a new beginning - mgnorthants.org · gillett sport £ 30.00 ... please don’t forget to check the...
TRANSCRIPT
March 2013March 2013
A New Beginning
2 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
Shirts, Jackets etc. With
Northants MGOC Logo
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: See Catalogue for colour choices
Northants MGOC Umbrellas
£ 12.00
Clothing
Tee shirts … £ 14.00
Polo shirts … Polo Shirts—100% Cotton
£ 18.00 £ 20.00
Sweatshirts … £ 19.00
Rugby shirts … £ 26.00
Fleece Jackets
Full Fleece £ 27.00
Gillett Fleece £ 26.00
Gillett Sport £ 30.00
Short Sleeve Shirts £ 24.00
Other items
Baseball Caps £9.00
Beanie Hat (Woolly Hat) £7.50
Rally Plaques … £ 5.00
Key Fobs … (while stocks lasts)
As below
Rose of the Shires 2009(trolley disc key ring) WNAA Northants MGOC (leather)
£ 2.00 £ 1.50 £ 1.00
Clocks.. (while stocks last)
£ 4.50
Colour photographs of the range can be found on our website, www.mgnorthants.org
To purchase or order any items or for any other enquiries regarding our exclusive regalia, please see Ed Scott at the next meeting or call him on
01604 882472 (Email: [email protected])
Committee contacts:
Deadline for the next issue:
All submissions for the next issue should reach the editor (Email as above) by 18th of each month.
Whilst every effort will be made to include all articles received in More Graffiti, they may not appear straight away or, if space is limited, may only be published in the online version of More Graffiti. We are always pleased to accept members’ photographs for publication.
Any Page with RED Headers is exclusive to the online version of More Graffiti Front Cover: New Secretary Stu Simons in his trusty MG Midget. Back Cover: Awards Presentations at the AGM
All online submissions should be sent to [email protected]
Club Secretary Stuart Simons 01933 674655 [email protected]
Treasurer Michael Port 01933 224019 [email protected]
Online Magazine Stuart Simons 01933 674655 [email protected]
More Graffiti Editor Vacancy [email protected]
Membership Michael Port 01933 224019 [email protected]
Regalia Edward Scott 01604 882472 07770 817017
Advertising/Sponsorship
Roy Brawn 01933 353669 [email protected]
Events (Blue Book) Chris Brawn 01933 353669 [email protected]
Member Ade Lunn 01933 676478
Member Sallie Lunn 01933 676478
Northants MG Owners’ Club
Club Secretary: Stuart Simons 9 Jacklin Court, Wellingborough, Northants. NN8 5XP
Telephone: 01933 674655 Cellphone: 07834 631080
E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.mgnorthants.org
3 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
Here’s a list of what’s happening this and next month that may be of interest to Northants MGOC members.
Please don’t forget to check the ‘Blue Book’ at club meetings for details and if you’re interested in an upcoming event or wish to propose your own, please get in touch with Stuart Simons. Please read
‘Newslink’ for up to date details such as convoy starts, etc. if not given below.
What’s on?
March 2013 onwards
13th March Club Night Logo Quiz (postponed from January)
19th Hole Clubhouse Collingtree Golf Club,
8.00pm
30th March Sunday Club Meeting Aviator, Sywell
12 noon onwards
6th April
Trip to Aston Martin, Newport Pagnell
(Now fully booked)
Contact Steve Trafford 07708 010054
10th April Club Night 19th Hole Clubhouse Collingtree Golf Club,
8.00pm
14th April The Kimber Birthday Run MGOC www.mgownersclub.co.uk
21st April National DRIVE IT DAY FBHVC www.fbhvc.co.uk
28th April Sunday Club Meeting Aviator, Sywell
12 noon onwards
4 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
WANTED
£17.50
A timely reminder that your
subscriptions are now due
Thank you
Newslink - March
Online Edition 5 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club
Hello and greetings to members, old and new! It is with great delight, fear and trepidation that I sit here at my trusty Mac composing this, my first of many reports to you. Having taken over the mantle of Secretary barely a week ago (as I write), the enormity of following in the footsteps of Steve (Trafford) and Val (Arnold) are still sinking in! My tenure as the Club Secretary will, quite naturally, differ from both my predecessors in a number of areas but any changes will be (hopefully) subtle and for the betterment of the club and you, its members. Whilst the year is still young and a number of us have resisted the temptation to take our treasured MGs onto the salt-laden roads, others I know have already enjoyed the brief weather windows to get out there - and, of course some of us have MGs as their daily driver and just get on with whatever the weather throws at us (I wonder how many current BMWs and VWs and Fords will still be running in a few years time?) The Blue Book is starting to fill with events so please look out for it at meetings and get your name down quickly for events you wish to be involved in. We started the season off with an excellent visit to the spiritual home of MGs, Abingdon and, courtesy of our friends in the MG Car Club, were treated to a fantastic visit. (Read Ade
Lunn’s article later in the magazine). Unfortunately for many, the trip to the Aston Martin factory on 6th April is already oversubscribed but hopefully, similar trips will be arranged in the future and those unsuccessful members will be offered first choice when any such list opens. Many more events are in the pipeline including runs out and our summer BBQ but as yet there are no firm details. Whist we now have our new committee up and running, I have a plea: Is there anyone out there who is familiar with Microsoft Publisher/desktop publishing who can spare some time to edit our monthly magazine? At the first meeting, it soon became apparent that we are lacking the expertise to produce this (just the finished files, not printing or distribution or the online version). If you would be interested, give me a call on either of the numbers shown on page 3. Thanks for your support. Here’s to the better weather!
Let’s keep Enjoying our MGs
Stu Simons
6 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
AGM Report This year’s AGM threw up one or two surprises as well as the usual business. With the whole membership getting a copy of More Graffiti, and with it copies of the agenda and balance sheet, the misunderstandings of last year were banished. As usual, Michael Port presented the accounts in a meticulously efficient manner. This led to the awards presentations for the previous year and, as is usually the case, the standards were high and so the committee had a very difficult task in selecting winners. Selected, however they were and, whilst not a surprise to all, the first, in meeting recipients were Adrian and Mark Higman who delighted us with their presentation of their trip into Europe at a recent meeting. It was fitting that they received the Simon Arnold Romany Shield for their tours. Much revered amongst members are the awards for the best club cars, this year being no exception and, with the reintroduction of the Runners-up certificates, made for interesting selections: Martin & Sharon Oliver’s Russet Brown MGB was selected as runner-up in the pre-1980 era whilst John Arnold’s black MG Magnette was a worthy winner (very fitting in a year when the Magnette badge was re-introduced into the market place). Post 1980 this year proved to be an F/TF pick with Adrian Higman’s blue F being awarded the runner-up certificate whilst Barbara Trafford’s green TF got the nod from the committee (not influenced by either Barbara or Steve). With “cock-ups” aplenty, the choice proved to be difficult with Cyril Gilbert’s tonneau mishap in Jersey (emptying the pool of water not “over the side” but into the car!) just missing out from Lorna Price and her MGF engine expiry during the Rose of the Shires winning the Cock-Up Award (Bill always claiming it wouldn’t have happened if he had been driving!) The one major award not to be presented on the night went to Ade and Sallie Lunn - The Syd Lapper Memorial Cup. Traditionally awarded to the member or members accumulating the highest number of “Graffiti Points”, this year it was acknowledged that they had been, by far, the most enthusiastic members who weren’t involved in any major event organisation. As they weren’t able to be at the meeting, the award was presented to them during the trip to Abingdon the previous weekend.
Adrian Higman receives the Simon Arnold Romany Shield
7 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
AGM Report Certificates were awarded to members of the Rose of the Shires organising committee, members of the 2012 committee and, for their welcome and hospitality since moving our primary venue, to the Collingtree Golf Club staff. Dave & Carole Walker won the competition to “Guess the mileage the Bear family travelled” and received a cool bag plus certificate. Awards over, it was back to the serious business with the election/adoption of our committee for 2013. Steve Trafford had always said that it was his intention to stand down as Secretary after two years and so the new committee would always have a distinctly new look to it. Michael Port, Ed Scott, Roy Brawn and Stuart Simons all agreed to continue on the committee together with new nominees Adrian (Ade) and Sallie Lunn and, some say to keep an eye on her husband, Christine (Chris) Brawn. All were adopted by the meeting however, the vexed subject of who was going to replace Steve finally arose. Constitutionally, the club needs to have a Secretary who should (ideally) come from the ranks of the committee. Two years ago, we hade a similar problem but, as it subsequently proved, we found an excellent Secretary in the general membership. This year, however we weren’t so fortunate but, Stuart Simons had told Steve Trafford that, should there be no one else wishing to take over, he would do so but cautioned that he wouldn’t be in a position to be at so many events as Steve and Barbara had.
Once the m a in business of the m e e t i n g w a s concluded, members adjourned to the bar downstairs to enjoy one or two well deserved beverages prior and the chance to have a natter before braving the cold and foggy weather to return home.
Members of the Rose of the Shires Committee
Ade and Sallie Lunn receiving the Syd Lapper Memorial Cup from Steve Trafford at the spiritual home of the MG - Abingdon
8 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
Snippets from Enjoying MG
MGOC Partner Discounts
Be sure to look at the MGOC website (www.mgownersclub.co.uk) for all the exciting new discount offers from the MGOC partners, if you are a member of the national MGOC, you can get special rates for airport parking, holiday accommodation, RAC membership, IAM membership, as well as magazine offers, Skytag vehicle tracking and ticket offers for such events as Race Retro, Silverstone Classic, the Bristol car Show and Donington Historic Festival. These discounts have been negotiated to extend the best possible deal to national MGOC members and the Club does not receive commission from any of the offers promoted.
Post Abingdon MGs
The North American MGB Register (NAMGBR) has recently added a Post Abingdon Register, which is being co-ordinated by our good friend from Canada, Mark Jones. Having recently exported an MGF to Canada, Mark is attempting to contact all North American owners of Post Abingdon (1980 and newer) MGs in an effort to determine how many and what types of cars have been exported to North America and to promote the ownership of these modern MGs to existing MG owners and to the next generation who are considering classic car ownership. We wish Mark every success in his endeavours.
9 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
A Day Out With Steve2
or
Our Trip to Abingdon Hands up all those who saw Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid back in those heady days of the late 60’s when BJ Thomas sang “Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head”? and they did, all day. However, not to be dampened by the precipitation, 24 intrepid Northants MGOC members set off from Collingtree golf course on a wet Sunday 10 February in search of the holy grail – the spiritual home of all our beloved MG’s. The trip down the A43 and A34 passed without incident, well, discounting Ian & Jo tucking into their breakfast 5 minutes after setting off. Naturally this generated a lot of early banter and the ice was soon broken, giving way to several jibes who should occupy the back seat or slip into Steve’s special room down stairs. For my part I can see I have a serious contender for my top spot of being a gannet. The eagle eyed Steve T spotted an MG 6 overtaking us on the A34 prompting all sorts of conversations on all things MG. On balance most agreed although a non descript euro box, it was a nice looking car, good value for money and probably a nice comfortable reliable drive. (It is - Ed.) Time seemed to pass quickly and in no time at all we were alighting at the end of Cemetery Road to make the short walk in the rain to the MGCC headquarters – Kimber House next to the old factory gates of the MG Assembly plant. Richard Colston MGCC Treasurer and Colin Grant MCCC Deputy Editor along with volunteers made us all very welcome and ensured we were all suitably refreshed with tea, coffee & biscuits before being split into two groups. Richard gave a very informative talk on the history of the two cottages that are now Kimber House and with the help of generous donations and fund raising events, how one half of the semi detached property was purchased, then when the remaining property came on the market the MG Car Club was able to successfully secure the purchase of the other half and no, it was not Cecil Kimber
Steve T in Sunday Preaching Mode
10 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
Our Trip to Abingdon house even though we understand a huge number of visitors ask is this where CK slept? or was this CK’s sitting room? Through committed hard work fundraising and an army of volunteers the two properties were amalgamated into one to form the impressive headquarters. Recently the new meeting room was established which among other memorabilia house a nice example of a MG Y type with a fascinating history and a very pleasant place to relax and take in the ambiance of the whole place. Colin showed the second group a r o u n d t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s , highlighting the editors office, archive department, library and pointing out several pieces of memorabilia donated by Car Club members and the public. Colin pointed out that by a stroke of luck the MGCC was able to secure most of the factory records of cars assembled from the early 30’s right through to the day the factory closed. Mary Medhurst was particularly keen to see if records of her early MG were available. The groups viewed the RWA Midget now wrapped in Macmillan livery ready for its round Britain trip to publicise the Car Clubs affiliation with the cancer charity during 2013 and it will be displayed at MG Live this year. Following the tour Richard’s wife arranged for lunch at the Boundary House public house which was the home of Cecil Kimber in the early years. The route to the pub was on the test route used for sorting out all the pre delivery problems on the cars, truly a PDI innovation that paid dividends as the route was chosen for its high speed straight, twisting corners and bumpy road surface. Any problems were noted and rectified at the factory before delivering to the customer.
Richards’s wife chose an excellent lunch venue which of course was appropriately to close the morning’s events. Good food Old Speckled Hen on draught, yes we even learnt the story of the speckled hen as well. To our surprise the Landlord produced a stove enamelled advertising sign for Safety Fast MG which was duly presented to Richards’s wife.
The Macmillan RWA Midget
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Back to the coach in the rain for a trip into Abingdon to the historic County Hall Museum to see the display showing the last MGB to leave the MG car factory. The trip ended around 4 pm and yes rain drops were still fallin’ on my head. Thanks go to Steve Hopkins who very kindly arranged the executive travel in his charabanc and Steve & Barbara Trafford who made it all happen.
Another day of Enjoying MG!
Ade & Sallie Lunn
Our Trip to Abingdon
The Boundary House The Home of Cecil Kimber
The Landlord parting with the Attic Treasure
A fitting end to our MGCC HQ visit
12 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
As many members will already know, the MG Owners’ Club is one of the main sources for spares and accessories for all MGs from the MGA onwards (and some other Rover products too). Some of the new products introduced this year include:
Product News
For further details of these and other items, contact MGOC Spares on 01954 230928 or go onto their website www.mgocspares.co.uk Quoted prices are for National Club members and include VAT.
13 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
Market Place
Limited Edition
Club Logos Aluminium plaques with
self adhesive backing
Small (50x40mm) £1.00
Large (50x75mm) £1.50
or
£2.00 for the pair See Roger Pratten for details:
[email protected] 01604 718285
If you have anything for sale or are trying to locate that elusive part, place an advertisement here. Non-trade adverts are FREE to members. Trade and non-member advertisers are asked for a small donation to club funds. Adverts will only appear for a three month period. If you wish to place an advert or continue/cancel your existing one, please contact the Secretary or email the Editor at [email protected]
Remember these guys? Yep, they’re our Bear family - dad Morris, mum Gertrude, daughter Beatrice and son Morris minor! After their trips around the UK and Europe last year, they’re desperate to escape the cold and damp and join members on their holidays and trips out. If you are interested in temporarily adopting one of the family members and taking them on a trip, contact Stu Simons for more information.
14 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
WANTED ... As alluded to in the Secretary’s column, the Committee are in need of someone to edit our monthly More Graffiti magazine. The idea candidate should be educated to at least Professor grade ... No, that’s not true! We need someone who is able to commit a few hours a month and who ideally, is familiar with Microsoft
® Publisher 2007.
Anyone who is interested should contact the Secretary, Stuart Simons who can give further information. Whilst it is essential that the editor possess a PC running Windows XP or later. We can supply the Publisher software if necessary. It should be stressed that any candidate need not attend meetings or, indeed be local as they would not necessarily be expected to print and send the magazine to members. Also they are not required to p r o d u c e t h e electronic version which is distributed by email to members and other interested parties. [email protected]
15 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
More Graffiti online - back issues
Listed below are the original links that were emailed to members
when each month’s More Graffiti magazine was published.
Look back and remember and, for newer recruits to the online
magazine, see what you missed.
Stuart Simons. It is also possible to view the files on a tablet computer such as an iPad or similar and also a number of smartphones (eg the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy range). If you manually type in the web addresses, CAREFULLY type the link as it is displayed being aware that the link is case sensitive and that a round “O” is the letter and an oval “0” is a zero. April 2011 http://bit.ly/fhpjNO May2011 http://bit.ly/iit3GC June 2011 http://bit.ly/mK0qtt July 2011 http://bit.ly/n8OtMh August 2011 http://bit.ly/p83O0z September 2011 http://bit.ly/nLYAK1 October 2011 http://bit.ly/nOM02y November 2011 http://bit.ly/u7Y2t6 December 2011 http://bit.ly/s15KZ3 January 2012 http://bit.ly/xUT2xp February 2012 http://bit.ly/wSIwMA March 2012 http://bit.ly/wg5qGO April 2012 http://bit.ly/HHF2Mu May 2012 http://bit.ly/JeASLq June 2012 http://bit.ly/KNbr7O July 2012 http://bit.ly/N0Dv8D August 2012 http://bit.ly/MLjksP September 2012 http://bit.ly/O9n3RV October 2012 http://bit.ly/PLhHM6 November 2012 http://bit.ly/TwH7lF December 2012 http://bit.ly/SINZed January 2013 http://bit.ly/13cgB48 February 2013 http://bit.ly/11i8Zjq
There are also a number of other files saved online. These include a special edition MGB50 magazine and some video footage. MGB50 Special Edition: http://bit.ly/vx0ct8 Fueltopia Barrel Sprint Video: http://bit.ly/vtgyCv Mallory Park 2011 Video: http://bit.ly/sAdhxC BTCC MG6 Launch Video: http://youtu.be/yM4aHZkmgjA
16 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
Odds and ... Did You Know?
The first ever Haynes “Owner’s Workshop Manual” was published in 1966 and was for ...
It may have looked ungainly but this MGA sparked the move towards monocoque construction at Abingdon
THE CHAV PRAYER
Our father, who are in prison Mother knows not his name.
Thy chavdom come, thy shoplifting be done In JBB Sports as it is in Poundland.
Give us this day our welfare bread.
And forgive us our ASBOs.
As we happy-slap those who give evidence against us.
And lead us not into employment.
But deliver us free housing.
For thine is the chavdom The Burberry and the Blackberry.
For ever and ever.
Innit.
17 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
MORE GRAFFITI - WORDSEARCH
Aaron Agatha Alice Andrew Anthony Austin Abigail Aidan Alison Angela April Aylwin Abraham Alan Alma Angus Archibald Adam Alastair Amanda Anita Arlene Adelaide Alexander Ambrose Ann Arnold Adrian Alfie Amy Annabelle Arthur Adrienne Alfred Andrea Anthea Audrey
E N E L R A R A R A A A E O E
N A A A M S D W G N N R C D N
N L I L L A E A G N I I I A A
E F A E M R T U A A W A L R I
I I B G D H S B D C L T A T R
R E D N A X E L A E Y S E H D
D E A A A L A A D M A A A U A
A P R I L B I A A A U L L R L
D Y P E I A R E L I D A I O I
N O N H D A E A M B R O S E A
A N C O N E R H H H E A O A G
M R A D H N R N T A Y I N T I
A A R O N T N F O N M D O I B
T E A L A N N L L L A A N N A
A N I T S U A A T A D N T A R
Names beginning with ‘A’
A
18 Copyright © 2013 Northants MG Owners’ Club Online Edition
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