Too late to be included in last Month`s report was our visit on the 30^th August to the Eccleshall Show. Hosted by Keith and Chris Timmis 12 crews enjoyed the sights and sounds of this country show with a wide range of events plus a splendid vehicle show with cars, commercials, military and motorcycles. We will certainly return next year.

Renton and Helen Ward`s celebrity picture quiz was the star attraction at September`s Club night with 41 members racking their memories to identify the deviously picked photos with a wide range of success! Janet Wallis scooped the winner’s bottle of wine.

A small group of 11 members enjoyed a 3 night break at Warners Holme Lacy Hotel between the 12^th and the 15^th. Led by Phil and Cathy Wellstead this was our first visit to a Warners. All agreed it was an excellent weekend with driving tours during the day and then dining and entertainment in the evenings.

The TTCM on the 18^th returned to a popular venue, the Ranch Bistro on Cannock Chase. A good turnout of 34 members enjoyed a morning`s natter and refreshments whilst watching the horses in the nearby stables.

Our return visit to the Huddlesford Canal Gathering on the 21^st saw 15 cars attending making us the largest classic Club stand by far. The attendance of classics was low but the warm and sunny weather ensured an enjoyable day was spent by all.

After running our Drive and Dine for years, Keith and Gill Johnson have decided to hang up their cutlery after a final evening at The Swan with Two Necks at Longdon. 27 members sat down on the 24^th to enjoy the monster portions of superb pub grub on offer. Huge thanks from the SMGEC foodies to Keith and Gill for organising their evenings.

With the glorious weather continuing we made sure we took advantage with a busy schedule of events in August. On the 3^rd John and Jeni took a small group of 8 cars on a run to visit the Donnington Le Heath Manor House and gardens in Leicestershire. The house dates back to the 13^th century but is now furnished as it was in 1620, a most enjoyable day.

Club night at the Barns was our annual horse racing night organised by Colin and Sharon. With 6 video races to bet on it was great fun with much shouting by members for their favourite horse. As is always the case with gambling the bookies came out the winners but sportingly gave all their profits to our charity fund! As usual I lost my shirt managing only one 3^rd place all night. We were pleased to welcome new members Tony and Caroline Belas who must have wondered what sort of club they had joined. They bring a splendid MG ZT 190SE onto our fleet.

A new event for us was the Kings Bromley show on the 17^th. We had a good turnout of 16 cars attending putting on a good display. Our gazebos again provided welcome shade to enjoy our picnics and cake between touring the wide selection of vehicles on view. I`m sure we will return next year. Sadly the news was announced at the show of the death of Edwin Tipper who for many years ran the nearby Lupin Farm Show, regarded by many as the best car show in the Midlands. A very sad loss.

The Third Thursday Coffee Morning returned to a popular venue, The Café Prego near to Shenstone. As usual it was well attended by over 30 members who enjoyed a pleasant social morning.

July is always a busy one with a full programme of events for us to enjoy. It started as usual with Club night at the Barns with a choice of salmon or chicken followed by apple pie with custard to satisfy the SMGEC foodies.

The glorious weather continued at the Walsall Arboretum show where we had 11 cars on display. Jane Hunt`s scrumptious lemon drizzle cake followed by ice creams all round were enjoyed by us in the much needed shade of our gazebos. A really pleasant local show with a good selection of cars attending.

Brian and June who organize our TTCM took us to a new venue for July, the Hollybush Garden Centre at Shareshill by Wolverhampton. This proved to be a good choice with 26 members enjoying the usual coffee and cake on offer and then a browse around the Centre. It`s sure to be added to our list of venues as we need to cater for up to 40 members attending.

For something different on the 23^rd Alan and Karen arranged for us to visit St Barthholomew`s Church at Tong in Shropshire. This church has remained intact for over 600 years and is Historic England grade 1 listed. Our group of 35 enjoyed a fascinating and informative hour long tour with guide Robert, who brought the history of the Church to life. Lunch in the village hall ended a most enjoyable and informative day out.

No SMGEC month would be complete without our foodies enjoying their favourite hobby, eating out! This time Keith and Gill booked a Drive and Dine evening at the Greyhound near Burston for 30 who enjoyed the excellent pub grub on offer.

Stop press, our proposed tour to Southern Brittany has now been confirmed for September 2026 with 17 cars already signed up, can`t wait!  

Sunday 1^st of June saw 20 cars and crews setting off on our long awaited “Another Welsh Adventure” trip, returning again to the Ty`n-y-cornel Hotel near Dolgellau. After meeting for coffee at the Dragon Hotel at Montgomery we drove to Lake Clywedog for a picnic lunch then on to the Hotel in time for drinks before dinner.

Monday`s run was to Caernarfon Castle via the Llanberis Pass. After exploring the ramparts we drove back down the pass to view the Swallow Falls near Capel Curig and enjoy afternoon tea at the recently re opened Swallow Fall Hotel before motoring back to the Hotel via Blanenau Festiniog.

On Tuesday we drove the coastal road via Tywyn, Barmouth and Harlech to Borth-y-Gest near Porthmadog, then onwards to visit Abersoch for lunch.

After breakfast on Wednesday members made their own plans, with one group taking the challenging mountain road up to Bala, great driving!  In spite of our early concerns the weather was perfect for the whole trip and thanks must go to Renton and Helen Ward for organizing yet another successful visit to Wales.

We barely had time to catch our breath as June Club Night was the day after our return. This was our Summer Buffet with the theme being “Cruise Night” All got into the spirit with Captain Brian and 1^st Officer Johnathan steering the ship!

The TTCM was at the Mere Park garden centre near Newport,

June ended with our Charity Run when Roger and Sue Dudley took us on a very wet 46 mile run to Hanbury Hall near Droitwich. Thankfully the sun came out for our picnic lunch. Our guide for the tour of the House was David Allen, Chairman of Bromsgrove MGOC who helps at the Hall. A super day which raised £375 for Dougie Mac Hospice.

May was a busy month for SMGEC with a mix of events. Starting as usual with our monthly Club night at the Barns, which was well attended by 44 members. Following an excellent meal and a review of past and future events it ended with a lively natter session.

Not wanting to waste the glorious sunny weather and enjoy some hood down MG driving we arranged a run out on the 11^th. 20 cars and crews met up at Aston Marina to enjoy a coffee and also to warmly welcome new member John Gilbert, with his blue MGF. Suitably refreshed we set off on a 40 mile Tulip run to our destination, Cromford Mills in Derbyshire. Our visit to this historic cotton mill, built in 1771 by Richard Arkwright, was organised by Geoff and Cathy Collier. We lined up our MG`s in the Mill yard making a much admired display. We enjoyed our picnic lunches sat at a long table in the yard before taking a fascinating tour of this historic mill. The day ended with another hood down drive home. A splendid day out and highly recommended for a visit.

The May TTCM returned to Denstone Farm Shop near Uttoxeter. This was one of the first venues we visited when we began holding these mornings in 2013 since when they have established themselves to be one of the most popular of our Club events. Basking again in the superb sunny weather, 28 members made the trip to enjoy the morning of chat, coffee and cakes.

Apparently not having eaten since Club Night the SMGEC foodies needed no encouragement to meet up on the 31^st at The Nelson at Burntwood for a Drive and Dine run organised as usual by Keith and Gill. The meal and evening was enjoyed by all. Happy MG motoring.