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.

SMGEC packed a lot of activities into August, starting as usual with Club night at the Barns when a good turnout of 43 members attended. The after diner entertainment was a hilarious round of Play Your Cards Right, compered by quiz master Allan Wild. Great fun especially when Allan demolished the complete set half way through the game. Mysteriously the advertised star prize of an MG Cyberstar was changed at the last minute to a bottle of plonk. New members Johnathan and Gina Eagles must have wondered what sort of Club they had joined!

Four legs not four wheels featured with a visit on the 3^rd to the Macclesfield Sheep Dog trials organized by Keith and Chris Timmis. Starting from Fairways Garden Centre near Ashbourne 16 members set out on a 30 mile run through Derbyshire which took them to the event at Sutton Hall in Cheshire.  Attractions included craft stalls, a tug of war contest and fell run as well as the trials. It appears the result was a win for the sheep by 4 rounds to one.

Amazingly only one mention of food this month when 30 members enjoyed coffee and cake at the TTCM at Marsh Farm, Abbots Bromley. Surely only a lull, expect a return to normal next month!

To end the month another change from 4 legs to two rails was the visit on the 18^th to the Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth, Staffs. 21 cars assembled at Wolsey Bridge before setting out on a 35 mile run planned by Allan and Karen Wild to the narrow gauge railway museum. Our cars parked in a line in front of the station made a fine display. A picnic lunch then rides on the two steam trains running and a tour of the museum ended a splendid day out.

At September`s Barnes Club night we welcomed new members Michael and Lesley Brown and Ian and Diana Websdale to the Club, both have MGB`s, a tourer and a GT. For entertainment (?) Renton Ward set us his annual picture quiz, tackled with varying degrees of success, Trevor and Anissa Saadi taking the honours this time. Renton also announced that we will be returning, by popular request, to the Tal y Lyn Hotel in Wales, in June 2025 following our successful visit in 2023. The 20 places where immediately snapped up. Great news. 

On the 8^th John and Carol Wooley with Roy and Jane Hunt organized a visit to the pretty town of Castleton in Derbyshire. Meeting up at Ashbourne, 15 crews set off on a 40 mile route and boy-o-boy did it rain! Wet weather gear and brollies were the order of the day. Undeterred we set off into the village to enjoy the local teashops and Pubs. The sun broke through for the run home which included a drive up Whynot pass. All agreed that we should re run the trip next year hopefully with better weather.

For the SMGEC foodies The Drive and Dine evening was held at the Meynall Ingram Arms at Hoar Cross on the 10^th. Organized as usual by Keith and Gill Johnson 23 members enjoyed the evening.  Cake and coffee was on offer at the TTCM at the Halfpenny Green Winery.

Our last car show of the year was at Trentham on the 15^th, where we had 11 cars on our stand. Heavy rain meant that the Club`s gazebos provided welcome shelter, but a supply of homemade cakes and the good company ensured an enjoyable if damp day.

The month ended with our Four Counties Tour, a full report in next month`s issue.

At the end of May 29 members visited the Midlands Air Ambulance new purpose built headquarters at Cosford. We had an extensive guided tour of the facility including the helicopters and emergency response vehicles. A talk on the complexity of the treatments that the paramedics and doctors can perform on scene surprised us all. We made a donation of £190. An excellent lunch at the Oakley at Brewood completed the day.

June`s Club night at the Barns was well attended by 44 members. The after diner entertainment was an indoor curling contest organized by Paul Titley visiting us from his day job in Dorset. The range of skill shown was to say the least, wide. Chairman Roger Dudley topped the score sheet winning the prize of 3 bottles of Dorset Ale, courtesy of Paul.

One of the most important runs of our year is the charity run held to raise funds for The Dougie Mac Hospice. Organizers Roger and Sue Dudley took us to Little Morton Hall in Cheshire, a historical wooden framed black and white manor house which we last visited in 2011. 18 crews set out from Wolsey Bridge to drive a splendid scenic route over the Staffordshire Moorlands to arrive in time for a picnic lunch before exploring the Hall and grounds. Teas and ice creams rounded out the day before the run home. A total of £330.00 was raised for the Hospice which we have supported for many years.

The June TTCM visited a new venue for us, the Mere Park Garden Centre near Newport. This was certainly popular with the girls as racks of clothes had to be walked through before reaching the restaurant. A return visit for the autumn sales is surely on the cards!

To end the month a small group visited the Marchington Village   Festival arranged by Peter and Sue Willmot.

The guest speaker at our well attended May Barns Club Night was Club member John Newey, who owns Summit Garage the MG Agents at Dudley who also sponsor of our web site. A lifelong MG enthusiast he gave us an entertaing talk about his time in the motor trade and cars he has owned which includes an MG SV. He ended by telling us about the latest developments of electric cars, most interesting. Me, I`ll stick to petrol.

We were pleased to welcome new members Mark and Sharon Green who have joined the Club having just bought an MGB GT.

Highlight of the month was the long awaited 3 night Norfolk Getaway, organized by Bob and Irene Stone with 18 cars and 35 members taking part. Starting from a meeting point at Hints we enjoyed the 130 mile drive in brilliant sunshine to our base, The Heacham Hotel near Hunstanton. Settled in we enjoyed the first of three fine evening meals. Monday saw us take to the water with a boat trip to from Morston Quay to see the seals at Blakeney point who seemed singularly bored to see us! A locked Crooklock but no key resulted in some leg pulling for one member! From boat to rail, a return trip on the steam train from Holt to Sherringham was the main event for Tuesday. Plenty of smoke and steam and nostalgia. The slightly damp weather didn’t deter us from enjoying lunch and ice creams by the seaside. Several members visited Sandringham and other NT venues before our return journey on Wednesday. A splendid trip, enjoyed by all.

The TTCM at Brykley was attended by 23 for a leisurely coffee and chat. With many more outings planned all we need is the summer to finally start! Happy MG Motoring.