 11th September.

The AOVC Autumn Run will start form the Outlet Centre Banbridge. Discount and refreshment tokens for the centre will be provided.

REPORTS

May Weekend

What is South of here?' asked the King, 'and more to the point should we go there?' They found a poor fellow who had indeed been in those lands, who beguiled them with tales of ancient kings and a great river, but warned that such a journey would take them through hostile territories before they arrived to the land of The Pale, in the hands of fierce Anglo-Norman Knights. So they called the Seers and Sorcerers together, cast a few spells and decided to go for it.

Word got around and King John and the trusty Triumphs were soon joined by the usual hangers on, (twenty five chariots and wagons, including the Boys and Girls of Ballyronan, and the Rhineland Charioteers). The motley crew left the Ballymac early on the morning of the great feast of Bealtain, when the sun shines all day, the crops are growing and its the last chance of a party before the end of harvest-time.

Leaving the Kingdom Of Dalriada the wily Lord Laurence set out to confuse the enemy on this journey to the south and turned west to avoid his enemies in Craigavon. He didn't linger long in Armagh either and led the wagons through Keady, and along the great and dangerous way of the Oriel O'Neill, through Castleblaney and on to Carrickmacross. Obviously a border town, the local hostelry masquerades as a church but was known locally as The Fiddlers Arms, in deference to the prevalent occupation of most of its inhabitants. The warriors ate, but refrained from strong drink whilst the women set off to plunder the town. Little was found and King John decreed that it was time someone laid siege to the great town of Drogheda.

This time they turned East to go South and the fair weather deserted them as local witches called down storms of rain and hail. They passed into the Pale near the great fort of Ardee and were disappointed when they arrived to Drogheda that there had already been two sieges, and they did not want another one.

Some fellow who called himself The Protector had lost his temper and given the people what for. Mindful of this they sent them to a new-fangled castle on the south side of the river and promised board and bed for as long as they cared to stay.

The proprietor of this Boyne Valley Place met them and confessed that although his name was McNamara he was not the leader of the Band, but had found a wandering minstrel who might entertain them. And he did after they dined.

On the morrow the King decided they must visit Hugh deLacy and his friends at the great Castle of Trim, to the West. So they set off South. Julian had left town so they headed North to take the castle of Slane, but spared it when they were given free passage across the new river bridge, and promise of great entertainment at a later date.

In the heart of Meath they discovered how devious and parochial the locals were. They removed all trace of Trim from the way markers, but the code breakers easily established that all=T, othe=R, rro=I, and utes= M, and so they found their way round the little hamlet of Navan and followed the river towards de Lacy's Castle.

However the land being in recession it came as no surprise that the great building, lauded as one of the greatest, was unfinished. So much for estate agents. de Lacy was gone, no sign of builders. Another developer obviously in trouble. Still the views were great and the tarpaulin stretched over the top was doing its job and they might finish it some day. Some of the Ballyronan and Toome crowd were keen enough to consider the contract if it ever came up again. Having eaten they brought the chariots from where they had been hidden in a great cave and decided to pay a courtesy call on the High King of Ireland on the Hill of Tara.

He wasn't at home either but he had posted a notice that they were welcome from June 30th and that the toilets would be open then too. And the rain again fell in torrents. Some hardy souls did explore the site with its magnificent views, but all too soon it was time to head East for Drogheda

So the King turned South to confuse the pursuers and soon everyone agreed that this was a great idea and turned almost at will. So successful was the strategy that all arrived safely at McNamara's for the traditional banquet. Another minstrel provided music. Lord Laurence's treasures were plundered and as the minstrel tired, several of the company, the Lords Brian Who Cann and Wilbert Who Can Too, also entertained the troops

Day three dawned eerily clear and the King and his followers went to Oldbridge House to meet a renowned Sooth Sayer. She told them a most unlikely tale. A Protestant Prince from Holland, sent by the Pope, would one day fight a great battle there. But wait for it, he would fight his Father in Law, who was also his uncle. She even drew pictures of the costumes they would wear. The whole thing was so far fetched that many said it would be forgotten in a few days if it ever did come to pass.

Still the King was mightily upset, and bearing in mind the merriment, feasting and lack of sobriety of the previous days, decided it was time to go on pilgrimage to the great friary at Monasterboice. Strangely they again found the local populace had flown, but they left behind a tower that seemed to scrape the heavens, and several huge bibles, carved as stone crosses, to point the way to a better way of life, and no doubt ensure they were not pilfered.

Then to really throw off any pursuit they turned North to go North, but because of the great age of many of the venerable chariots and their occupants they did not use the new North Road, but sought the security of the coastline. Having evaded the checkpoints and border patrols they were pleasantly surprised to be told The Sportsman's In, and so he was.

King John declared the campaign over and the followers dispersed, knowing full well that they would again be called on for another adventure. In his annals he wrote: 'We saw many wonderful places but there are tales of many more places we did not visit. More monasteries, ancient tombs and dwellings, Perhaps we should return.'

God Help them All.

Brian Linden

Standard Triumph Marque Day

Four Club members made the journey to the 2010 Standard Triumph Marque Day held this year at Prescott Hill Climb in Gloucestershire. Meeting in Dublin we caught the afternoon ferry to Holyhead and on through North Wales to our first overnight stop in Betws-y-Coed. This part of Wales was full of hill walkers and climbers plus a few fellow classic car enthusiasts some of whom we met at our evening meal were we were able to sit out well into the evening.

Next morning we set off in glorious sunshine and decided to visit the Gaydon museum. There has been quite a change in the exhibits since we were last there on 2003 also at a Standard Triumph Marque Day with a wider range of makes on show. We spent Saturday night just south of Worcester in a village called Callow End.

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Sunday morning we headed for Prescott first thing. The strange thing was we didn't come across many Triumphs on the way there and I was beginning to have doubts about Sat- Nav. However there was no need to worry as when we arrived at Prescott everyone seemed to be coming at it from the opposite direction we had. After being directed to our stand, we soon made our presence know with the TCNI sail fags unfurled for all to see. As you can see in the photo there wasn't a cloud in the sky

Walking down towards the Hill Climb start all sorts of Triumphs were lined up on display.

It wasn't just post war cars as this pre war Dolomite Special participated, seen here lining up with more recent Triumphs to have a go at the Hill. Climbs were not timed (officially) but a lot of people were filming their drive

This racing Spitfire re-creation was seen on the Hill several times during the day. Very nicely turned out it had a lovely exhaust note.

For me there were two cars that stood out. This 2.5 PI Saloon rally car had a wonderful exhaust note and its driver really attacked the Hill but in a controlled manner.

This was the other outstanding car of the day. This heavily modified Stag was ripping up the Hill. It could be followed right from the start just by listening to the roar from the V8 and the tyres squealing on every comer to the top which was well out of sight from where I was standing. I even forgave him for having the Stag badges on the rear wings facing backwards

They weren't all Triumphs on the hill. This vintage special was much more sedate but interesting to watch none the less.

It being a fine day everything stopped for lunch with many taking a relaxing picnic beside their cars after going up the Hill.

Unfortunately work beckoned on Monday morning and some of us has to head for the ferry at Holyhead in the afternoon. John Jnr. suffered in the sun up the motorway and had to stop for some protection. We concluded the trip with a quick meal near Holyhead before boarding. Off the ferry at about midnight in Dublin, the last I saw of John was him negotiating with an empty toll kiosk at Boyne Bridge when the money basket kept rejecting his coins.

This was a great weekend that more should consider attending in the future.

Desmond Shortt.

Anyone wishing to place an advertisement in cars or parts for sale or wanted please phone 028 9264 8471or fax 028 9264 8472 to John Scott. Alternatively e-mail to me at desmond.shortt@btconnect.com
Also check out the buy and sell section of the AOVC website www.aovc.co.uk