On July 3^rd we returned to an old favourite, Cars in the Park at Lichfield. Although well attended there seemed to be less traditional classics and more moderns taking part. For some the “I`ve got the loudest exhaust and mega backfire “contest went on for most of the day. But perhaps it`s just me getting older!

The rest of the month`s events seemed to be dominated by food, nothing new there then. Starting with Club night at the Barns on the 7<sup>th</sup>, following an excellent cold buffet with cheesecake to finish 25 members enjoyed a natter night. We also welcomed new member Nick Jarman who`s classic 1935 MG PA is now the oldest car in the Club.

Pub runs have become a popular part of Club life in recent years and this month was no exception. The Forester`s Arms at Yoxall played host to 23 members who sat down for an evening meal all organised by Keith and Gill Johnson.

The third Thursday coffee morning which only started a few years ago has now become a major part of Club life. Organisers Brian and June Cooper keep finding us new venues to visit. This month`s was Marsh Farm at Abbotts Bromley which threw my Tom Tom into a real tizzy, we finally arrived an hour late after going up and down every lane in the area!

Last event of the month was our annual Posh Picnic this time at the splendid location of Bishton Hall. Organised again by Brian and June Cooper, after a 37 mile run we lined the cars up in front of the Hall before setting up our picnic tables complete with all the trimmings. We were joined by Walsall Photographic Society thanks to member Bob Stone. They then proceeded to shoot the cars from every conceivable angle!

May ended with Keith and Gill Johnsons pub run to the Nags Head at Burntwood when 24 members enjoyed a pub meal and natter.

Along with everyone else we celebrated the Queen`s Platinum Jubilee with a special party club night at the Barns on the 9^th. With the room decked out in bunting members wore homemade royal regalia to celebrate the event. An excellent buffet followed by a sing along with our Paul Titley on the organ rounded off a splendid evening.

June`s main event on the 12^th was our annual charity run this year to NT Brockhampton in Herefordshire. Organised by Phil and Kathy Wellstead with route planning by Tony and Jan Clarke it took us on an enjoyable 70 mile tulip run with a mid-way coffee stop at the Larch Barn at Cleobury Mortimer. On arrival we enjoyed a group picnic in the sunny weather before exploring the house and grounds. As usual Ice creams finished the day before heading back home after a great day out raising £260 for The Dougie Mac Hospice.

The ever present need for coffee and cake was sated at our monthly morning get together this time at the Strawberry Cabin at Hints when 27 members met up for a noisy but enjoyable morning.

Aircraft not cars featured at our next event when 27 members went on a mid-week run to the Midlands Air Museum at Coventry. The brilliant sunny weather made the visit all the more enjoyable as the majority of the aircraft were outdoors. Lunch at the Oaks at Baginton completed the day.

Paul Titley our event’s organiser is making a career change and moving down south. Ever popular Paul has been a great asset to the club and will be very much missed.  We wish him every success in his new venture.

With Covid thankfully fading into the memory, we were again able to enjoy a full programme of events in May. They started with a well-attended club night at the Barns where the after dinner entertainment was a game of “Play your cards right” compered by Alan Wild with his glamorous assistants June and Karen. Shouts of higher! no lower! rang round the room, mostly wrong!!!!  Welcomed to the Club were new members John and Rosie Edwards with their MGB tourer.

On the 13th 19 cars set off from the Strawberry Cabin to start The South Cotswold Wander organized by Roger and Sue Dudley. A 110 mile run took us to our base for the next three nights, The Pettifers Hotel at Crudwell. The following two days were spent enjoying scenic tulip runs and visits to the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum as well as NT Lacock and NT Dyrham. To the despair of Roger and Sue road closures played havoc with their immaculate planning and some rapid map diversions had to be found! An excellent away trip enjoyed by all. Sadly 3 members staked early claims for Breakdown of the year 2022!

Returning from the Cotswold trip 36 members met up at Brykley garden centre for one of our popular coffee mornings arranged by Brian and June Cooper. Still hungry? Then the need for food was also met with an Evening Pub Run to the Nags Head at Burntwood organized by Keith and Gill Johnson.

The month ended on a somber note when many of the members attended the funeral at Stafford Crematorium of our good friend Roger Wood. As a measure of our affection for Roger a fine line up of MG`s was at the Crematorium marking his passing. We then joined Maureen at a well-attended gathering at the Barns.

March saw SMGEC change into top gear as Covid restrictions were at last lifted. Just like pre pandemic times we enjoyed a full month of activities. It started with 39 members meeting up for Club night at the Barns on the 3rd. After an excellent meal, event’s organiser Paul Titley, took us through the very full programme of events planned for 2022. Let`s hope the price of petrol drops soon or this could be a very expensive year! Tulip runs, coffee mornings, pub nights, they are all there to be enjoyed. In view of the tragic situation in Ukraine a raffle was held for the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal which raised £130.00

The Third Thursday Coffee morning saw 22 members meeting up at a new venue, The Halfpenny Green Winery and Craft Village. A venue we will return too but I do hope some of the pot holes on the route will be repaired by then!

A chance to be out on the road was the Shakedown Run on the 20th organised by Keith and Gill Johnson. Starting from Brykley Garden centre they took 36 of us on an enjoyable 35 mile run in the spring sunshine to end at the Millers at Sibson for Sunday lunch. An excellent trip out especially as it was Keith`s  XX birthday! (Redacted to save his blushes) It was good to see an excellent turn out of MGB`s, C`s and an RV8 amongst the cars on the run.

To end the month, Chris Elliot’s tour of the Triumph motor cycle factory was a mid-week run out for the boys. Biker Brian Cooper had his cheque book out for a new Rocket 3 until the price of £23,000 was mentioned!

All in all a really good MG month, more please!

I am sorry to open this month`s report with the very sad news that Club stalwart Roger Wood has suddenly passed away. Liked by all, Roger was a man of charm and wit always ready to take full part in Club life. He, along with Maureen, organised runs, served on the committee and edited Overdrive, the Club`s magazine.  Good humour was never far away when Roger was involved even when he regularly won the Breakdown of the Year award with his yellow peril MGB. We all have special memories of our time with Roger and our thoughts and best wishes go out to Maureen.

April`s activities started with a Club Night at the Barns where Chris Elliot gave a talk on vehicle testing at BL, no MG`s but somehow Range Rovers seemed to play a major role! The ever popular third Thursday coffee morning at Café Prego attracted a good turnout of 33 members enjoying the warm weather.

Drive it day was celebrated with a run to The Tram Museum at Chrich organised by Des and Gill Barnard. Again good weather enhanced the splendid 45 mile run through rolling minor roads to the Museum where we were allowed to park on the main street outside the Pub. Rides on the trams brought back memories for the more senior members of the club. A very enjoyable day.

The Club`s website is sponsored by MG dealers, Summit Garages and so a photo call was arranged at the garage with 9 Club car ranging from a MGTD with MGA, MGB, MGC MGRV8, MGF  and MGTF   being lined up on show.

The month ended with our annual trip to the Donnington Historic Festival to enjoy the great cars in the pits walkabout and then watching some exciting racing