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.
Jeff Darlow
November 2018 Enjoying MG Magazine Report
September`s programme opened with 7 cars visiting a new venue, The Stafford Cricket Club Classic Car Show, organised by Chris and Lesley Wilkins, which was followed by 6 cars attending the Eccleshall Town Show with Roger and Maureen Wood organising the day.
The monthly Club night at the Barns was well attended and after dinner we enjoyed a novel evening of indoor curling organised by Paul Titley, in order to spare blushes the scores will remain unpublished!
A popular event was held on September 9th when 16 cars took part in a fund raising run in aid of The Donna Louise Hospice for Children, our chosen Club charity. Starting with coffee at Weston Park, Roger and Sue Dudley took us on a splendid 65 mile drive through Shropshire to arrive at Dudmaston Hall where the NT provided us with a dedicated picnic area. A highly enjoyable day was had by all and importantly £280 was raised for The Donna Louise Trust.
The last pub run of the year saw Richard and Susie Homer take 9 cars to The Greyhound at Burston for an evening meal and drinks.
The month ended on a high point with 13 cars taking a 4 day trip to Yorkshire which was superbly organised by Des and Gill Barnard. The “Moors and Dales Days Away” saw us staying for 3 nights at the excellent Feathers Hotel in Helmsley then taking daily planned drives through the marvellous Yorkshire countryside to a range of towns and attractions, all on Tulip route notes by Des and Gill. Yorkshire offers some of the best driving roads and scenery in the country making this a trip to remember, made all the better by the sunny weather.
For details of future events contact our events co-ordinator on <events@smgec.org.uk>.
