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EditorialComment 1CommitteeNotes 2Events11LocalClubMeets19MembersCorner23Regalia27Contacts28

MGCC SE Newsletter Contents Page

MGCC SE

July 2021 Newsletter EditorialNote

WewelcomeyoutotheJulyNewsletteraswemovetowardstheendoflockdownandhopefullyagoodrestofseasonforMGmotoring.Thiseditioncoversthesecondquarter21andexpectationsforfollowingsixmonths.SeePages11-18foreventsheldwithintheGovernmentLockdownLiftingplan!

AmusingorotherwisepleasecontinuetosendinfurtherMGnews,picturesandstoriesforthenextnewslettertoscribe@mgccse.co.uk

if you or your fellow member is not receiving the quarterly SE newsletter via email it may be because your up-to-date email address is not held by the main administration at Abingdon. To update your details either go to the Members login area of MGCC web site, email mgcc@mgcc.co.uk or call 01235 555552.

YourNewsletterEditors/ScribesandtheircarsWillOpiehasbeenamemberoftheMGCCSEforover40yearsowningamultitudeofMGvariantsandcurrentlyleadstheNorthDownsNatter–picturedbelowleft.RayRuffelswasintroducedtoMGmotoringwhilstworkingforWadhamStringersinthelate1970’sandnowrunsseveralclassicMGsplusaZT-Tdaily-driverpicturedbelowright.

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July 2021

CommitteeNotesChairman’sReport

Chairman’sSummerMessage–ChrisLeigh

IampleasedtosaythatatlastoursmallNatterandWandergroupshavebeenabletoreturntoamorenormalprogrammeofeventsdespitethecontinuingneedforsocial-distancingandface-masks.AsIwritethisreport,restrictionsarestillinplacewhichlimitindoorcateringnumbers.Althoughwelookforwardtothedaywhentheselimitsdisappear,manyhotelsandvenuesarehelpingwiththeprovisionofsafer,tentedoutdoorareasforustoenjoyandmanyofourgroupsaretakingadvantageofthese.

Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankthosemanymemberswhohavehelpedtoorganisethesesmalllocaleventsandsayabigthankyoutothoseofyouwhosupportedour24thApril“Drive-it-Day”eventtoRottingdeanandourmorerecentSpringRunon23rdMaytoadmirethebeautifulrhododendronsandazaleasatLeanardsleeGardens.Bothofthesetwoeventsattractedlargenumbersofcarsandwereapprovedduetothespecialconditionsagreedwiththegovernmentrecognised“nationalsportingbody”–TheMSUK.Thismostdefinitelyprecludesanybodyentering“ontheday”etc.butwedidcollectsome£492forcharity!IampleasedtosaythatJohnMorgan’sfastidiousworkwiththeMSUKonourbehalfhasnowbeenacknowledgedbyourCommitteewiththepresentationofa“specialawardforservicesrenderedduringthepandemic”andthatAbingdonHeadquartershassubsequentlyinvitedJohntobecomeakeymemberoftheir“eventregulationsnationalsteeringgroup”!

HavingjustreturnedfromIan&PaulaRussell’sAshNattervisittoEastAnglia,Imustpraisethembothandtheirchosenvenue,notonlyforarrangingsomeexcellentweatherbutforthelargecovered,heatedoutdoordiningareacompletewithawarmoutdoorswimmingpool,allofwhichmadeourstaysoenjoyable!

IwouldliketoacknowledgeourdebttoTonyAtcheson,whohasbeeninpostasCentreTreasurerformanyyearsbutwasalsoproactiveintakingonRegaliaandmembershipanalysiswhentheneedarose.TonywaskindenoughtomakesurethatwehadasuitablereplacementbeforeretiringfromtheCommitteeandIfeelsurethatwewillcontinuetoseehimatCentreevents.Tony–wearehavingtoreplaceyouwiththreenewpeople!

InplaceofTony,wenowwelcomeRonKempasournewCentreTreasurer.RoncomestoushighlyrecommendedbytheFRegisterforwhomhedidasimilarjob!WealsowelcomeAlexLemonandMikeChittendenwhohavealsorecentlyjoinedtheCommitteetosharethetaskoflookingafterCentreRegalia.

Earlierthismonth,RayRuffelsandIheldourfirstface-to-facemeetingwithanMGMotorfranchise,meetingMalcolmYoungthemanageroftheFGBarnesCanterbury.TheMGCarClubhasalwaysbeeninclusiveandwhileothercarclubsaresufferingfromalackofyoungermembers,Ileftthatmeetingfeelingveryoptimisticaboutourclub’sfuturemembershipprospects.ItwaslatergratifyingtoseeamemberoftheAshNatterdrivingoneofthenewallelectricMGestatecarsaroundNorfolk!

ThisyearitwasimpossibletoproduceourusualprintedSouthEastCentreCalendarandMGLiveandStoneleighwerealsocancelledduetoCovidrestrictions.IamawarethatsomeofourmembersarenowplanningtovisitthenewMG/TriumphShowon13-15thAugustinGreatMalvern.Whatevertypeofeventyouenjoy,pleasegetintothehabitofcheckingourwebsitesatwww.mgccse.co.ukforthelatestSEinformation.

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July 2021

CommitteeNotesAbingdonMattersUpdate

ABINGDONMATTERS

SinceourlastSENewsletterinAprilmanychangeshavetakenplaceatAbingdonbutlittlehasbeenpublishedaboutanyofthem.IwasrashenoughtostateinourlastNewsletterthatdetailsofanyExtraordinaryGeneralMeetingwouldbeadvertisedinSafetyFastbutasyouwillnowknowthissimplydidn’thappen.AnEGMwasheldon17thAprilafterwhichtheremainingDirectorsofMGCarClubLtdhadresigned,statingthattheywereactingintheinterestsofclubunity.TheEGMthenelectedanewsetofDirectorsandasaresultofthischangeanumberofourAbingdonemployeesresignedfromtheirpostssayingthattheywereunhappywiththenewregime.

ItshouldbenotedthattheseunpaidDirectorswerevotedinbythevastmajorityofvotingmembersfromtheclub’sCRBswithapromiseofgreatertransparency.ThecurrentdirectorsofMGCarClubLtdare:

DaveTynan(Chairman)PeterCook(ViceChairman)

DavidRainsbury(Treasurer)LorraineNoble-Thompson

HowardGoslingRoyLocock

ColinWithers

SomenewstaffstillneedtoberecruitedbutthroughoutthisperiodCovidruleshaveappliedwhichmeansthattheofficeisrunbystaffinrotationwhilstmosthaveworkedfromhome.Thecurrentfullandparttimestaffingsituationis:

RoyLocock(ActingGeneralManager)LizAllsworth(Membership)

WayneScott(Press/Media/PR)GemmaBray(Communications)

InekeSherman(returnstoMerchandising)MarkBaulch(Competitions)

AndyKnott(SafetyFastEditor)ColinGrant(DeputyEditor)

PeterNeal(Archive

NoreplacementyetshownforAdamSloman(Manager)orLauranGallagher(AssistantManager)

MGCarClubLtdisaservantoftheclubitselfanditwillnotsurpriseyoutoknowthattheunpaidExecutiveCommitteeDirectorsarekeen,enthusiasticMGownersliketherestofus.

MinutesofGeneralMeetingsandExecutiveCommitteemeetingsareusuallypublishedontheMGCCwebsiteforallmemberstoread.Youcanseeforyourselfhowyourmembershipsubscriptionisbeingspent.Wehavenotedthat£11,000ofyourmoneywasspentinanunusualway(EditorComment-torepaylegalfeesincurredtotheV8Register)threedaysafterthenewExecutiveCommitteewasvotedinduringApril2021

Continuedbelow-

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July 2021

CommitteeNotesAbingdonMattersUpdateCompetitionandEventsUpdate

N.B.-Thisinformationwasup-to-dateatthetimeofpublicationandthesedetailsandmanymoreareavailabletomembersfromtheMGCarClubwebsites.IfyouarehavinganydifficultiesaccessinganypartsoftheMGCCwebsitepleasephoneforassistancefromAbingdon,simplycall01235555552.InformationaboutthehistoryandstructureoftheclubisalsoavailableontheMGCCwebsitesandonWikipedia.

Thisclubisstillaclubrunbymembersformembers–pleasegivethemappropriatesupport!

ChrisLeighChairman-SouthEastCentre

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

SECentreEventsandCompetitionsTheSECentrehasruntheeventslistedintheAprilNewsletter,allCOVIDcompliantandwellsupportedasreportedelsewhereinthisnewsletter.Sadly,theliftingofthefinalrestrictionshasbeendelayedfromJune21stuntilJuly19th,sountilthen,themaximumgroupsizeof30outdoorsornomorethan6peopleor2householdsindoorsremains.MGCovid19compliantactivitiessofarhavebeenorganisedregionallyandlargelycoordinatedviathelocalmeetings,NattersandWanderersGroups,dokeepincontactwithyourlocalcoordinator.InKent,theactivitieshavebeenprincipallyorganisedbytheNattersinCanterbury,EastKentWanderers,NorthDownsandTrotiscliffe.ForSurreyandSussex,inadditiontotheNatters,theDrive-it-Dayruntothecoast,SpringRuntoLeonardsleeandMGdisplayatBrooklandsalltakeplaceasmentionedpreviously.

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July 2021

CommitteeNotesCompetitionandEventUpdate

PlanningisunderwayforaSEeventinAugust,probablysimilartotheSpringRunwithashortdrivingrunandaninterestingvenue.ThiswillbefollowedbytheAutumnGatheringatLullingstoneCastleon19thSeptember.AsmentionedinthelastNewsletter,theSECentreiskeentostartsomecompetitiveeventsinparticipationwithothermotoringclubsintheSE.ThetypeofeventswassummarisedintheJanuaryNewsletterandareallnonecardamagingincludingplanningforanAutumnTrialtobeinitiatedshortly.Otheroptionsincludegrassautotests(someclassedastasterevents).Pleasecontactme,JohnMorgan,CompetitionSecretary,ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationortoconfirmaninteresttotakepart/haveago.TheSECentreisalsopartakinginanMGCCmainclubworkingpartytoreviewrequirementsforclubeventstobefullyMotorsportUKcompliantandensurethatthecorrectguidanceisavailableontheClubwebsite.ItshouldberememberedthateventsrunundertheMotorsportUKpermits/certificateofexemptionarefullyinsuredbyMotorsportUK.ThisrequireseventstobeplannedinaccordancewiththeMotorsportUK‘BlueBook’thatsummarisestherulesandobtainingpermits/certificateofexemptionensurecompliancewiththeRoadTrafficAct/MotorVehicles(CompetitionandRallies)regulations.AnyothereventssuchasNatteractivitiesorSocialRunsrelyontheMGCCclubinsuranceandstillhavetocomplywithstatutoryregulations(onlyexemptif12carsorless)

JohnMorgan–CompetitionSecretaryContact:competitions@mgccse.co.ukorcall07802770025

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CommitteeNotesProvisionalSECentreCalendarSummaryNext6Months2021

July 2021

SeeSafetyFastSouth-Eastnotesformonthlyupdates,SocialMediaandtheMGCCSEwebsiteforinformationonplannedeventsplusupdatesonpastevents.Duetotheon-goingCovid19GovernmentLockdownLiftingPlanalleventscouldbesubjecttochangesokeepup-to-dateviacontactwithyourlocalNatterandWanderersleader/sandviatheSouthEasternCentrewebsiteat-http://www.mgccse.co.uk.

Date

Event Location Contact

July4th

AlternativePoo1

SurreyOaks,Newdigate

JohnMorgan07802770025

July19th AlternativePoo2

ThePheasantBetchworthRH37BG

JohnMorgan07802770025

July26th7pm

PheasantNatterBarbecue

WalcountiansRFC,ClockhouseGround,CarshaltonRoad,BansteadSM73HU

ContactJohnMorgan07802770025Johnv.morgan@btinternet.com

SundayAugust1st

BrooklandsAutojumble&.ClassicCarShow

BrooklandsKT130QN

TBC

August12th

AlternativePoo3Re-arranged

TheFairmilePub,CobhamKT111BW

JohnMorgan07802770025

SundaySept5th

ShereHillClimb

StapleLaneNrGuildfordGU47RL

MGCCSETBC

Sept26th ProductionCarTrial

NearMaidstoneTBC

JohnMorgan07802770025

Sept19th AutumnGathering

LullingstoneCastle,DartfordDA40JA

AndrewPhilipsandrewmgfvvc@gmail.com

October

AutumnNaviscat

TBC TBC

November

Chairman’sDay&AGM

TBC TBC

December BlackHorseTreasureHunt

BlackHorsePub

TBC

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July 2021

CommitteeNotesWeb&SocialMedia

SouthEastontheWeb–TimMorris

Weareencouragingmemberstousetheonlinefacilitiesoftheclub.ItistheplacewhereyouwillfindallthelatestinformationabouttheSouthEastCentreandalltheeventsthatarebeingplanned,plusreviewsandpicturesofthosethathavetakenplace.You’llalsofindarchivecopiesofthisnewslettertolookbackon.Itisgratifyingthatanincreasingnumberofmembersarefindingthesitewithnearly1600viewsinMayandwhatislookinglikeasimilarnumberinJune–ifyouarenotsurewhereitisthentheurliswww.mgccse.co.uk.Themostpopularpagesthatpeoplevisitotherthanthehomepagearetheeventslistandthenatterslist,soitisclearpeoplearetryingtofindoutwhatisgoingonintheSouthEastCentre.

InterestinglyalargeproportionofpeoplefindingthewebsitearedirectedbyourFacebookpagesanditistherethatyouwillfindthebanguptodatestuff!Therearetwopages–oneispublicfacingandgivesdetailsofeventsandreviews,youcanmakecommentsbutitisonlytheCentrethatcanpostinitiallyonit.Thesecondrunsoffthebackofthatandisamemberonlychatgroup–onthereyoucanpostitemsyourself,askquestions,showusyourcar,posteventpictures–anythinggoes,withinMGreasonofcourse!Tojointhatyouneedtoansweracoupleofquestionsaboutyourmembershipincludingyourmembershipnumber.YouwillfindthisnewsletterhasarrivedalittledifferentlytooaswehavemovedovertoMailchimptosenditouttoyou.Wehopethatthiswillprovidebettermanagementofouremaillists,you’llfindanunsubscribebuttononthebottomifyoudon’twanttohearfromusanymore,naturallywehopeyoudon’tusethatonebutwedorealisethatmembersselltheirMGsandmoveonsometimes.

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CommitteeNotesWeb&SocialMedia

July 2021

Youwillhavefoundthisbyclickingalinkintheinitialemail-thisstopsanyissueswiththesizeoftheemailcloggingupyoursystemorcausingittobeundeliveredandpreventspotentiallayoutissuestoo.Thebigadvantageisthattheactualsendingoftheemailiscontrolledandwillnolongerriskourpersonalemailboxesbeingblacklisted!WeareonlyrecordingyournameandemailaddressinMailchimp,whichisasecuresystem,andyourdetailswon’tbepassedtoanyotherorganisation.However,ifyouwouldratheryourdetailsnotbestoredinthiswaythenpleaseunsubscribeandtheywillbedeleted–thetroubleisyouwon’treceivetheemailnewslettereither!

Finally,wehavegivenallthenatterleadersandcommitteemembersnewmgccse.co.ukemailaddressestohelpcontactthem.Theyareforwardingaddressessowhentheyreplyitwillcomefromadifferentaddress,don’tworryastheyarereal!You’llfindallthoseonthewebsitetoo.

Clickhereforwebsite:www.mgccse.co.uk

FacebookPublicPage:www.facebook.com/mgccse

FacebookChat:https://www.facebook.com/groups/259127225161827

PicturesfromourchatgrouponFacebook:

1. Letusknowwhat’shappeninginyournatters–WilliamOpiedidwiththispost,below,abouttheNorthDownsNatter

2. Youcansharevideostoo–TimMorrispostedthisgentlefilmaboutBrooklandsvolunteersfettlingtheMuseumMGs–seeabove.

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July 2021

CommitteeNotesCommitteeChangesTrophyAwards

CommitteeChangesWearepleasedtoinformmembersofseveralSECommitteechanges.AlexLemonandMikeChittendenhaveagreedtotake-overmanagementoftheClubRegalia.AlexwillfocusonsalesanddevelopmentandMikeonadministration.WealsohaveanewTreasurerwithRonKemptakingonthisrolefollowingtheretirementofTonyAtchesonafter6yearsintherole.WewishTonyallthebestforthefutureRoncomestouswithawealthofexperiencegainedwhilstworkingtheMGFRegisterinasimilarjob!……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………OurChairmanChrisLeighpresentingtheMGCCSEBestArticle2020AwardtoNickHolyerforanarticleaboutbuildinghisQTypeReplica

Below,StuartManser&JaninaDowneywinnersofthe2020LingfieldTrophyafterbeingpresentedbyChrisandJaniceLeigh.TheLingfieldTrophyispresentedannuallyforthebestoverallperformanceintheNaviscatseriesofevents.

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October 2020

CommitteeNotesNewMembersInitiative

July 2021

VisittoFGBarnesMGMotorsCanterbury–RayRuffels

OurChairmanChrisLeighandMalcolmYoung(SalesManager)picturednexttothenewMG5EVEstate!ThestrategyisforMGCCSEtoengagewithmajorMGUKnewcardealersintheMGCCSEareaanddevelopagoodworkingrelationshipwhichwillbenefitbothparties.ThefirstmeetingwaswhenChrisLeighandmyselfvisitedFGBarnes(arrivingintwoMGAs!)themajorMGsupplierintheEastKentareawithbranchesinCanterburyandMaidstone.Thisrepresentsagoodopportunitytobothparties,theCarClubtoderivenewmembersandprovideaddedvaluetonewMGcustomers/ownersWewillalsobeabletoworktogetheratEventssuchasnewcardisplaysandNatterscanutiliseMGCanterburyfacilitiesforclubmeets.ImportantlytheSE1500memberscouldbeconsideredacaptiveaudienceforthepurchaseofnewMGsduetotheirexistingbrandloyalty.ThegoodnewsisthatMalcolmYoungisveryengagedandhasagreedtoworkwithMGCCSEincludingdistributingthenewMGCCSEintroductoryletter/informationpackstoallnewMGowners,thesettingupofanaffinityschemeforthediscountedpurchaseofnewcarsforSEmembersandapendingmeetingistoexpandthisarrangementtoincludeMaidstoneFGBarnesandalsootherqualifyingdealerswillbecontactedgoingforward.

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EventsDriveitDay

July 2021

DriveitDayRun–TimMorris

WhatfinerdaycouldhavedawnedforthefirstMGCCSErunoftheyear,bright,crispandsunny–idealforatopdowndrivetotheseaside.

Impeccablyorganised,asyouwouldexpectfromJohnMorgan,therunwasheldwithfullapprovalofMotorsportUKandstrictlyCovidsafe.Thatmeantlotsofpaperworkbeforehand,socialdistancingatthestopandnogatheringatthefinish.ThatalsomeantthosetakingpartwerenotrestrictedtoaspecificgatheringandMGscouldbefounddottedinsmallcarparksalongtheclifftopstotheeastofBrightonattheend.Smallgroupsoffriendscouldgettogetherforpicnicsoronoutsidebenchesatlocalpubs,nomorethansixthough.

ThestaggeredstartatDenbiesVineyardaboveandgaveanopportunitytotopupwithbottlesofSurreyGoldbeforesettingoffattimedintervalstoheadintotheSurreyHills.TherunitselftookplaceonminorroadsallthewaythroughtoRottingdeanwithjustaverybriefflirtationwiththeA27.Dappledsunlightfilteredthroughthetreesastheirnewgreencanopybegantocoverthelanes,bluebellscouldbespottedinthewoodsandblossomsstillremainedinmanyofthetrees.ItwasatypicalspringdayandintypicalsmallvillagefashionwewereheldtoransominWarninglid!

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EventsDriveitDay

July 2021

Approachingthevillage,theMGsslowedandadmiredthebuntingonthequainthousesliningtheroadway,stallswereoutsideandarathertallladyswoopeddownrattlingabucket–allinaidoftheStCatherine’sHospice.Having“paid”ourtolltheMGscontinuedonthejourneytothecoast.Itwasallingoodfunandifanymembersoftheconstabularyarereadingthis,weweren’treallyheldtoransom–honest

Infact,themaincharityofthedaywasNSPCCChildlineandsomeoftheproceedsoftheentryfeewenttothecharityraisingover£400.

HavingfoundthecorrectlaneunderneaththeJackandJillwindmillsandcircumnavigatedthepeakofDitchlingBeacontheMGsarrivedinRottingdeanwheretherewasadrive-by–checkpoint(whatwereyouthinking?)DulytickedoffthelistandphotographedthecarsweredrawntotheglisteningsurfaceoftheEnglishChannel.Picnicsonthebeachorontheclifftops,icecreamsandwalksalongthepromweretheorderoftheafternoon.

AsplendiddayoutanditwassimplygreattobeoutandaboutonceagainwiththeSouthEastCentreaftermonthsoflockdown.BelowtheRottingdeanfinishteamandHudson-Bradleyunderthecliff

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July 2021

EventsSpringRuntoLeonardsleeLakesandGardens

SpringRuntoLeonardsleeLakeandGardens23rdMay2021–TimMorris

Thequestionwaswhetheritwasgoingtobeananorak,jumperandwindcheaterdayorTagumboots,umbrellaandsou’westerday?ItturnedouttobeabitofbothasyoumightexpectfromtheBritishclimateattheendofMay,itisnearlySummerafterall.ItdefinitelywasnotaT-shirtandshortsday,however.

TworunsintoLeonardsleeLakesandGardensconvergedundergreyanddarkeningskies.ThestartswereatBockettsFarm,LeatherheadintheNorth,andattheRedLion,Ashingtoninthesouth.WegatheredatBocketts,arrivingtobetickedoffbywillingvolunteersandparkingconvenientlyclosetotheentranceoftheFarm.MGsarrivedreadytosetoffattheirtimeallocatedslots,toavoidcrowdingatthestart.AwidevarietyofMGsgatheredfromanMGZTV8toDaveNaylor’smucholderMGL2(Davesadlywouldnotquitegettothefinishpoint,havingbrokendownhalfway.HewasnotalonethoughasPhilipBayne-Powellinhis14/40alsosufferedasimilarfate.

DaveandAnnNaylorsetoffintheL2–theydidn’tquitegettothefinishthough!

Theallottedtimearrivedandcarssetoffforthe36mileruntoLeonardsleecarefullyavoidingthemyriadoflycracladcycliststhatseemtoinhabittheSurreyHillsthesedays.Oh,forthedayswhenitwasjusthorseriderswehadtowatchoutfor!Leafy,narrowlanesfreshlywasheddownbyintermittentrainshowersweretheorderforthefirsthalffollowedbyslightlywiderBroadsasweheadedtowardsthefinishpoint.Itwasindeedaveryscenicroute(Iamsurethesouthroutewasequallyscenictoo!)andluckily,weweren’taccostedbyaverytallladyshakingabucketasontheDriveitDayRun!

14

July 2021

EventsSpringRuntoLeonardsleeLakeandGardens

Topicnicornottopicnic,thatwasthequestiononarrivalatLeonardslee.Itwaslookinggreyandyoucanseeagooddistancefromthemuchimprovedcarpark–andinthatdistanceyoucouldseetherainfalling.So,itwastimetositinthecarsforabitandlettheshowerpass.Thatwasitandtheremainsofthedayprovedcomparablyfinesowedidgettositoutinthecarparkhandenjoyourspoilsfromhome.

Toporganizer-JohnMorganincolourfulpose

Suitablysustainedweheadedforthevalleygardensandtheyweretrulyspectaculardespitethebesteffortsofthegaleforcewindsinthefewdayspriortotheclub’svisit.Rhododendronsandazaleaswereinpeakbloomandthelastofthecamelliasandmagnoliaswerestilltobeseentoo.Thefreshgreenleaveswereallunfurlingprovidingastunningbackdroptotherowofcascadinglakesandmanyaphotographwascaptured.

Itwasyetanotherbrilliantlyorganised,covidsafe,dayoutwiththeMGCarClubSouthEastandmanythanksgotoJohnMorgan,AndrewMitchellandtheteamforalltheirhardworkandattentiontodetail.Wearealreadylookingforwardtothenextevent!

15

BrandsHatchSpringMeeting-WillOpie

Ontheweekendof24th/25thMarchBrandsplayedhosttotheMGCCSpringmeetwith10racesontheSaturdayand10onSunday.Unfortunately,spectatorswerenotallowedduetocovidrestrictions,fortunatelyIwasinvitedtogodescribedasa‘mechanichelper’foraMMMfriend.Thisworriedmesomewhatbutmymainrolewasincheckingtyrepressuresandhelpinggettheoverallsonthedriver!AlltheactivitywasdowninthelowerpitareashelteredfromthecoldNEwind.

The machinery in the pits was a great sight with MG’s accompanied by Healeys, Triumphs TVR’s and Jaguars on the circuit. MMM cars and the Blown N type engine of Oliver Sharp below.

28 MMM cars were also racing, an incredible turnout for the Mary Harris Trophy on the Sunday. The sound of superchargers filled the air for a race packed 15 minutes, positively exhilarating! Full details were in the June issue of Safety Fast.

EventsBrandsHatchMGRacing

July 2021

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July 2021

EventsFairmileBrooklandsTwoCarDisplay

Fairmile“BrooklandsTwo”CarDisplay12thJune–JonGlover

FollowingoursuccessfullittlegatheringforourNatterfaithfulandfriends–about20finevehicles–inOctoberlastyear,IanAilesandIdecidedthatareturnvisit,mightbeinorderaswemightgetupto25iftheweatheriskind.June12thwasthedateallottedtousbyourBrookland’smate,theeveraccommodatingSteveCastle.

In‘normal‘timesthatwouldhavebeen,a‘DoubleTwelve‘daycelebratingtheformer24hourracewhichin1930becamea2dayeventcomprisingtwo12hourcontestsfollowingvociferousprotestsbylocalresidentswhoobjectedtolosinganightssleep.Howappropriatethatin1931theracewaswonbyMGsonhandicap,beatingamongothersthemightyBentleys.ThestartofagoldeneraforMG,theirracingprowessboostingsalesofthetinyMidget.

Somehowbyaprocessofinternetosmosis,ourplannedlittleNatteroutingbecameamajorevent,almostcompensatingforthelossofTheMuseums’MGEra‘eventforthesecondyearrunning!AswellasopeninguptoallSECMembers,webecameaconduitfor2Anniversarycelebrations,bothdelayedbyayear.

WewerejoinedbyourfriendsinTheMGCCVintageRegister,celebratingtheir60thandcarsfromtheFRegister,marking25yearssincetheblockbusterlaunchoftheMGFatTheGenevaMotorShow.Toaddspicetothemix,myLondonfriendsinTheWaterlooClassicsGroup,venturedfromTheMetropolisinaneclecticmixofcarsincludingseveralMG’sa1959Corvette,aJaguarXK120andaRonartRacer.

So,inallover100carsforthepublictoenjoy,stationaryinourparkedgroups,oronthemoveindemonstrationlapsroundthefinishingstraight.TheMuseumalsocontributeditsownMG’s,theirblackandredMidgetandthelateColinReynold’sCreamCrackerrestoration.

17

July 2021

EventsFairmileBrooklandsTwoCarDisplay

OurFairmileNatter/SECgroupnumberseasilyexceededthecurrentCovidprotocolsputinplacebytheMuseum,meaningthatcarsdisplayedonthebankingandtowardsTheMembersBridgehadtobesplitinto2groups–PreandPost1980.

InthePredisplayspecialmentiongoestoJohnLangford’s1964Magnette.Theoriginalladyownerleftthiscartoa12yearoldNephew,whoseemstohaveshownlittleinterestinthebequestasthecarlanguished,slowlyrottinginstoragefordecadesuntilfinallypurchasedfor£750.ThecarisnowanabsolutelydelightfulacredittoJohnafterafullpainstakingrestoration.

MarkHanson,whoalwaysturnsupininterestingMGsfromhiscollection,arrivedwithhisWorksMGAwhich,onastandardengine,competedsuccessfullyinthe1956AlpineRallyandwasthefirstWorkscarracedbytheincomparablePatMoss–wellincomparabletoeveryonebutherrecentlydepartedbrother!

ThePostdisplayreflectedthegrowingappreciationforthelastoftheBritishMGRovers.TheseareclassicsNOW,withagreatfollowingamongtheappreciative.AmongtheF’s,IpickedoutDavidKoskela’sTF160Spectra-oneof25paintedinthisstrangelyChameleonlikepaintcolour-inonelightmauve,inthenextblueandsoon.AmongtheZ’s,IparticularlylikedDavidPrice’s180Monogram–oneofonly26built.

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July 2021

EventsFairmileBrooklandsTwoCarDisplay

ThenabracingwalkdowntheFinishingStraightslopetothePaddockfenceandtheearliestMGsdisplayedbyTheVintageRegister.Theincrediblyfreshstateofalltheearlymodelsdisplayeddrewadmiringcrowdsthroughouttheday.Worthyofparticularmention–PatrickGardener’s192818/80,withitscuteDickyor‘MotherinLaw’sperch‘andthemenacingTigressofAnthonyLittlejohn.Manyadmirers,newtothefirstMG’s,commentedonthesizeofthese3and4seatopensaloons.GiantscomparedtothelittleMidgetsalongside.

Whatelsetosay?

Otherthanwewereblessedwithablisteringlyhotday,whichremindedmeofsharinganicecreamataprevious‘DoubleTwelve‘onasimilarlyblazingday,withlegendaryMGRacer,Barry‘Sideways‘Sidery-Smith,theweekendbeforehedied.OurarrangementwithTheRedArrowstodoaFlyPastatMiddaywascostly,ontheNatterbudget,butwellworthit!IanandIagreethatwehaveneverreceivedsomanymessagesofappreciation–thankYOUforturningoutinsuchgreatnumbers.SpecialthankstoJohnDaviesforbringingSailflagsandtheCovidmarshalvesttobewornbyyourstruly–doesithavetobepink?

Asonewagpointedoutat4pmwhenmysunblockhadwornoff–

‘Atleastitmatchesyourhooter,Jon!’

Also,thankstoDavidKoskelaforfixingthefailedelectricwindowsonmycurrentMGFVVCbysimplyreplacingafuse.Well,yousee,you’veusedthewindowswhentheenginefanisrunning–theydon’tlikethat!

Somethingshaven’tchangedsince1928–‘Theydon’tlikethat‘!

19

July 2021

LocalClubMeetsNorthDownsSpringMeet

NorthDownsNatterSpringMeet–WillOpie/RayRuffels

ThePloughatStalisfieldNatterinEastKentcelebratedtheirfirsttasteofalmostLockdownfreedomonthe27thMaywith28MGfolkattendingonagloriousSunnyDay.TheLunchtimeeventprovedverypopularwith15MG’sfillingthecarparkofallages.

ThelatestadditiontotheNatteristhisimmaculateBlazeMidgetbelongingtoClareTayloracquiredveryrecentlyalthoughhusbandClivewasinthedriversseat!

LunchactioninthePubMarquee!

BelowColinLaddpullingawayinhislovelyJ2

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July 2021

LocalClubMeetsCanterburySpringMeet

MusingsfromCanterbury-JohnClark

The Canterbury MG Owners Workshop natter “kicks off the new season”!!…………. The second major stage of the Government’s exit roadmap happened with the 17th May being the date when we could meet outside in number and a limited amount inside. That being the case we arranged for a “social get together” at the Golden Lion on the 18th May, and what a success it was! With 25 folk having drinks, coffees and munchies in a very nice large gazebo in the pub garden It was great to catch up with everyone and talk about anything else but Covid! We even managed to get a few MG’s there! Our events calendar is off to a fine start, contrary to some might think, as East Kent is alive and well and on the ball with club and MG activities filling the calendar. Our first club meeting is on the 13th July, and by which time we all hope that we are fully released as it were. We are going to the car show at Deal in July, and the “Old Timers Show” on the Leas in August. Outings and runs are being planned by our active committee member and will be published shortly. The “Ladies Group” has the first visit of the year booked to a country estate and gardens, with of course the obligatory afternoon tea!

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July 2021

LocalClubMeetsSurreyWanderersMeet

SurreyWanderersMeet16thJune–SueJoel

"TheSurreyWanderersareback’!On16thJunewewereblessedwithfantasticweatheronthehottestdayoftheyearsofar,aswegatheredforcoffeeatKnight'sGardenCentrewherewesatoutsidewithamaximumofsixtoatable.Wethensetoffona24miledrivethroughlovelycountryside.Theonly'hiccup'wasaRoadClosedsign,whichmanyofusignoredandfoundwecouldgetthroughastheywereonlyfillingpotholesandletuspass!28ofusarrivedforlunchatTheRedBarn,BlindleyHeath,wheretheynowhavealargeoutdoorarea,underapergolaandamarquee-styleroof,sotherewasplentyofshadeaswellasfreshair.Itwaswonderfultobeabletochattosomanyfriendswehadnotseenforsolong,inspiteofsocialdistancing!ThankstoMalcolmandDoreenNichollsforalltheirhardworktomakehisgreathappen.

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July 2021

LocalClubMeetsEastKentWanderersMeeting

EastKentWanderers(EKW)MeetJune2nd–ChrisLeigh

TheEKWmeetwasagreatsuccess,startingattheFiveBellsatBrabourneLeesandfinishingatMGCCmemberGeorgeHomewood'ssecretfieldatMundayBoisforabring-your-ownpicnic.Itwaswonderfultoseeeveryoneintheflesh(asitwere)forachangeandIwasabletoarrangetwomoretrophypresentations.Belowisaselectionofpictures:

StartattheFiveBells-Brabourne

Bring-your-ownpicnicinGeorgeHomewood’sSecretField

GeorgeHomewood&RosieCarrpresentedwiththe2020AutumnNaviscatTrophy.

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July 2021

MembersCornerCheapasChipsMG!

CheapasChipsMG!–JohnBennett

WhenIwerealad,inmy20’sanyway,IrememberbuyingaroadworthyTCfor£170atatimewhenmyannualsalarywas£2,100,some8%ofmyincome.(Ilaterwentup-marketwitha£240TD!)ThecharmoftheMGmarqueatthetimewastheamountofaffordablefunthecarsgavetotheyouthofthecountry.Thepriceschargedforthesesamecarstodayclearlyputsthembeyondthereachofallbutweoldtimerswhosechildrenhavelefthome(mostly)andwhosemortgageshavebeenpaidoff.Whatatragedy!

Butholdonaminute.MyTCwasalmost20yearsoldwhenIowneditandits20year-oldMGequivalentstodayaretheF/TFrangewhosepricesstartaslowas£500,somuch,much,lessthan8%ofatypicalyoungperson’ssalary,assumingtheyareinworkatall.Admittedly,£500won’tbuyyouasmuchreliabilityasmy£170TCgavemeallthoseyearsagosoamorerealisticcomparisonmightbethe£2,000IpaidforadecentTFafewyearsago,or8%ofa£25,000salary.ItgaveveryfewmechanicalproblemsalthoughIdidhavetohavereplacementfrontwingsfittedbeforesellingatamodestloss.

Ihavejustbeenrashenoughtobuymy26thMG,a20year-old108,000mileZR160Steptronicfor£750,sightunseen.Stupidorwhat!Partofthelogicforthiswastoseeifcheap,reliable,fun,MGmotoringcouldstillbehadin2021.Ihalfexpectedittohaveheadgasketproblems,thoughnotimmediately,soitsfirsttriphadtobetoSteveLucasinPluckleytohavethatproblemdealtwithtogether,Ihoped,withafixtoallowthepassengerfrontwindowtogoupanddownoncommand.£270laterfoundmedrivinghomewithamulti-layerheadgasketfittedplusanewwindowmotor,waterpumpandtimingbelt.Whatmorecouldpossiblygowrong!

Theanswersoonturnedouttobethealternatorwhoseoutputmusthavebeenjustenoughtoruntheenginewithnoextrasbut,inheavyrain,IhadunsuspectedlybeenrunningwithalltheauxiliariesON.Inevitably,halfwayhome,thewipersbegantoslowdownandalthoughIthenswitchedeverythingOFF,Isoonlostthespeedocloselyfollowedbytheengine!ThankstoournobleChairman,Chris,whosoonarrivedwithhisjumpercables,Imanagedtonursethecarhome.So,thebalancesheethasnowhadanother£65addedforaChinesemadealternator,completewith3-yearguarantee,plus£170forathoroughserviceatmylocalGo-Tomechanic,Dean.

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July 2021

MembersCornerCheapasChipsMG

DoesthatmeanInowhaveadecentlyreliableandpresentablecar?Notquite.Istillneedtosortouttheseriouslyworndriver’sseatplusthepaintonallthewheelarcheshasbeguntobubble.IplantodealwiththoseissuesonaDIYbasisforabudgeted£100.Thiswillbringmytotaloutlaytoabout£1200consideringservicingasaninevitablemaintenanceoverhead,eventhough,cometothinkaboutit,IneedednohelptokeeptheoldTContheroad.

So,doIregretmypurchase?Absolutelynot!ThecarisgreatfuntodrivewiththattypicalMGcombinationofeagersurefootedresponsivenessanditlookstheparttoo.Puttingittorightsonabudgetisaninterestingchallengetoothatstillhassomewaytorun.

So,itseemsasthoughfunMGmotoringneednotbebeyondthemeansofyoungpeopletoday,justaswasthecase50yearsago!

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MembersCornerNBRe-union

July 2021

MGFRIENDSREUNITED

MGNBRe-Union–WillOpie

OnTuesdaythe1stSeptember1964ayoungteenagernamedJohnHillleftTorquayandcollectedfromSalisburyanMGNB4seaterregistrationBDD356forthegrandsumof£50pounds.HavingseenthecarshortlybeforeatthegarageJohnwaswellpleasedtocollectitonthatdayandstillhasthediaryentrycelebratingthefact.AstudentatthetimeandsomewhatimpoverishedtheNtypegavehim18monthsofpleasurebeforesellingitforaniceprofitin1966forthegrandsumof£75pounds.JohnhasbeenanactivememberoftheMGCarclubformanyyearsandactivelycampaignedwithhiswifeJennyanMGBinregularitytrialsovermanyyears.PreviouslyJohntriedtotrackdownthecarwiththehelpofafriendlyPolicemanwhenitwastracedinthelate60’stoanaddressinLondonW9butnotlicensed.FiftyfouryearslaterJohnspottedthecarinSafetyFastafteraphotowaspublishedofthecarperformingweddingdutiesformyyoungestdaughterin2018.Overtheyearssincerestoringthecarinthemid80’sithastravelledextensivelyandperformedweddingdutiesforbothourDaughter’sandfamilyfriendsincludingaweddinginFrance.Unbeknowntomyselffor15yearssinceacquiringthecaritwasactivelycampaignedinpre-wartrialsbyitsoriginal1936ownerHenryIrvingWilkesfromCheltenhamwhowasoneofasmallgroupoftripleawardwinnersin1937andmentionedinWheelspinthedefinitiveC.A.NMaybookontrials(Ihadthebookforyearsandnevermadetheconnection)ThecarfinishedupintheUSAnearSeattleformanyyearsbeforeimportingitinitsoriginalsadstateasarestorationproject.Iwasthefirsttorestoreitfromthegroundupbutitretainsmanyofitsoriginalfeaturesandwasusefultransportforouryoungfamily.So,onapre-covidsummersdayin2019Johnandhiswifecameovertobereunitedwiththecaranddriveitforthefirsttimein54years.Itboughtbackmanyhappymemoriestobereunitedonceagainwithsomethingyoulastsawasateenager!

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July 2021

MembersCornerBewareofyourInsurancePolicySmallPrint!

BewareofyourInsurancePolicySmallPrint–JohnMorgan

Irecentlyrenewedmyclassiccarinsurance.FormanyyearsIhavebeeninsuredwithPeterBestInsurancemainlybecausetheywereunderwrittenbyaninsurerwhodidnotspecifyunduesecurityrequirementswhenleavingthecarparked.

Theissuearosewhenmypreviousinsurerrequiredtherooftoberaised,windowsclosedanddoorslockedwheneverthecarwasparkedevenifoutonaClubrunoratarally.ItonlyappliedtocarswithdoorlockssuchasMGBsandMidgets.PeterBestoriginallyconfirmedthatitwasacceptabletoleavecarsopenaslongaspersonalpossessions,etc.werenotleftexposed.

So,uponrenewalthisyear,therenewaldocumentsconfirmedunder“ReasonableCare,’protectanyINSUREDVEHICLEfromlossordamage’”aswellasanintrusivegaragingrequirement.ThisisverymuchopentointerpretationandIsoughtclarification.Theresponsewas:

Thegaragingendorsementonthepolicywillonlycoverthevehiclesiftheyarekeptlockedwithinalockedgarage(asstated)betweenthehoursof23.00and06.00.Ifyouweretoleavethegarageorthevehiclesunlockedandatheftoccurred,youwouldnotbeinsured.Thegaragingendorsementonlyapplieswhenthevehicleiskeptattheriskaddress(yourhome).

Youwouldalsoneedtotakereasonablestepstosecurethevehiclesatallothertimes.Forexample,ifyouareawayfromhomeatavenueandthevehicleistobeleftunattended,thenthehoodneedstoberaised,windowsraisedandwhereavailabledoorslocked.Keysremovedfromignitionandpersonalpossessionsremovedfromshow.Hiscoxhaveconfirmedthatwhilstsittingonyourdrivewayathomeduringtheday,ifyouweretoleavethecarunattendedforashortperiod,i.e.togetacupofteaetc.,thenitwouldnotbenecessarytoraisehood/windowsetc.,however,pleasestillremovekeysfromignitionandlockvehicles(wherepossible),againdonotleaveitemsonshow.Ifthevehiclewastobeleftondrivewayforanylongerperiod,thenthehood/windowswouldneedtoberaisedaswell.

Thisistotallyunacceptableasitwouldresultinconstantraising/loweringofthehoodsonanysortofClubeventoractivityorseriousissuesifworkingonthecarinthegaragemeaningitcouldn’tbelocked.

Ataboutthistime,theMGCCchangeditspreferredinsurertoCherishedVehicleandbizarrelytheyonlyrequiredwindowstoberaisedanddoorslocked(againonlywherecarhavefitteddoorlocks)butthehooddidnothavetoberaisedandalternatively,thetonneaucountedasahood.

MyinsuranceisnowwithCherishedwhowerealsomorecompetitiveonprice.ThemoralofthestoryisCHECKYOURINSURANCEeachtimeyourenew.Ifthesmallprintisnotadheredtoandthecarstolen,therearealotofCCTVcamerasaroundthatcanprovehowthecarwasparked.

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RegaliaForSale

July 2021

RegaliaThefollowingmerchandiseisavailable:

Sweatshirt £21PoloShirt £16Umbrellas £21T-shirts £10BaseballCaps £8BeerGlasses £2.50BeerGlasses(pair) £4WindscreenStickers £1.60MGCCPens(blueorred) £3.50(specialoffer)MGCCSEMugs £5

Arecentaudithasdeterminedthattherearestockstoclear.Pleasetakealookattheaboveandseeifthereisanythingofinterest,inparticularthepoloshirts,t-shirtsandsweatshirts.Theclothingisunlikelytoberestockedforawhileasthecommitteedecidesonwhethertocontinuewiththeseitemsofnot.

WearenowabletotakepaymentsbyPaypal,soifyouwishtomakeapurchasepleasecontactAlexLemonatalex.lemon@mgccse.co.uk

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

4MidgetRostylewheelsforsalewithtyresinfairconditionContactRayRuffelson07970640219

Note-Toadvertiseyouritemsforsalehere-sendtoraywillmg@gmail.com

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SECENTRECOMMITTEEANDCONTACTS

President DerekEdwards 01737765891President@mgccse.co.uk

ChairmanChrisLeigh07580807988Chair@mgccse.co.uk

Secretary AustinBanner07795845312Secretary@mgccse.co.uk

EventsSecretaryAndrewMitchell07703138419events@mgccse.co.uk

CompetitionSecretaryJohnMorgan07802770025competitions@mgccse.co.uk

Treasurer RonKemp 01622843536Treasurer@mgccse.co.uk

Membership DianaCalvert 01737350489membership@mgccse.co.ukScribe/NewsletterRayRuffels 07970640219scribe@mgccse.co.uk

Scribe/NewsletterWillOpie.07768022044scribe@mgccse.co.uk

Webmaster TimMorris.01932882467webmaster@mgccse.co.uk

SocialMediaJohnGallop.07484127251youth@mgccse.co.uk

TrophiesJohnDavies01737241971trophies@mgccse.co.uk

RegaliaAlexLemon07802621116alex.lemon@mgccse.co.uk

RegaliaMikeChittenden.020846780022regalia@mgccse.co.uk

MemberIanRussell02083041037mgashnatter@gmail.com

MemberGwenDavies.01737241971gwen.davies@mgccse.co.uk

NatterLeaders

Queen’sHeadPinner GerryEdwards 07768657797Pinner@mgccse.co.uk

TheShip,Mortlake& DannyByrne 01932829814Mortlake@mgccse.co.uk

BrooklandsMuseum““Brooklands@mgccse.co.uk

ThePheasant,Betchworth JohnMorgan 02086572714Buckland@mgccse.co.uk

TheFairmile,nrCobham IanAiles& 01932856960Cobham@mgccse.co.uk JohnGlover 07802770025Cobham@mgccse.co.uk

TunbridgeWellsArea-positionvacant.IfinterestedpleasecontactChair@mgccse.co.uk

ThePlough,StalisfieldWilliamOpie&RayRuffels01795521846Faversham@mgccse.co.uk

TheGeorgeInn,Trottiscliffe IanRussell 02083041037Ashnatter@mgccse.co.uk

TheBlackHorse,Nuthurst DavidGriffiths 01403264548Nuthurst@mgccse.co.uk

TheGoldenLion,BroadoakJohnClark07940769225Broadoak@mgccse.co.uk

Canterbury.

TheBritishQueen,EastbourneDennisWebb 07885485255SouthDowns@mgccse.co.uk

Hailsham

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Variouslocations

AshdownAdventurersRichardClark 07818420921AshdownAdventurers@mgccse.co.uk

SussexWanderers DavidGriffiths 01403264548SussexWanderers@mgccse.co.uk

SurreyWanderers SuJoel 02086607266 Surreywanderers@mgccse.co.uk

EastKentWanderers JohnBennett 01227637813Eastkentwanderers@mgccse.co.uk

KentNomads IanRussell 02083041037kentnomads@mgccse.co.uk

MGCarClubSouthEastCentrewebsite–http://www.mgccse.co.uk

RegisterOffice:KimberHouse,POBox251,Abingdon,Oxfordshire,OX141FF

Phone:01235555552,Fax:01235533755,email:mgcc@mgcc.co.uk………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Finally,JohnDaviesourArchivistwrites:

Asafollow-uptomyNewsletterarticleearlierthisyearreference“TheMagazine”whilstmovingtheAlvisinRedhillapasserbycameupandaskedifhecouldhelpwithpushingitwhichwegladlyaccepted.TalkingtohimhesaidheusedtoliveinNewMaldenandbothheandhisfatherlikeclassiccars.HethensaidhisfatherworkedinaBodyShopandwasalwaysrepairingdamagedraceMGs.

ItturnsouthisfatherworkedforthelateRoyMcCarthy–itsasmallworld!