Club News

Just as we were starting to get some events going again, the latest government restrictions relating to meeting in groups where the maximum number in a group cannot now exceed 6 has effectively put all this on hold for the foreseeable future. As and when these restrictions are relaxed we will again be able to resume our organised events, but in the meantime we are continuing with our monthly Club Night meetings on Zoom and individual members are continuing to make their own arrangements to meet up in smaller groups of up to 6 to comply with the current regulations.

Although we have been unable to enjoy any of our planned Club outings and meetings due to the lockdown, SMGEC members have been able to keep in touch using the Club`s website, run by our IT wizard, Des Barnes. By using the discussion forum, members have been able to share news and stories. To see who was on the ball, Renton Ward posted a totally believable article about a projected trip to the USA in 2021. This took many of us in before realising the trip was due to start on April 1st, brilliant! Also running on the Forum is a weekly Classic Car quiz to help keep the brain cells active. As we cannot get out and about I`m sure we are all finding things to do to keep busy, I`m now walking more miles than I`m driving, which must be a first.

Thanks to the efforts of our long standing Overdrive editors, Roger and Maureen Wood, the April edition of our quarterly magazine was published on line instead of the normal printed copy being distributed to members, so helping to keep us all in touch.

We may have lost runs to Jodrell Bank, The Avoncroft Museum and the New Forest Away Trip, along with Club nights and coffee mornings, but it is a small price to pay to help stop the spread of this terrible illness which has had such tragic effect for many.

Hopefully by when you are reading this article in June the situation will have improved and a return to normal life will be closer and we will be looking forward to happy MG days to come in the future.

February was a busy month for the Club with a range of activities, starting with a coffee and film morning at the Red Carpet Cinema at Barton Marina where after a good natter we viewed the new David Copperfield film.

The well attended Club night at the Barns on the 6th was our AGM. Chairman Roger Dudley reviewed our activities in 2019, which all agreed had been most successful. Our treasurer, Des Barnard, presented the Accounts which showed the Club`s finances to be in sound order. As all the existing committee members were willing to stand for another term their election was unopposed. It was also decided to continue to support Donna Louise as our chosen charity.

Despite the appalling weather a few members attended the MG Spares day at Stoneleigh, which gets larger each year, although busy my impression was that there seemed to be a lot of looking but not much buying going on, however I treated the GT to a new overdrive switch.

The Third Thursday coffee morning was held at the Aston Marina at Stone where nearly 30 members gathered for a breakfast natter, all except yours truly who first went Byrkley Garden Centre instead, much to the amusement of all, especially Brian Cooper. By the time I got home my cup of coffee had involved an 82 mile round trip!

The first run of the year on the 23rd was organised by Paul Titley to visit the Snowdrop Gardens at Hopton Hall in Derbyshire. The recent rain meant a last minute shortening of the route from 50 to 32 miles, keeping more to main roads to avoid flooding. Although cold the sun broke through and we had a most enjoyable day, finishing with soup and cakes for lunch in the tea room.

The New Year got off to a prompt start on the 9th with our Club Night at the Barns. After dinner and a post-Christmas natter, Events Organiser Paul Titley ran through the planned programme for 2020. There is certainly plenty to look forward to, with Club nights, runs, factory visits, coffee mornings, pub meals and away day trips all on the agenda. It promises to be yet another packed year for the Club with something of interest for all. Paul is one of the few SMGEC members who is not retired and where he finds the time to put it all together is remarkable.

For the first outing of the year Paul had arranged a Sunday Pub lunch at The Cottage Inn at Filongley near Meriden. What is it with SMGEC and food! After meeting up at the Strawberry Cabin at Hints for coffee we set off on a 20 mile run to arrive at the Inn where we enjoyed a splendid meal of truly gigantic portions. As heavy rain was forecast most members` MG`s remained tucked away with only 6 braving the elements but the company of the 40 members and the meal more than made up for the missing cars.

I`m sure that most of the cars will have come out of hibernation in time for our traditional Snowdrop Run in February, this year returning to Hopton Hall near Matlock. Hopefully the weather will be kinder than on our last visit in 2015 when we very nearly got snowed in!

Happy MG motoring for 2020.

Even with autumn fast approaching SMGEC still had a busy programme for October. Starting with our Club night at the Barns, where we welcomed new members, Steve and Gill Bullock. The after dinner entertainment was a Bingo Night with Paul Titley calling the numbers, great fun. Already looking ahead  to next year`s programme, Glyn John announced a proposed 4day/3night Club tour of the New Forest area in May 2020. This created immediate interest and 17 crews have already signed up, 

Just to show that we are aware that there are other cars than MG`s, Chris Elliot arranged a factory visit to   Morgan Motors at Malvern Link on the 8th. Our party of 25 enjoyed a well conducted tour seeing the production of this classic sports car followed by lunch and a visit to their museum and shop. Nice cars but so very expensive!

On the 17th coffee and toasted tea cakes where the order of the day at the Coffee morning meet at Aston Marina near Stone, as it was my birthday I was given a fine rendition of Happy Birthday to You.

For the last run of the year Charles and Patsie Jarman had laid on a visit to the Cosford Air Museum on the 27th. Meeting up at Dobbies on the A5 for breakfast, we set off on 25 mile run in brilliant sunshine, however the high rainfall of the previous 2 days had left numerous floods on the route. Some crews decided discretion was the better part of valour and made straight for Cosford but a brave band splashed on to arrive safely at Cosford but with extremely dirty cars! Well worth the visit.

Although our M.G. motoring is ended for the year we still have social events including our Christmas Dinner to look forward to.