HAMMOC in March

New Club Pub We still meet on the third Tuesday of the month, but have changed our Club Pub to the Hunter's Inn at Swanmore, SO32 2PZ.

National Historic Vehicle Survey 

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs will have to argue even more strongly for historic vehicles to retain their current access and freedoms on our roads in the coming years as we navigate the most challenging period in our history. To defend our freedom to use yesterday's vehicles on tomorrow's roads, we need your help completing this crucial survey.

The Federation represents more than 500 clubs, museums, and individual members passionate about historic vehicles older than 30 years, such as cars, motorcycles, buses, coaches, lorries, agricultural, military, or steam vehicles.

Due to changing political and environmental influences, the historic vehicle community, events, the freedom to use the roads, and even the fuel we use are under increasing threats and pressures.

The FBHVC aims to lobby the Government against detrimental legislation and restrictions that could impact the future of historic vehicles. However, to secure a successful outcome, the organisation needs dependable data on the significance and scope of the historic vehicle movement. The responses you provide will help shape the future of historic vehicles in Great Britain over the next five years by providing crucial data.

The Federation first conducted research in 1997 and has repeated the process at least every five years since then. HM Government values this research for providing a consistent approach that demonstrates accurate traceability and the development of the historic vehicle movement over time. Such transparency fosters trust in the government and ensures that the 1.9 million historic vehicles recorded on the DVLA database are treated fairly and appropriately.

The survey encompasses all historic road vehicles, including cars, bikes, lorries, vans motorhomes, military vehicles, buses/coaches, tractors/agricultural vehicles, and steam vehicles.

Details of the previous research can be found at https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/research

Over 15,000 enthusiasts participated last time around. We want to make this survey the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the world, so please take part, have your say, and help keep the historic vehicles that we love on the road for the benefit of everyone in the future.

Depending on your responses, the survey should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Kindly ensure that you finish it in one sitting.

Please Complete it now at: www.fbhvc.co.uk/survey  Closing date May 31st

REPORT ON THE FEBRUARY CLUB NIGHT– PRESENTATION ON THE MARY ROSE MUSEUM

One had to be nimble to keep up with the whirlwind of changes surrounding the February Club Night.  The presentation by Dave Daniels on his father “Jack” Daniels, was scheduled and eagerly anticipated by members.

Very sadly, we learned of David Daniels’ unexpected death.  That necessitated a reschedule. With only a couple of days to go before the publication of the February magazine it was proposed that we would run a short quiz, followed by a Natter and Noggin. 

That decision was published in the magazine.  However, Stephanie C, who had volunteered to deliver a presentation on the Mary Rose in October, informed us that she happened to have all the material for the presentation available.  It was agreed that she would ride to our rescue.  Notifications went out on the Club website and Facebook page.

Around 28 – 30 members attended.  We were hoping that Stephanie, who is an accomplished presenter, would deliver her presentation in her 16th century Tudor costume to add atmosphere.  But she had worn it all day at the Mary Rose Museum and needed a break to more comfortable 21st century clothing.  None of that detracted from Stephanie’s delivery, which kept her audience informed and entertained.

Stephanie has volunteered at the Museum for around 10 years.  Over that time, she has accumulated considerable knowledge about the ship and crew – with the notable exception of weaponry, in which, she professes not the slightest interest.

We were taken through the inconclusive naval skirmish of 19 July 1545; the battle of the Solent, during which, the Mary Rose sank. After pillaging Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, the French galleys attacked the English fleet becalmed outside Portsmouth harbour. Stephanie, for some inexplicable reason, considered that attacking Bembridge was a thumpingly good French idea.  So, all members who have a connection with Bembridge need to be clear where they stand in her perspective

She followed that up with fascinating explanations of the preservation of the wreck and the way the museum follows key crew members of the ship; the Master Gunner, the Purser, the Archer Royal, the Surgeon, the Cook, the Carpenter and “Hatch” the dog.

At the conclusion of her presentation, Stephanie took many questions from Club members.  She also sold a number of items of merchandise from the museum shop.

The Mary Rose Museum is one of the most visited museums in Hampshire. You may not be aware that the Club has a close association with the Museum.  As you exit the museum, through the upper (weather) deck, you look down through a graphic of the boarding net.  Designed to hinder boarding parties, the netting contributed to so many deaths when the ship sank, since the sailors could not escape. That graphic was produced by BONWYKE DESIGN, one of whose directors is Club member, Ted H.

Spanner in the works

How to retro-fit seat belts

Front seat belts became a legal requirement for UK registered cars built from October 1964, but it was not compulsory until 1983.

The three-point seat belt was introduced in 1959. It saved lives overnight and changed road safety forever. The three-point safety device is reported to have saved at least one million lives worldwide.

Not all classic cars are fitted with three-point seat belts and owners and enthusiasts of classic cars like to keep their vehicle as original as possible. Three-point seat belts are safer, but wearing a lap belt is far better than wearing no seat belt at all, because the greatest risk of injury is being thrown about inside the vehicle or being ejected from it.

The first stage is to look for the current or possible mounting points. Your car may already have the factory drilled and tapped holes. Once you have your mounting points measured and marked up, it is then time to devise a mounting point and/or a plate, thus creating a safe, secure and large enough patch to anchor to the car. There must not be any rust holes, fibre glass or filler within at least 30cm from the mounting points.

 If a belt is attached directly to a wooden floor, each anchorage point must be reinforced with a plate that is at least 35mm in diameter and 3mm thick. You cannot use self-tapping screws to fit the webbing to the wood.

Remember if you are bolting a part of the seatbelt to the seat of the vehicle

the seat bolts must also be plated under the vehicle for extra strength.

If you are drilling holes because your vehicle was never designed to have seat belts and it is of steel construction you will require to strengthen that area with steel mounting point plates like so.      

    It is recommended that the retractor be installed first to prevent the retractor locking up. The retractor is sensitive and will lock at any tilt angle from 90°/90° off horizontal. All retractors must be mounted perpendicular (90°) to the floor before the seat belt can be extracted from the retractor. Be sure the seat belt is not twisted between the retractor and height adjuster. Verify proper position and installation of seat belt height. With most kits instructions should be followed.

HAMMOC RALLY - 1 JUNE - MUSEUM OF ARMY FLYING

Why not come along? Only £5 rally entry fee. Concessionary rates to enter the museum £5 (not included in entry fee).