Just got back from the GAM Euroclassic, from Whittington, via Paris to Valencia and back, a mere 3017 miles!!! I think the ‘C’ is due for another service!!

The trip was fairly uneventful as far as the ‘C’ was concerned, although I did get the RAC to fix squealing front brakes. Did you know that Kevlar pads exude resin, which can cause squealing if not ‘set up’ properly. Neither did I, but we know a group of men who do. Unfortunately John Aldridge struck a level crossing quite hard early on and the RAC boys had to patch up the exhaust on his BGT, but he soldiered on to the finish. The run was done almost completely with the hood down, a big change to last year. Lots of familiar faces and some newcomers including a couple of youngsters in a ‘very competent red ‘C’ roadster.

On the way home we stopped at the hotel we are using for the French trip next year. We were made very welcome by Valerie and her husband. We will be taking over the whole hotel, it only has 12 rooms, but do not despair, Valerie is organizing chambres d’hotes for the other people within a short drive. Harry Cheadle will be visiting the hotel again within the next 2 weeks to finalise arrangements.

I’m now busy sifting through over 100 pictures for 7^th November, and I promise NOT to show them all, but I cannot promise that you will not get the bug for this event!!! Roll on Antwerp to Vienna next year!!!!   

Long Mynd Run - Glorious sunshine was the result as 11 cars headed for the Long Mynd. Those with open cars had the last chance to ‘run with the top down’ across the spectacular landscape to a well-earned meal at the Horseshoes at Bridges. An excellent event and thanks to John and Anthea Aldridge for organising the route and meal so soon after the rigours of the Euroclasic, but more about that in November.

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

 

A note from the Vice-Chair.  - The penultimate run of the summer took place on Saturday 14 September, another great day both for the company and the weather. I wondered if it was as good in Spain! At the time, Peter our Chairman was making his way back from the Euroclassic rally France to Barcelona. We received a text message from Peter on Saturday saying they'd driven 1800 miles so far and were just enjoying a paddle in the sea!!. Peter has offered to do another slide show for club members to enjoy. This year it will take place on club night Thursday 7 November at Hopton Village Hall, which is 5 minutes drive away from the Woolpack. The show is scheduled to start at 7:30pm for 8:00pm and will last about 1 hour. Members can then go on to the Woolpack for last orders. Due to the increasing number of members the Hall is being used on a trial basis and if successful may be used for future talks. Please note club nights will continue to be held at the Woolpack. Details of the Classic Car Show at the NEC on Sunday 10 November is available, and if there is enough interest the club will organize a coach to pick up members on the way and drop off at the end of the day. 

The Christmas meal and disco at Weston Hall is proving to be very popular. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.  Chris Abel, Vice Chair email chris-a@fsmail.net.

Treasurer’s Report - Payment of subs for 2002/3 has been very satisfactory, so we start the new Club year being able to fund our planned events and the monthly newsletter. We have increased full membership to at least 42 cars after only one year! 14 cars have booked places on the French run in the Spring using the savings account to accrue the anticipated cost. Deposits have begun to come in for the Christmas Meal at Weston Hall and also for the grille badge project. We do need more support for both of these so don't delay in booking!

Chris Wilkins, Treasurer, tel: 01785 252900, or email cshw@aol.com .

AN update from your Secretary

I have been taking a short break and keeping abreast of affairs of state, so my contribution this month, (other than of course my editorial role), is limited. Grill badges update – There was some concern about how some of you would fit the badge plates to the front of your MGs, since there is a real difference in the suitable areas available for securing said badges. We have therefore requested and received samples of differing sizes and base metal to best decide this issue. Other clubs have considered these problems already, and without re-inventing the wheel, we believe that the most suitable plate is not the 101mm aluminium, but the 75mm stainless steel, which will have two predrilled holes for fixings and will be full colour resin coated. The actual logo is right to the edge of the plate and is exactly the same size as the MGOC badge. The only difference is that it has no outer polished metal edge. The effect is pleasing, and we will order just as soon as members have expressed desires to have or not to have a badge. If you haven’t already done so, please don’t delay in letting me know asap! 

OWNERS’ CLUB   --   Area Newsletter Competition.   MGOC HQ have received so many praiseworthy copies of local newsletters that they have decided to revive a competition last witnessed in 1998 to find the ‘Best Local Newsletter’ trophy. A copy of participating club’s chosen past edition, which signifies what the club is all about, will be judged by the MGOC Editorial Team for this prestigious award. The first prize is £50 towards the club funds, the second and third will receive £30 and £15 respectively. The prize will not necessarily go the club with the most advanced printing techniques, most knowledgeable technical writer or even award winning photographer, (although our now famous founder member Harry Cheadle fits this bill), the judges are looking for a well-rounded blend of features, inclusions, editorial etc., which helps keep its members in touch with their local MG scene in a lively and active manner. There are no specific guidelines, just something little bit different and a little bit special. The Stafford MG Enthusiasts’ Club have nothing to lose by submitting and entering a copy for judging, and it really is a case of watch the space in Enjoying MG magazine, unless the wining clubs hear before hand of course. The closing date is Friday 15^th November 2002.  

Planning for 2003 – Your committee is working hard behind the scenes on the format and content of next seasons’ events. Of course, the season never really finishes, it just goes dark early as British Summer Time ends, and there is less sunshine. This doesn’t mean that we cannot take our MGs out for a spontaneous run on fine days. Our general meetings will continue, and will have changes of flavour for you. The club will be providing these to keep you amused until BST returns. You will be kept informed about all forthcoming meetings, as we look forward to hitting the roads on a new season of ideas. Outline and contingency planning has begun, and committee have all day session fixtures to bring this into reality for you. Keeping each other informed - Please keep us abreast of your ideas, and don’t sit on them, we want our events to grow from strength to strength. 

Getting in touch with me - Change in mobile phone number – Just as I was planning to leave for a well-earned weekend away, I emptied the washing machine to find that my mobile phone had done a complete cycle on non-fast coloureds. Well despite the fact that the phone was grey to begin and end the cycle with, and it came out very clean, as you can probably imagine, it didn’t come out in working order! I’m still wondering how I managed it – but then perhaps I shouldn’t think too much. It has done me a little favour though, and I have therefore upgraded. Please note my change in mobile phone number – it is displayed on the newsletter header. I hope to have a landline available to members very soon.

  Secretary,  Email: roadster@ntlworld.com

MEMBERSHIP  I would like to offer a warm Stafford MG welcome to all of the new members that have joined us in the last month or so. Also can I say a big thank you to all of our existing members that have renewed their membership so promptly?  In fact we are in a position that only six of the members from last year have not yet renewed. Of course we still hope that they will renew. However, our membership is still growing and so far for this coming year we have 42 members fully signed up and some more that are hopefully about to join us.

The 2001/2002 member survey forms have been coming back in slowly. We would still like a few more before we analyse them fully – so if you haven’t found time to complete and return your survey yet please try to do so. If you have mislaid your copy or didn’t receive one there will be spare copies at the next club night. Planning volunteers - One thing that is already evident from those surveys returned is that a number of you are prepared to assist with planning and organising forthcoming club events. Since the survey was anonymous we don’t know you, so please let us know. Your help will be much appreciated as we are already starting to develop the club events for the next year.

‘Spinners’ on the Web The club web site is proving popular with visitors from all around the globe and is hopefully assisting in establishing the reputation of the club within the MG world. Member only access - The next development for the site will be the private and secure area for club MEMBERS ONLY.  Ideas of what you want to see there would be much appreciated.

Keeping you informed - All members that have an email address are being added to the clubs’ email discussion list. Already a number of you have accepted the invitation to join this list. Our list is hosted at topica.com and you will receive an email from topica inviting you to join the Stafford MG Enthusiasts email list. To accept just follow the instructions and click on the link as indicated.  It is our intention to use this list to keep members up-to-date with events, meeting places and times etc..etc.  Please help us to help you, by joining the topica list now.

Mike Abel, Club Webmaster and Membership, mikea@fsmail.net.

The Remaining Events for 2002

 Early Information on Events Planned for 2003