The New Year started promptly on January 3rd with a well-attended Club night at the Barns. Following the meal our event’s organiser, Paul Titley, outlined the programme for 2019. This was no mean task as it is one of the fullest events lists ever put together by the Club. Included are MG driving days, car shows. , motor sport events, factory visits, and Club Tours with, of course, plenty of Club nights, coffee mornings and pub runs.
The first motoring event of the 2019 season was a Sunday Lunch run on the 20th organised by Paul Titley. For regular readers of this report this will come as no surprise, as SMGEC members and food are inseparable, and as the saying goes “and why not”! As some of our MG`s are still in hibernation there was a mix of modern and classics in the car park of the Bromley Hayes Garden centre where we met up for a pre run coffee. 19 cars then set out on a 25 mile run to reach The Unicorn Inn at Orton- on-the-Hill near Atherstone, where we enjoyed an excellent Sunday lunch.
I am pleased to report that our treasurer Des Barnard, has sent off a cheque for £750 to The Donna Louise Trust, the Charity supported by the Club. This has made our total donation for 2018 up to £1250, so well done to all the Club members for their fund raising efforts for this very worthy cause.
If you are looking to join a vibrant and fun loving MG Club which welcomes MG`s of all ages then why not look in on our web site at where you can view the full 2019 programme and learn all about the Club. A warm welcome is assured.
Jeff Darlow
February 2019 Enjoying MG Magazine Report
Well by the time you are reading this Christmas will be but a distant memory, here`s hoping that Santa brought you everything you wished for. In Paul Titley`s case his Christmas present was finally picking up his MGB GT after a long, fraught and very, very expensive re build lasting nearly 2 years! The GT looks splendid in its new coat of Nightfire Red and it is good to see Paul back on the road at last in his own car after a very difficult time.
The Club held it`s Christmas Dinner at the Barns on the 6th December, splendidly organised as usual, by Sue and Roger Dudley. After welcoming drinks and chatting, 38 members sat down to a traditional silver service meal and afterwards carried on dancing late into the night to the music of Phil “the music man” Wellstead. Memorable moments included a spirited rendition of the 12 days of Christmas with the lyrics amended to include MG type gifts!
The night ended early and expensively for yours truly as my Alfa Romeo`s rear suspension collapsed requiring a trip home on the AA recovery lorry! Brian Cooper, sensing an opportunity to lose the Breakdown of the Year award, which in recent years has become his personal property, was quick to record events on camera. I`m sorry Brian, but as I was not in an MG it`s not eligible!
The 2019 programme has now been finalised and is available to view on the SMGEC web site at https://smgec.org.uk/events.php and includes a wide range of events that I`m sure will make 2019 a memorable year.
Jeff Darlow
Paul`s Christmas present
SMGEC Visit to Northern Ireland 2017 - Enjoying MG Article
January 2019 Enjoying MG Magazine Report
With the last of the year`s Club runs being held in October and with some members cars being laid up for the winter, the Club`s activities turned to indoor events.
The November Club night at the Barns saw the highs and lows of the year being rewarded with the presentation of trophies and awards at the Annual Awards Night. Congratulations and commiserations go to this year`s winners,
Breakdown of the year Brian and June Cooper, again!!!!!!
Newcomers of the year Alan and Karen Wild
Driver of the year Jeff Darlow
Co-driver of the year Gill Barnard
Services to SMGEC Des and Gill Barnard
Chairman`s award Jeff Darlow
Special breakdown award Roger Wood
The winner of this last highly prized award is chosen by the previous year`s winner for no apparent logical reason!
A group of members visited the NEC Classic Car Show, it gets bigger every year but with the cost of a ticket, petrol, parking ticket and lunch time pie and a pint coming close to £60, certainly not a cheap day out.
November closed with a well-attended coffee morning at the Red Carpet Cinema followed by viewing the film “First Man” the story of Neil Armstrong`s moon landing.
Looking ahead, planning is well in hand for a very full 2019 programme. Already included are a 5 day tour in May to the Isle of Man and a 4 day tour to Norfolk in September. The full year`s programme will be available to view on our web site in January and for details please contact our events co=coordinator at <events@smgec.org.uk>
Jeff Darlow
December 2018 Enjoying MG Magazine Report
The October Club night at the Barns was Film Night. Steve Smith, from his extensive film collection, screened 2 motoring episodes of “Look at Life” from the 70`s and a very rare 1931 silent film of the MG Abingdon factory.
On the 14th Renton and Helen Ward planned a run starting from The Coton House Stables with delicious bacon butties and coffee before setting out on a 35 mile route to the National Memorial Arboretum. 17 cars set out but the weather gods decided we had enjoyed too much sunshine this year and proceeded to dump enough rain on us to float a boat! We splashed through the puddles to reach the Arboretum and then decided to enjoy a leisurely lunch and re visit the grounds on a better day.
Brian and June Cooper hosted the October coffee morning at Denstone Farm Shop which was well attended, with some members stopping on to enjoy lunch. SMGEC members need little encouragement if lunch is on offer!
Our last run of the season was the Twilight Run organised by Roger and Maureen Wood, meeting at Dobbies on Gailey Island, 15 cars set out on a 62 mile run through Staffordshire to arrive at The Roebuck Pub at Draycott in the Clay for lunch. Could some sort of pattern be starting to emerge? The route took us through Cannock Chase, spectacular in the golds and browns of autumn. A great MG road run, good food and fine company, everything that SMGEC stands for.
To round off 2018 in fine style our Xmas party is planned for the 6th December at the Barns, with a silver service dinner followed by dancing to the disco of Phil “the music man” Wellstead.
Wishing a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all.
