the rattler - nebula.wsimg.com

www.loughboroughlrc.co.uk [email protected] 01530 817350

The RattlerAugust 2017

Issue 22


Contents

1) Editors Blurb page 3

2) Tim’s Talk page 4

3) Charnwood Cruises page 5

4) Armed Forces Day page 6

5) Kelmarsh & Billing Show page 7

6) Beaumanor Show page 8

7) CRUK Marshalling page 9

8) Great Days Out page 10

9) Birthday Party page 11

10) Dude page 12

11) ‘Normal’ Life page 15

12) In the Spot Light page 16

13) Award Winning Nominations page 17

14) ‘Normal’ Rattler stuff Page 18

Club Night is the first Thursday of every month

We meet at the The Greyhound Inn, 25 Melton Road,

Burton on the Wolds, LE12 5AG.

We meet from 7.30pm followed by the

Chairman’s input at 8.00pm

For further details see the club website www.loughboroughlrc.co.uk

or contact Tim – details on committee members page.


Editors Bit

Where has that gone?? Its August already andthe club has already attended so many showsand events. No matter how many times I sayit I really must stop leaving my homeworkuntil the very last minute. We go on holidayin 48 hours and I’m putting this together foryou lot.

Like any good Land Rover this issues is full ofa couple of drips, a few squeaky bits andsome bits you mean to fix but never quite getaround to. However, as always I hope you findthe pictures interesting and the wordsentertaining.

Mean while I am off on Holiday with a hopenot to even see a green oval.


Timmy Talk

So here we are at the second edition of the new look ‘Rattler’ and I hope you’ll

agree it really does look great, so a big thanks to Catt for her continued work on

producing this fine publication.

The months leading up to this edition have been pretty hectic for the club with

multiple events covering weekend after weekend (as you’ll see on the following

pages) and very little down-time in between. Never-the-less its always good to

see so many of you giving up your time to support these events because if no-one

turns up then they simply don’t happen.

From a show point of view the season finale is just around the corner so

remember to save your pocket money and start writing your shopping list (for all

those winter jobs) because the LRO Show is only a few weeks away. Once again

the club will have a stand so if you can’t make it there as an exhibitor please

come and find us and say ‘Hi’ (I’m sure the kettle will be on and someone will

have cake).

Enjoy this issue of ‘The Rattler’.


Charnwood Cruiser’s ShowScorching weather and a great turn-out for the annual show in Loughborough town centre.


Armed Forces Day

The following weekend from the

Cruisers show saw us back in

Loughborough for Armed Forces

Day. This time our role was to both

provide a display and to provide a

barrier to any unwelcome guests.

I’m pleased to say we only had to

fulfil one of these remits.


Kelmarsh and Billing Show

Differing opinions about one of the newest shows on the calendar (Kelmarsh),personally I think the organisers took for granted that people would just followthem to the new location. Sadly, the new location failed to impress.

Some observations…..

MUD, MUD and a bit more MUD.

‘Staff’ being there because they have to be. They made the Grumpy peoplelook more like Happy.

The regular traders could be found commenting about just how quiet it hadbeen and how its not really worth it for them.

It was however a very enjoyable morning out, although I think that was moredue to the company than the show its self. Will I be going next year? Probablynot since they have already set the date to clash with ‘the other Billing’ show.

The weekend following Kelmarsh hosted ‘the other’ Billing Show on theopposite side of the river to the old site. Although it felt very new it also feltpromising. The staff were friendly and trades people happy to be there,although the big names where missing. Being able to watch some of the trialswas entertaining.

I know where I will be putting my support next year.


Beaumanor Show

Bright and not too early the annual battle

lines were drawn. Plan in hand and on mass

20 of the clubs ‘finest’ (ok so just who ever

we could get) went rolling in to the grounds

of Beaumanor Hall surrounded by MG’s,

bunting and flags a plenty.

As per every other year we put in a good

effort to the stand but still came second to

the MG club of North Leicester. The annual

club picnic took place between the down

pours and rain and Mr and Mrs Backhouse

(Senior) did an tremendous job of bacon

sandwiches raising a total of £75 for Loros.


CRUK Marshalling

The past few months has seen the club support local cancer research events with both the Loughborough and Leicester Race for Life events, as well as the Pretty Muddy event back in May.

The club has already been asked to support the same events (and more) next year and we will once again be asking for your support. But what does your support mean?

In short:

An early morning McDonalds (McDonalds optional)

A couple of hours of controlled panic (Putting pink ribbon EVERYWHERE)

Cheering on the runners (Sunglasses advisable)

Removing any sign of the event

Yes, its an early start but these never fail to be a good day out (come rain or shine), and all in name of a good cause. If you have never marshalled an event please aim to do one next year. We really need your support to support this cause.


Great Days OutJuly saw a few regular and a few new faces take on theBelvoir Valley in both new and old lanes. Keep your eyespeeled on Facebook for news about the next trip.


Birthday Party

The last May bank holiday saw the club celebrate its 15th Birthday at Lyndon Topcampground. A successful and relaxing weekend highlighting some of the things theclub does best. Welcoming new members Joe and Linda (Red Disco) who bravely joinedus for the first time ever on the camp site. Dave and Moose where officially reunitedand quietly got to what they do best. A successful, and safe, Green Laning triphappened on the Sunday, with a few new faces joining us.

Of course as with any camping weekend the fire pit, marshmallows and late nightantics where all present and correct. Although Tim did manage to find a bike just theright size for him.


The Dudes Made It!The boys did make it around Europebut have since failed to completethere homework. From what Iunderstand there was LOTS oflaughs, some skinny dipping, snow,sunshine, late nights and earlymornings. Oh and a pole position onthe grid. At some point we MIGHTget the full story but until then youwill just have to look at the prettypictures.


Spoke to soon….After discussions at New Year it was decided that this year was the year for the European

Tour but with 2 cars instead of the planned one. This of course meant we needed to find our 4th idiot. Luckily, big brother Richard, who

had been involved with the 88 build, kindly volunteered. The original trip was planned for the 88‘, where 3 idiots would drive a series Land

Rover to as many countries as possible in 7 days to raise money for Help for Heroes. After looking at making plans and the 109 having a new

engine, gearbox, etc. before Christmas, the wheels were set in motion…

The departure date was set as the 19th of May, meaning we would return on the weekend of the clubs 15th birthday celebrations at Rutland

Water. The ferry was booked from Harwich to the Hook of Holland and the clock started ticking to get the vehicles ready in time. It doesn’t

matter how long you have though, there never seems to be enough time. 5 hours before we were due to set off we were still laying under

the 88 fixing the rear output on the transfer box that had somehow worked its way loose.

On the morning of the 19th we set off from Syston at 3am and after a quick stop at Branstons to fuel up we were on our way to Harwich.

Apart from a small earth issue we had behind the clocks on the 109 we had a good run to the port, arriving in plenty of time. It was

decided that now was a good time to stock up on the essentials: a shopping bad full of biscuits, crisps and 20 tubs of Pot Noodle met all our

requirements.

After getting through security and getting the cars loaded onto the ferry we went up to the main deck to watch the boat leave the port and

to see England slowly disappear out of sight (whilst trying out the full English from the restaurant).

The 8 hour crossing to Holland was soon over and it was time to make our way to our first campsite. No sooner had we driven off the boat

the vehicles where split up and we both exited the dock from different points. So after half an hour or so of trying to work out how to get

phones to work abroad we met back up, set the sat nav’s for Arnhem and made our way across Holland. On arriving at the first campsite

and Dave testing out his Dutch, we worked out that the campsite had already closed for the night. Google to the rescue, we found another

site only a couple of miles away where we had a bite to eat, a bit of a chill out and an early night ready for the challenge ahead.

First thing the next morning we got up, myself, Rich and Keiran, packed our tents away and sat down to watch the entertainment that was

Dave trying to put away his pop up tent. We left the campsite and headed for the war cemetery in Arnhem where we paid out respects

before starting the challenge. At 8:00 am we started the seven day timer and left Arnhem heading for Belgium, (country number 2) through

Liege and down past Bastogne then across into Luxembourg (country number 3). Driving through Luxembourg city was a little slow going

but before long we were crossing the border into our 4th country, Germany. At this point we hit the autobahns and we made it to

Nuremberg where after about 4 attempts we located our campsite and got our heads down.


Day 2 and not long after leaving Nuremberg we were forced to stop when the 109 developed a horrible vibration at anything past

about 55mph. On investigation we found that the front output bearing on the transfer box had failed so the propshaft was

removed to eliminate any further problems and we were on our way again. We carried on up through Germany and into the

Czech republic (country number 5), going up as far north as Prague before heading across into Austria (country number 6),

though Vienna, where we stopped to take 5 and give the cars a few minutes rest.

In some eastern European countries you have to purchase and display a sticker to show you are allowed to use that countries

motorways. We purchased one for the Czech Republic but whilst stopped outside Vienna it was decided that we would head up

through Slovakia (country number 7) to Bratistlava. We would try not to use their main roads to avoid charges and wow, that was

an experience! Lost in the back streets of Slovakia, no idea of which direction we should be heading and on roads where it would

be difficult to turn a smart car around, let alone a 109 with no power steering. Eventually we made it out of Slovakia and

headed to the border of Hungary (country number 8) but, as we had been using back roads, we entered through what was one of

the old border crossing which had obviously been abandoned for many years. After a couple of minutes we pulled in to set the

sat nav’s and we soon felt rather unsafe where we were. We associated it with being very similar to the episodes of ‘Top Gear’

where they were having to run for the boarder, especially when we realised that the sign we had stopped next to had bullet

holes in it. We decided to not stick around any longer. It was at this point we decided we would rather not find a campsite

locally but would drive through the night to eat up some more of Eastern Europe.

In Hungary it seemed sensible to purchase another motorway sticker so Dave donned his best Hungarian accent and 30 minutes

later he reappeared, having annoyed the shopkeeper, successfully getting the required passes. From Hungary we continued

south on what seemed to be a brand new motorway, with not a soul on it, down into Croatia (country number 9). Unfortunately,

the Croatian border was manned and they didn’t seem too happy about us being there considering it was about 1:30 in the

morning. However, eventually they let us in, only for us to drive for half an hour to another border crossing, only to have the

same issues getting out of Croatia and into Slovenia (country number 10). After a poor attempt by border security to search the

cars we were let on our way. It was at this point we decided to pull in, refuel and get a coffee.

To be continued…


This Dipstick is going to be a ‘Responsible adult’! Luckily he has

a very responsible Wife so their baby Boy will be in good hands

when he arrives sometime near Christmas.

Congratulations Tristan & Ellie, lets hope he takes after his

Mummy xx

‘Normal’ Life


‘Normal’ Life

In other ‘Normal’ news

Dexter and his humans,

Lauren & Andy, have finally

moved to there new house

with a HUGE garden. It was

not plain sailing (when is

buying a house) but they

are in now. Andy is already

making plans to build a

workshop and the new

rabbit ‘hutch’ is already in.

Watch is space for the next

lot of ‘Baby’ news.

If you have any ‘normal’ stories/celebrations you

would like to share with the club please pass them on.


In The Spot Light


Award Winning Nominations

Most Expensive Repair

Dave Emery –

Rumour has it that it would have been cheaper

just to fit a new gear box.

Most Altered Vehicle

Most Time Off the Road

Dave and Dave are finally both back on the road but who was off the longest?

Most Recovered Vehicle

Stuart -

Alex – Andy provided a dustpan to clean up following an explosive window

Andy – That incident with a take away in the foot well and Keiran coming to the rescues

Keiran – While marshalling he had to call on Rach to bring him ‘parts’ an ‘fuel’

Matthew Simpkin – In the ‘family car’ on the way to Cornwal

Dipstick of the Year

Alex Castledine – Leaving the Defender on an axle stand on Dave Greens drive without putting anything under it


‘Normal’ Rattle Stuff

Dates for the Dairy

Merchandise Price List

Friends of the Club

Your Committee


Dates For The Diary Event Location Date Type

Club Night Burton-on-the-Wolds 3rd August Meet

Wicked Hathern Fest Hathern 11/12th August Show with stand

Ibstock Ibstock Rec 20th August TBC Show with stand

Club Night Burton-on-the-Wolds 7th September Meet

Peterborough Peterborough Showground 16th – 17th September Show with stand

Shires LRC – Seven sisters Walters Arena, Wales 23-24th September Social

Club Night Burton-on-the-Wolds 5th October Meet

Club Night Burton-on-the-Wolds 2nd November Meet

Great British Land Rover Show Stoneleigh Park 26th November Show

Club Night Burton-on-the-Wolds 7th December Meet

Christmas Dinner TBC – Can’t say we did not warn

you

9th December Social

Christmas Greenlane outing TBC Between XMAS and NY Social

Green Laning Once a month Weather Dependent Social

Pay ‘N’ Play Various TBC Various TBC Social


Merchandise Price List Description

Available

Sizes

Page

NumberItem Code Price (£)

Mens T-Shirt S - 5XL 33 GD005 £ 5.00

Ladies T-Shirt S - 2XL 33 GD006 £ 5.00

Childrens T-Shirt Ages 3-15 417 SS088 £ 5.00

Mens Polo Shirt S - 2XL 111 GD038 £ 7.50

Ladies Polo Shirt S - 2XL 111 GD047 £ 10.00

Adult Hooded Sweatshirt S - 2XL 187 SS824 £ 15.00

Childrens Hooded Sweatshirt Ages 3-12 410 J575B £ 12.50

Mens Full Zip Fleece S - 4XL 705 RG138 £ 12.50

Ladies Full Zip Fleece 10 - 20 705 RG140 £ 12.50

Mens Half Zip Fleece S - 2XL 705 RG134 £ 10.00

Ladies Half Zip Fleece 10 - 20 705 RG139 £ 10.00

Micro Fleece Body Warmer S - 2XL 704 RG185 £ 12.50

Adult Dover Jacket XXS - 4XL 791 RG045 £ 25.00

Soft Shell Jacket XS - 3XL 743 R133X £ 32.50

Knitted Thinsulate Hat One Size 853 BC447 £ 5.00

Grand Prix Cap One Size 829 BC159 £ 5.00

Many other products are also available so if you are looking for something specific, or just a little

different, please just ask to view the catalogue

All orders will need to be paid for in full prior to processing


Friends of the ClubAdrian Flux Insurance

www.adrianflux.co.uk/4x4

Offers up to 15% discount for club members

Beadles Group (Dealers)

www.shop4landrover.co.uk

5% Club discount off online parts & accessories orders.

Infield 4x4

7 Melbourne Rd, Coleorton, Coalville. LE67 8JH

T: 01332 416627

Opie Oils

www.opieoils.co.uk

Telephone order discount plus advice and recommendations.

Register online for discount.

T: 01209 215164 option2

Outback Automotive

www.outbackautomotive.co.uks

12.5% discount on KCHiLites products

Mark Crisp Auto Services

Unit F24 Cumberland Road Industrial Estate, Loughborough

T: 01509 610138

Marshall Land Rover Melton Mowbray

www.marshall.meltonmowbray.landrover.co.uk

15% discount on all service/consumable parts (Not accessories)

Sign Shop

www.sign-shop-loughborough.co.uk

Dishley Grange, Derby Road, Loughborough

T: 01509 843777

Shepshed Auto Spares

10% approx discount on parts

T: 01509 600448

SMP Lighting/SMP Autobulbs

www.smplighting.co.uk / www.smpautobulbs.co.uk

Distributer of quality lighting products and bulbs.

Discount available via code obtained through club.

Sturgess Land Rover Leicester

www.sturgess.landrover.co.uk

10% on all parts including accessories

http://www.smplighting.co.uk/

http://www.sturgess.landrover.co.uk/


Your Committee

Tim Hodgkiss

[email protected]

Tracey Hodgkiss

Secretary [email protected]

Dave Emery

Green Laning

Catt Castledine

Treasurer / [email protected]

Alex Castledine

Health & [email protected]

Could it be you?

[email protected]

Keiran Barker

Social Media [email protected]

Andy Cox

Events [email protected]

Lauren Bedford

Socials & Merchandise [email protected]

Chris Rann

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]









the rattler - nebula.wsimg.com

Documents