September Monthly News Letter
Hi All
At the beginning of August it was the largest event of our year. Helmingham Hall festival of Classic and Sports Cars which was another great success, we lost a few cars on the day due to various problems but still had 32 on the stand. We saw plenty of old and new faces and talked a lot! We had the full current range of Alfas in a line, the Junior got a lot of interest too! Probably as much as the 037/Stratos/Fulvia we had at the other end of the club stand. We have a cross over with the Lancia guys, with some section members owning Alfas and Lancias, and as we are the most proactive of the two it made sense to have them join us, sadly the Integrale was one of the losses on the day.
Photos here;
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1256059889645235&set=pcb.1256061679645056
Then it was the big one of the year for the whole club, NAD at Bicester Heritage. We drove down the day before, the long way, due to road closures. As my Alfetta had stood for nearly 20 years (it did 80 miles in that period) before my ownership, and the engine has never been opened up it was inevitable the valve stem seals would go at some point, and so it has proved. Luckily at a steady 70ish over the 270 plus miles oil consumption was acceptable. Little puddles of oil in the piston valve cut outs shows the problem still exists after a long run. Head rebuild time, any suggestions/offers for the job!! Still it didn’t spoil a great day, with some amazing cars, a spirited display of driving by Chris Mann and to see and hear (you know who you are!) some of the section members on track was worth the trip in itself! As every year I did come away with a very expensive shopping list!
Photos here; https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1266470988604125&set=pcb.1266475325270358
Then to bookend the month we finished August off with Italia Fest 2025. Another great day of Alfering along with the South Mids and the Essex Sections. Over 65 cars on the stand, A great selection of Alfas, a stunning Montreal, 164 & 166, 146, Sud 105’s Gt’s, Alfettas 75’s, 155, 156 GTA’s, 4c, Brera, 939 Spiders, Guiletta Mito, Junior, Tonale, Stelvio, Giulia and I’ve still probably missed some! Great turn out one and all. We will certainly be keeping this in next year’s diary again.
Photo here;
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1277481120836445&set=pcb.1277482274169663
COMING UP!
Sunday September 14th Italian Cars and Coffee at the Pike and Eel Hotel and Marina, Overcote Ln, Needingworth, St Ives, St. Ives PE27 4TW
Back by popular demand we have our Italian Cars and Coffee at the Pike and Eel hotel in Needingworth, Cambridgeshire . In previous events we have seen some fantastic cars. A Ferrari 308, A Lancia Beta, A huge amount of Abarth and Fiat and of course Alfa Romeos. As usual there will be bacon and sausage baps available as well as drinks at the bar. The hospitality at the Pike and Eel is always brilliant. Head over to our Facebook page to show attendance on our event post (it just helps to judge numbers attending) or if not a facebooker just turn up on the day. And as always there is no entry fee. We can’t wait to see you all in one of our favourite locations.
Saturday the 20th & Sunday the 21st of September Peterborough Italian Festival. We have been invited to exhibit cars at the above event, I have attached a letter from the event organiser, if anyone would like to join in, do contact the organiser, details are on the attached letter.
Thursday 25th September Monthly Meet 7pm, The Manger, Bradfield Combust, Burty St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 0LW. Another old favourite we have not been to for a while.
Saturday 18th October, Sutton Hoo with the Essex Section. Tranmer House, Woodbridge IP12 3DJWe’ll be getting group tickets so cost will be £16.15 pp. (Free for National Trust members) do let me or Sue know if you would like to attend. essexaroc@gmail.com
Thursday 24th October, 7pm Monthly Meet, The Plough and Fleece, High Street, Horningsea, Cambs, CB25 9JG Monthly get together, for a pie and pint.
Sunday 24th November, 12 noon AGM & Sunday Lunch, The Old Ram Coaching Inn, Ipswich Road, Norwich, NR15 2DE, A great venue for our lunch and AGM, always well looked after by Jan and the team, a big car park good food and always a good turnout. A chance for members to vote on the committee for the year ahead and put forward any suggestions and ideas for the year ahead.
I’m taking bookings so let me know if you wish to attend.
Saturday 6th December, 7pm Christmas Meal, Lucys Pizzeria, Church Cottages, The Street, Fornham All Saints, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6JW.
I have booked the whole place so we have it to ourselves. See their website below, it’s not just pizzas!
I’m taking booking so let me know if you wish to attend.
I hope to see you all soon.
Graham
AROC East Anglia Section Secretary
