The Official Web site of The Stafford MG Enthusiasts Club

*This is the first section of the February edition of the Overdrive newsletter.*
Foremost - A Word from the Chairman	Overdrive - Your New Look Newsletter
Limelight1 - The Slindon Flasher	Did you know? Note for our Readers
Report of The 2002 AGM	Update from The Club Secretary
*Next Section of the Feb 2002 Overdrive Newsletter*	*Back to Home*

After the resignations of John, Anthea and Matt Aldridge, I am delighted to welcome Mike Roberts to the committee. Mike brings considerable experience from his time at South Staffs MGOC, before his house move to our area. Mike will be our Events Co-ordinator and will be delighted to hear from anyone who has ideas for events or is willing to help with the organisation. Anthea's resignation has left us without a Treasurer, but I'm pleased to say that Chris Wilkins has stepped into the breach as a 'co-opted' treasurer. I will be asking the members to confirm his appointment at the next meeting. Chris brings a wealth of management experience gained from his leadership of the European division of a major US company.

Meanwhile plans are afoot for a spectacular Ball for Jubilee weekend, 2nd June and Neil Perry will be giving us details as they emerge and both of us will be able to report on the Regional meeting due on 3rd February.

As the weather is diabolical at the moment, I'm sure that you will only be looking at and polishing your MG's, but it will soon be time to dust them off and get back to real MG motoring. In the meantime, please feel free to give me a call if you have any suggestions or questions about the Club.

See you all at the Woolpack ! Peter Wallis. Chairman, Tel 01543 305987 or email peter.wallis@ntlworld.com

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A NEW LOOK TO YOUR NEWSLETTER

Your Club Newsletter is evolving to keep pace with the significant changes in your club. Working closely with the development of the Club web site, our aim is to make each medium complement the needs of the membership. The reason for the name is simple. We feel that our club is firing on all cylinders and moving along in top gear. The ideas that we are jointly developing are, we believe, good quality. We want them to be realized ASAP, so if we discuss them in the Newsletter, our club's early warning instrument, we just thought that you'd appreciate your ideas, wants and needs to be 'put into overdrive'. If you saw it here, it's in OVERDRIVE! - Look out for new regular features in OVERDRIVE. One of the new features will place members in the LIMELIGHT, whether they are being introduced as new members, or because of an interest.

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Talking of being in the limelight, we really must share this picture with you. Rumour has it that Lesley Cheadle likes to go ‘topless’, a regular little quip of husband, Harry, (‘H’), referring to Lesley’s preference to travelling with the MGB’s hood down. Neil and Sallyann saw the hat at the International Classic Car Show at the NEC and just had to buy it for her. It was presented to Lesley at our recent Club Christmas Dinner. Rumour has it Lesley has just done some ‘topless’ skiing on her winter holidays in the French Alps.

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NOTE FOR OUR READERS Did you know that the club now accepts your advertisements, either within our Newsletter, or our official web site? We will also be glad to feature stories of interest. To include your article, information or advertisements, just give us a call, and we’ll advise you.

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - WHAT WAS DECIDED, AND A REPORT ON , SUBSEQUENT CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS.

For those members that were unable to attend the club's first Annual General Meeting, here is a brief précis of what went on, with added relevant issues that have been resolved within club rules by Committee:

Letters of resignation were received at the opening of the AGM from the Treasurer, Anthea Aldridge; Technical Assistant and sponsor, (Renaissance MGs), John Aldridge and General Assistant, Matthew Aldridge, who expressed their wish to loosen Renaissance's ties with the Club. John, Anthea and Matt will continue to be involved in the club, and indeed Renaissance will continue to provide valuable sponsorship, to enable key events to become reality. We thank them for the contribution they have made since the launch of the club in August last year.

Reports by Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary - these are available in club records. Peter and Neil will have their reports posted on the club site. The reports illustrated that as a club our independent spirit and co-operative enthusiasm is achieving much and we are getting noticed. Our club is steadily growing, with new talents and contacts being embraced by the club with every new member.

Election of Committee - The club now has a substantive committee. Peter, Neil and Sallyann Perry, and Mike and Chris Abel were elected into the posts they held in steering capacity.

We now welcome aboard Mike Roberts, who was nominated, and very willing to undertake the role of Event Co-ordinator. He has commenced this role with gusto, and he may already have been in touch with you over forthcoming events. - Following the AGM, as a result of a short-notice resignation, committee addressed the vacant role of Treasurer. Please see Pete's comments below. The club rules clearly require a minimum of eight committee members, and that there be a Vice Chairman, who must be elected by an elected committee. There will be occasions when Peter cannot attend an event or function, and this has already been illustrated. This is something that is being considered by committee. Peter will announce a committee decision.

Your Elected Committee now comprises

Basic finances - The reserve of club funds is presently over £270. Additional money raising by means such as raffles will be a regular feature from now on. For starters, our hosts at the Woolpack have generously promised prizes at each meeting.

Club Gazebo and Banner - Some funds will now be directed towards the purchase of a good quality club gazebo, club banner and roping, which will be invaluable at any of the events we hold or attend.

Annual Membership Fees - New fees were agreed by all present. See 'Spinners on the Web' by Mike Abel, page 3.

Other business - The following issues were discussed:

1. The MG Car Club have announced a resolution to the Silverstone problem, and the MG sporting event will now go ahead, a little later than it was last year, on 19th, 20th and 21st of July. The prospects of our private suite at Silverstone now look more certain. Renaissance will cover the cost of one of the days, and committee are investigating means to cover the other days.

2. Valentine's Night at the Eaton Lodge, Rugeley. The ticket price of £16.95 includes a carvery meal. There will be some waiter/waitress service. An event reservation form has been commenced, and will be continued at the meeting of 7th February.

3. The Grand MG Autojumble and Trade Stand Show, at Stoneleigh Agricultural Centre on 17th February. A number of members will be going to hunt bargains. Steve and Barbara Taylor will, as usual have their Stafford Vehicle Components stall there, should anyone like to look them up.

4. Members' e-mail addresses. If there are any members who have recently gone 'on line', or haven't given us your e-mail address, please take a minute to send the Secretary a brief message. It is so much quicker and easier to keep in touch with large numbers of you this way. Mike Abel also has news for those on line - see his comments below.

5. Our regalia supply is now available. Hat Trick Clothing and Graphics (HTC) will be present at our French night to give an overview of some of their stock and the service that they provide. They can take orders on the night, but any member can make an order direct to Hat Trick. Monies will not go through club funds. HTC have promised to donate £12 to club funds for every 12 garments they supply to members.

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UPDATE FROM YOUR CLUB SECRETARY

Since the AGM, I've been busy on the old dog and bone, and in cyber city. It's a good job Sallyann and I have good arrangements with NTL.

GOLDEN JUBILEE SUMMER BALL. At the AGM Peter hinted that we were investigating the possibility of us holding a summer ball in conjunction with other club/s. Peter and I have indeed been making visits to this splendid venue to help get the planning off the ground with the management. It's looking good in principle, and we can promise you that if this event does get off the ground, it is bound to impress, and it will probably be an annual bash. It's just possible that we might even be able to use this exciting location for other outdoor events.

STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT CONNECTIONS. Our good friend Major Paul Mulingani of the Staffordshire Regiment has been in touch with me concerning the up-coming events at the Regimental Museum. As you know, a valuable by-product of our formal association with the 'Staffords' is the continual opportunity for the mutual uplifting of each other's profile. We are to be featured as an attraction in their advertisements for the three events already in our calendar. Details of the first of the three events (over Saturday, Sunday 13/14th April) will be circulated soon.

EVENTS WITH OTHER CAR CLUBS. I have been talking to the Chairman and Secretary of the West Midlands Section of the Rolls Royce Register, which has some 500 members, (100 of whom are currently active at events). I have also been in touch with the Octagon MG Car Club. This national club is based in Rugeley, and its Chairman and Secretary husband and wife team Mr. and Mrs. Harry Crutchley, live in Stafford. My aim is to perhaps arrange some events to which we can invite other classic car clubs. The Rolls Royce Register, (West Midlands) appears keen to attend other clubs' events and will discuss this subject at their next committee meeting. I'll keep you posted.

NEW MEMBERSHIP. We seem to be having at least two enquiries each week that lead to new members. Fresh faces will be joining us at our new venue, and a very interesting stable of cars will be brought into the line-up of the club by newcomers into the club very soon. We hope to feature more information in the LIMELIGHT section of the next edition. Here is a clue to the unique identity of one of the cars in the stable:

MEMBERSHIP PACK. This good idea was raised in September last year. Keith and Julie Knapper, who have provided me with more good ideas and food for thought, have rekindled it. A prototype pack is under discussion and development and will be produced when viable.

MEMBERSHIP CARDS. Along with the membership pack, Mike Abel, with his relevant contacts is presently undertaking the development and eventual issue of club membership cards, which we envisage can be used in the future to derive discounts on parts and accessories from recognized suppliers, and discount on admission to certain MG events.

GENUINE OFFERS OF DISCOUNT. On this subject, even as we start to develop contact with commercial concerns in the MG world, we start to build a list of companies, agencies and businesses that will offer a genuine discount to our members. It appears that competitive spirit is alive and well. We'll keep you informed.

MEETINGS WITH OTHER CLUBS. Our good friends and neighbours South Staffs MGOC came along to a committee meeting recently to exchange planned event detail before they hold their own AGM. After this, committee will visit them on their territory for finalization of calendars. There is scope to enjoy one another's events, and there are distinct benefits in using our combined membership to gain discounts from suppliers and event managers.

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