Jaguar Drivers Club of Natal

Transcription

1 Jaguar Drivers Club of Natal Chairman Jack Clough Tel / Fax: Cell: swanfield@telkomsa.net Secretary Lynette Clough Tel / Fax: Cell: swanfield@telkomsa.net Events Co-ordinators Stephen Nell Tel (a/h): Cell: nellfamily@telkomsa.net Patron Peter Fielding Tel Fax: jagmg@telkomsa.net NEWSLETTER: October 2010 (2) Chairman s Comment Hi everyone Firstly I must apologise for the delay in the newsletter as it has been slow in trying to resurrect the club. It has been difficult to collaborate everyone s busy work schedules and the weather, to get a perfect date for all the cars to be on the road together. In addition, Lynette and I have just had a very successful trip to England, in which we visited many many places of interests, both car related and historical. At a later stage, I will twist Lynne s arm to write an article regarding our memorable trip overseas. One thing that I am passionate about is the Jaguar Jamboree at Queenstown from the 16 to the 19 th of June It is of great importance to me and I would like to extend an invitation to the whole club as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the life of the E-type (50 years old) and the Jaguar s 75 th Anniversary. We are trying to gain new memberships into the club and are extending this warm welcome: to anyone that knows of Jag owners, who in the past have been in the club or of jag owners who have not joined, please apply pressure as we are aiming to grow the club. In an effort to keep our cars on the road, we have decided to join up with other car clubs on their outings. One of these clubs that will feature prominently in the Jaguar car clubs outings is the Durban Early Car Club. Page 1 of 6

2 Past events One of the new features within this newsletter is that we will be asking members to be journalists at events and provide us with short write ups of how they have experienced the outings. Our first correspondent for this newsletter is Mr. Ruben Cilliers who has kindly provided us with his impressions of the visit to the Mariannhill Monastery. This is his story. What a discovery of something right here on our doorstep. Ten of the Jaguar club and three from Pietermaritzburg met at the Mariannhill monastery. Us, along with others were taken on a tour of this historic place. Founded in 1812 by Father Fanner from Germany it has become established as the Mariannhill Mission in many parts of the world. Page 2 of 6

3 We were taken through parts of the buildings not accessible without a guide and the quality of the workmanship of the monks filled one with admiration. The cloisters ceilings are concave and inlaid with perfect symmetry in tile-like bricks and along the walls are statuettes with exquisite detail; all the furniture was beautifully made in yellow-wood. The monks were completely self-sufficient and their enterprise was quite amazing. Until recently they had a dairy, and also their own tannery for the leather for making shoes. They also had a primitive printing-press on which the first Zulu gospel of the Bible was printed, in fact it was one of the monks who, realizing that to educate the people they had to be able to read, created written Zulu as it is today. Unfortunately these skills are disappearing with the demise of the older priests as the present-day priests they are training are not inclined to acquiring these. The museum is filled with all sorts of interesting things including a collection of (dead) spiders and (bottled) snakes and other African oddities, and in itself would take hours to survey properly. The monastery church is beautiful, built almost entirely of wood, and the carvings are quite incredible. This church was completed during the war when they were confined to the mission s premises. All in all a wonderful experience and thanks to Mark for arranging this. Page 3 of 6

4 Some of the cars that attended the One monastery of the visiting Jaguars October Run The Durban Early Car Club extended an invitation to the Jag Club to join them on their run to Pitstop Banana Beach on Sunday the 10 th of October There was a disappointing turnout from the Jaguar club as only three couples from the Jag club were in attendance. Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable day as the DECC made us feel very welcome and the meal was of a high standard. The weather was very good and there was a good turnout of cars of the DECC. They varied in range from Laurie Hennings Model A Ford to a Porsche 911, VW Kharmann Ghia, Ford Cortina and Peter Fielding s XK140. The Pitstop is an unforgettable venue to visit as it fulfills the car lovers dream of seeing cars and bikes under one roof. Model cars that is. The venue is clearly a popular eating place and waterhole for the locals as there were no spare tables for lunch and the bar was packed. Page 4 of 6

5 Future Events Jaguar Jamboree Queenstown 2011 This is an article with regards to the Jamboree that was written by our Patron Mr. Peter Fielding. I have checked out the journey to Queenstown where the Jamboree will be held. It's about 183 kms shorter via East London than via Bloemfontein. I've done both trips several times. Both roads are good but services are more available via Bloemfontein. Via Bloemfontein to Queenstown ---- it's 667kms from Durban to Bloemfontein but the nice inexpensive motel in Bloemfontein where we have stayed many times has closed down - that's probably why! But the City Lodge is good! Then it's 364kms to Queenstown. We could of course break the journey to Bloemfontein with a stop-over at Fouriesburg. Via East London to Queenstown It's 667 kms to East London. We've stayed at Umtata in two nice Motels and the distance is 436 kms from Durban. Then from Umtata to EL (231) and to Queenstown (182) totalling 850 kms On the return trip we could perhaps return via East London and stay in one of the two B&Bs in Umtata. Then drive to Port St. Johns where there is a lovely Motel called Cremorne Estate at the river mouth. From there to Port Edward and then up the coastal road to Durban. What about that? OR we could take a relaxing journey to Fouriesburg via Golden Gate and spend the night at the Fouriesburg Country Inn (467km). Then on to Wepener and lunch at the Lord Fraser and overnight at Aliwal North (362 km) at Umtali Lodge or Marilys Guest House. Next day to Queenstown (345 km). We would go over the Barkley Pass at 1920m but we might encounter snow!!this journey is longer at 1174km but magnificent scenery. So if we meet up with the Johannesburg Jags at Bloemfontein at 667 kms, it s then a 364 kms drive to Queenstown 1031 kms If we go via EL, it will be 436 to Umtata and then 414 to Queenstown kms And if we make a holiday of it and go Fouriesburg/Aliwal North over 3 days kms Events Saturday 16 October Here we are invited to join up with the Natal Midlands Jaguar and Daimler association. With this event, the invitation is to visit the working 1800s Water Mill in Ixopo. The NMJDA will be leaving from the Southgate Shopping Centre at 09h30. RSVP Mark (w) Mark.pistorius@kzntransport.gov.za Page 5 of 6

6 Saturday 16 October On this evening, we are invited to attend a talk on effects of unleaded and LRP fuels on older vehicles. This talk is by Robin Phipson and Mark Odendaal. It is at the Kloof VCC Clubhouse and it is 18h00 for 18h30. It is a bring-your-own-evening and the bar will be open. As this should be most informative it is sincerely hoped that many will make the effort to attend. Thursday 16 December This is a very special occasion to which the DECC has invited us to join. This occasion is the annual Christmas party. This is only an option at this stage, depending on how the Jaguar members feel. It will be held at the Westville Country Club (Link Road). There is limited space and booking is essential. Please RSVP by the 3 rd of December (Friday) as we have to give the DECC a final count by the 5 th of December (Sunday). There is ample parking, and the DECC has said that there would be tables set out for the NDJC. It is R80 per person. General Magazines Our good friend Mr Ruben Cilliers, has been very kind and donated a pile of Jaguar related magazines to the club to add to our existing collection. The intention is to lend them out to fellow members to provide suitable reading material for when you are tired of working on your Jaguar or watching television. They will be available at our next Jaguar get together. PLEASE continue to send in your contributions, comments, tips, opinions, any vehicles for sale, whatever, and remember to diarise the Events! We look forward to hearing from you. Kind Regards Jack Clough Steve Nell Page 6 of 6