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And so it begins. National Drive your Westfield to Work week for me involves a trip from Crewkerne to Dartford, back to Wokingham for the night, then Dartford and back to Crewkerne Friday night. Weather looks ok, and I enjoy a challenge, so why not. If you see a gulf scheme Westfield by the side of the M25, give me a wave 👋👋 🤣🤣

10 AM and the doorbell goes. That’s unusual as I’m particular about the company I keep, especially in the morning. I open the door and a political party worker is there, complete with rosette (which party not relevant). “Good morning!”, he says in an excessively chipper voice. I hate him already. No one should be that chipper this early, plus I’ve got a notice by the doorbell he just pushed saying “No Politics” that he deftly managed to ignore. ”It’s definitely morning, but whether or not it’s good is up for debate right now.”, I reply in a clipped tone. ”I’m here on behalf of the (redacted) Party!” Really? That’s a surprise. I thought the rosette was a fashion statement. ”I gathered.” ”Can I ask how you will be voting in the General Election?” ”Yes.” Blank grin and a pause. “Well?” ”Well what?” Confused face. “I don’t understand.” Me, in a measured tone. “You said, can I ask how you will be voting in the General Election, and I said yes - go ahead and ask.” After a few seconds, the penny drops and his face lights up. “Oh! Ha ha ha, good one, sir!” I’m not laughing, “How will you be voting in the General Election?” ”The same way I always do. I go into the polling station and put my cross next to the candidate and party I think will do the least amount of harm. Currently, your inability to read and comprehend my “No Politics” sign is not doing your cause any good. Kindly leave and do not return. Goodbye.” Door shuts in grinning face. *sigh* Only 42 days to go…

Roadbook has arrived and it looks good 😎 I will see most of you at Malvern so please collect yours from me then, the remainder I will post out Also max distance between fuel stops is 95 miles so if you cant manage that with your heavy right foot bring a jerry can 😅

Hi, I was contacted recently by the son of a former member and Westfield owner (@simmihere on the foru. or Neil Simm in real life) who sadly passed away from cancer. Apparently Neil was a lifelong lover of Westfields but sadly sold the car after a few years when life got in the way. Wesley, his son has asked if its possible for a car or two to drive in front of the hearse a short distance to Gedling Crematorium tomorrow from about 340pm. We won't be going into the funeral, just a quick 5 minute drive to send him off in style and then head home. I will be parked roughly where the pin is (junction of the B684 and Catfoot Lane) at 330pm. If anyone is available to bring a car along to accompany me in mine it would be hugely appreciated by Neil's family. Thanks Rob

Second leg completed with no problems but with very heavy traffic on both M25 and M3. Very pleasing that the car behaved perfectly, sitting at 85 degrees most of the time, occasionally nudging 90 but quickly back down again. Trying to persuade my soon to be 89 year old Mum to come out for a spin this evening 🤣

Ditto. A particular cult used to knock on my door every Saturday morning at 10:15, two men in suits, excessively happy, with a small child in tow and left by my front gate. For months, they wouldn’t take a hint to bog off, even when it applied with the subtlety of a brick. Finally, one Saturday morning, I was ready for them. Bang in time at 10:15, the bell rang. I opened the door while dressed from head to toe in red, 666 on my forehead with red lipstick and a huge carving knife in my hand. “Thank goodness you’re here! That goat is loose in the house! Come help me!” They disappeared like a fart through hemp pyjamas and never returned.

Made it in from Crewkerne to near Dartford this morning 👍

I skipped yesterday because of the weather ☹️ but I’m back in it today 👌🏼

Doesn’t feel like it sometimes Dan 😴. My days in Dartford always involve a lack of sleep and a lot of miles but somehow I manage. First leg completed successfully, a good run up, no rain, just some damp roads and normal M3 and M25 jams in the roadworks. Stopped for a top up in South Petherton then Fleet Services. Some fun on the A303 and the last stretch to work which is actually in South Darenth, not Dartford. I set off at a bit before 5am, and got into the office at 7.50am, roughly 3 hours with stops which is ok, particularly given the normal Westfield phaffing at stops, getting in and out with the roof on etc. Just need to stay awake in my meetings today now 🤣, and no, I don’t work in the shed by the car 🤣

Wow, that looks professional - well done folks.

I am booked up for this, are there any of the northern contingent who fancy a day out. There is a wide variety of vehicles that attend and activities on the day. June 2nd if your free.

*Pins script to back of front door* 😄

She woosed out, claiming tiredness! I’ll get her sooner or later 🤣 Thanks for the offer Richard, seems ok for now and I think I have a 74 degree stat around if I need one 👍

Were they happy you rocking up in a Gulf logo'd car in a Esso station?, lol...

I didn't go that far, but did get rather animated with them, I suspect it was the same cult as the one you had.

I have done the same thing in the past with those bible bashers that used to come around, different script but same meaning.

I look forward to either closing my door in their faces or cutting them down to size depending on my mood. I don't think I've ever been so dis-elusioned with the people in politics. I think to myself(and you), if this is the best choice of people out of the whole of the UK to run the country then UK politics is broken. Yet looking across the pond they have an even worse choice..

Actually I now do that myself, as they just keep on appearing. Nice and big as well aren't they, lol.

I keep the charity bags and use them as bin bags, recycling at it's best!

Thank you Rob, a very touching and kind thing to do. I am sure that I speak for the club as a whole and say should you speak with Neil's family, please pass on our condolences . Just as poignant, I myself have requested a similar thing to occur, with my own car ( and hopefully others) leading the cortege.

If you have already registered for the 2024 Speed Series, you may pay to enter an extra class here (click on link). This is for competitors who have two cars - if you have two cars, then you can enter both of them in the Speed Series, but only one car will score at any one event. In other words, only one car and one class per event. You can change that car into another class during the year, but your points will start over again from that point forward. If you do not have all the information at this stage, then please put "Not known" in the appropriate field.

You've got some stamina Stu! 👍

Sun's out, car's out. 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞 Great turn out this morning with 8 Westfields coming along. Breakfast outside as well. We also had a visitor from Nottingham with Roger coming up in his 11. Good to meet him, and thanks for coming up. Also, my first run for a while without calling the AA. (Car still not running well though)

I think if it were me I'd be leaving it as it is and trying to keep this condition as long as possible, so no wet drives out if it can be avoided. If you want to restore a car, sell this one and buy a different car ? Though the more owners it has the less attractive it is to someone else .. its value is in its low owner / originality status as it stands. On the MOT note, if any car is unroadworthy that's an offence, whether it's had / needs an MOT or not. MOT exempt cars should not be run on the road if they are unroadworthy .. it's not a get out of jail free card though I admit some owners of 40 plus year old cars won't be maintaining them as they should. My other half has an MOT exempt Midget but still chooses to put it through its annual test, and the test centre enjoys seeing it. Makes a change from the characterless repmobiles and SUVs...

I've (actually it's my father's) got an fully original unmolested 1966 Fiat 850 which I sometimes drive to historic car meetings. It's even got the original keychain (albeit a bit worn out). I was considering a nice restomod of it after I finish the Westie, but my father doesn't want for me to touch it, for him it must remain completely original! 😄 So I can see the other side of the medal, I just don't share it 😄