POLAR NEWS   -  No. 48 May 2008

FROM YOUR EDITOR

We have received a further donation of £140 from the Mandate Chapter in Edgeware, Middlesex because David Marsh got his Chapter to “sponsor” his attendance at last year’s Highland Fling. Fantastic! Also thanks to Bill and Karen Niven for their donation of 100 stamps to the Polar News. New Chairman Mike McSean (Andrew Lake has had to step down due to pressure of work) assures us there is enough money from the membership fees (which is used to run the club, so we’re not dipping into charity money) to support the Polar News expenses. That is great news! Thanks again to all who have donated envelopes, paper and money over the years. We plan to claim for the inks and stamps, which are the expensive bits.

CAR NEWS

I think we should start calling ourselves the Polar Porsche Club - both Pete and Cathy Catchpole and Jim and Aly Harris turned up in Porkies! Pete and Cathy in a silver Boxster and Jim and Aly in a very red Cayman - car number 371 I believe. Jeff and Mary-Jane Ferris gave Mary-Jane’s blue AC Ace an airing to Auchen Castle - not a Porsche, but just as temperamental apparently!

This coincided with a Vintage Bentley outing in the area and while it was nice to watch them heading south, overtaking could be a bit tricky. I appreciate that the steering on an old Bentley might be a bit vague and the massive understeer means corners might be taken a bit wide - but if a Bentley can wander two feet over the white line on a perfectly straight bit of road, then I think it (or the driver) needs attention! Anyway, twenty four Polars turned up on a glorious spring day for the Lunch. After admiring the new cars, coffee in the sun, an excellent lunch and a successful raffle (£110 raised) we settled down to the business part. Thirlestane organisation progressing well and we now have 25 cars (after 4 late withdrawals). Fiona has drawn up a duty list, Brian has done the plaques, Helen is in the middle of doing the car numbers using SBMC licence holders from Michelle in Regalia and it was also decided to add car numbers to the drivers' badges. Fiona has had printed up 3000 fliers (thanks to BVAC)- Polars will distribute some locally and the rest will be handed out to members of the public as they enter the showground. We’re going to try the ‘Cool Wall’ again and could Polars please wear Blue or Yellow sweatshirts. We also intend to provide refreshments for the drivers and it would help if people could bring thermos flasks of hot water, some biscuits, cakes and Cathy suggested sandwiches too. Setting up on Saturday 31st May - lunch in Black Bull at noon, then set the stand up. Money from Thirlestane is going to REACT and SACHD. Classic Cars at Corbridge on July 6th - contact Bob Selby or George Dodds. We’ll sell bears and have a meal afterwards. Money to go to St. Oswald’s Jigsaw appeal. Coldingham Gala on July 27th - contact Jeff Ferris. The SBMC can rattle buckets etc. and Coldingham Gala will match any money we raise - also to go to St. Oswald’s. Culzean Autoclassica on August 23/24 - contact Andrew Carrie. We’ll have a stand (in a prime position) for the two days but you can come for only one if you’d prefer. Having a Teddy Bears' Picnic and try to dress in the appropriate style/era for your car. Money raised to go to James Rennie School. Highland Fling on 0ct 10 to 13 - now full but there is a reserve list if interested - contact Fiona. £700 from this has already been presented to CHAS. £540 proceeds from raffles, the Mandate Chapter and sale of Lotus bear will go to Zoe’s Place - Brian Short to present. SBMC celebration - now to be 21st Birthday in 2010 as running out of time to organise for 2009. A working party has been set up with Janet McPherson in charge and it was suggested a half way down the country place like Harrogate might be suitable. Next Polars Lunch to be at the Collingwood Arms, Cornhill-on- Tweed on September 14th (£16pp inc coffee) and if you want to stay overnight, you will be charged the 2007 rate - just mention Sporting Bears. You can check out the website www.collingwoodarms.com Xmas Lunch at Auchen Castle on December 7th (£20 pp inc coffee)

£700 from gift aided cheques being the donations from this year’s Highland Fling participants. This included £50 from Martin and Angela Kent, who had to withdraw and £25 thank-you from Jeff Moore who’d asked for previous route details for himself and his wife who are going to be holidaying in Scotland. Fiona presented this cheque to Barbara Osborne from CHAS.

A warm welcome to new members Neil and Vicki Ramsay from Ashkirk, Steven and Jacqueline Gaylor from Hawick and Roger and Barbara Osborne from Stockton-on-Tees. We met Neil and Vicki with their Teal Bugatti (see pic) at the Auchen Castle lunch and hope to meet the others soon.