POLAR NEWS   -  No. 56 August 2009
FROM YOUR EDITOR
Many thanks to Fiona Davies and Mike Webber for writing articles on the events they attended. REACT have also given the SBMC some publicity in their newsletter after receiving their share of the NEC Dream Rides money. 		 
CLASSICS AT CORBRIDGE
This is the first static show of the season but the 100 mile or so drive to it makes for a very good day out. I had intended going in the Toyota MR2 as heavy showers had been forecast and the wipers on the MGA aren’t too good in those sort of conditions. Having washed and polished it I was giving the windscreen a final wipe when, to my horror, I realised that the road tax was out of date! I had MOT’d it a couple of weeks previously but not having received a tax reminder I hadn’t given this a thought. I’m now awaiting the arrival of the new tax disc and a possible fine! Mike was taking the estate car with all the necessary equipment and we met up with Andrew Carrie in his purple TVR Cerbera and David Bruce with his daughter Claire in his multi award-winning TVR “Wedge” 350, setting off from our rendezvous point at 7.50 am. Only a brief shower was encountered as we passed through Earlston. The main hazard of the journey was the number of bikers heading north. We arrived at Tynedale Rugby Grounds at 9.30 am and set about unloading the car and getting the Sporting Bears' flag flying. We were soon joined by Bob and Ann Selby in the AK Cobra and George and Sheila Dodds in their Morgan 4+4. An amazing number of bears appeared from within the confines of the small boots of both cars.

Keith and Ann Davison arrived in a black Mercedes saloon – a courtesy car -while the engine of their SLK was being fixed. It was lovely to meet Keith’s grandson Oliver who was very keen to help us get the gazebos erected. Bill and Karen Niven arrived, hood down, in her Porsche Boxster S having had to stop at one point and put the hood up because of the heavy showers. The other Porsche in our line up was the Cayman of Jim and Aly Harris. Brian Short arrived with the hood down in his Triumph TR6, having stopped for petrol and been approached by someone keen to buy one. The said gentleman appeared at the show later on in the day and spent time going over the car. Brian now has a big decision to make – to sell or not to sell? Our display was completed with the arrival of Jeff and Mary-Jane Ferris in the AC Ace. The variety of cars on show attracted a great deal of public interest. The space allocated to us by the organisers was better than last year as it was much closer to the public entrance and the ice cream van was nearly opposite us. Several ice-creams were consumed before 11 am! With all the bears liberated from their travel bags Sheila and George set about demonstrating to the rest of us how to sell them. Ann Selby manned the stand while George and Sheila walked amongst the passing public. Ann Davison, Claire Bruce, Aly Harris and I took over for spells to give the others a chance to take the weight off their feet and have something to eat. Bears of all shapes and sizes quickly found good home and by mid-afternoon only a few of mostly larger ones were still gracing the stand. Collecting tins were getting so heavy they had to be emptied! Throughout the day there was a steady stream of visitors gathered round the cars – particularly those with the bonnets up – and owners were very happy to talk about their beloved machines. Despite the weather forecast we enjoyed an increasingly hot afternoon and were delighted to have the use of our newly acquired pop up gazebo to act as a giant sunshade. The bears’ table and information display boards were under the smaller blue gazebo just in case the skies opened. By 4 o’clock the show was over and it was a pleasure to pack everything away in the car knowing that there wouldn’t be wet banners and plastic sheeting to contend with when we got home. George Dodds had again booked for us to have a meal at the nearby Wellington pub. As we waited for our food to arrive the heavens opened but by the time we were saying our goodbyes the rain had stopped and the roads were steaming. Most folks did drive through showers on their way home but we had all enjoyed our day and St Oswald’s Children’s Services will receive a very worthwhile donation. We collected £470.71 and this will be added to by whatever we manage to raise from our attendance at the Coldingham Gala at the end of the month. Many thanks to Bob for organising our attendance and to everyone who helped make this such a successful Polar event.
CHOLMODELEY PAGEANT OF POWER 2009
The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power took place on the 18th and 19th of July at the magnificent Cholmondeley Castle Estate in the depth of the countryside South East of Chester. The event centres on classic racing cars, rally cars and motorbikes, running on a sprint circuit on estate roads lined with Armco and straw bales. The cars on-track ranged from 3-Litre Formula 1 cars to hot rally cars. Top racers included Alan Jones' Championship winning Williams FW07 and an ex-Jackie Stewart BRM. The tree-lined track was beautifully smooth, with some good straights and some really testing sections. Spectator viewing was excellent and close to the action.


The rally cars were in their element in the twisty bits where the fire-breathing yellow and white Audi Quattro put on a great show, spending much time sideways. Fastest time of the day, though, was set by well-known historic racer Justin Law driving a Lister Jaguar Coupe. The static displays were fascinating, with Bentley and Bugatti in starring roles. The fabulous Veyron Grand Sport was there, as was the modern Le-Mans winning Bentley racing car; but the star for many was the enormous Bugatti Royale, which did a lap of honour at the end -chauffeur driven of course. The Cholmondeley Estate covers a vast area and there are well-surfaced access roads. However, the layout was such that although the Sporting Bears' booking desk was in the busy centre, the garage was in a fairly remote corner about two-thirds of a mile away. The sellers at the booking desk had to rely on two static cars and the 'Cool Wall' to get their message across. It is a tribute to organiser Max Walker's powers of persuasion that so many rides were booked! Sensibly the rides were moderately priced to get Dream Rides established at the event. On Sunday bookings were also taken at the Garage, with communication by walkie-talkie to avoid double booking. There is no doubt that there will be a knock-on effect next year as the word about Dream Rides spreads in the North West of England. Max's persuasive powers produced an Audi R8 from the local Audi dealer plus several cars from local non-Bears including an Ariel Atom (very popular), an Aston DB9, an Aston V8 and two Ferraris. Sporting Bears' member Jane Weitzmann brought along her amazing XJ220 on the Sunday while from Scotland Mike and Helen Webber attended in Dino replica and Jaguar XK respectively. Carlube Oils and Lubricants kindly provided first aid kits and fire extinguishers for all drivers, as well as bringing a hot TVR (a bit too hot as it turned out) and a Lotus Exige. The rides produced a total of £2230 and four new Bears were recruited over the weekend, with further possibilities in the next few days. Well done to Max and Rachel for making it all happen! Most public parking was on grass, which soon turned to mud, thanks to the torrential showers that blighted the weekend, and which caused the track to be closed and the Dream Rides to be suspended for a while. Fortunately the organisers were extremely well prepared with towing vehicles on standby, tons of straw and pallet loads of sawdust. That said it did not rain ALL the time and there were enough sunny intervals to do the occasional Dream Rides 'roof down'. Totally unaffected by the weather were the ”Dancing JCB's” which put on an immensely popular display of synchronised tricks, rather like earthbound Red Arrows, and just as noisy, if a little slower. Equally at home were the Army, who put on an action-packed display of fighting vehicles roaring round a “battlefield”. The Royal Artillery fired field guns at appropriate moments during the 1812 Overture, which was the high point of an excellent classical concert and fireworks display on Saturday evening.

The day-time action was enlivened by power-boat racing on the mere and in the sky by Army and RAF helicopters, a glorious Spitfire display and a jaw-dropping solo performance by a plane from the Breitling aerobatic team. Here's hoping that the event can continue to gather strength in the future. Comparisons with the Goodwood Festival of Speed are inevitable and in some ways Cholmondeley is already better there's more room, the viewing is excellent and the off-track entertainment is vastly superior. All it lacks is some modern Formula One cars to spice up the on-track action; if the Ferrari Classiche movement could be persuaded along with a few of their grand prix cars, it would make a perfect weekend. Oh, and if the rain stayed away…. Mike Webber

 

CAR NEWS

For those of you who didn’t see James McChlery’s lovely new Nissan GTR at Thirlestane -here’s a nice pik! Mike & Helen Webber have a new modern soft-top Jag.

Is Keith looking for a new car or is he oblivious to the fact that Ann has already decided to trade him in for a newer model?

COLDINGHAM GALA

Polar Bears were at Coldingham Gala raising cash for St Oswald's Children's Services. After a damp start the day brightened and we collected £120 with the Cool Wall and by selling bears. Bob Selby won a rosette with his AK Cobra. Also on the stand were first-timers Sid and Eleanor Palmer with their Porsche Boxster, Jeff and Mary-
Jane Ferris with their respective AC Ace Brooklands and Nissan Fairlady, Andrew Carrie.s purple TVR Cerbera (still getting him hot and bothered under the collar as well as the bonnet!) and finally my now road-legal Toyotal MR2. Unfortunately George and Sheila Dodds had to pull out the day before because George wasn't well. Other Polars attending the event with the Independent Porsche Owners Club were Martin Whitelaw, James McLaughlan, Bill and Karen Niven and Jim and Aly Harris. By mid-afternoon the sun was shining and more families were enjoying the varied entertainment – a talented young rock band, an exceptional Elvis/Roy Orbison impersonator and finally an escapologist! There was a “car boot” section and I took the opportunity to purchase not one, but two, additional sets of wheels (both 3 wheelers!) for the unmissable price of £1 each. Jim just had to help me test drive them.

 
REACT UPDATE
You may remember that the Polars nominated REACT in Scotland to benefit from a share of last year’s NEC Dream Rides -£7,000 was donated. Vicky, their Director of Client Services, has now sent me a second very detailed report on how that money is being used to assist children and their families in Scotland. Here is a summary:

David, aged 2, has a multitude of conditions – Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Epilepsy and visual impairment. His Paediatrician contacted REACT telling them that part of his care programme involved a multi-sensory approach and that a specialist SpaceKraft chair was a vital part of the equipment. Costing over £800 it was well beyond the means of his parents.


Jack was diagnosed towards the end of 2008 with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and as a result of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment he will spend at least the next couple of years attending Yorkhill Hospital. The parents take it turn to stay with Jack overnight when in hospital. The family is under extreme pressure emotionally and financially and when their cooker broke down they couldn’t replace it. REACT was contacted by the family’s CLIC Sargent Social Care Officer requesting assistance to purchase a new cooker.

James is an 11 year old boy with Severe Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy requiring a specially adapted wheelchair that provides full body support but this is too big to fit into the family car. The family’s Social Worker recommended a fold away special needs buggy which means the family are no longer restricted as to where and when they can take James out with them. REACT has been assisting James since 2002.

Katherine is a 17 month old girl living with Chronic Lung Disease. She has a tracheostomy fitted and requires 24 hour support. Although treatment still needs to continue the hospital decided she could return home to live with her mother. Suitably accommodation was eventually found, but being unfurnished, the family’s Social Care Officer from the Yorkhill Hospital contacted REACT requesting help purchasing basic, yet essential, equipment – fridge freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer. She can now return home for the first time to live with her mother.

Kerri is a 2 year old girl who has an AV Septal Defect which requires cardiac surgery at a hospital in Glasgow followed by a very long stay there. Her GP contacted REACT requesting assistance with the travelling costs of the 100 mile round trip which will enable her mother to visit her regularly and return home to care for her other children.
 

Ryan is a 9 year old boy from Glasgow living with grade 3 Osteogenesis Imperfection and Cri du Chat Syndrome. He is totally wheelchair bound and requires constant diligence and care. REACT’s Palliative Nurse based in Glasgow advised that this single parent family would greatly benefit from a week long holiday that was suitable for Ryan’s needs and allow him, his mother and sister to spend valuable time away together.

Louise is a 4 year old boy diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. His chemotherapy means he is often sick on his bedding and clothing. The frequency and volume of washing means it is very had to dry everything without the use of a tumble dryer which recently broke down. REACT were contacted and helped purchase a new one.

Michael is a 16 year old boy living with Cystic Fibrosis, which his brother also has. The side effects of the rigorous daily treatment regime means he sweats heavily with a dramatic increase in laundry. REACT were contacted by the Cystic Fibrosis Care Worker requesting their help purchasing a new washing machine to replace the old one which had broken down. There still remains £2,424.04 of the SBMC donation which will continue to be used to assist terminally ill children in Scotland.