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EditorialComment 1CommitteeNotes 2Events11LocalClubMeets19MembersCorner23Regalia27Contacts28
MGCC SE Newsletter Contents Page
MGCC SE
July 2021 Newsletter EditorialNote
WewelcomeyoutotheJulyNewsletteraswemovetowardstheendoflockdownandhopefullyagoodrestofseasonforMGmotoring.Thiseditioncoversthesecondquarter21andexpectationsforfollowingsixmonths.SeePages11-18foreventsheldwithintheGovernmentLockdownLiftingplan!
AmusingorotherwisepleasecontinuetosendinfurtherMGnews,[email protected]
if you or your fellow member is not receiving the quarterly SE newsletter via email it may be because your up-to-date email address is not held by the main administration at Abingdon. To update your details either go to the Members login area of MGCC web site, email [email protected] or call 01235 555552.
YourNewsletterEditors/ScribesandtheircarsWillOpiehasbeenamemberoftheMGCCSEforover40yearsowningamultitudeofMGvariantsandcurrentlyleadstheNorthDownsNatter–picturedbelowleft.RayRuffelswasintroducedtoMGmotoringwhilstworkingforWadhamStringersinthelate1970’sandnowrunsseveralclassicMGsplusaZT-Tdaily-driverpicturedbelowright.
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July 2021
CommitteeNotesChairman’sReport
Chairman’sSummerMessage–ChrisLeigh
IampleasedtosaythatatlastoursmallNatterandWandergroupshavebeenabletoreturntoamorenormalprogrammeofeventsdespitethecontinuingneedforsocial-distancingandface-masks.AsIwritethisreport,restrictionsarestillinplacewhichlimitindoorcateringnumbers.Althoughwelookforwardtothedaywhentheselimitsdisappear,manyhotelsandvenuesarehelpingwiththeprovisionofsafer,tentedoutdoorareasforustoenjoyandmanyofourgroupsaretakingadvantageofthese.
Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankthosemanymemberswhohavehelpedtoorganisethesesmalllocaleventsandsayabigthankyoutothoseofyouwhosupportedour24thApril“Drive-it-Day”eventtoRottingdeanandourmorerecentSpringRunon23rdMaytoadmirethebeautifulrhododendronsandazaleasatLeanardsleeGardens.Bothofthesetwoeventsattractedlargenumbersofcarsandwereapprovedduetothespecialconditionsagreedwiththegovernmentrecognised“nationalsportingbody”–TheMSUK.Thismostdefinitelyprecludesanybodyentering“ontheday”etc.butwedidcollectsome£492forcharity!IampleasedtosaythatJohnMorgan’sfastidiousworkwiththeMSUKonourbehalfhasnowbeenacknowledgedbyourCommitteewiththepresentationofa“specialawardforservicesrenderedduringthepandemic”andthatAbingdonHeadquartershassubsequentlyinvitedJohntobecomeakeymemberoftheir“eventregulationsnationalsteeringgroup”!
HavingjustreturnedfromIan&PaulaRussell’sAshNattervisittoEastAnglia,Imustpraisethembothandtheirchosenvenue,notonlyforarrangingsomeexcellentweatherbutforthelargecovered,heatedoutdoordiningareacompletewithawarmoutdoorswimmingpool,allofwhichmadeourstaysoenjoyable!
IwouldliketoacknowledgeourdebttoTonyAtcheson,whohasbeeninpostasCentreTreasurerformanyyearsbutwasalsoproactiveintakingonRegaliaandmembershipanalysiswhentheneedarose.TonywaskindenoughtomakesurethatwehadasuitablereplacementbeforeretiringfromtheCommitteeandIfeelsurethatwewillcontinuetoseehimatCentreevents.Tony–wearehavingtoreplaceyouwiththreenewpeople!
InplaceofTony,wenowwelcomeRonKempasournewCentreTreasurer.RoncomestoushighlyrecommendedbytheFRegisterforwhomhedidasimilarjob!WealsowelcomeAlexLemonandMikeChittendenwhohavealsorecentlyjoinedtheCommitteetosharethetaskoflookingafterCentreRegalia.
Earlierthismonth,RayRuffelsandIheldourfirstface-to-facemeetingwithanMGMotorfranchise,meetingMalcolmYoungthemanageroftheFGBarnesCanterbury.TheMGCarClubhasalwaysbeeninclusiveandwhileothercarclubsaresufferingfromalackofyoungermembers,Ileftthatmeetingfeelingveryoptimisticaboutourclub’sfuturemembershipprospects.ItwaslatergratifyingtoseeamemberoftheAshNatterdrivingoneofthenewallelectricMGestatecarsaroundNorfolk!
ThisyearitwasimpossibletoproduceourusualprintedSouthEastCentreCalendarandMGLiveandStoneleighwerealsocancelledduetoCovidrestrictions.IamawarethatsomeofourmembersarenowplanningtovisitthenewMG/TriumphShowon13-15thAugustinGreatMalvern.Whatevertypeofeventyouenjoy,pleasegetintothehabitofcheckingourwebsitesatwww.mgccse.co.ukforthelatestSEinformation.
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July 2021
CommitteeNotesAbingdonMattersUpdate
ABINGDONMATTERS
SinceourlastSENewsletterinAprilmanychangeshavetakenplaceatAbingdonbutlittlehasbeenpublishedaboutanyofthem.IwasrashenoughtostateinourlastNewsletterthatdetailsofanyExtraordinaryGeneralMeetingwouldbeadvertisedinSafetyFastbutasyouwillnowknowthissimplydidn’thappen.AnEGMwasheldon17thAprilafterwhichtheremainingDirectorsofMGCarClubLtdhadresigned,statingthattheywereactingintheinterestsofclubunity.TheEGMthenelectedanewsetofDirectorsandasaresultofthischangeanumberofourAbingdonemployeesresignedfromtheirpostssayingthattheywereunhappywiththenewregime.
ItshouldbenotedthattheseunpaidDirectorswerevotedinbythevastmajorityofvotingmembersfromtheclub’sCRBswithapromiseofgreatertransparency.ThecurrentdirectorsofMGCarClubLtdare:
DaveTynan(Chairman)PeterCook(ViceChairman)
DavidRainsbury(Treasurer)LorraineNoble-Thompson
HowardGoslingRoyLocock
ColinWithers
SomenewstaffstillneedtoberecruitedbutthroughoutthisperiodCovidruleshaveappliedwhichmeansthattheofficeisrunbystaffinrotationwhilstmosthaveworkedfromhome.Thecurrentfullandparttimestaffingsituationis:
RoyLocock(ActingGeneralManager)LizAllsworth(Membership)
WayneScott(Press/Media/PR)GemmaBray(Communications)
InekeSherman(returnstoMerchandising)MarkBaulch(Competitions)
AndyKnott(SafetyFastEditor)ColinGrant(DeputyEditor)
PeterNeal(Archive
NoreplacementyetshownforAdamSloman(Manager)orLauranGallagher(AssistantManager)
MGCarClubLtdisaservantoftheclubitselfanditwillnotsurpriseyoutoknowthattheunpaidExecutiveCommitteeDirectorsarekeen,enthusiasticMGownersliketherestofus.
MinutesofGeneralMeetingsandExecutiveCommitteemeetingsareusuallypublishedontheMGCCwebsiteforallmemberstoread.Youcanseeforyourselfhowyourmembershipsubscriptionisbeingspent.Wehavenotedthat£11,000ofyourmoneywasspentinanunusualway(EditorComment-torepaylegalfeesincurredtotheV8Register)threedaysafterthenewExecutiveCommitteewasvotedinduringApril2021
Continuedbelow-
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July 2021
CommitteeNotesAbingdonMattersUpdateCompetitionandEventsUpdate
N.B.-Thisinformationwasup-to-dateatthetimeofpublicationandthesedetailsandmanymoreareavailabletomembersfromtheMGCarClubwebsites.IfyouarehavinganydifficultiesaccessinganypartsoftheMGCCwebsitepleasephoneforassistancefromAbingdon,simplycall01235555552.InformationaboutthehistoryandstructureoftheclubisalsoavailableontheMGCCwebsitesandonWikipedia.
Thisclubisstillaclubrunbymembersformembers–pleasegivethemappropriatesupport!
ChrisLeighChairman-SouthEastCentre
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
SECentreEventsandCompetitionsTheSECentrehasruntheeventslistedintheAprilNewsletter,allCOVIDcompliantandwellsupportedasreportedelsewhereinthisnewsletter.Sadly,theliftingofthefinalrestrictionshasbeendelayedfromJune21stuntilJuly19th,sountilthen,themaximumgroupsizeof30outdoorsornomorethan6peopleor2householdsindoorsremains.MGCovid19compliantactivitiessofarhavebeenorganisedregionallyandlargelycoordinatedviathelocalmeetings,NattersandWanderersGroups,dokeepincontactwithyourlocalcoordinator.InKent,theactivitieshavebeenprincipallyorganisedbytheNattersinCanterbury,EastKentWanderers,NorthDownsandTrotiscliffe.ForSurreyandSussex,inadditiontotheNatters,theDrive-it-Dayruntothecoast,SpringRuntoLeonardsleeandMGdisplayatBrooklandsalltakeplaceasmentionedpreviously.
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July 2021
CommitteeNotesCompetitionandEventUpdate
PlanningisunderwayforaSEeventinAugust,probablysimilartotheSpringRunwithashortdrivingrunandaninterestingvenue.ThiswillbefollowedbytheAutumnGatheringatLullingstoneCastleon19thSeptember.AsmentionedinthelastNewsletter,theSECentreiskeentostartsomecompetitiveeventsinparticipationwithothermotoringclubsintheSE.ThetypeofeventswassummarisedintheJanuaryNewsletterandareallnonecardamagingincludingplanningforanAutumnTrialtobeinitiatedshortly.Otheroptionsincludegrassautotests(someclassedastasterevents).Pleasecontactme,JohnMorgan,CompetitionSecretary,ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationortoconfirmaninteresttotakepart/haveago.TheSECentreisalsopartakinginanMGCCmainclubworkingpartytoreviewrequirementsforclubeventstobefullyMotorsportUKcompliantandensurethatthecorrectguidanceisavailableontheClubwebsite.ItshouldberememberedthateventsrunundertheMotorsportUKpermits/certificateofexemptionarefullyinsuredbyMotorsportUK.ThisrequireseventstobeplannedinaccordancewiththeMotorsportUK‘BlueBook’thatsummarisestherulesandobtainingpermits/certificateofexemptionensurecompliancewiththeRoadTrafficAct/MotorVehicles(CompetitionandRallies)regulations.AnyothereventssuchasNatteractivitiesorSocialRunsrelyontheMGCCclubinsuranceandstillhavetocomplywithstatutoryregulations(onlyexemptif12carsorless)
JohnMorgan–CompetitionSecretaryContact:[email protected]
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CommitteeNotesProvisionalSECentreCalendarSummaryNext6Months2021
July 2021
SeeSafetyFastSouth-Eastnotesformonthlyupdates,SocialMediaandtheMGCCSEwebsiteforinformationonplannedeventsplusupdatesonpastevents.Duetotheon-goingCovid19GovernmentLockdownLiftingPlanalleventscouldbesubjecttochangesokeepup-to-dateviacontactwithyourlocalNatterandWanderersleader/sandviatheSouthEasternCentrewebsiteat-http://www.mgccse.co.uk.
Date
Event Location Contact
July4th
AlternativePoo1
SurreyOaks,Newdigate
JohnMorgan07802770025
July19th AlternativePoo2
ThePheasantBetchworthRH37BG
JohnMorgan07802770025
July26th7pm
PheasantNatterBarbecue
WalcountiansRFC,ClockhouseGround,CarshaltonRoad,BansteadSM73HU
SundayAugust1st
BrooklandsAutojumble&.ClassicCarShow
BrooklandsKT130QN
TBC
August12th
AlternativePoo3Re-arranged
TheFairmilePub,CobhamKT111BW
JohnMorgan07802770025
SundaySept5th
ShereHillClimb
StapleLaneNrGuildfordGU47RL
MGCCSETBC
Sept26th ProductionCarTrial
NearMaidstoneTBC
JohnMorgan07802770025
Sept19th AutumnGathering
LullingstoneCastle,DartfordDA40JA
October
AutumnNaviscat
TBC TBC
November
Chairman’sDay&AGM
TBC TBC
December BlackHorseTreasureHunt
BlackHorsePub
TBC
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July 2021
CommitteeNotesWeb&SocialMedia
SouthEastontheWeb–TimMorris
Weareencouragingmemberstousetheonlinefacilitiesoftheclub.ItistheplacewhereyouwillfindallthelatestinformationabouttheSouthEastCentreandalltheeventsthatarebeingplanned,plusreviewsandpicturesofthosethathavetakenplace.You’llalsofindarchivecopiesofthisnewslettertolookbackon.Itisgratifyingthatanincreasingnumberofmembersarefindingthesitewithnearly1600viewsinMayandwhatislookinglikeasimilarnumberinJune–ifyouarenotsurewhereitisthentheurliswww.mgccse.co.uk.Themostpopularpagesthatpeoplevisitotherthanthehomepagearetheeventslistandthenatterslist,soitisclearpeoplearetryingtofindoutwhatisgoingonintheSouthEastCentre.
InterestinglyalargeproportionofpeoplefindingthewebsitearedirectedbyourFacebookpagesanditistherethatyouwillfindthebanguptodatestuff!Therearetwopages–oneispublicfacingandgivesdetailsofeventsandreviews,youcanmakecommentsbutitisonlytheCentrethatcanpostinitiallyonit.Thesecondrunsoffthebackofthatandisamemberonlychatgroup–onthereyoucanpostitemsyourself,askquestions,showusyourcar,posteventpictures–anythinggoes,withinMGreasonofcourse!Tojointhatyouneedtoansweracoupleofquestionsaboutyourmembershipincludingyourmembershipnumber.YouwillfindthisnewsletterhasarrivedalittledifferentlytooaswehavemovedovertoMailchimptosenditouttoyou.Wehopethatthiswillprovidebettermanagementofouremaillists,you’llfindanunsubscribebuttononthebottomifyoudon’twanttohearfromusanymore,naturallywehopeyoudon’tusethatonebutwedorealisethatmembersselltheirMGsandmoveonsometimes.
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CommitteeNotesWeb&SocialMedia
July 2021
Youwillhavefoundthisbyclickingalinkintheinitialemail-thisstopsanyissueswiththesizeoftheemailcloggingupyoursystemorcausingittobeundeliveredandpreventspotentiallayoutissuestoo.Thebigadvantageisthattheactualsendingoftheemailiscontrolledandwillnolongerriskourpersonalemailboxesbeingblacklisted!WeareonlyrecordingyournameandemailaddressinMailchimp,whichisasecuresystem,andyourdetailswon’tbepassedtoanyotherorganisation.However,ifyouwouldratheryourdetailsnotbestoredinthiswaythenpleaseunsubscribeandtheywillbedeleted–thetroubleisyouwon’treceivetheemailnewslettereither!
Finally,wehavegivenallthenatterleadersandcommitteemembersnewmgccse.co.ukemailaddressestohelpcontactthem.Theyareforwardingaddressessowhentheyreplyitwillcomefromadifferentaddress,don’tworryastheyarereal!You’llfindallthoseonthewebsitetoo.
Clickhereforwebsite:www.mgccse.co.uk
FacebookPublicPage:www.facebook.com/mgccse
FacebookChat:https://www.facebook.com/groups/259127225161827
PicturesfromourchatgrouponFacebook:
1. Letusknowwhat’shappeninginyournatters–WilliamOpiedidwiththispost,below,abouttheNorthDownsNatter
2. Youcansharevideostoo–TimMorrispostedthisgentlefilmaboutBrooklandsvolunteersfettlingtheMuseumMGs–seeabove.
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July 2021
CommitteeNotesCommitteeChangesTrophyAwards
CommitteeChangesWearepleasedtoinformmembersofseveralSECommitteechanges.AlexLemonandMikeChittendenhaveagreedtotake-overmanagementoftheClubRegalia.AlexwillfocusonsalesanddevelopmentandMikeonadministration.WealsohaveanewTreasurerwithRonKemptakingonthisrolefollowingtheretirementofTonyAtchesonafter6yearsintherole.WewishTonyallthebestforthefutureRoncomestouswithawealthofexperiencegainedwhilstworkingtheMGFRegisterinasimilarjob!……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………OurChairmanChrisLeighpresentingtheMGCCSEBestArticle2020AwardtoNickHolyerforanarticleaboutbuildinghisQTypeReplica
Below,StuartManser&JaninaDowneywinnersofthe2020LingfieldTrophyafterbeingpresentedbyChrisandJaniceLeigh.TheLingfieldTrophyispresentedannuallyforthebestoverallperformanceintheNaviscatseriesofevents.
10
October 2020
CommitteeNotesNewMembersInitiative
July 2021
VisittoFGBarnesMGMotorsCanterbury–RayRuffels
OurChairmanChrisLeighandMalcolmYoung(SalesManager)picturednexttothenewMG5EVEstate!ThestrategyisforMGCCSEtoengagewithmajorMGUKnewcardealersintheMGCCSEareaanddevelopagoodworkingrelationshipwhichwillbenefitbothparties.ThefirstmeetingwaswhenChrisLeighandmyselfvisitedFGBarnes(arrivingintwoMGAs!)themajorMGsupplierintheEastKentareawithbranchesinCanterburyandMaidstone.Thisrepresentsagoodopportunitytobothparties,theCarClubtoderivenewmembersandprovideaddedvaluetonewMGcustomers/ownersWewillalsobeabletoworktogetheratEventssuchasnewcardisplaysandNatterscanutiliseMGCanterburyfacilitiesforclubmeets.ImportantlytheSE1500memberscouldbeconsideredacaptiveaudienceforthepurchaseofnewMGsduetotheirexistingbrandloyalty.ThegoodnewsisthatMalcolmYoungisveryengagedandhasagreedtoworkwithMGCCSEincludingdistributingthenewMGCCSEintroductoryletter/informationpackstoallnewMGowners,thesettingupofanaffinityschemeforthediscountedpurchaseofnewcarsforSEmembersandapendingmeetingistoexpandthisarrangementtoincludeMaidstoneFGBarnesandalsootherqualifyingdealerswillbecontactedgoingforward.
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EventsDriveitDay
July 2021
DriveitDayRun–TimMorris
WhatfinerdaycouldhavedawnedforthefirstMGCCSErunoftheyear,bright,crispandsunny–idealforatopdowndrivetotheseaside.
Impeccablyorganised,asyouwouldexpectfromJohnMorgan,therunwasheldwithfullapprovalofMotorsportUKandstrictlyCovidsafe.Thatmeantlotsofpaperworkbeforehand,socialdistancingatthestopandnogatheringatthefinish.ThatalsomeantthosetakingpartwerenotrestrictedtoaspecificgatheringandMGscouldbefounddottedinsmallcarparksalongtheclifftopstotheeastofBrightonattheend.Smallgroupsoffriendscouldgettogetherforpicnicsoronoutsidebenchesatlocalpubs,nomorethansixthough.
ThestaggeredstartatDenbiesVineyardaboveandgaveanopportunitytotopupwithbottlesofSurreyGoldbeforesettingoffattimedintervalstoheadintotheSurreyHills.TherunitselftookplaceonminorroadsallthewaythroughtoRottingdeanwithjustaverybriefflirtationwiththeA27.Dappledsunlightfilteredthroughthetreesastheirnewgreencanopybegantocoverthelanes,bluebellscouldbespottedinthewoodsandblossomsstillremainedinmanyofthetrees.ItwasatypicalspringdayandintypicalsmallvillagefashionwewereheldtoransominWarninglid!
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EventsDriveitDay
July 2021
Approachingthevillage,theMGsslowedandadmiredthebuntingonthequainthousesliningtheroadway,stallswereoutsideandarathertallladyswoopeddownrattlingabucket–allinaidoftheStCatherine’sHospice.Having“paid”ourtolltheMGscontinuedonthejourneytothecoast.Itwasallingoodfunandifanymembersoftheconstabularyarereadingthis,weweren’treallyheldtoransom–honest
Infact,themaincharityofthedaywasNSPCCChildlineandsomeoftheproceedsoftheentryfeewenttothecharityraisingover£400.
HavingfoundthecorrectlaneunderneaththeJackandJillwindmillsandcircumnavigatedthepeakofDitchlingBeacontheMGsarrivedinRottingdeanwheretherewasadrive-by–checkpoint(whatwereyouthinking?)DulytickedoffthelistandphotographedthecarsweredrawntotheglisteningsurfaceoftheEnglishChannel.Picnicsonthebeachorontheclifftops,icecreamsandwalksalongthepromweretheorderoftheafternoon.
AsplendiddayoutanditwassimplygreattobeoutandaboutonceagainwiththeSouthEastCentreaftermonthsoflockdown.BelowtheRottingdeanfinishteamandHudson-Bradleyunderthecliff
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July 2021
EventsSpringRuntoLeonardsleeLakesandGardens
SpringRuntoLeonardsleeLakeandGardens23rdMay2021–TimMorris
Thequestionwaswhetheritwasgoingtobeananorak,jumperandwindcheaterdayorTagumboots,umbrellaandsou’westerday?ItturnedouttobeabitofbothasyoumightexpectfromtheBritishclimateattheendofMay,itisnearlySummerafterall.ItdefinitelywasnotaT-shirtandshortsday,however.
TworunsintoLeonardsleeLakesandGardensconvergedundergreyanddarkeningskies.ThestartswereatBockettsFarm,LeatherheadintheNorth,andattheRedLion,Ashingtoninthesouth.WegatheredatBocketts,arrivingtobetickedoffbywillingvolunteersandparkingconvenientlyclosetotheentranceoftheFarm.MGsarrivedreadytosetoffattheirtimeallocatedslots,toavoidcrowdingatthestart.AwidevarietyofMGsgatheredfromanMGZTV8toDaveNaylor’smucholderMGL2(Davesadlywouldnotquitegettothefinishpoint,havingbrokendownhalfway.HewasnotalonethoughasPhilipBayne-Powellinhis14/40alsosufferedasimilarfate.
DaveandAnnNaylorsetoffintheL2–theydidn’tquitegettothefinishthough!
Theallottedtimearrivedandcarssetoffforthe36mileruntoLeonardsleecarefullyavoidingthemyriadoflycracladcycliststhatseemtoinhabittheSurreyHillsthesedays.Oh,forthedayswhenitwasjusthorseriderswehadtowatchoutfor!Leafy,narrowlanesfreshlywasheddownbyintermittentrainshowersweretheorderforthefirsthalffollowedbyslightlywiderBroadsasweheadedtowardsthefinishpoint.Itwasindeedaveryscenicroute(Iamsurethesouthroutewasequallyscenictoo!)andluckily,weweren’taccostedbyaverytallladyshakingabucketasontheDriveitDayRun!
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July 2021
EventsSpringRuntoLeonardsleeLakeandGardens
Topicnicornottopicnic,thatwasthequestiononarrivalatLeonardslee.Itwaslookinggreyandyoucanseeagooddistancefromthemuchimprovedcarpark–andinthatdistanceyoucouldseetherainfalling.So,itwastimetositinthecarsforabitandlettheshowerpass.Thatwasitandtheremainsofthedayprovedcomparablyfinesowedidgettositoutinthecarparkhandenjoyourspoilsfromhome.
Toporganizer-JohnMorganincolourfulpose
Suitablysustainedweheadedforthevalleygardensandtheyweretrulyspectaculardespitethebesteffortsofthegaleforcewindsinthefewdayspriortotheclub’svisit.Rhododendronsandazaleaswereinpeakbloomandthelastofthecamelliasandmagnoliaswerestilltobeseentoo.Thefreshgreenleaveswereallunfurlingprovidingastunningbackdroptotherowofcascadinglakesandmanyaphotographwascaptured.
Itwasyetanotherbrilliantlyorganised,covidsafe,dayoutwiththeMGCarClubSouthEastandmanythanksgotoJohnMorgan,AndrewMitchellandtheteamforalltheirhardworkandattentiontodetail.Wearealreadylookingforwardtothenextevent!
15
BrandsHatchSpringMeeting-WillOpie
Ontheweekendof24th/25thMarchBrandsplayedhosttotheMGCCSpringmeetwith10racesontheSaturdayand10onSunday.Unfortunately,spectatorswerenotallowedduetocovidrestrictions,fortunatelyIwasinvitedtogodescribedasa‘mechanichelper’foraMMMfriend.Thisworriedmesomewhatbutmymainrolewasincheckingtyrepressuresandhelpinggettheoverallsonthedriver!AlltheactivitywasdowninthelowerpitareashelteredfromthecoldNEwind.
The machinery in the pits was a great sight with MG’s accompanied by Healeys, Triumphs TVR’s and Jaguars on the circuit. MMM cars and the Blown N type engine of Oliver Sharp below.
28 MMM cars were also racing, an incredible turnout for the Mary Harris Trophy on the Sunday. The sound of superchargers filled the air for a race packed 15 minutes, positively exhilarating! Full details were in the June issue of Safety Fast.
EventsBrandsHatchMGRacing
July 2021
16
July 2021
EventsFairmileBrooklandsTwoCarDisplay
Fairmile“BrooklandsTwo”CarDisplay12thJune–JonGlover
FollowingoursuccessfullittlegatheringforourNatterfaithfulandfriends–about20finevehicles–inOctoberlastyear,IanAilesandIdecidedthatareturnvisit,mightbeinorderaswemightgetupto25iftheweatheriskind.June12thwasthedateallottedtousbyourBrookland’smate,theeveraccommodatingSteveCastle.
In‘normal‘timesthatwouldhavebeen,a‘DoubleTwelve‘daycelebratingtheformer24hourracewhichin1930becamea2dayeventcomprisingtwo12hourcontestsfollowingvociferousprotestsbylocalresidentswhoobjectedtolosinganightssleep.Howappropriatethatin1931theracewaswonbyMGsonhandicap,beatingamongothersthemightyBentleys.ThestartofagoldeneraforMG,theirracingprowessboostingsalesofthetinyMidget.
Somehowbyaprocessofinternetosmosis,ourplannedlittleNatteroutingbecameamajorevent,almostcompensatingforthelossofTheMuseums’MGEra‘eventforthesecondyearrunning!AswellasopeninguptoallSECMembers,webecameaconduitfor2Anniversarycelebrations,bothdelayedbyayear.
WewerejoinedbyourfriendsinTheMGCCVintageRegister,celebratingtheir60thandcarsfromtheFRegister,marking25yearssincetheblockbusterlaunchoftheMGFatTheGenevaMotorShow.Toaddspicetothemix,myLondonfriendsinTheWaterlooClassicsGroup,venturedfromTheMetropolisinaneclecticmixofcarsincludingseveralMG’sa1959Corvette,aJaguarXK120andaRonartRacer.
So,inallover100carsforthepublictoenjoy,stationaryinourparkedgroups,oronthemoveindemonstrationlapsroundthefinishingstraight.TheMuseumalsocontributeditsownMG’s,theirblackandredMidgetandthelateColinReynold’sCreamCrackerrestoration.
17
July 2021
EventsFairmileBrooklandsTwoCarDisplay
OurFairmileNatter/SECgroupnumberseasilyexceededthecurrentCovidprotocolsputinplacebytheMuseum,meaningthatcarsdisplayedonthebankingandtowardsTheMembersBridgehadtobesplitinto2groups–PreandPost1980.
InthePredisplayspecialmentiongoestoJohnLangford’s1964Magnette.Theoriginalladyownerleftthiscartoa12yearoldNephew,whoseemstohaveshownlittleinterestinthebequestasthecarlanguished,slowlyrottinginstoragefordecadesuntilfinallypurchasedfor£750.ThecarisnowanabsolutelydelightfulacredittoJohnafterafullpainstakingrestoration.
MarkHanson,whoalwaysturnsupininterestingMGsfromhiscollection,arrivedwithhisWorksMGAwhich,onastandardengine,competedsuccessfullyinthe1956AlpineRallyandwasthefirstWorkscarracedbytheincomparablePatMoss–wellincomparabletoeveryonebutherrecentlydepartedbrother!
ThePostdisplayreflectedthegrowingappreciationforthelastoftheBritishMGRovers.TheseareclassicsNOW,withagreatfollowingamongtheappreciative.AmongtheF’s,IpickedoutDavidKoskela’sTF160Spectra-oneof25paintedinthisstrangelyChameleonlikepaintcolour-inonelightmauve,inthenextblueandsoon.AmongtheZ’s,IparticularlylikedDavidPrice’s180Monogram–oneofonly26built.
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July 2021
EventsFairmileBrooklandsTwoCarDisplay
ThenabracingwalkdowntheFinishingStraightslopetothePaddockfenceandtheearliestMGsdisplayedbyTheVintageRegister.Theincrediblyfreshstateofalltheearlymodelsdisplayeddrewadmiringcrowdsthroughouttheday.Worthyofparticularmention–PatrickGardener’s192818/80,withitscuteDickyor‘MotherinLaw’sperch‘andthemenacingTigressofAnthonyLittlejohn.Manyadmirers,newtothefirstMG’s,commentedonthesizeofthese3and4seatopensaloons.GiantscomparedtothelittleMidgetsalongside.
Whatelsetosay?
Otherthanwewereblessedwithablisteringlyhotday,whichremindedmeofsharinganicecreamataprevious‘DoubleTwelve‘onasimilarlyblazingday,withlegendaryMGRacer,Barry‘Sideways‘Sidery-Smith,theweekendbeforehedied.OurarrangementwithTheRedArrowstodoaFlyPastatMiddaywascostly,ontheNatterbudget,butwellworthit!IanandIagreethatwehaveneverreceivedsomanymessagesofappreciation–thankYOUforturningoutinsuchgreatnumbers.SpecialthankstoJohnDaviesforbringingSailflagsandtheCovidmarshalvesttobewornbyyourstruly–doesithavetobepink?
Asonewagpointedoutat4pmwhenmysunblockhadwornoff–
‘Atleastitmatchesyourhooter,Jon!’
Also,thankstoDavidKoskelaforfixingthefailedelectricwindowsonmycurrentMGFVVCbysimplyreplacingafuse.Well,yousee,you’veusedthewindowswhentheenginefanisrunning–theydon’tlikethat!
Somethingshaven’tchangedsince1928–‘Theydon’tlikethat‘!
19
July 2021
LocalClubMeetsNorthDownsSpringMeet
NorthDownsNatterSpringMeet–WillOpie/RayRuffels
ThePloughatStalisfieldNatterinEastKentcelebratedtheirfirsttasteofalmostLockdownfreedomonthe27thMaywith28MGfolkattendingonagloriousSunnyDay.TheLunchtimeeventprovedverypopularwith15MG’sfillingthecarparkofallages.
ThelatestadditiontotheNatteristhisimmaculateBlazeMidgetbelongingtoClareTayloracquiredveryrecentlyalthoughhusbandClivewasinthedriversseat!
LunchactioninthePubMarquee!
BelowColinLaddpullingawayinhislovelyJ2
20
July 2021
LocalClubMeetsCanterburySpringMeet
MusingsfromCanterbury-JohnClark
The Canterbury MG Owners Workshop natter “kicks off the new season”!!…………. The second major stage of the Government’s exit roadmap happened with the 17th May being the date when we could meet outside in number and a limited amount inside. That being the case we arranged for a “social get together” at the Golden Lion on the 18th May, and what a success it was! With 25 folk having drinks, coffees and munchies in a very nice large gazebo in the pub garden It was great to catch up with everyone and talk about anything else but Covid! We even managed to get a few MG’s there! Our events calendar is off to a fine start, contrary to some might think, as East Kent is alive and well and on the ball with club and MG activities filling the calendar. Our first club meeting is on the 13th July, and by which time we all hope that we are fully released as it were. We are going to the car show at Deal in July, and the “Old Timers Show” on the Leas in August. Outings and runs are being planned by our active committee member and will be published shortly. The “Ladies Group” has the first visit of the year booked to a country estate and gardens, with of course the obligatory afternoon tea!
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July 2021
LocalClubMeetsSurreyWanderersMeet
SurreyWanderersMeet16thJune–SueJoel
"TheSurreyWanderersareback’!On16thJunewewereblessedwithfantasticweatheronthehottestdayoftheyearsofar,aswegatheredforcoffeeatKnight'sGardenCentrewherewesatoutsidewithamaximumofsixtoatable.Wethensetoffona24miledrivethroughlovelycountryside.Theonly'hiccup'wasaRoadClosedsign,whichmanyofusignoredandfoundwecouldgetthroughastheywereonlyfillingpotholesandletuspass!28ofusarrivedforlunchatTheRedBarn,BlindleyHeath,wheretheynowhavealargeoutdoorarea,underapergolaandamarquee-styleroof,sotherewasplentyofshadeaswellasfreshair.Itwaswonderfultobeabletochattosomanyfriendswehadnotseenforsolong,inspiteofsocialdistancing!ThankstoMalcolmandDoreenNichollsforalltheirhardworktomakehisgreathappen.
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July 2021
LocalClubMeetsEastKentWanderersMeeting
EastKentWanderers(EKW)MeetJune2nd–ChrisLeigh
TheEKWmeetwasagreatsuccess,startingattheFiveBellsatBrabourneLeesandfinishingatMGCCmemberGeorgeHomewood'ssecretfieldatMundayBoisforabring-your-ownpicnic.Itwaswonderfultoseeeveryoneintheflesh(asitwere)forachangeandIwasabletoarrangetwomoretrophypresentations.Belowisaselectionofpictures:
StartattheFiveBells-Brabourne
Bring-your-ownpicnicinGeorgeHomewood’sSecretField
GeorgeHomewood&RosieCarrpresentedwiththe2020AutumnNaviscatTrophy.
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July 2021
MembersCornerCheapasChipsMG!
CheapasChipsMG!–JohnBennett
WhenIwerealad,inmy20’sanyway,IrememberbuyingaroadworthyTCfor£170atatimewhenmyannualsalarywas£2,100,some8%ofmyincome.(Ilaterwentup-marketwitha£240TD!)ThecharmoftheMGmarqueatthetimewastheamountofaffordablefunthecarsgavetotheyouthofthecountry.Thepriceschargedforthesesamecarstodayclearlyputsthembeyondthereachofallbutweoldtimerswhosechildrenhavelefthome(mostly)andwhosemortgageshavebeenpaidoff.Whatatragedy!
Butholdonaminute.MyTCwasalmost20yearsoldwhenIowneditandits20year-oldMGequivalentstodayaretheF/TFrangewhosepricesstartaslowas£500,somuch,much,lessthan8%ofatypicalyoungperson’ssalary,assumingtheyareinworkatall.Admittedly,£500won’tbuyyouasmuchreliabilityasmy£170TCgavemeallthoseyearsagosoamorerealisticcomparisonmightbethe£2,000IpaidforadecentTFafewyearsago,or8%ofa£25,000salary.ItgaveveryfewmechanicalproblemsalthoughIdidhavetohavereplacementfrontwingsfittedbeforesellingatamodestloss.
Ihavejustbeenrashenoughtobuymy26thMG,a20year-old108,000mileZR160Steptronicfor£750,sightunseen.Stupidorwhat!Partofthelogicforthiswastoseeifcheap,reliable,fun,MGmotoringcouldstillbehadin2021.Ihalfexpectedittohaveheadgasketproblems,thoughnotimmediately,soitsfirsttriphadtobetoSteveLucasinPluckleytohavethatproblemdealtwithtogether,Ihoped,withafixtoallowthepassengerfrontwindowtogoupanddownoncommand.£270laterfoundmedrivinghomewithamulti-layerheadgasketfittedplusanewwindowmotor,waterpumpandtimingbelt.Whatmorecouldpossiblygowrong!
Theanswersoonturnedouttobethealternatorwhoseoutputmusthavebeenjustenoughtoruntheenginewithnoextrasbut,inheavyrain,IhadunsuspectedlybeenrunningwithalltheauxiliariesON.Inevitably,halfwayhome,thewipersbegantoslowdownandalthoughIthenswitchedeverythingOFF,Isoonlostthespeedocloselyfollowedbytheengine!ThankstoournobleChairman,Chris,whosoonarrivedwithhisjumpercables,Imanagedtonursethecarhome.So,thebalancesheethasnowhadanother£65addedforaChinesemadealternator,completewith3-yearguarantee,plus£170forathoroughserviceatmylocalGo-Tomechanic,Dean.
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July 2021
MembersCornerCheapasChipsMG
DoesthatmeanInowhaveadecentlyreliableandpresentablecar?Notquite.Istillneedtosortouttheseriouslyworndriver’sseatplusthepaintonallthewheelarcheshasbeguntobubble.IplantodealwiththoseissuesonaDIYbasisforabudgeted£100.Thiswillbringmytotaloutlaytoabout£1200consideringservicingasaninevitablemaintenanceoverhead,eventhough,cometothinkaboutit,IneedednohelptokeeptheoldTContheroad.
So,doIregretmypurchase?Absolutelynot!ThecarisgreatfuntodrivewiththattypicalMGcombinationofeagersurefootedresponsivenessanditlookstheparttoo.Puttingittorightsonabudgetisaninterestingchallengetoothatstillhassomewaytorun.
So,itseemsasthoughfunMGmotoringneednotbebeyondthemeansofyoungpeopletoday,justaswasthecase50yearsago!
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MembersCornerNBRe-union
July 2021
MGFRIENDSREUNITED
MGNBRe-Union–WillOpie
OnTuesdaythe1stSeptember1964ayoungteenagernamedJohnHillleftTorquayandcollectedfromSalisburyanMGNB4seaterregistrationBDD356forthegrandsumof£50pounds.HavingseenthecarshortlybeforeatthegarageJohnwaswellpleasedtocollectitonthatdayandstillhasthediaryentrycelebratingthefact.AstudentatthetimeandsomewhatimpoverishedtheNtypegavehim18monthsofpleasurebeforesellingitforaniceprofitin1966forthegrandsumof£75pounds.JohnhasbeenanactivememberoftheMGCarclubformanyyearsandactivelycampaignedwithhiswifeJennyanMGBinregularitytrialsovermanyyears.PreviouslyJohntriedtotrackdownthecarwiththehelpofafriendlyPolicemanwhenitwastracedinthelate60’stoanaddressinLondonW9butnotlicensed.FiftyfouryearslaterJohnspottedthecarinSafetyFastafteraphotowaspublishedofthecarperformingweddingdutiesformyyoungestdaughterin2018.Overtheyearssincerestoringthecarinthemid80’sithastravelledextensivelyandperformedweddingdutiesforbothourDaughter’sandfamilyfriendsincludingaweddinginFrance.Unbeknowntomyselffor15yearssinceacquiringthecaritwasactivelycampaignedinpre-wartrialsbyitsoriginal1936ownerHenryIrvingWilkesfromCheltenhamwhowasoneofasmallgroupoftripleawardwinnersin1937andmentionedinWheelspinthedefinitiveC.A.NMaybookontrials(Ihadthebookforyearsandnevermadetheconnection)ThecarfinishedupintheUSAnearSeattleformanyyearsbeforeimportingitinitsoriginalsadstateasarestorationproject.Iwasthefirsttorestoreitfromthegroundupbutitretainsmanyofitsoriginalfeaturesandwasusefultransportforouryoungfamily.So,onapre-covidsummersdayin2019Johnandhiswifecameovertobereunitedwiththecaranddriveitforthefirsttimein54years.Itboughtbackmanyhappymemoriestobereunitedonceagainwithsomethingyoulastsawasateenager!
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July 2021
MembersCornerBewareofyourInsurancePolicySmallPrint!
BewareofyourInsurancePolicySmallPrint–JohnMorgan
Irecentlyrenewedmyclassiccarinsurance.FormanyyearsIhavebeeninsuredwithPeterBestInsurancemainlybecausetheywereunderwrittenbyaninsurerwhodidnotspecifyunduesecurityrequirementswhenleavingthecarparked.
Theissuearosewhenmypreviousinsurerrequiredtherooftoberaised,windowsclosedanddoorslockedwheneverthecarwasparkedevenifoutonaClubrunoratarally.ItonlyappliedtocarswithdoorlockssuchasMGBsandMidgets.PeterBestoriginallyconfirmedthatitwasacceptabletoleavecarsopenaslongaspersonalpossessions,etc.werenotleftexposed.
So,uponrenewalthisyear,therenewaldocumentsconfirmedunder“ReasonableCare,’protectanyINSUREDVEHICLEfromlossordamage’”aswellasanintrusivegaragingrequirement.ThisisverymuchopentointerpretationandIsoughtclarification.Theresponsewas:
Thegaragingendorsementonthepolicywillonlycoverthevehiclesiftheyarekeptlockedwithinalockedgarage(asstated)betweenthehoursof23.00and06.00.Ifyouweretoleavethegarageorthevehiclesunlockedandatheftoccurred,youwouldnotbeinsured.Thegaragingendorsementonlyapplieswhenthevehicleiskeptattheriskaddress(yourhome).
Youwouldalsoneedtotakereasonablestepstosecurethevehiclesatallothertimes.Forexample,ifyouareawayfromhomeatavenueandthevehicleistobeleftunattended,thenthehoodneedstoberaised,windowsraisedandwhereavailabledoorslocked.Keysremovedfromignitionandpersonalpossessionsremovedfromshow.Hiscoxhaveconfirmedthatwhilstsittingonyourdrivewayathomeduringtheday,ifyouweretoleavethecarunattendedforashortperiod,i.e.togetacupofteaetc.,thenitwouldnotbenecessarytoraisehood/windowsetc.,however,pleasestillremovekeysfromignitionandlockvehicles(wherepossible),againdonotleaveitemsonshow.Ifthevehiclewastobeleftondrivewayforanylongerperiod,thenthehood/windowswouldneedtoberaisedaswell.
Thisistotallyunacceptableasitwouldresultinconstantraising/loweringofthehoodsonanysortofClubeventoractivityorseriousissuesifworkingonthecarinthegaragemeaningitcouldn’tbelocked.
Ataboutthistime,theMGCCchangeditspreferredinsurertoCherishedVehicleandbizarrelytheyonlyrequiredwindowstoberaisedanddoorslocked(againonlywherecarhavefitteddoorlocks)butthehooddidnothavetoberaisedandalternatively,thetonneaucountedasahood.
MyinsuranceisnowwithCherishedwhowerealsomorecompetitiveonprice.ThemoralofthestoryisCHECKYOURINSURANCEeachtimeyourenew.Ifthesmallprintisnotadheredtoandthecarstolen,therearealotofCCTVcamerasaroundthatcanprovehowthecarwasparked.
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RegaliaForSale
July 2021
RegaliaThefollowingmerchandiseisavailable:
Sweatshirt £21PoloShirt £16Umbrellas £21T-shirts £10BaseballCaps £8BeerGlasses £2.50BeerGlasses(pair) £4WindscreenStickers £1.60MGCCPens(blueorred) £3.50(specialoffer)MGCCSEMugs £5
Arecentaudithasdeterminedthattherearestockstoclear.Pleasetakealookattheaboveandseeifthereisanythingofinterest,inparticularthepoloshirts,t-shirtsandsweatshirts.Theclothingisunlikelytoberestockedforawhileasthecommitteedecidesonwhethertocontinuewiththeseitemsofnot.
WearenowabletotakepaymentsbyPaypal,soifyouwishtomakeapurchasepleasecontactAlexLemonatalex.lemon@mgccse.co.uk
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4MidgetRostylewheelsforsalewithtyresinfairconditionContactRayRuffelson07970640219
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SECENTRECOMMITTEEANDCONTACTS
President DerekEdwards [email protected]
Secretary [email protected]
CompetitionSecretaryJohnMorgan07802770025competitions@mgccse.co.uk
Treasurer RonKemp [email protected]
Membership DianaCalvert [email protected]/NewsletterRayRuffels [email protected]
Scribe/[email protected]
Webmaster [email protected]
NatterLeaders
Queen’sHeadPinner GerryEdwards [email protected]
TheShip,Mortlake& DannyByrne [email protected]
BrooklandsMuseum““[email protected]
ThePheasant,Betchworth JohnMorgan [email protected]
TheFairmile,nrCobham IanAiles& [email protected] JohnGlover [email protected]
TunbridgeWellsArea-positionvacant.IfinterestedpleasecontactChair@mgccse.co.uk
ThePlough,StalisfieldWilliamOpie&[email protected]
TheGeorgeInn,Trottiscliffe IanRussell [email protected]
TheBlackHorse,Nuthurst DavidGriffiths [email protected]
TheGoldenLion,[email protected]
Canterbury.
TheBritishQueen,EastbourneDennisWebb [email protected]
Hailsham
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Variouslocations
AshdownAdventurersRichardClark [email protected]
SussexWanderers DavidGriffiths [email protected]
SurreyWanderers SuJoel 02086607266 [email protected]
EastKentWanderers JohnBennett [email protected]
KentNomads IanRussell [email protected]
MGCarClubSouthEastCentrewebsite–http://www.mgccse.co.uk
RegisterOffice:KimberHouse,POBox251,Abingdon,Oxfordshire,OX141FF
Phone:01235555552,Fax:01235533755,email:[email protected]………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Finally,JohnDaviesourArchivistwrites:
Asafollow-uptomyNewsletterarticleearlierthisyearreference“TheMagazine”whilstmovingtheAlvisinRedhillapasserbycameupandaskedifhecouldhelpwithpushingitwhichwegladlyaccepted.TalkingtohimhesaidheusedtoliveinNewMaldenandbothheandhisfatherlikeclassiccars.HethensaidhisfatherworkedinaBodyShopandwasalwaysrepairingdamagedraceMGs.
ItturnsouthisfatherworkedforthelateRoyMcCarthy–itsasmallworld!
