BRANCH ON TOUR ! 2004

just some of the places we visited this year !

CHOLMONDLEY CASTLE,CHESHIRE(BELOW)

 LICHFIELD,STAFFORDSHIRE

CARS IN THE PARK(BELOW)

 

 

WESTON PARK 2005 EASTER SUNDAY

 The Saturday before Easter the 96 was washed and polished ready for its first show of the year at Weston Park .I got up at 6.30am on Easter Sunday and it was raining, all my work yesterday was a waist of time. Anyway I carried on and unwrapped the 96 from under its cover and then just after 7.00am I went around to my dads to pick him up. From Nantwich it was off to Audlem to meet up with Brian in his classic 900 so he could follow me.
 
                  We arrived at Weston Park about 8.15am where we waited for a few minutes for the other two members of our branch  Martyn  (Mr Grumpy who does  not like early morning starts)with his GM 900 and his brother Andy (the Swedish chief who also does not like the early starts)with his 99.I gave out the passes so we could get into the park and then we made our way down the long drive to where we were to setup our stand. When I got out of the car I had a look around it and it just looked as if it had been on a rally. I did not bother to wipe it down because it was still raining and cold with it, which it stead like that for most of the day. Malcolm came later on in his 9-5 estate.
 
                  We were also joined by the West Midlands & Warwickshire branch who also had a stand which was not by us. It would have been nice if the organiser would of put us all together.  After getting the plaques in the afternoon we all went our separate ways home. On getting back home the 96 had a good wash under neigh  and on top for the return visit the next day  where I parked up with the West Midland branch on there stand. On Sunday I met up with my 99 GL which was bought  of me by Dave Ross and what a nice job it was too.

Chris the Boff
 

 

Catton Hall 2005

 

            Sunday May 1st another show and another bank holiday upon us.  I got up Sunday morning and looked out of the window to see what the weather was doing.  It had been raining and looked like it was going to do it again.  Saturday I had washed the 96 for ther show on Sunday what a waste of time agin, any way off to Catton Hall.  We set off from Nantwich at 7.30am to meet up with the other 2 members (Mr Grumpy and his brother the Swedish Chef) at around about 8.10 am on the A50 because they did not know where to show was.

            When we arrived we were told where the stand was and set across a wet and muddy field.  We set up camp and had a walk around to see what was about.  When we got back the chef (Andy) got the kettle on and we all had a brew and then the sausages came out with some mushrooms and we all had a sausage bap.  In the afternoon it brightened up and the sun came out.

 

Chris Boffey

Cholmondley Castle 2005

Late Saturday afternoon the 96 had its regular wash and brush up for its Sunday show, this time at Cholmondeley Castle.  Sunday morning lying in bed I could hear the rain yet again beating against the window.  When I finally got up it had stopped, but everywhere was still very wet.  By the time I had loaded the car up with the daily rations and had my breakfast it had dried up, but when it was time to go it was throwing it down.

            My daughter and I waited until it had stopped and then we went to pick up her friend.  As we just got outside of Nantwich the reads were dry and it looked as if there had not been any rain around here.  When we got to Cholmondeley Castle we were told just park up on the grass and wait and someone will come and tell us where to go.  Within a few minutes of arriving Brian turns up and what seems like 20 minutes we were told where to set up our stand.  When we got to our spot we marked out how much space we might need, by this time the other members turned up.  In all there were 8 of us.  Myself in the 96, Anidy in a 99 Brian and Nick in their classic 900s, Martyn in a GM 900 and his wife in their 9000 CDE, Malcolm in his 9-5 estate, and John and his friend from the Manchester Branch in his classic 900 convertible.  Camp was set up and the Swedish Chef had the kettle on followed by some bacon baps.

            It rained on and off for most of the morning and I gave up wiping the 96 down.  In the afternoon we had no more rain but it was still very windy.  About 2pm it was time to put the 96 in the arena for the 70’s judging.  There was a good selection of cars in there mostly British.  The judges had a walk around all of the cars and then picked three they thought were best.  In third place was a Princess, in second place was myself with the 96, and in first place was a Capri.  At 4pm all the cars that had won their sections went back into the arena for judging for the car of the show.  In the end a MGC won.

 

Chris Boffey

Tatton Park

The Cheshire & Staffordshire branch and North West branch set up an owner club stand at the classic car show at Tatton Park on June 4th &5th each showing 3 cars from each branch on each day.

                    Saturday morning and not such an early start for me today as Tatton Park is only 22 miles away. I set off about 7.45am and arrived at Tatton at 8.15am where I found our pitch to set up the stand for the weekend. I got the gazebo up as the weather did not look very promising and one of the flags up so that the other members could find the stand a bit easier. Next to arrive was Adrian with his 9000 Carlson, then Andy (the Swedish Chef )  with his 99 and the rest of the stands decoration. Iain turned up in his classic 900 with only 18k on the clock , which he kindly left over night for us to show on Sunday. Malcolm turned up on the right day this time , in his 9-5 estate and finally John with his classic 900 convertible which he also had on the stand both days, as he was also showing his classic Rover and caravan. It was a good turn out and we had lots of  members come to see us on the stand. The weather was very disappointing as we had very heavy showers all day.

                     Sunday I arrived a bit earlier to set up again and this time we had some more different models on the stand . Their was myself again in my 96 V4, Brain with his classic 900 SE then Martyn (Mr Grumpy) with his cheap 9000 CDE and Richard with his early 99. The weather was a lot better on the Sunday  and we did see the sun most of the day. It started off slow in the morning but in the afternoon the stand was very busy. Dave Garnett came to see us and spent most of the day with us. About  2.45pm one of the judges came around and told us that we had won a prize. At 4.00pm we went to collect our prize, we had come 3rd in one of the club stand awards which is not bad considering their were 90 club stands their and it was our first time at Tatton Park

 

LICHFIELD…….. 3RD JULY 2005

 

 

The four of us met on a sunny Sunday morning on route to one of our favourite shows of the year

 

Chris 96, Malcolm9-3< Colin with his modified GM 900 and my 99, arrived to be met by Dave in his beautiful99.  Today’s stand was to be a joint effort between West Midlands and Warwickshire and Cheshire and Staffs Branches.

 

In total our four cars and their five 9000, 900 convertible etc mad a great display, netting us all a 2nd place in the judging, and a great result from the SAAB OWNERS CLUB!

 

 

On a Personal note, I met the 1st owners of my 99, “Roger” , named by the previous owner Paula Shepard, but originally named “Noggin the Nog” by the Mears family, who were very excited to see him still going strong after 23 years.

 

After many stories and family photos with Roger/Noggin (?) my cars history became a little clearer.  I’m still only the 3rd owner, and to have been in touch with all previous owners is very exciting, although I’m mot sure Mrs Mears approved of the subtle mods I’ve made – turbo spoiler front and back, Minlites and Momo steering wheel.

BUT…..

At least Roger or Noggin the Nog is still going strong, and will be for some years to come.

 

Swedish Chef

 

Sandon Hall 17/07/2005

 

 

 

The surprised look on Chris’s face was a picture and the following remark “Brought your house then!” Morning Chris look at that 8.00 on the button.

So we both shot off towards Sandon Hall sun shining a day with out the wife and kids just bliss.(Sorry dear I don’t mean it honest)

Arrived at Sandon Hall, found our pitch (sun still shining). After 40 mins of head scratching puzzled looks, looking at the instructions the new gazebo is up. As I said to Chris men don’t need instructions Mr. “T” (Colin) did help when the hard work was done

Finished putting the stand up Malcolm “Monday “arrives everything ready bacon butty no! No Swedish Chef this week .So Chris and myself have a look round

Shock and horror Colin polishing cars! 1I asked was this a new idea and can he show me how!!!! (Sun still shining).

 

 

Good interest in the stand and cars .Chris’s car was of interest to a Freelance journalist taking pictures and asking questions for some monthly car mag.

Malcolm 95 estate was a hit with the general public.

 On the whole a nice steady day At 4.30 we all went to collect plaque for the day, and to our amazement the stand had won first prize for best club stand on the day .

 

Mr G

Trentham Gardens 07/08/05

 

HELP "THE BOFF "FUND

CHRIS REQUIRES

 A NEW BED

TO STOP HIM

GETTING UP EARLY

TOTAL TO DATE

£1.36

and 3 washers

ANY SWISS CHEESE

BANK

ACCOUNT

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