Changes afoot - This month sees more minor changes, but all in the interests of efficiency. Committee are now working to streamline club systems to make them more effective. This includes all our instruments of early warning, the newsletter and its production, web site information, mailing and e-mailing. Our aim is to get the information to you the most (cost) efficient way. The monthly newsletter will continue in the form it takes this month, with room for important notices, updates and information from members of committee, or sub-committees, detail of changes to published events, and a table of forthcoming events. ‘OVERDRIVE’ being more in-depth and time consuming in its production, with its entire features, will continue, but as a club periodical and will be published quarterly. It will contain the fullest version of the event calendar, and will continue to put the spotlight on our members and their projects. The next issue of ‘OVERDRIVE’ will appear in June. How can the newsletter be an instrument of early warning? Firstly the Web Master will also publish it on the club web site, and secondly, the release of the newsletter will now be so timed that, members can check what important notices, committee have posted prior to and affecting an event or a meeting. Of course, the secretary will also keep you in touch by means of e-mail and telephone when needed. Now that the club is becoming somewhat organized, it is important to maintain our overheads at the lowest level, so that more of the club funds can be directed toward our enjoyment and events.

Other changes – All of our events at our venue have been planned with a theme, and often it has meant that the planners, chiefly those on committee, have had no time to do that all important mixing, especially with our new members. Having thoroughly enjoyed an experimental social evening at our venue, we shall introduce more of the same into the calendar, and while mixing, endeavour to get more of that all-important feedback from you about what else you the club members really want within the event calendar – our aim is to please.

They seek it here, they seek it there, they seek that MGTF everywhere. Is it in Friarsgate, is it at the Woolpack, etc. etc. I know that many members were disappointed not to see a TF at the last meeting. Friarsgate did not have a demonstrator in time! However we will endeavour to have a TF at the Woolpack for the April meeting. On a positive note a very good turnout on 21st March were entertained to an excellent visit to Denis Welch Motorsport. Denis, Tina and son Jeremy made us very welcome. The place is a veritable ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ with a number of very expensive Healey’s in preparation.

However the really surprising aspect is the machine shop and the manufacturing that Denis undertakes. For instance he supplies the gear sets for E’Types and TR’s. He readily accepts that he is not an MG specialist, BUT with all his experience he does prepare excellent competition cars. There were 8 members of South Staffs MGOC there as well and we continue to expand our relationship with them.

You may well have heard of Lesley Cheadle’s appalling skiing accident in France. I took the ‘C’ over to Slindon a week ago and can report that although Lesley is in considerable discomfort, she is very positive and looks forward to getting back into the ‘B’. We all send our best wishes to her for her continued recovery to full health.

I dare say that you will have dusted off the cars for a little drive over Easter. Keep polishing, as the run to the Regimental Museum is only a couple of weeks away.

See you all soon.

Peter Wallis. Tel 01543 305987 email peter.wallis@ntlworld.com

Dispatches – An update from your Secretary – This newsletter comes to you literally hot of the press, since Sallyann and I have been away for a few days with the B towing the caravan. She never missed a beat, and pulled like a dream, (I’m talking the MGB now, not Sallyann). I have been working on the clues for the route of the Special Run to the Staffordshire Regiment Museum on Sunday 14^th April, which Keith and Julie Knapper have kindly planned. At the halfway point, I have handed this responsibility over to Peter. It’ll be interesting to see whose clues will be the hardest in your opinion. The highest scoring answer sheet will have a suitable prize to celebrate with. The start of the run will be at our normal venue, The Woolpack Inn at Weston. Ray and Tania. We will meet at around 9.30am, and there will be a staggered start from 10.0am. In addition to tea, coffee and biscuits, (for a small charge), our ever-pleasing hosts have offered to put some bacon baps on for those that want them. Perhaps you could please indicate

accordingly on the event form, which you submit at the April meeting. Once at the Museum, we can parade our cars on the grass, in front of, or between the static armoured vehicle displays, for members of the public to admire. Our presence has been advertised within the local press, for this, a special Spring Regimental Museum Open Day. Watchman IV, our adopted mascot will of course be there to meet all his friends old and new. A special link to our club web site - For those members in the club, who were present at the award of honorary membership to Watchman and his handler Colour Sergeant Malcolm Bower, last September, I have been exchanging information with an American contact, Helen Park, in California who runs an international web magazine on Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in order to raise the profile of this genuine and loveable breed. I got chatting by e-mail with Helen after I pointed out to her that her Stafford knots on her web site were upside down! They are now the right way up. I gave Helen information on our association with Watchman IV, and liaised with our contacts within the Regiment for permission to place Watchman’s image on this site. From its front page, the site now carries the story of the birth of our club, and our association with Watchman. The Regiment have kindly provided a short history of Watchman, and visitors to the site will be able to follow Watchman’s future exploits, including those with us. The site will also carry a link to our club. The site can be found at www.internationalstafford.com .

From A to B we hope he’ll help us see to it – I had a recent minor problem with the B, and called the RAC out to my assistance. The very professional patrolman that responded went that extra mile with his assistance, and we got chatting of course. I am very happy to announce that our club will sport its first RAC Patrolman member in the guise of Steve Anslow. Steve is currently looking for an MGB Roadster, has agreed to provide technical talks at future meetings, and also breakdown support for some of our runs. He will feature in the Limelight in the next edition of ‘OVERDRIVE’.

Stop Press money saving message from your Treasurer – For those who members who are contemplating buying a new MG model. I expect you all know about this, but we found out on 2^nd April that if you have been a member for 6 months of the MG Owners Club then you can use their Privilege Discount Scheme, which is the same as an employee of MG Rover. For example the discount on an MG TF 160 is £3000!!!!!! I have the discount list if anyone is interested and will bring it with me on Thursday evening, 4^th April. This represents a good return on the membership fee.

Your Treasurer, Chris Wilkins.

The Committee wish to express their sincere thanks to Gerard Pepper for the talk he gives on Navigation at our regular meeting on Thursday 4^th April.

STOP PRESS – Changes to previously Published Event Details

Monday 6^th May Bank Holiday Run to Llangollen for a ride on the West Wales steam railway.
Please keep a look out for details on this run, which is under planning at present.

Friday 31^st May – Golden Jubilee Summer Ball – Weston Hall –
Most of you will know by now that the venue for this exciting event has changed from Ingestre to Weston Hall.
You will receive a flyer on the event this evening.

Special Savings Account - Don’t forget that Chris your Treasurer has organized a special savings account for those who wish to put money aside for say the French Run, or the Golden Jubilee Ball. Contact Chris for details.

Details of Our Forthcoming Events:

Sunday 14^th April - Special drive to The Staffordshire Regiment Museum. Come and meet Watchman IV, our adopted mascot will definitely be there to meet his fans and new friends. 9.30am meet at the Woolpack Inn, where our hosts will put on hospitality. A staggered start to a 38.7 mile run, which concludes at the museum. A halfway break at Berkley Park Garden Centre if needed. Search for the clues on the way. The winner can celebrate with the prize. We can adjourn to a nearby hostelry for lunch.

Thursday 2^nd May - Meeting at our regular venue – Another social night.

Monday 6^th May Bank Holiday Run to Llangollen for a ride on the West Wales steam railway. Enjoy your picnic in beautiful Welsh countryside.

Friday 31^st May – Golden Jubilee Summer Ball – Weston Hall – Our Golden Jubilee celebrations at the enigmatic, beautiful and imposing Tudor/Jacobean Weston Hall - It’s the smart place to be. For the price of a meal out in the town, you could come to the Ball, smartly dressed in your MG; have your staged picture taken with your MG, a club group picture, with a champagne reception, a three course dinner and wine and a discotheque thrown into the deal.

Thursday 6^th June - Meeting at our regular venue - Details to be announced.

Late June – Warwick Castle Run – Detail to be announced

Thursday 4^th July - Meeting at our regular venue - Craft Fair / Cookery Evening – Details to follow

Saturday 6^th / Sunday 7^th July – Our major 2 day event alternating between The Staffordshire Regiment HQ two day Jubilee Spectacular, and a concourse car show at ‘The Cars in the Park’, Lichfield. Over-night camping available.

Saturday 6^th July - Chairman’s Barbeque at the residence of our Club Chairman, Whittington, (end of day one - 2 day event), your hosts, Peter and Janet Wallis.

Friday 19^th – 20^th - 21^st July - Private suite at Silverstone. Watch the MG motor sports action, from our private suite.

Thursday 8^th August - Our first birthday celebration at our regular venue. Details to be announced.

Monday 26^th August – Bank Holiday - Herefordshire Cider and Vineyard Run. Details to be announced.

Thursday 5^th September - Meeting at our regular venue - Details to be announced.

Saturday 14^th September - Annual Regimental Re-union (of 500 veterans all perhaps with a story to tell), at the Staffordshire Regimental Museum. A parade of our cars for the ‘vets’ - meet Watchman IV.

Thursday 3^rd October - Meeting at our regular venue - Technical Talk/Video - An expert demonstrates a project, bodywork, paint and restoration.

Skittle night in a pub atmosphere at the Dog and Doublet Inn, Sandon. Date to be announced.

Thursday 7^th November - Meeting at our regular venue - Beaujolais Nouveau evening – Details to be announced.

Thursday 5^th December - Meeting at our regular venue - Details of the theme or entertainment for the evening to be announced.

Club Christmas Dinner – Weston Hall – date and detail to be announced.

How to contact your club

Contact the Club: Email staffordmgclub@fsmail.net
Coming soon - a new 0845 number for people to reach our club with.
Don’t forget the Information you need may be on our website at www.mgcars.org.uk/staffordmgclub/

Peter Wallis - your Chair can be contacted on peter.wallis@ntlworld.com
Chris Wilkins – your Treasurer can be contacted at CSHW@aol.com or 01785 252900
Neil Perry - your Secretary can be contacted on roadster@ntlworld.com
Chris Abel - your Vice Chair can be contacted on chris-a@fsmail.net
Mike Abel - your Web Master can be contacted at mikea@fsmail.net.
Mike Roberts - your Events Coordinator can be contacted on mikerobertsmg@aol.com

Happy MG motoring- we hope to see as many of you as possible on
Sunday 14^th April for the Regiment Run.

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The Newsletter of the	Independent	for April 2002
Contact the Newsletter Editor Tel: 01785 612320 Mobile: 07815 173289 Email: roadster@ntlworld.com		Our sponsors are: Friarsgate MG Rover Renaissance MGs Stafford Vehicle Components
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