Panther Enthusiasts Club
All Areas
Latest News (as at 26/07/2010)
Pages updated: this one and Albums
July 18th Saw us at the Sporting Bears event at Kimbolton. Our attendance at the event was arranged by Nigel Plunkett and for the first time we shared a stand with the PCC. It was a successful arrangement and popular with all who attended. Web page of the event now accessible via Albums. There were 17 cars on show, which would have been 20 if car problems and family commitments hadn't intervened.
Alec Bradshaw has worked his magic again and the clubs coffers are richer by another £87. All that now remains of the regalia that George and Shelagh left us is a few posters. Well done Alec I think you missed your true vocation in life.
June 2010.
We have just had confirmation from the RSPCA that 10 places are reserved for us at their centre at Millbrook Chobham. We will be in our usual position so I'll remind all who attend nearer the time to "watch your exhaust."
I've just discovered that the RSPCA Fun Day event on Sunday July 4th has been cancelled as far as Classic Cars are concerned. An event at Matching Green has been put on the events page to replace it. Due to the short notice, I will be ringing around to see if anyone is interested.
Seven cars attended the Audley End Classic car Show on Sunday 20th June and the 14 people thoroughly enjoyed the day and a great venue that we haven't been to for some years. A write up and photographs can be viewed via Albums.
The club will be renewing its 2010/2011 public liability insurance this month at a cost of £131.25 and the good news is that there is sufficient in the club funds to meet the following years (2011/2012) premium as well. After that we will have to do some fund raising.
Two events in June have taken place Beale Park and The Picnic in the Park both on the 6th June. Write ups and photographs of both events are now viewable via Albums.
May 2010
Jennifer and I are off on holiday between 26th May and 11th June, consequently I will not be available to answer your calls or emails during that period. If you want to reserve your place on the 6th or 20th June events please contact me before the 26th.
Well early May events have certainly not enjoyed the good weather we had in April. I hope this isn't a repeat of last year. If you remember we had a blazing April and then a rotten summer as regards weather. Still cars have come out of hibernation and the numbers putting their names down for events is growing. Keep your eyes on the events page and "Who's Going"
In particular there are still tickets available for Picnic in the Park on June 6th. Jen and I are going on 2 weeks holiday at the end of May so get your request in quickly so that I can get the tickets sent out before we go.
April 2010
The Panther Car Club Limited's Grand Gathering is a special one this year as it is their 30th anniversary. It is being held at Brooklands near where the whole Panther story started. In order to get as many Panthers as possible at this historic landmark year event they have invited us to join them. If you are interested in going please contact me (Roy Biddle) and I will compile a list that I will forward on to the PCC. See our events page for the date and a little more detail.
April 25th. Peter Heales (in his Kallista!), Dave Turner and I took part along with 162 other cars in the CCVC (Charity Classic Vehicles Club) Drive It Day Event, which took us from Brentwood to Dedham via the old A12. It was a great event and in spite of the number of cars taking part it was a great success. A write up and a few photos will be posted soon.
We have just enjoyed the first event of the season and looking forward to the next on April 25th. The first weekend in May is also very busy with 2 events, Herne Bay and Woburn Abbey. Tickets for these are still available so take a look at the 2010 Events page for further details.
A cry of help. Dennis and Pauline Power have lost their PEC badge from their badge bar. Anyone out there able to help them with a replacement. Meanwhile I'll make enquiries to see how much it would cost to get a few made.
March 2010.
March 24th Some amendments have been made to previously listed events and another interesting one added (Woburn Abbey May 2nd). We have applied for 10 tickets for the Audley End event and will do this in preference to the Hylands Park event which is on the same day.
Please note that the date of the French Trip in September has been changed. The change has been made so that regulars on the PEC French Trip who also belong to the PCC can attend both the PCC Special Anniversary Grand Gathering and the PEC French Trip.
February 2010.
Most of you will be familiar with our token Ferrari. Peter and Leigh have been supporting our events for quite some time now and Peter's immaculate 308 is almost invariably either parked on the end or is the last one in the convoy. He still has the Ferrari but he has now bought a very nice 2.8 Kallista to go with the Panther "T" shirt he bought at Rougham last August. It's a lot of money to spend to justify buying a "T" shirt. Little did Alec realise that his forceful regalia sales action would result in another Panther in the line up. Glad you've seen sense Peter, I'm not sure Leigh will be as delighted as we are!
Events for 2010 are beginning to flow in and we look forward to some sunny outings in our cars. The number of places we require at most of these events have to be booked and paid for in advance and because I know some members will leave it until the last minute to book I often have to guess how many tickets we will need. However, I sometimes guess wrongly, which results in either someone being disappointed or the club wasting money on unused tickets. It would be appreciated if members would take a good look at the events page and book their place early. However, if you do decide at the last minute that you wish to go to an event, don't be put off ringing to see if there are any spare tickets. As I said I don't always guess right!
December 2009
December the month of Christmas Dinner celebrations. The Essex, Wessex and New Forest areas held their annual festive dinners.
November 2009.
The database has been rebuilt on another web hosting site and I've taken the chance to simplify the way you move around it. All the previous write-ups and pictures are still present, but movement around the various pages is now via an Index on the Home page. I was able to choose a new domain name for the new site and I was pleased to see that "pantherenthusiasts" was available. Consequently, there are now two ways to get onto the PEC web sites. You can either log on via the main web site and link through to the events pages, or key "www.pantherenthusiasts.com" and link through to the main and George's web site.
October 2009
October 31st
Take a look at the Events page. Area Christmas dinners and a November "lunch"
run have been added to the 2009 list.
October 16th. My web site host is closing on October 26th and I will be moving all files and photographs to a new site, consequently you may have difficulty accessing the web pages for a while. Tools are being provided to enable this migration, I just hope they work as easily as they say they will. Watch this space - if you can!
October 8th. I've just received an email from Dave Turner. After leaving us in Belgium, he only just made it to Bordeaux. The water in his radiator was continuously boiling over, due he has since discovered to 2 cracked cylinder heads. He is now awaiting 2 replacement heads to be shipped out to France. we wish him luck.
October 8th
Wessex Area Christmas dinner see events page.
October 8th
Here we go again! Apparently the Forum set up by Nicholas Woodward is not open to all. George Newell thought it was a good idea, registered and entered a couple of postings, was promptly barred and his postings removed. This is regrettable as George's knowledge of Panther cars is second to none. However, George thinks the Forum is a good idea, agrees with Nicholas Woodward that it was well overdue and in order to contribute has set up a Forum on his site, from which nobody is banned - www.panthercarsclubs.freeforums.org . As usual it is the ordinary members who suffer. In order to tap into all sources of knowledge on the cars we will have to post our questions twice!
September 2009
September 29th
I have recently received an email from a Nicholas Woodward who has set up a Panther Forum, which is open to everyone interested in Panthers. His aim is to provide a vehicle by which Panther matters can be discussed and solutions to Panthering problems resolved. Access to the site is absolutely free, but you have to register before you can access or contribute to the information on the site. The web address of the site is www.panthercarclub.freeforums.org .
September 27th. Ten cars (18 people) attended our last event of the season i.e. The annual Grand Motorbilia Day at Battlesbridge near Chelmsford Essex. In respect of the number of cars on show it was a huge event (bigger than Knebworth) and once again it was held in glorious late |September sunshine. A write up and photographs can be accessed via Albums.
September 16th Ten cars (19 people) have just returned from a very enjoyable trip to the Belgian Ardennes. Everything went without a hitch and all cars performed without problems. Photographs and a write up are now accessible via Albums.
September 6th. RSPCA Gala Day. This very enjoyable sociable event was attended by 8 cars. We had good weather, good eats and good company. See Albums for write up and pictures.
August 2009
August 30/31 Members of the club attended two 2 day events over the Bank Holiday. The Classic Car Show at Romsey, Hampshire and the one at Knebworth near Stevenage, Herts. The write up for the Knebworth event is now available via Albums. A write up for the Romsey show is also present.
Regalia: Alec Bradshaw has been very successful in selling the Regalia passed on to us by George and Shelagh and £100 has been added to the clubs funds. However, this means that many of the items originally listed under the Regalia page (see above) may no longer be available. The list has now been updated to show what remains.
August 16th We attended one of the highlight events of 2009, with 14 cars on display. It was a good show with an air display that exceeded expectations. The exceedingly pleasant day was rounded off at John and Linda's delightful country home. A write up and photos from the event can be accessed via Albums or Events.
August 9th 4 cars made the trip to the Help for Heroes event at Faversham Kent. Photos and a brief write up can be accessed via Albums
August 5th About 70 Classic Cars attended the CVCM Classics by the Sea event. Unfortunately only one was a Panther. Photographs of the more interesting vehicles there can be found via Albums.
July 2009
July 20th. On Sunday the 19th we attended the Annual Sporting Bears Charity show at Kimbolton. It was the usual big event, but the terrible weather put a bit of a damper on proceedings. A write up and photos came be accessed via Albums.
July 10th. When George & Shelagh "retired" to Spain, there was a small amount of regalia items left over. George has had Olivia gather this together and Alec Bradshaw has collected it with a view to selling it cheaply via the club's web site. Alec and Mary have prepared a list of what is there and this can now be viewed on the Regalia page. As George said "don't get too excited there is not a lot there", but the sale of what little there is will go some way to meeting any future expenditure we may incur.
Alec has also booked us 10 spaces at the annual RSPCA day at Chobham on September 6th. I understand we will have our usual pitch at this popular show. See the events page for contact details.
June 2009
June 23rd. The club has just renewed its Public Liability Insurance with Footman James. George has also made sufficient funds available to pay the 2010 premium, but some other source of funding will be necessary for the 2011 renewal.
We have decided to drop the Hedingham Castle event and concentrate on the Battlesbridge event a week later. Contact Roy Biddle if you wish to go to this event. (see the events page)
Please note the new link to Regalia above.
June 19th.
Another page has been added as a link from the Events page to answer the question I'm always asked "Who's Going". Just click on the link near the top of the Events page and it will take you to a list of the future events and who has put their names down to go.
We have just attended our second event in June. The first was Beale Park near Reading and the second was The Picnic in the Park at South Weald near Brentwood in Essex. The Beale Park event was a low key event as far as the PEC was concerned , with just 2 cars attending. The Picnic in the Park was an entirely different affair with 13 cars due to attend. The write up for both events can be accessed via Albums.
A 3rd June event is planned for the 28th see the Events Page.
May 2009
May 18th.
Monday May 18th marked the end of the North Norfolk weekend. The weather could have been better but the whole event was a resounding success. Our congratulations and thanks firstly go to John and Sue Gibson for making such a good job of organising it and secondly to the 25 people (13 cars) who thoroughly mixed in and enjoyed themselves. Hundreds of photographs were taken and the web page for the event can be accessed via Albums.
Just 4 cars made the journey to Herne bay for their Classic Car and Bike Show, but they were rewarded with very good weather and the now familiar format of parking around the "closed" streets of the town. Photos of the event taken by Alex Bradshaw appear in Albums.
April 2009.
We have just attended the successful "National Drive It Day" charity event at Hylands House Chelmsford. The weather was unexpectedly good and the venue ideal. Photos and a write up are present in Albums.
We now look forward to Herne Bay on May 2nd and the Norfolk weekend later in the month.
March 2009.
The season is about to start in earnest and the number of members booking to go on the various events is rising. Lets hope we have some decent weather to go with the renewed enthusiasm.
On the 14th March, together with the Chelmer Valley Car Meet and the Charity Classic Car Club we had a very enjoyable outing to The Brooklands Museum and Mercedes World. Around 20 cars made the journey of which 7 belonged to PEC members. Pictures and a brief write up can be viewed via Albums.
February 2009.
Peter Heales and I have just returned from the Belgian Ardennes where we looked at the region's suitability for our annual "French" trip. We checked out three daily tours and suitable hotels and have given the whole area the "thumbs up". Consequently, we have booked 12 rooms at our type of hotel and look forward to the drives we have planned and the evenings in the restaurant and bar. However, in order to get 12 rooms in a suitable hotel we have had to move the date of the trip back a week. See the events page for more details.
January 2009.
Happy New Year to you all, we hope you all had a great festive season and are enjoying this period of "Global Warming" that is currently with us. The Wessex Area's Christmas Dinner was a resounding success, good food, venue and it goes without saying good company. It was especially nice to have Pam Stone with us.
Work has started on setting up the PEC events calendar for 2009. It is probably already too full and there are likely to be further events yet to come from the Wessex area. Whether all of these remain in the events calendar really depends on which events the members tend to favour. Two events on the same day or consecutive weeks are not necessarily a bad thing if they are in different areas. Early feed back on the events calendar's contents would be appreciated
Our first event of the year, the Breakfast Run on the 4th January run by the Chelmer Valley Car Meet, was a little disappointing, in that because of the very cold weather, a number of people chose to come in their everyday cars. Needless to say the few PEC members were in their "classics" and Peter Heales even had his roof off.
The black and yellow Mk1 Lima rescued from under a tarpaulin in November is running and most of the problems now seem to be cosmetic.
November 2008
As you would expect for this time of the year there is not a great deal of activity other than perhaps organising Christmas Dinners. The Wessex area are having their dinner on the 2nd December at their new regular meeting venue of The Anchor at Wisley. However, there is good news of another Mk 1 Lima being hauled out from under a tarpaulin for restoration. It has been standing out in the open for about 6 years, but amazingly doesn't seem to have suffered too much. Hopefully, we will be able to persuade the new owner to give us regular updates and photos of the restoration progress so that we can pass on the news via these web pages.
Have you looked at George & Shelagh's AMARILLO page showing photographs of their new Spanish home. They certainly haven't been lonely. As you will see there has been a steady stream of PEC members finding their way to their villa.
We are starting to "populate" the club's EVENT calendar for 2009. There is already a few definite events posted, including an exciting Norfolk weekend and a few other very "probables" listed. If you want to add to the list please do, by either emailing or telephoning me (Roy Biddle).
September 2008
There were just two events in September but both these were by recent standards quite big. Twelve cars went on the French Trip to Coucy Le Chateau (5 from Essex) and 11 cars attended the Battlesbridge event (6 from Essex). Both were extremely enjoyable and were a great way to round off the season. Time now to fettle those cars for next year - roll on the Spring. Members have already suggested ideas for events in 2009 and there is a strong possibility of a weekend away in this country.
August 2008
It was a quiet month for the Essex Area with just the Chelmer Valley evening meeting being attended by one car and a decision being made to not to attend the "Its Show Time" event on the 17th . However, the Wessex area organised a visit to the excellent Romsey Pageant of Motoring which provided an opportunity to have good day out. In spite of the distance from Essex, we have, in the past, had several Essex cars at this event, but this year just one Essex car attended.
The monthly meetings at The Lodge seem to be catching on with several couples now turning up on the last Thursday of the month for a regular nogging and natter.
July 2008
Sunday 20th
The club after an absence of 3 years, once again attended the Sporting Bears charity event at Kimbolton. The weather was kind to us and the show a great success. It was bigger than ever and if you arrived at anytime after 10am you were lucky if you didn't have to queue for an hour to get in. A short write up and photographs can be accessed via either Wessex Albums or events page.
Sunday 13th
Three PEC cars attended the Essex Classic Motor Show at Barleylands near Billericay, where with the organiser's blessing we shared a pitch with the newly formed Essex Panther Sports Car Club. The weather was once again kind to us and it wasn't a bad event. However, our presence was not welcomed by a few of the new club's members and this spoilt what would have otherwise been a successful day. Nevertheless, a few photographs are available to look at via the Albums or Events page.
June 2008
The main event for PEC members this month has been the Late Spring Drive. This event toured the picturesque North Kent countryside south of Westerham and finished at Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill. A brief write up and photographs appear in Albums.
May 2008
This was a very quiet month for the PEC as there were no events in the PEC calendar. Let's hope June is a more active month!
April 2008
We have just attended our first event of 2008 which was the Manningtree High School Vehicle Show. 10 Panthers were on show, which was good considering the weather which was cold and misty. The knowledgeable compere in the arena did sterling work describing the various cars parading past him and there were certainly some gorgeous cars on display. The sun did come out eventually enabling some to put their hoods down on the way home. Our thanks go to Mark & Collette for organising our presence at the event. However, in deference to 4 members present who have resigned from the PEC there will not be a full write up or pictures of this event on the web (see below).
It is regret that we report the resignation of four members of the PEC who have left to start their own club specifically for Essex members only. The most significant resignations are those of Don & Margaret Scriven who have been the Essex Area organisers for the last 11 years. The PEC will miss their involvement and ways are being investigated how both their new club and the PEC can interact in the future. How responsibilities for the Essex Area of the PEC are to be shared out amongst the remaining PEC members is still to be decided.
February/March 2008
Normally this would be a quiet period with just the monthly meetings to attend and cars to get ready for the start of the season. However, with George and Shelagh taking a well earned break and setting up their new home in Spain, there is much talk about how the club will, and should, run in their absence. Fortunately, a few individuals have stepped forward and have taken on the responsibility of organising some events. There are now several events listed in the 2008 events page and I dare say there are more to come.
December 2007/January 2008
This was an extremely sad period for the club. Two well known members of the club died during this time. Dave Stone and Colin Wigham. Dave was a long time member who lived in Bracknell. He originally owned a Kallista, but bought a Rio in order to keep Panthering, when arthritis made driving the Kallista painful. No "Open Day" was complete without his homemade sausages. Colin was a very active, larger than life member of our Essex area. Always the life and sole of the party, he and his wife, Elaine, were strong supporters of virtually every event. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. His peg leg car parking attendant impersonation and his Basil Fawlty berating of his Lima when things started falling off it are part of Panthering folklore.
October 2007
Eight members of the Essex Area attended a joint meeting with the TVR Club at Great Totham on Sunday the 14th October. Those attending were rewarded with a glorious weather and a fine meal. To see Margaret Scriven's short write up and pictures go to Albums.
September 2007
16th September. 9 Essex Area member cars and Les and Pearl from Hampshire attended this first ever Classic Car Show at Hedingham Castle at Hedingham in Essex. It was a great new event and we look forward to returning there next year. A write up and photographs appear in Albums.
Sept. 5th/10th - Seven Essex Area members were among the 21 people who went on the French Trip to Lyons la Foret in Northern Normandy. It was a very popular trip, only 3 hours from Calais and in beautiful undulating, heavily wooded and dramatic countryside. Photographs and descriptions appear in Albums.
Sept 2nd RSPCA Day Chobham Surrey. The Essex Area once again attended this popular event. Of the 13 cars on display 7 were from the Essex Area. Pictures of the event are present in ALBUMS.
August 2007.
26th/27th August - Essex Area members were again out in force for the Hampshire Pageant of Motoring at Broadlands in Romsey Hampshire. Some even camped out with George and Shelagh to attend both days. 22 cars were present on Sunday and another 6 on Monday. Others made a long weekend of it and took in the delights of the New Forest and the south coast whilst they were in the area. It was a good event, in good weather for a change. Some pictures are in Albums as well as in the main report in George's web site.
For Althorne Little Haven's Hospice "It's Show Time" Event, on the 19th, the weather was again abysmal. Nevertheless, there was a turnout of 13 cars, including those stalwarts Les & Pearl and George & Shelagh from deepest Hampshire. The weather failed to dampen our spirits and the day was rounded of nicely by a great spread of food back at Mark & Collette's house. Photos of the event in Albums.
The 13th to 15th August and I was in France in the Panther making the final arrangements for the September French trip to Lyons la Foret in Normandy.
5th August - following the Sunday meet at the White Hart the group drove out to the Tiptree Jam Factory
July 2007.
On the 14th and 15th July we were booked to display the cars at the Aldershot Show, but so dire was the weather forecast and so strict are the rules regarding the movement of cars whilst the show is on, it was decided not to attend. Once in we would have been stuck there for two days, no matter what the weather was like.
On July 1st we drove out to Colchester Zoo. Once again the weather was poor. So poor in fact that some faint hearted members came in their tin tops. In spite of the weather we enjoyed ourselves and managed to get all of our members out without too much trouble.
June 2007.
June 17th saw 6 cars from the Essex Area attending the Picnic in the Park classic car show near Brentwood in Essex.
June 3rd The Essex Area were again out in strength supporting the Woking Hospice Classic Car Show
May 2007.
Over the period of May 17th to 21st Jennifer and I accepted Tony and Sue's invitation to a Panther weekend in the Lake District. Fortunately the abysmal weather brightened enough for us to get in some beautiful drives throughout the region. Including the daunting Hard Knot Pass.
On the 5th May our area attended Herne Bay Classic Car and Bike Show accompanied by Les & Pearl Pratt, George and Shelagh and Bernard Lister from other areas. It was a similar type of event to that of Faversham in 2006, with all the cars parked throughout the shopping precinct. However, after the glorious April it was absolutely freezing. It was nice to have the club win another cup though. John Deed's magnificent Deville was runner up to an E Type in the "car of the show" awards.
January 2007.
The Essex area has been busy over the Christmas and new year period with a week end away, a new year party at Colin and Elaine's and yet another get together at Roy and Jennifer's and two monthly meetings at Margaretting Tye. The new season will be upon us in no time and if you look at the events page of the main PEC web site you will see there is already a pretty full calendar of events lined up for 2007.
18th November 2006.
Several of us attended an unexpected event in Farnborough Hants. The club received a late invitation to take part in the Aldershot Classic Car Parade. We all met at George & Shelagh's and proceeded in convoy to the assembly point just outside Aldershot main town. The Classic car parade made two circuits of the town, before all the cars were parked in the main shopping precinct. Photographs of the event can be found on the main PEC web site under "Aldershot Parade"
20th August 2006
The club had 12 cars attend the annual Althorne Classic Vehicles event in aid of the Little Haven's childrens' hospice. The event has grown considerably since it was held at the Steam Museum and now includes something for everyone. Photographs from the event and the barbeque held at Mark and Collete's house afterwards can be found in Albums. Next week we will be at our National Rally at Knebworth!
13th August 2006
A group of 5 cars braved the weather to attend the East Anglian Practical Classics Show at Stonham Barns near Ipswich. It was a good show. Many more of us were due to go, but the weather and the distances some people would have to travel in the poor conditions, put off all but those fairly local to the event. This was a shame as the weather changed for the better and we spent most of the day in sunshine. A few photographs have been included in Albums.
15/16th July 2006
A strong contingent of Essex members attended the Aldershot Army show over the weekend of July 15/16 (see photos on George's web site) and another good turnout of Essex members plus cars from Hampshire attended the Battlesbridge Jaguar Day at the invitation of Colin Field of the jaguar Enthusiasts Club. It was a good day out rounded off nicely by a barbeque at Malcolm and Liz's house.
May/June 2006
4 couples from our Essex area went on the 2006 French trip to Troyes. It was almost 3 couples as Val Herbert broke her wrist just a couple of days before we were do to go. However, she and Wally did go and were glad they did. It was a very successful trip. A write up is in the July mag. and photographs are on George's web site and in Albums here.
May 2006
Another successful outing was the Faversham Classic Car Show. We had never been to this one before and it proved to be something different. The cars were not parked in lines in a field, but at the roadside throughout the historic setting of old Faversham, which was closed to traffic for the day. Don & Margaret organised our visit to this show and also to the Shepherd Neame brewery in the afternoon. I've just (8/7/06) updated the Albums page with photographs from this event.
March 2006
CJX292S has been sold to a Frenchman. I didn't particularly want to sell it but I had an offer of an unfinished Lima Mk1 project, which I fancied doing, so CJX had to go. A page for EGS140T will be appearing soon.