2025 began as usual with a well-attended Club night at the Barns where events planner Paul presented this year`s programme of events to the members. There are far too many events to detail here but why not log on to our website for the full programme. Highlights include a very popular 3 night away trip in June, returning to the highly recommended Ty`n-y-Cornell Hotel in Wales, which we visited in 2024. Scenic driving routes and venues are already being prepared. We had hoped to visit Normandy in September but tying up ferries and Hotels on the dates we wanted didn`t work out this year although we might look again for the 2026 programme. However, there are more than enough events planned to keep us busy this year.

With many of our MG`s still tucked away until the better weather motoring in January was again limited, but don`t worry, the SMGEC foodies didn’t let that stop them from hitting the tables! Daily drivers, which to be fair did include some modern MG`s, were pressed into service for a coffee morning at Marsh Farm where 20 members met up to enjoy this popular but small venue which acted as starter for the main course to follow.

Paul Titley kindly organized for them a Sunday lunch at the Cock at Hanbury and 43 members needed no second invitation to attend. Meeting up at Barton Marina, a short 12 mile run was enough to whet the appetites which were then well satisfied with the excellent food served. A return visit could well be on the cards.

Getting back to the serious business of MG motoring. We will have started with the traditional first run of the year, the Snowdrop Run. This year returning to Rode Hall in Cheshire. The first of many!

With many of our MG`s tucked away for the winter December became the most social month of our year. Roger and Sue again laid on a fabulous Christmas Party for us with all the trimmings, party games and a monster raffle. A great turnout of 44 members attended. Chairman Roger again took centre stage with his party piece of enthusiastically conducting the members in our traditional rendition of the 12 days of Christmas. Splendid evening enjoyed by all.

A great turnout of 50 members met up at Brykley Garden Centre for the last coffee morning of the year on the 19^th, our biggest attendance yet.  It shows just how these morning meets have become a very popular feature of Club life. Thanks must go to Brian and June Cooper who find the venues and organize them for us. I`m sure the informal relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to circulate and chat is the reason they have become so successful and of course, taking out the MG for a drive is a bonus.

Whilst we had been enjoying ourselves the SMGEC planning team of Paul, Keith and Christine were hard at work putting together the 2025 programme, announced to the members at January Club night. As usual, they have come up with a full diary to cover every interest. Along with the monthly Club Nights and Coffee mornings we have tulip runs, car shows, charity runs, a 4 day tour of North Wales and even a walking tour of Lichfield City to look forward to. No need to panic, the SMGEC foodies are well looked after with Drive and Dine evenings and lunches planned throughout the year!

So now`s the time to go into the garage and spend some time getting your MG ready for the season. No excuses!

A happy New Year to you all and do try to keep those resolutions for at least this week!

No MG motoring to report on but plenty of off road activities instead, starting with the November Club night at the Barns. A review of the highlights of 2024 was the main interest of the night with 44 members attending to enjoy the meal and cast their votes in the Annual Awards ceremony. The nicely polished trophies went to worthy winners and some not so deserving failures.

Driver of the year:  Mike Steventon, solo driver and navigator in one.

Co-driver of the year:  Irene Stone who shared it with her friend TomTom.

Newcomer’s award:  Colin and Sharon Wiltshire.

Breakdown award:  George Robathan, he should have gone to Specsavers!

Services to SMGEC: Allan and Karen Wild, the bacon rolls won it for them.

Special Breakdown award: Colin and Sharon Wiltshire. Far too long a story to tell here!

The Chairman`s award was a popular choice when he presented it to Peter Wallis, a founder member of the Club and past President, in recognition of his contribution over the years in running and supporting the Club.

Surprisingly no blow out pub meals to report on in October so the SMGEC foodies had to be satisfied with two well attended coffee mornings, organized as usual by Brian and June Cooper.  The first at the Red Carpet at Barton Marina which was combined with visit to the Cinema to watch Gladiator 2.

The second at a popular venue of the Club, the Strawberry Cabin at Hints, with 30 plus members enjoying a morning `s natter over coffee and cakes and looking forward to our December Christmas Party to round the year off in style.

Let`s make 2025 another great MG motoring year.

Our Four Counties Tour in late September organized by Gary and Jane Simmons proved very popular with the 12 crews taking part. Starting at the Strawberry Cabin in Warwickshire, day one was spent at the Foxton Locks Canal Museum in Leicestershire before driving on to our Hotel for 2 nights, the Hoppin Hare at Duston in Northamptonshire, an excellent choice. Sunday was spent at the historic Bletchley Park code breakers museum in Buckinghamshire before returning to the Hotel for a second night. The run home on Monday included a visit to Hatton Country World.  Despite the horrendous wet weather all agreed it was a splendid away trip.

October Club night at the Barns was a meal and a natter evening attended by 44 members.

Enjoying some more MG miles before the winter layup we visited the Bosworth Battle Field site. Organized by John and Jeni Beasley along with Roger and Sue Dudley, 14 crews met up at Barton Marina then set off on a 30 mile run to Bosworth. Despite encountering some scary huge tractors on the narrow roads we all arrived safely.  After a coffee break we had a “Walk and Talk” tour with an excellent guide who painted a vivid picture of the Battle. Most stayed for lunch before the run home.

The October TTCM was at the Aston Marina near Stone, as usual this welcoming venue and the opportunity for more MG motoring made it a popular morning out with 37 members attending.

The Twilight Run is our last trip of the season, this year it was a 35 mile on country lanes in brilliant sunshine to arrive at the National Memorial Arboretum. Planned by John and Shirley Northwood we enjoyed an excellent lunch followed by a tour around this most thought provoking site.

The July Club night at the Barns was a treat for the SMGEC foodies with 39 members having 3 main courses and 4 sweets to choose from and they wonder why they are finding their MG`s a tighter fit!

July at long last brought us some summer sun and we made good use of it with our programme of events. The first was a new event for us, the Apley Classic Motor Day, when 11 cars and crews made their way on the 14^th to the show. The cars were well laid out by make, age and type.  Despite that our Club stand gained a visitor in the shape of a glorious red Jaguar E Type trying to pass itself off as an MG!

Coffee and cake was on the menu with 35 members attending our ever popular TTCM on the 18th. The venue was Café Prego near Shenstone where we enjoyed our drinks al fresco.

I seem to do nothing but write about food, yes, another Drive and Dine night for 30 members this time at the Greyhound Inn at Burston. Keith and Gill Johnson who organize these evenings for us should publish a guide to the best pub food in the Midlands as everyone is a gastronomic success.

To burn off the calories we had a good run out to visit Gawesworth Hall in East Cheshire. A fine turnout of 21 cars met up at Brykley Garden Centre before setting off on a challenging 56 mile run across the Peak District planned by Tony and Jan Clarke with Phil and Cathy Wellstead.

Parked up in a stunning location we enjoyed a picnic and after a talk from owner Rupert toured the Elizabethan hall and gardens. Cream teas and ice creams made a perfect end to a great day out.