Essex & Adjoining Counties Meet - SUNDAY, 13 October 2024

[Arnie_O]

I had the speed limiter alarm sounding very frequently to my left too

I am guessing mine is broken.

[casey]

[Mare]

Hey guys, sorry I missed the meet. Haven't been too active on the forum as I have been a bit busy elsewhere. Would love to join the next one if it aligns with my rest days from work (shift). If anyone could email me when it occurs that would be great, just in case I miss the forum post.Hopefully by then I should have a full exhaust system fitted by essex rotary with an AEM intake to compliment it.

Mod edit, email address removed for security.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Hi Mare (and everyone else ). Steve and I are in currently dialogue about the next Brunch meet.

Current dates under consideration are; Sun 17 or Sun 24 March. How are people fixed for those dates?

[Ian.Mothersole]

...Sun 17 or Sun 24 March...

Both currently clear in our calendar

[casey]

Whilst Steve is in dialogue with the brunch venue to confirm arrangements, I'll take a look at additional extras for the meet.

Would people prefer:

1. To meet somewhere mid-Essex around 9.30am, do a scenic convoy drive for 45-60 mins to the brunch venue, then finish after brunch? May be an option for a walk nearby, weather and location permitting.
2. Drive to brunch venue for 10.30am (TBC), and afterwards a 45-60 min scenic drive out to another location?

Of course, anyone is most welcome just to turn up for the brunch if they wish and not partake in the optional extras

[Mare]

I can do 17th, but not the 24th.

[Ian.Mothersole]

I don't really have a strong preference for either option Malcolm (I'd be very happy to do either).

I guess it does depend on the location of the brunch venue... if the venue is already at a good location for a walk etc, then it would make more sense to go with option 1.

[Red & Black]

March Meet!

I did tell Steve I was available all Sundays after the 1Oth. I'm now otherwise engaged on the 17th as there has been no further update, but still available for the 24th. I'll need to be back home by 2pm on the 31st [?] for another event on the grandchildren's calendar!

If you need me to promote it on Facebook, give me as much notice as possible.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Steve has heard back from The Hanningfield Reservoir Cafe and they currently have staff shortages, so can only offer a cold platter lunch option. Steve and I have decided to postpone a visit there until a full breakfast menu is available.

So, I have now decided to book as follows, with apologies to Mare, as I could not book 17th:

Date: Sunday 24 March
Time: 10.15am
Location: Hall Farm, Dedham
https://hallfarmshop.com/cafe/

We can raise a cup of coffee/tea to Ray (who always drank tea at the Essex meets he founded) as it will be, to within a day, the anniversary of his funeral

I have currently booked for 9 people, to avoid having to pay a £10/adult deposit, but happy to amend the booking and sort out a deposit if required. There are spare places available, but they are already over 50% booked for breakfast, so be quick if you want to be added to the list....

The List:

1. Malcolm and Gwyn
2. Steve and Tina
3. Ian, Jackie and Felix
4. Derek & Debbie

Total 8 adults, one infant.

So, please post up asap if you want to be added to the list. Please only do so if you are definite, as we will be required to pay a deposit for more than 9 adults.

@Derek, if you'd like to follow up directly with anyone who expressed an interest on your FB post, feel free to do so. I'd prefer not to go too public for this meet as numbers may be limited by the time we confirm back to the venue. A few more is not a problem.

In the meantime, I'll see if I can work out a post-brunch 45-60 minute driving route to somewhere interesting.

[Red & Black]

Just me for this one, Debbie is on grandparent duties!

Agreed, with just a week and a half there really is no time to formulate too many new participants.

[Red & Black]

Thanks Derek, list updated

[Red & Black]

As you were... Debbie will be coming to.

[Red & Black]

Not a problem, Derek. I've added Debbie back on to the list

[Metelyk]

Well I wanted to come, but I’m on Dad duty at a swimming gala!!
Maybe next time

[Red & Black]

Last call for anyone wishing to join us, all welcome!

Let me know asap, as I will need to let the venue have final numbers by noon, Wednesday this week, as they get quite busy on Sundays.

I may require to pay a £10/adult deposit to the venue in advance. To make it easier, I'm happy to pay that on behalf of everyone and people can pay me on the day, but please turn up, else I may be out of pocket!

There is a small Farm Shop at the venue, so I will allow a short period after brunch to wander before a drive I've planned and will (hopefully) finalise tomorrow

[SteveBishopRx8]

Final(ish) details for our Sunday Brunch.

I suggest everyone aims to arrive around 10am, so we can meet up in the car park before going in. The weather looks to be dry, if not sunny.

PARKING: the main car park is immediately ahead of you as you enter up a ramp from the main road. HOWEVER, this can get busy on Sundays. There is (was the last time I was there!) an additional car parking area immediately to the left as you enter. If the main car park looks busy, I'd aim the park there, as we may get the cars parked up together for a natter and/or photo.

Date: Sunday 24 March
Time table booked: 10.15am
Location: Hall Farm, Dedham, CO7 6LS
https://hallfarmshop.com/cafe/

I have currently booked for 12 people (plus Felix) and paid a £10/adult deposit. PLEASE bring some cash to reimburse me on the day and pay the difference on the bill. Bring cash for the bill too, if you can please, as it makes it much easier when paying for a group.

The List:

1. Malcolm & Gwyn
2. Steve & Tina
3. Ian, Jackie & Felix
4. Derek & Debbie
5. Chris Sorrell + 1
6. David Mathews

Total 11 adults, one infant.

Let me be the first to Welcome Chris Sorrell and his partner, plus David Mathews, to their first Essex Meet. I hope they enjoy the experience.

So, there is one spare space available (my error on amending the booking). If not used, it shouldn't be a problem.

After we finish our brunch, I'll leave 20 mins or so (TBA on the day) for anyone who wants to go into the Farm Shop and/or check out the farm.

There is then an option for a ~1 hour convoy drive to Cressing Temple Barns: https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to ... mple-barns - CM77 8PD, just north of Witham. I have checked the route and, as expected, watch out for potholes and poor road edges. The early part of the route is quite narrow, with passing places, but not usually busy. The latter part is a bit of boring A roads, but it avoids crossing the A120, which is a nightmare on any day of the week.

Map of the route we will take is posted below.

The most likely place we may get separated is when we pass through Sudbury. It would be a good idea to check on a map, or setup your satnav in advance, as I doubt we will manage to all keep together through there. I'll lead the convoy and do my best to keep us together.

Cressing Temple Barns has free entry and hard standing parking. It's a very historic site, some of the buildings dating back to 1200. The is plenty of green space for a walk, plus wander in the ancient buildings. There is also an excellent Tiptree Tea Room and shop.

The time is yours at the destination, nothing formal is planned. You can chose to stay, explore the place, the shop, enjoy a coffee or simply depart. Equally, if convenient to your onward journey, you can leave the convoy whenever you want, but let me know before we set off, so I know we haven't lost you

Any questions? Post up in here, or PM me.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Brunch Run March 2024.PNG (209.03 KiB) Viewed 316 times

[Ian.Mothersole]

Great!! See you there

[casey]

I should have said thanks to Ian too! I adapted a route he chose for an earlier Essex run we did 2-3 years ago. Ian also suggested a few destinations for this run, including Cressing Temple Barns.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Well, at least we had some sunshine today for the Essex Brunch Meet, even if there was a chilly breeze.

Great to meet David, from Billericay, at his first meet in his 06 VR RX-8, which he purchased 6 months ago in Dorset. Great to see the stalwart regulars too, including the ever charming young Felix . I think everyone enjoyed their breakfast and the 1 hour drive out (despite the occasional bout of busy Sunday traffic). Many of us also decided to have a cuppa and cake (or sandwich in my case!) at the excellent Tiptree Tea Rooms at the final destination - Cressing Temple Barns, near Witham.

Photos below, the one with the church taken at Hall Farm just before breakfast, the other taken at Cressing Temple Barns (which includes Ian and Jackie's grey Mazda "Felix transporter" ).

Sadly, we had 2 no-shows, which was slightly annoying, as I had paid an advanced deposit on behalf of everyone and the booked out brunch venue insisted we paid the no-show deposits, on the basis they could have split off a table for 2 and taken another booking - difficult to argue that one.

[SteveBishopRx8]

Great meet today as always & the sun shining makes it even better!
Thanks for organising today Malcolm

[Red & Black]

We are tweaking the format again for the next meet on Sunday 12 May.

All are welcome to come along to meet fellow car enthusiasts.

Stay as long as you like and enjoy an optional convoy drive if you wish.

Further details can be found here

I hope to see you there

[Keke]

Put me down please.

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[Red & Black]

Put me down please.

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Your name has been added to the Open Meet and Forest Drive on the Forum
See you Sunday

[Keke]

A member for around eight years,first ever local meet!

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