2009 took a format similar to the last few years, with two Sunday runs, two open cavalcade events and two weekends. Although we had a reduced membership, something most clubs are experiencing, we were pleased to welcome new members to the club and indeed all others to our events.

The outings began with a Sunday afternoon run organised by Laurence and Aileen to the high standard we have now grown to expect. The Spring event took us from McDonalds at Sprucefield through Co.Armagh to Markethill, and back to The Ballymac for our two-course meal. We were honored to be accompanied by Anna Lo, the Alliance MLA, for most of this event.

The Autumn Run, organised again by the Bells, started at The Outlet and we travelled though Cos. Down and Louth to Carlingford and back through torrential rain to the Ballymac for more good food. Our sincere thanks to our treasurer and his wife for all the great work they do for our club.

Our two cavalcade events, Ballyclare and Lisburn, were as popular as ever with ￡1700 being presented to charity. We pass on our thanks to Newtownabbey and Lisburn Councils for their continued support. Special thanks to Councillor Jenny Palmer of Lisburn City Council,who joined us for that event, and of course to Ballyclare Lions for all their work over the past 15 years.

Our May weekend saw a return once again to The Carlton Hotel in Belleek and a boat trip on Lough Erne, with lunch on board consisting of soup (especially for those at the bow) and sandwiches ( including those at the stern). The cruise concluded with an organised display of a local fisherman landing a large salmon on shore. The 45 participants on the entry fully enjoyed the weekend as no complaints were received

The Donegal Weekend in October saw 46 people take part in a very enjoyable overnight in the Ostan na Rosann in Dungloe and a beautiful scenic coastal drive along the north Donegal coast . Some members even took a stroll among the heather regardless of the inclement weather. Regretfully we cannot return to this hotel as it closed down four weeks after we were there.

The Club Stand at the AOVC Rally in Ballymena, in June, had the third largest entry of over 50 clubs, a credit to all who took part. Our thanks go to John Jnr. for looking after all and sundry.

Throughout the year members supported events North and South, organised by clubs and organisations, and were made welcome wherever they went. I wish to thank all members for their support in promoting Triumph Club N I. throughout Ireland.

Last and by no means least, my thanks to all the committee members who work tirelessly throughout the year to keep the club in the high esteem it is held, with a special mention to Desmond for production of the Laurel News, Laurence for looking after our money and Brian for his commitment to the website and of course his special reports of our events.

John E Scott Snr (Chairman)

Elections

The following were elected as club officers.

Chairman: John Scott Snr Vice Chairman: Roy Anderson Secretary: John Scott Jnr Treasurer: Laurence Bell

Membership Secretary: Desmond Shortt Superintendent:: John Scott Jnr Laurel News Editor: Desmond Shortt

AOVC Delegates: Artie O’Neill, John Scott Snr. Desmond Shortt

Membership Renewal 2010

Membership cards for 2010 have been posted to those I have received up to the end of January. Could I please those who have still to renew to forward renewals as soon as possible. The cost remains at ￡15.

EVENTS 2010

AOVC Dinner

The AOVC Annual Dinner will be held on the 13th February in the Templeton Hotel,Templepatrick. The Triumph Club will be attending. Please join us. Contact John Scott, immediately for tickets which are priced as last year at ￡22.50.

TCNI Run Sunday 11th April

Our opening run will be held on the 11 April. Full details will follow in the next issue of Laurel News and will be posted on the web-site.

May Day Weekend 2010

This year we are going to be based at the Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club. Bookings are coming in steadily with 20 rooms now accounted for. If you would like to join us please return a form as soon as possible.

Standard Triumph Marque Day 2010

The Standard Triumph Forum will be holding the Standard Triumph Marque Day at Prescot t Hill Climb Gotherington, Cheltenham, Glostershire on the 23r~ May 2010. There will also be events on the 22nd May. So far we have four members committed to attending. If you would like to participate please contact John Scott as soon as possible. The Club attended a similar day back in 2003 and found a warm welcome and a very enjoyable event.

Ballyclare May Fair Saturday 29th May 2010

The Ballyclare May Fair Cavalcade will be held on the 29th May at the Sixmilewater.Leisure Centre. The entry form will be available soon.

AOVC Classic Show Saturday 26th June 2010

AOVC Classic Show will again be held in the Ballymena Showgrounds on the last Saturday in June the 26 June 2010. We had a great turnout last year and would encourage as many members and friends to plan to attend again in 2010. TCNI had one of the largest stands in 2009 and would like to improve on this for 2010. More details will be in future editions of the news sheet.

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Personal Restriction More observations by Laurence Bell

One day recently I was having a cup of tea and a blueberry muffin in a café. I noticed a man opposite me stabbing at a piece of bread with a fork. I think he was trying to reduce it’s size.

I noted his other hand had a phone attached and this prevented him from using the knife that had been provided.

How the nation has turned into a one handed population. In a supermarket on the same day a young lady was pushing a trolley with her foot. As one hand held the phone the other grappled for the provisions she required.

Has any one noticed as well as the one handed people; the language has also changed.

Blackberry’s would be hard to eat nowadays, not to mention I Pod ,and I Patch. Some Windows do not have much Glass and apples have a lot of plastic.

I have stopped calling things by their name as I am usually told : Do not know that one.!

For example I now say to the person something like. “You know the big thing that goes round and round under the middle of my car? Would you have one?”. I will not be caught out, I wait to hear what they call it.

Carton Shaft, Prop Shaft, Drive Shaft, Main or intermediate Shaft, Drive Coupling, Connecting Joint,! 0h Yes!, I have heard it all before.

Meanwhile back to our young population. Watch the exotic cars arrive at the out of town shopping facilities and how the active occupants seem to park in the blue badge spaces, run with phone or pod in hand into the shops. Same people can be seen jogging in local parks or river banks. but the car parks seem to be too big for them to cross. Wonder what is next. By the way my HD television needs a box with a HDMI cable, to get it to work properly. Just when I got used to USB ports that have no boats or planes.

I am away for another cup of tea, hitting the send button as Desmond needs this.

Laurence.

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TRIUMPH CLUB NI

Laurel News

January 2010