Writing this at the end of January dare we hope that 2022 will see a return to those carefree pre covid days of yore? Early signs are promising but we have been down this road before. In anticipation of good times to come SMGEC`s event organiser, Paul Titley, has produced another full programme of events to keep our MG wheels turning.  There is something for all interests. Keen drivers will enjoy the 9 tulip runs to venues such as Jodrell Bank and the Chirk Tramway Museum.

Those who enjoy polishing rather than driving can show off their efforts at the 6 car shows we will be attending including, in my opinion, the best show of the year at Lupin Farm. Also included are Cars in the Park and The Huddlesford Gathering. One special day to look forward to is MGB60 at Gaydon in September. Let’s hope it will be drier than MGB50 at Blenheim!

Touring has always been part of SMGEC life so we have two away trips this year. The first in May takes us on a 3 night/4 day tour of the South Cotswolds followed in September with a 2 night/3 day tour of Rutland Water. Both are based at top Hotels with excellent dining. That leads me nicely on to an all important part of Club life “food, glorious food”  SMGEC members and food are never far apart so with 12 Club nights, 12 coffee and cake mornings and 4 evening Pub runs  in the programme there should be enough to satisfy even the biggest appetite.

The planned mid-week visits to Triumph Motorcycles and the Coventry Air Museum will be of interest to the Club`s technically minded members

Like to know more about SMGEC, then why not visit our web site for membership details.

February began full of promise that Covid was at long last declining and a return to normal SMGEC life was on the cards, starting with our Club night and AGM at the Barns. Chairman Roger Dudley detailed our activities in 2021 which despite the problems showed that the Club had held together well but with a limited programme. Treasurer Des Barnard`s financial report showed our finances to be in such good order that the membership fee for 2022/3 has been reduced to £10. The present committee were re-elected unopposed which shows that they must be doing such a good job!

The mood of optimism continued with Brian and June Cooper`s excellent coffee morning at Aston Marina on Feb 17th. A great turnout of 37 members enjoyed a right good natter. Tim and Viv Hopson put us all to shame arriving in their Midget with hood down, whist other members MG`s are still in winter storage, well done. Interestingly we notice that other Clubs are also adopting these popular mid-month gatherings.

We then came back to earth with a bump or more correctly with Storm Eunice. The planned Snowdrop Run to NT Dudmaston had to be called off by organiser Paul Titley when the NT closed the estate due to high winds. Sensible but a great shame. On a brighter note we continue to attract new members and a warm SMGEC welcome goes to Trevor and Anissa Saadi, John and Jeni Beasley and Paul Clamp with Mac Brooke.

Looking ahead we have some great runs planned including Jodrell Bank which was one of the first events to be cancelled in the 2020 pandemic and of course the two away trips to the South Cotswolds and then Rutland Water.

Happy MG days to look forward too.

Our Christmas party at the Barns was a splendid evening with 37 members enjoying the traditional silver service meal with all the trimmings, Santa and his elf made their usual after dinner visit but sadly, as in previous years, Roger and Maureen Wood again missed meeting them. Thanks go to Sue Dudley and the committee for organising an enjoyable ending to the year. Amongst the guests was new member, Freddy Scott, who brings a MG ZS into the SMGEC fleet.          

Covid restricted much of normal Club life in 2021 but one activity remained stronger than ever. SMGEC have been long-time supporters of the Donna Louise Children`s Hospice, now renamed DougieMac. Treasurer and Charity organiser Des Barnard again pleaded, threatened, cajoled and even resorted to downright blackmail to ensure that the monies kept coming in, so successfully that we have been able to donate £2400 this year to this very worthy cause. Well done all. Had we been able to scoff down Paul`s bacon butties at the missed car shows then I`m sure that amount could have been doubled!

As I write this just before Christmas yet again the future looks so uncertain, January`s club night already cancelled and changed to a Zoom. Despite the problems events organiser Paul Titley has been putting together a full programme for 2022 which will be published in January.

If like me your MG is tucked away for the winter don`t keep putting off all those jobs you had planned just because the garage is freezing cold, put on the thermals and get out there!  Spring will soon be here and you will want the car to be in top shape ready to hit the road for what we hope will be a great year of MG motoring.

With 2021 drawing to a close SMGEC activities began to slow down with only two events in November.

Club Night at the Barns on the 4th was our Annual Awards evening when members are either applauded for their efforts or commiserated with (mocked!) for their failures. After enjoying an excellent meal 43 members voted on the proposed runners and riders which produced the following results,

Driver of the Year – Paul Titley

Co – Driver of the Year – Gillian Johnson

Services to SMGEC – Phil Wellstead

Chairman`s Award – Charles Jarman

Breakdown of the Year – Alan Wild

Special Breakdown Award – Paul Titley.

Congratulations to the well-deserved winners, but special mention must be made of Alan Wilds MGB breakdown in the New Forest which set a new standard in expensive disasters with Alan and Karen coming home on the train and the car arriving a week later on the lorry!

The final run of the year was a planned coffee morning at Bishton Hall on the 18th. 21 cars arrived to be greeted by organisers Brian and June Cooper with news that the tea room had been closed that morning because of a positive covid test by a staff member. However thanks to great efforts by the Bishton staff the day was saved. Complimentary tea, coffee and cake was served in the Orangery then followed by a talk on the history of the House and a guided tour of the gardens. What could have been a disaster turned out to be an excellent morning out made all the more enjoyable by the autumn sunshine.

Planning for 2022 events is well in hand with our South Cotswold trip in May fully booked and a proposed Shropshire trip in September being planned. Let`s hope that 2022 will see us back on the roads enjoying MG motoring again.

SMGEC`s surge of post lockdown activity continued into October. Our Club night at the Barns was a special occasion when founder member Peter Wallis gave an illustrated presentation of the 20 years activities since SMGEC was first started. Many great photos and memories emerged much to the enjoyment of the 48 members present.  

15 members took up the invitation to join South Staffs and North Birmingham`s picnic at the BARC meeting at Mallory Park on the 17th. Thanks to organisers Nigel and Liz Preston we enjoyed some exciting racing and driving the parade laps round the circuit despite the wet weather.

The ever present appetite for coffee and cake was sated when 20 cars met up at the Strawberry Cabin at Hints on the 21st to enjoy the company and a good natter.

The final run of the year was a trip to Fletchers Garden Centre and the Gentleshaw Wild life Centre. Starting from Brykley Garden Centre, organiser Paul Titley led 19 cars on a 30 mile run through Staffordshire lanes to reach our destination. John and Shirley Northwood arrived in their Austin Healey 3000, but hey, we all have to slum it sometimes! Lunch and some retail therapy was followed by visiting the Wild life centre which is home to all types of rescued birds and other animals. The highlight of the day was a flying display by 2 beautiful hawks and a barn owl, absolutely stunning!

Our plans for 2022 are well advanced. Already arranged is an away trip in May. The “South Cotswold Wander” will be a 3 night / 4 day tour organised by Roger and Sue Dudley and based at The Pettifers Free House Hotel at Malmesbury in Wiltshire. The trip is already fully booked up with 20 cars and crews signed on. Can`t wait!