Jowett Annual Weekend, Wales, June 2012

[Jack]

Are we nearly there yet?

I have driven to work in the SA, which has generated a bit of interest from the guys who thought I did nothing but swear about Bedford CF Motorhomes and the MX5. Leaving for Birmingham this evening, then on to Wales on Friday.

The rest of team SC, including Peter and Ruth who arrived with Keith on Wednesday evening (straight into the garage to help finishing things off on the interior) will be leaving on Friday morning to travel to the rally.

So where is everyone travelling from, and when? It would be great to see a convoy of Jowetts travelling into Wales for the rally, or if anyone knows a good place for lunch along the way do let us know.

Jack.

[Drummond Black]

We are on our way now. Crossing the Scottish border in about half an hour. Plan to be at the Metropole on Friday morning. Look forward to making auld acquaintances again. Might just meet the northern section convoy this evening.
Drum & Ruby

[Forumadmin]

Amy is now away with Rainex applied to the windscreen. Of course it just started to rain as she was preparing to leave.
Rhowina is now cuddled up to Josephine.

[Amy]

Jack and I, together with Josephine and Napoleon respectively, are now safely ensconced in Birmingham. We drove up from Jack's work this evening, and had a nice clear run with good weather the whole way. I had my hood up due to rain when I was leaving, Jack had his down. I arrived nice and toasty warm, whilst Jack was complaining of a cold head because he forgot to pack a hat

The cars are behaving themselves well - Jack's verdict is that JoJo likes her overdrive. Napoleon is happy as long as I don't take him over 4000rpm - if I do, he does start to misfire, and there's a cyclical lag somewhere which dad thinks may be the coil. Still, nothing serious and certainly nothing that will stop us getting to Wales!

Hoping for nice weather tomorrow so that we can do the rest of the journey with both hoods down.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Wales, not sure what time we'll arrive as we may have a leisurely start, and possibly head to the spa when we get there....

Amy, Jack, Napoleon and Josephine.

[ian Howell]

Just a plea from a home-bound (not homeward bound!) Jowetteer who couldn't make it this time: -

Could someone kindly 'post' the scenic route so that I/we can follow the tour vicariously by atlas or sat-nav?

I have been thinking about you all and envying your weekend, but not the weather - sorry about that!!

Hope all is going well for you all and wishing you safe journeys home this week.

[Jack]

Just a plea from a home-bound (not homeward bound!) Jowetteer who couldn't make it this time: -

Could someone kindly 'post' the scenic route so that I/we can follow the tour vicariously by atlas or sat-nav?

I have been thinking about you all and envying your weekend, but not the weather - sorry about that!!

Hope all is going well for you all and wishing you safe journeys home this week.

Ian, we can go one better than that. We have a HD video camera (new toy) that has taken footage from a fair chunk of the scenic route in our Javelin. They will be Youtubed shortly, and we'll post links so everyone can see what we got up to!

Some vids already popping up from the field day on Youtube as well - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6YpuQfu ... re=related

Edited to add the links from the scenic run - pt1 getting used to the camera mounting and things, currently processing but will be online shortly. It will be raw until I get in to do a bit of editing, stabilise the footage a bit (though it is remarkably smooth straight from the camera, which was securely stuck inside the windscreen) and maybe I'll put a bit of subtle audio in the background - but the engine noise is pretty good. Ignore our commentary in the car

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu6lc70u ... e=youtu.be - Pt 1, I'll work on gradually uploading these over the course of the next few days, so check back for more updates on this thread. All videos are public, if you have a Youtube account it is worth "liking" them and they will be easier to find in future.

Jack.

[Jack]

Pt 1 now live, pt 2 on its way once I get the internet working properly.

Internet now working properly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSRRD7e37LI

Jack.

[Jack]

Pt 3 should be online here, one of the best sections of the scenic run this year, a winding descent on a single track road through a great little valley, that seemed to be deserted!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVfrye2s ... e=youtu.be

[Jack]

Pt 4 has found its way online, that's pretty much all of the scenic run footage, so enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbApMnAfqio

Jack.

[paul wilks]

FANTASTIC rally! Thanks to all those who planned it and made it all work. It was brilliant and showed the club at its best- especially all those Jowetteers who helped members who had 'car problems'. Wonderful to see all those Jowetts in the field on the Saturday.

Thank you to all

Paul and Kathryn Wilks (and the Yellow Peril)

[Tony Fearn]

I can't add to Paul's post. It was as he says, a fantastic Rally, and we were all grateful to the Committee members who put so much time and effort into it.

I have a number of photos, mostly of the cars, but those below might be of interest.

Tony.

[Tony Fearn]

Further to which, although 'Sarah Jane' my 1933 'Flying Fox' wasn't entered in the concours judging, it was nice to know that certain members liked the car enough to make her the 'People's Choice' for the Rally, and I have the boomerang award again.

In 1988, 'Mary Ellen', my 1934 Short Saloon won the same award.

Tony.

[Forumadmin]

You captured my 'Ted Heath' pose, Tony!

Some pictures in the Gallery from Peter and myself. As it says in the description, I would like to identify all the cars with the people that attended, so just add in the comments if you can!

[Keith Clements]

Wow, just taken Peter to the station to end two and a half weeks of my Jowett Annual Weekend!
Firstly thanks to all for my birthday celebration at the formal dinner, and for the sympathy shown for my first without Jenny.
It was great to see all our three cars (Josephine, Napoleon and Benjamin) together on the field during the period costume judging.
Great to see the SC team winning an award for Amy's SC, Napoleon.
Great to see Peter and Ruth enjoying their time with Rhowina and picking up the Long-distance Award and the Rose Bowl for sporting achievement.

Let us all spend the next year strengthening the bond between all Jowett owners by making an effort to contact each other more often. Do that by phone or the Internet or by arranging some local meetings.

Let us also concentrate our effort to expose and promote the Jowett marque, especially with the youngsters and those outside the UK. Peter strongly believes in the value of the First Aid scheme and offers accommodation and help for any members visiting Switzerland.

Looking forward to next year's weekend we need to ask why there were fewer younger and foreign attendees at this year's rally. I missed the presence of the Jowett Juniors, noticed under 25s with nobody to talk to, noticed the lack of stimulation provided by 'the foreigners' apart from Brian, Peter and Ruth (forgive me if I missed anybody but we should make an effort to make their presence noticed).

On that theme we need to be constructively critical of all the club does or could do. We need to bring the best practice from other clubs and similar events to make our club attractive and the best car club. If you see something that needs doing then offer to help to do it. Everyone in the club should be able to give something to it as well as enjoy the services it provides. Those and the Internet can promote the club on Twitter, Facebook and other forums as well as helping via JowettTalk and uploading articles into the JowettGallery. Those without such tools can still promote down the pub, at car or other events, or in schools or technical colleges. They can also write articles to magazines and local newspapers.

[k. rogers]

Keith, an interesting observation you made about the lack of Jowett juniors amongst other things. The following is a possible explanation from my own point of view as to why this might be.
Levi wasn't with us this year because it was his sister's turn but he will be going to Basingstoke next year, fully armed with his new camera he had for his 10th birthday, he says! He is still of the age when we can dictate, as parents, if and when he can attend car club meetings, rallies, etc. I also feel fortunate that he is still dead keen on all aspects of motors, though he is going through the stage at present, as I did at his age, of being nuts on Ferrari, Lambourghini, hot rods and all other exotica - Jowetts have taken a bit of a backseat! But I believe that this is probably because (and I am sure other members can relate to this) my Jowetts have been there since he can remember so don't hold the same novelty value that his other interests do. However, I am sure that once he starts driving himself there will be renewed interest in my cars or if not, then it may have to wait until nostalgia creeps in when he is much older - what age are we when we experience nostalgia?
It must be difficult to encourage children to attend these meetings when they reach a certain age and have their own interests, but I am convinced that as long as they continue to have a liking of old cars then the time always returns when they are happy to join the old man in his hobby once again.