Important notice: The Essex club now has a new venue for club night meetings. The address is The Old Chelmsfordians Sports and Social Club, Roxwell Road, Chelmsford. CM1 2NS. Leaving Chelmsford on the A1060 towards Roxwell and The Rodings, it is just past the traffic lights with Chignall Rd, right next door to the BP Petrol station.
JANUARY 2023
Sunday 1st New Years Day run from Writtle Church Please note that as it’s on a Sunday this year, there will be a service from 9am until 10am. Therefore you are requested not to enter the church until 10.15 to allow the congregation to leave first. You will still be able to park your cars in the churchyard beforehand. You are welcome to join the service but remember, to do so you will have to enter the church before 9am. As in previous years there will be refreshments provided by Writtle church volunteers in return for a donation. We will depart for a run about 11am and return to The Chequers pub for a meal. There will be a limit of 40 people for lunch so please get your name down early to avoid disappointment. Contact Peter Lawson.
Wednesday 4th Suffolk Club night, 7pm,at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Saturday 14th Workshop day. We have yet another dynamo to look at that’s not producing any charge but still bring along any problems you have and see if we can put our heads together to fix it. Usual time and place – 9.30 to 10am start at Pete’s garage. Contact Peter Lawson for further information.
Thursday 19th Essex Club night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary). Join us for an evening of films from the Austin archive in our plush new venue.
URGENT. VACANCY FOR EDITOR. No one has yet come forward to fill this most crucial position and Hazel’s last magazine will be the April issue. PLEASE, if you have the time and skill to take on this role you will be the saviour of both our Chassis and the club.
FEBRUARY 2023
Wednesday 1st Suffolk Club night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Friday 3rd Felsted Pantomime – Once Upon A Dream. A group of club members regularly support Richard and his colleagues for this fun evening (with fish and chips too). Contact Richard Bohannan.
Saturday 4th Workshop Day. We have a Ruby 2 Bearing engine undergoing a rebuild if you’d like to see its progress. Usual time and place at Pete’s garage 9.30 to 10am start. Contact Peter Lawson.
Thursday 9th Committee meeting. Please let any committee member know if there is anything you would like discussed.
URGENT. VACANCY FOR EDITOR. No one has yet come forward to fill this most crucial position and Hazel’s last magazine will be the April issue. PLEASE, if you have the time and skill to take on this role you will be the saviour of both our Chassis and the club.
Tuesday 14th Valentine’s Day Run. Meet from 10am at Blackmore Tea Rooms departing 11am for dinner at Hunters Meet, Hatfield Heath. Contact Peter Lawson.
Thursday 16th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary). How well do you know your oils? A lighthearted competition to identify a selection of different oils and also a chance to have a grope in Roger’s feely bags!
URGENT. VACANCY FOR EDITOR. No one has yet come forward to fill this most crucial position and Hazel’s last magazine will be the April issue. PLEASE, if you have the time and skill to take on this role you will be the saviour of both our Chassis and the club.
MARCH 2023
Wednesday 1st Suffolk Club night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Saturday 4th Workshop Day. Continuing the engine rebuild and for the same car checking its 4 speed gearbox that’s jumping out of 3rd. Usual time and place at Pete’s garage. 9.30 to 10am start. Contact Peter Lawson.
Sunday 12th March Hare Run. A Sunday Lunch Run to the Butchers Arms at North End. Meet 10am at Little Channels Bistro, Little Waltham, Contact Peter Lawson.
Thursday 16th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary). Join us for an illustrated talk entitled Wind and Water, a brief history of milling, by Peter Jones.
Thursday 23rd We have been invited to a morning visit of the workshops of Bridge Classic Cars near Woodbridge in Suffolk
URGENT. VACANCY FOR EDITOR. No one has yet come forward to fill this most crucial position and Hazel’s last magazine will be the April issue. PLEASE, if you have the time and skill to take on this role you will be the saviour of both our Chassis and the club.
APRIL 2023
Sunday 2nd Car Show and Autojumble to be held at Lodges Coaches, High Easter. Note: this date replaces the original date of 19th March.
Wednesday 5th Suffolk Club night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Sunday 9th Museum of Power Transport Festival. Cars and vehicles of all ages, types and sizes. For more details and entry form visit http://www.museumofpower.org.uk/Vehiclesform.html
Sunday 16th Sevens to the Sea organised by the PWA7C Lincs Group. 100 mile drive across the Lincolnshire Wolds from Burton Waters to Cleethorpes.
Thursday 20th Essex Club Night, AGM. 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. – and a desperate plea for a new editor, and a new secretary but most importantly a new editor or we won’t have a magazine next month. Please think how you might be able to help us in our hour of need. The rest of the committee will give you all the assistance you require.
Saturday 22nd Workshop Day. Usual time 9.30 to 10am start at Pete’s garage. We have a couple of members with charging problems so we’ll be looking at those and Roger will describe how he wired in a brand new light switch and retained the summer/winter charging with an extra switch. Plus a new homemade device to identify where compression may be lost. Contact Peter Lawson.
Sunday 23rd National Drive it Day. A DRIVE IT DAY RUN ALONG THE ESSEX AND SUFFOLK BORDER . A beautiful route for members from Essex and Suffolk to celebrate Drive it Day and culminating in a Sunday lunch. Meet 10am at Assington Farm Shop CO10 5LW (Sudbury area) for 11am departure. Lunch is at the Lamarsh Lion CO8 5EP. Contact Peter Lawson.
MAY 2023
Tuesday 2nd Committee Meeting. Please let any committee member know if there is anything you would like us to discuss. More importantly, would anyone like to join the committee? We are urgently in need of an editor and a secretary.
Wednesday 3rd Suffolk Club Night, 7pm at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Sunday 7th Car Show for King Charles’ Coronation at Lodges Coaches High Easter.
Sunday 7th. Ipswich to Felixstowe Run. Ipswich Transport Museum invites you to take part in their 51st event, meeting at Christchurch Park
Saturday 13th Workshop Day. Usual time 9.30 to 10am start at Pete’s garage. Contact Peter Lawson or Roger Spearman in advance if there’s anything you want to discuss or work on.
Thursday 18th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. The evenings are getting lighter so bring your Austin 7s along. Background films from the Centenary and recent club runs, courtesy of Terry Bonner.
Saturday 20th Mystery Picnic Run, about 35 miles, starting at Stanway Garden Centre Colchester CO3 8LT. Leave about 11am. Bring a picnic. Contact Peter Lawson if you’d like to join us.
Saturday 27th Little Totham Vintage Vehicle Show . A fun day at Little Common organised by volunteers from All Saints Church. “Motor Vehicles from the last Century”
A celebration of classic motoring at Little Totham CM9 8LB Application forms from dave.oram@mypostoffice.co.uk
Sunday 28th Cars On The Green. Just north of Ixworth, Bardwell’s popular village show returns again. Pre-booked entries only on a first come first served basis from http://www.carsonthegreen.org.uk
Sunday 28th Wings and Wheels Show at Stow Maries Airfield. Free entry for car and driver – fee payable for passengers. Entry forms can be downloaded from http://www.stowmaries.org.uk/event-bookings.
JUNE 2023
Wednesday 7th Suffolk Club Night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Wednesday 14th “Yvette’s” 90th. A birthday run organised by Brian Eckersley to celebrate his Austin Seven’s 90 years. Meet at Olivers Garden Centre Cafe, Witham from 10am for a coffee or even a ‘full English’, leaving about 11am for a short drive to The Swan at Little Totham. It is their Beer Festival this week but will be quiet this Wednesday where we can sample the beers, have lunch in the pub or enjoy their outdoor BBQ. Please let Peter Lawson know if you’d like to come and he will pass on your details to Brian.
Thursday 15th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. Almost the longest day of the year so bring your Austin 7 along for Roger’s Alternative Concours where you can’t prepare your car for judging ‘cos Roger’s criteria changes each time!
Saturday 17th Workshop Day Usual start time 9.30 to 10am. We’ll be stripping a 4 speed gearbox that had close ratio gears fitted, to determine why it whines in 1st 2nd and 3rd. ALSO, now that the weather should be warmer, we would like any ladies in the club to come along to socialise together in the garden or the summerhouse – and leave the men to make their own refreshments! Contact Peter Lawson or Roger Spearman if there’s any other work you’d like to discuss. STOP PRESS: Due to unforeseen circumstances Roger will be unable to attend, so the gearbox strip will be postponed, but there will be other tasks to work on. Ladies – still come along!
Saturday 17th Leavenheath Parish Council invite you to display your classic and vintage cars at Leavenheath Village Hall, for their Fete. Colchester CO6 4NS. 12.30pm till 5.00pm. Lots of entertainment including live music, food and drink. Contact John Garrett 07740099760 or Greg Deeks 07977738649
Sunday 18th A Fabulous Private Car Collection Please put this date in your diary for a trip to Suffolk to visit MR E Warrens vast and increasing car collection. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed, he is a very knowledgeable man who knows so much about each and every vehicle. Arrive around 11.30 am. and please bring your own picnic. There is ample parking space. The address is: – Four Seasons House, Bury Road, Bradfield St Clare, Nr BurySt Edmunds. IP30 0ED. Please contact Peter Golding for an idea of numbers likely to attend, on the details below:- goldings1@aol.com Or phone and leave a message on 01284 388247
Sunday 25th Little Waltham Open Gardens and Classic Car Display in aid of Farleigh Hospice. Please arrive by 10 am if displaying your car, for which there is no entry fee. To visit the gardens you just need to purchase an entry programme. Contact Hazel Clements.
Wednesday 28th Bring back memories. A morning visit to Manor Lodge Care Home, Chelmsford, followed by a short mystery run for a spot of lunch. One of our members, whose mother is in the care home, has asked if a few Sevens could visit for a couple of hours for the residents to reminisce about the old days and perhaps sit in the cars. Further details later from Peter Lawson.
JULY 2023
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd Cressing Temple Vintage Fair in aid of Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. Notice that it is now a Vintage Weekend so we may think about attending this on Saturday so that we can attend Hyde Hall on Sunday which we were not able to fully support last year as so many members were at the Centenary in the Cotswolds. COORDINATOR NEEDED FOR THIS EVENT Contact Peter Lawson if you can help as myself and other members will be at Beaulieu
Sunday 2nd Classic Car Show at RHS Hyde Hall, Rettendon. (For those not going to Beaulieu!) COORDINATOR NEEDED FOR THIS EVENT Contact Peter Lawson if you can help as myself and other members will be at Beaulieu. STOP PRESS: Passes now available – contact Peter Lawson ASAP.
Sunday 2nd National Austin 7 Rally at Beaulieu. This year’s featured model is the Big Seven.
Wednesday 5th Suffolk Club Night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Saturday 8th East Hanningfield Village Fete 12 to 4pm. Various entertainments, live band, food truck, bar, teas and cakes etc., stalls, rides and games . The organisers would love a display of Austin Sevens there so if you are interested please let Peter Lawson or Terry Bonner know by mid April so we can be added to their programme.
Sunday 9th Orsett Classic and Vintage Show. 10am – 4pm. Orsett Showground, Rectory Road, Orsett RM16 3JU. Application forms from info@haddonevents.co.uk
Saturday 15th to 22nd Tour of Yorkshire. Full. Contact Peter Lawson.
Sunday 16th Gardens of Easton Lodge. Open Day marking the WW1 and WW2 connections with the gardens. Brian Jenner will be coordinating the time and starting point for this event, so please let Brian know if you wish to attend or contact Peter Lawson who will pass on your details to Brian. Further information to follow.
Sunday 16th The Essex Family Fest. Classic Car and Bike Show at Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch. RM11 1JU Register at http://www.haveringmind.org.uk
Thursday 20th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary).
Saturday 22nd Writtle Village Fete. The church and villagers would be delighted if you could display your cars on the village green.
Sunday 23rd. Museum of Power. Langford Country Fayre and Classic Car Show. Agricultural and classic/vintage cars 1920 to 1960. Limited spaces. For more details and entry form visit http://www.museumofpower.org.uk/Vehiclesform.html
Sunday 30th Bridge Classic Car Show is returning this year and this time it is bigger than ever! We welcome all vehicles and have food vans, a vintage fair, vintage DJ, dancing, and family fun activities. We’d love lots of people to come along and dress to impress should they wish. 11am-4pm Bentwaters Park, Rendlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2TW
AUGUST 2023
Wednesday 2nd Suffolk Club Night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Sunday 6th Helmingham Hall Classic Car Show. Advance booking required.
Thursday 17th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary).
Sunday 20th Picnic at Pelham We are invited once again to join Suffolk and Norfolk members in Bardwell for their annual picnic. Arrive early for hot bacon rolls! Contact Peter Lawson if you intend going.
Sunday 20th Bus and Coach and Car Show at Lodges Coaches, High Easter.
Friday 25th to Sunday 27th The Austin Seven Clubs’ Association will once again be having a club display area at the Silvertone Festival (formerly known as the Silverstone Classic) which will take place between Friday 25th and Sunday 27th August 2023. When booking tickets on the website ( www.silverstone.co.uk/classic-car-clubs ) club members are able to make use of our dedicated code (23CCD165) to qualify for reduced ticket prices and parking with the other Austin Sevens in our dedicated ‘in-field’ parking area. The car club package includes two general admission tickets, display pass for the car, access to the race paddock, live music every evening and lots of other off-track entertainment.
Sunday 27th Lavenham Classic Car Show.
Monday 28th Bank holiday. Countess of Warwick Show. Little Easton. Details to follow.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Sunday 3rd Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Classic Car and Motorcycle Show. For an entry form, click on the following link – https://braintreeandbockinggardens.co.uk/classic-car-and-bike-show/
Sunday 3rd Glemham Hall, Suffolk. Classic Car show and more. Advance booking required.
Wednesday 6th Suffolk Club Night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th Salute to the 40s at The Historic Dockyards Chatham Kent. thedockyard.co.uk/whats-on/salute-to-the-40s
Sunday 10th Charity Classic Car Show at Lamborne Outdoor Centre, Manor road, Lambourne End RM4 1NB. 10am to 4pm. Display fee of £6 which will go to supporting the children helped by this worthwhile charity. Phone 07389814526 fo further details.
Sunday 10th Barleylands Classic Car Show 10am-4pm. Barleylands Road, Billericay. CM11 2UD. Application forms from info@haddonevents.co.uk
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th The 47th Grand Henham Steam Rally. Near Southwold, Suffolk. Details at https://henhamsteamrally.com. Application forms; send to: – Joe London, (Vintage cars) Fox Cottage North, London Road, Shadingfield, Beccles, Suffolk.NR34 8DH 01502 575471 e-mail josephlondon@live.co.uk
Thursday 21st Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary).
Sunday 24th Diss Heritage Transport Fayre 10 am – 4pm. classic cars, commercials and motorcycles etc. on display in and around Diss town centre. Period dress encouraged.
OCTOBER 2023
Wednesday 4th Suffolk Club Night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Thursday 19th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary).
NOVEMBER 2023
Wednesday 1st Suffolk Club Night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Thursday 16th Essex Club Night, 7pm, at The Old Chelmsfordians. (See notice at top of diary).
DECEMBER 2023
Wednesday 6th Suffolk Club night, 7pm, at the Greyhound, Ixworth.
Essex and Suffolk Austin Seven Club 