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Brace yourself I'm back! It's been a difficult year and I let my membership lapse. Lockdown 1 triggered a bipolar episode during which I dumped a boyfriend it had taken 2 years to find. So I was yet again alone which gave me ptsd from the loss of Brian. Its been utter s1t. I've had another episode half way through last year and seem to have cried for a year. The good news is, thanks to legal drugs, a vaccine, my family and friends I've popped back up like a champagne Cork in a jacuzzi! I found a family classic car restoration business near me and they serviced the Westfield and put right some long term issues. Nearly 6 years now since Brian was killed and at last I found a place I can take the car! It took me 2 years to create a new life using my Westfield as a way forward. Suddenly it was all taken away and I was plunged into loneliness. Absolutely horrid. I'm back now, it's been tough on us all and I can't wait to see you all again. Carpe diem

I'm more impressed by the large digital motorway signs saying strong winds slow down, as if a strong wind can read

Q: How many group members does it take to change a light bulb ? 1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed. 14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently. 7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs. 17 purists who use candles and are offended by light bulb discussions. 6 to argue over whether it's 'lightbulb' or 'light bulb'. Another 6 to condemn those 6 as stupid. 22 to tell THOSE 6 to stop being jerks. 2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is 'lamp'. 15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that 'light bulb' is perfectly correct. 49 to post memes and gifs (several are of Michael Jackson eating popcorn with the words added, “I’m just here for the comments.”) 19 to post that this page is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a light bulb page. 11 to defend the posting to this page saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant here. 24 to discuss the merits of LED/swirly fluorescent light bulbs 44 to claim LED and fluorescent bulbs will kill you. 12 to post F. 8 to ask what F means. 7 to post 'Following' but there's 3 dots at the top right that means you don't have to. 3 to say "can't share" 2 to reply "can't share from a closed group" 36 People to post pics of their own light bulbs. 15 People to post "I can't see S$%^!" and use their own light bulbs. 6 to report the post or PM an admin because someone said "f÷×$" 4 to say "Didn't we go through this already a short time ago?". 13 to say "Do a search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs". 1 to bring politics into the discussion by adding that (insert politician of choice) isn't the brightest bulb. This usually takes place within the first three comments. 50 more to get into personal attacks over their political views. 5 admins to ban the light bulb posters who took it all too seriously. 1 late arrival to comment on the original post 6 months later and start it all over again.

Glad to see you back Jude, it had gone worryingly quiet. Glad to hear you’re feeling a bit more up, now! Long may it continue.

This is the last remaining lego set of mine from when I was a youngster. My youngest wants to take it to bits, but I won't let him and I don't have the instructions to put it back together! 😂

Following this thread over the last few months fired up an enthusiasm to dig out my son's old lego technic models and build them as I'd got fed up with doing jigsaws! Rumaged through the loft and found two boxes dated 1989, one a JCB and the other a Drot - tracked loading shovel. Built the Drot first and to be expected there were a few parts missing, searched the large box of lego our grandsons play with and luckily found what I needed. Next the JCB, a lot more complicated, but worked through the instructions methodically. First problem, missing worm gear. Searched eBay and found what I needed, so waited a week for part to arrive from France. Moved on several more pages and again more missing parts, so sourced replacements, wait a week and move on. Eventually after 3 weeks it was complete! Really enjoyed the builds and the resultant models work really well and now proudly adorn our book shelves awaiting the return of our grandchildren to play/destroy them.

We’ve been worried about you @Jude - The Mad Widow - it’s great to have you back and know you’re so much better. 😊

*dusts off old revenge book, puts red tick next to @Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO’s name, closes book again*

I'm new to all of this but here goes, retired now but after a MOD Coppersmith apprenticeship, I became a draughtsman employed on frigates systems, moved on to Industrial radiography as a NDT inspector finally leaving the MOD environment and became a CAD draughtsman, working on contract at various establishments including Wrigleys. I drew (cadded!) a couple of Westfield grilles and wheel arch shields to be laser cut for both of my Westfields. Will be doing it again for my soon to be possessed third Westfield.

Oh yes, blackboard rubbers was a favourite. I never had the cane but a plastic rule across the knuckles once or twice and this was early 80's, I am not sure it was strictly legal but I knew if I told my parents the first response would be well you probably deserved it! So I would keep quiet!😉

@Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO you are brave indeed. There’s a motorway sign near me that says Caution Ice, with a temperature icon of 16deg C. Must be some tough ice!

Braver men than I, are rumoured to say @Scott Young is nuttier than Squirrel droppings!

anyone over 60 can now book online, without waiting for GP letter. I did : you'll need your NHS number and other personal details. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

I did automotive and Motorsport technology at College, but taught me very little new. After college I got a job with 3M producing pharmaceuticals where I am trying to make my way into a technical role by learning how to fix and maintain the machinery better than the actual technicians. First experience with Westfields would be around 2003/4 when my dad was building his, then from 2005 onwards I've always been around the Speed Series. When I was at college in 2016-2018 my dad and had talked about a project car, something like an MX5 or an MG Midget; something to learn the ropes on. Then in November 2018 after my dad won the Speed Series, I found a Westfield chassis on Ebay and thought, that'd be nice, so I bought it. over 2 years later now, and it's still just a bare chassis, taking up room in the garage, I think I bit off more than I could chew when I thought that a competition Westfield built to compete against the likes of @Terry Everall - WSCC Competition Secretary and @Simon Waterfall Syman84 would be a good first car 😅

It was inevitable the Munter would end up in your garage!

SOLD to Millwood Motors Dursley. They seem a very nice bunch, not the biggest amount of cash, but very easy. Now the Westfield is complete IVA'd and on the road I can't justify (afford) two 7's, so the time has come to sell the Caterham. I assembled it back in 2016 / 2017. Paid Caterham to check it out pre IVA and it passed first time. Been great fun to drive, pin sharp steering and lots of fun on damp roundabouts. Now I have a Westy I am hooked on the idea of upgrades, so the Caterham will be funding that bad habit. It is a 160 S so you probably know the spec includes. Suzuki 660cc Turbo engine. 80 BHP so at about 500 Kg Caterham call it 160 BHP / Ton. Firecracker yellow with black accessories. Best colour combo in my opinion. It is the narrow body standard floor, so if you are over 6 foot with size 12 feet you will struggle to fit. Fixed ARB at front Non adjustable coilover Bilsteins all round Live rear axle Narrow steel wheels Disks up front, drums at the rear, non servo brakes. Intercooler Wet weather gear, including doors and a rag top that works. 4 point harness Roll bar Heater Heated windscreen 12v socket 5500 miles or so Good condition, a bit of 7 acne low down on rear wheel arches as you would expect. MOT due 04-June-2022 Just serviced it. So new oil, new oil filter, new air filter, drain and fill coolant, replaced DOT 4 brake fluid. No problems starts first time on the button. Now the price, tricky, at the moment it is the only one for sale as far as I can tell in the UK. In Japan (where most of these end up) I believe this spec sells for £25k to £30K, the Sprint and Super Sprint Gentleman racers of similar age ( same car just a lot of leather and retro style) go for about £28K upwards. So I am looking for £19,750 as it was a kit build and is not weighed down with leather and fancy paintwork. Me and the car are based in Brixham Devon, I can provide a lot of pictures if required. contact via the forum or markc797@gmail.com

Very sad news that Liverpool FC and Scotland legend Ian St John has passed away. A true hero of the game and a great ambassador for the sport. YNWA.

It's easy to drive there but you can't ever get back out????

Nose... Arm... Garden... Criminal record...

Have a great day @CosKev🍺🍺

It's the only way surely...LOL

Welcome back Jude, so glad to see you got through it. Never nice to read those stories and worse if you experienced it also. Despite my history with depression I seemed to have coped reasonably well in respect of Covid, unlike an Auntie of mine who threw herself in Leeds canal during lockdown 1. Lets hope we can all get and play soon , nothing beats my bad thoughts more than a darn good run out in the car - all at legal speeds of course ... Keep safe please. Richard

Good to see you and your car back with us.

I wish I'd continued with cad but the early work I did was far removed from the programs now, back in the early 70s the computers were massive and only could do basic repetitive calculations. Even the companys new whole floor computer was seldom used preferred by us to use Kings College's phone in device(a bucket you threw the telephone receiver into) and it would hiss and buzz around until you got an answer usually wrong - rubbish in rubbish out - the favourite saying.

Lots of draughtsman related careers as well it seems, I am guessing as you have eluded to that no paper and pencils are needed today?. Welcome BTW to WSCC.

Since the northern saloon championship and the battle of Britain meeting moved to croft, I' feel quite honoured to have won both of them in my Westfield 😉

I have worked in mechanical design since graduating with a HND many years back. Mainly focused on plastic components from shower valves, private mobile radios (public sector), washing machines, JCB Fastrac tractors and currently as an external hardware engineer for Bentley motors. Always had a passion for mechanical devices since 14 years when I worked on a farm. The tenant farmer wasn’t well off which led to a fix and mend culture. The best job was to build one working combine harvester out of 2 broken machines! westfield ownership has always been my dream, from an early age! Chris Smith took me on a test drive when the early independent rear suspension had just been developed. He scared the living daylights out of me! Never forget that experience. From that day knew I HAD to own a Westfield. I built the first one in 2004-5, am now on my third! Andy

Some wide and diverse careers posted so far, but as I had suspected many are in the engineering / automotive sector . I seemed to gravitate towards messing about with mechanical things by accident really and started ( from memory ?) when I disassembled my mums lawn mower for some reason, then was unable to put it back together, I must have been 7 or 8 years old - she was not best pleased. My very first job was via the YOP scheme back in the 80's, making wiring looms for arcade machines, this then seemed to lead me down the electrical route that was to last for the next few decades. A brief spell as a sound engineer at live venues was perhaps the most enjoyable job I had.

Don't over do things, you're getting old. 🎂🎂🎂🍷🐑. 👍

Thanks Uncle Ian🤓👍

Yes, but i didnt want to upset all the forum members who insist fuel goes off after 3 months in a tank...

I work in IT. My Westfield build was late and over budget.

I enjoyed his Saint and Greavsie tv pundit era.....

Yep. This is the faster car movement I have seen in my life. I had to sag the Green MX5 to make way for the munter... Advertised it in facebook for what it owed me, and its been sold in under 10 minutes. Amazing. I knew I bought it cheap... but not THAT cheap. Munter on its way as soon as I arrange stuff with Andy!

Hello. i'm french, i have 35 years and my name is damien. i have been the owner of a westfield SE 1989 from the netherlands for 2 weeks.

I live fairly far north (Montana, USA) and at a bit of altitude (5000') so when you get a sunny and calm day in December and the roads are clear of snow you take it. It was chilly (30°F/ -1°C) so it means that the engine makes great power with all that cold and dense air while the tires have little grip. It's not the best combo now that I think of it but it sure was fun. dave

I haven't read all the posts yet But do what I do, Put some company stickers on it and do a couple (or more) track days a year and put it down to marketing/sponsorship. The company can legitimately pay the running costs too.