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EditorialComment 1CommitteeNotes 2LocalClubMeets8MembersCorner19Regalia/ForSale25Contacts26

MGCCSENewsletterContentsPage Page

MGCC SE

July 2020 Newsletter EditorialNote

WewelcometoyoualltotheJulyNewsletter.ThiseditioncoverstheperiodofCovid-19lock-downandexpectationsforthirdquarter2020.

With2ndquartereventscancelledourlatestSENewsletterlooksverydifferentbutthankstothesupportandinventionoftheNatterleaders,WanderersandMemberswecanprovideandupdateofSEactivityunderlockdownfromvirtualmeetings/virtualroadrunstomembersMGactivityintheirgarage,drivesandgardens!

Thefirstlocalclubitem,onFairmileNewYearmeal(page8),wasmissedfromtheAprilnewslettersoapologiestoall.Interestingly,FairmilewasfirsttousezoomInternetsoftware,onApril16th,toenabletheirmeetingstocontinueafterlockdownbymultiplemembervideolink.SomeofourleadershavebeenverycreativewithVirtualtalks,VirtualNavigationsandQuizzessocontactyoursforthelatestdevelopments.

NorthDownsalsostartedZoommeetingslaterinApril,CanterburygrouphavestartedanewnewsletterandtheEastKentWanderershavebeenrunningmonthly“remoterallies”onlineinAprilandMay(seepage17).LockdownmaybepreventingusfromusingourMGsbuttheclubisaliveandwell!

AmusingorotherwisepleasecontinuetosendinfurtherMGnewsandstoriesforthenextnewsletterthatyouwishtopublishtoraywillmg@gmail.com

YourNewsletterEditors/ScribesandtheircarsWillOpiehasbeenamemberoftheMGCCSEforover40yearsowningamultitudeofMGvariantsandcurrentlyleadstheNorthDownsNatter.RayRuffelswasintroducedtoMGmotoringwhilstworkingforWadhamStringersinthelate1970’sandnowrunsseveralclassicMGsplusaZT-Tdailydriver.

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CommitteeNotesChairman’sReportSECentreJune2020

July2020

ThetimingofmylastCommitteeNotesinAprilcoincidedwiththestartofthecoronaviruslockdown.Atthattimenoneofusknewthefullextentoftheextraordinarysituationthathadbeenthrustuponusall.OurlastemailNewslettertoyoumerelystatedthateverythingthatwehadsocarefullyplanned,organisedandadvertiseduntiltheendofMay2020,wasunlikelytogoahead–howlittleweknewthen!YoumightexpectmetosaythatverylittlehashappenedtotheCommitteesincethatdatebutthetruthisquitedifferent!

Iampleasedtoinformyouthatthecommitteehasbeenextremelyactivethroughoutthelockdownperiod.OurSecretaryAustinBannerquicklyinvestedinthecommercial

versionofZoomandwecurrentlyholdcommitteemeetingusingZoomeverytwoweeks!Thelockdownperiodhasbeendifficultforallofusbutwiththevirtualmeetingsyourcommitteehastakenfulladvantageofthelockdownperiodandhasusedtheextratime,notjusttoassesstheimpactoftherestrictionsonourprogrammedeventsbutalsotoexaminemorefundamentalissuesabouthowtheclubisorganisedandrun.Muchhasalreadybeendonebutwestillhavesomewaytogo.

YoumayrememberthatColinReynolds,ourwell-lovedformerWebmaster,passedawaytwoyearsago.SincethenwehavebeengratefulforthetemporaryservicesofBenHillwhohasmadeanextraordinaryefforttofillthevoidforus,despitenotowninganMGhimself!

Ihavegreatpleasureininformingyouthat,onFriday12thJune,ourCommitteeco-optedtwonewlocalmemberswithestablishedexpertiseinareasthatwillcertainlyhelpourfuturedevelopment:TimMorrisisalreadyknowntomanyofusasPresident,WebmasterandScribefortheMGCCMGF/TFRegisterandJohnGallop(whohasreducedtheaverageageofourCommitteebyanextraordinaryamount!)iscurrentlystudyingAutomotiveDesignatCoventryUniversityandisVice-ChairmanoftheMGCC

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CommitteeNotesChairman’sReportSECentreJune2020TableTopRallyJuly12th

July2020

YoungMembersBranchwithaspecialinterestinSocialMedia.Iampleasedtotellyouthatbothofthesemembershavealreadystartedtomaketheirpresencefelt.

AboveisascreenshotoftheJune12thZoomCommitteeMeeting,whichgivesyouaflavoroftheevent(thisdoesn’tincludeouresteemedTreasurerandnewRegaliaOfficerTonyAtcheson,whogavehisapologiesthatdayduetofamilycommitments).

AtlonglastwearenolongershortofOfficers(althoughwearealwayskeentoacceptpracticalhelpateventswhentheystartupagain)!IshouldremindyouthatcurrentlyallofourformaleventsarecancelleduntiltheendofAugustattheearliest.

Onthebrightside,restrictionsaregraduallybeingliftednow,whichallowusanopportunitytouseourfabulousMGsonceagain.Therulesareclear–youcannowenjoyyourMGandtheoutdoorsinasmallgroupofuptosixpeople(currentlyat2metresocialspacing),providedthatyouavoidsharingfoodorcutleryetc.andgototheloobeforeyouleavehome!IpersonallyrecommendgoodweatherandanopencommonasavenueandpleasenotethatouremailNewsletterScribeswillbedelightedtoreceiveanyphotoswithsuitablecaptionsthatyoucansendthem.

Inpassing,IwouldliketocommendtheworkofmanyofourNatterandWandererleaderswhohavebeenholdingtheirownZoommeetingsandingeniouscompetitionsofalltypesintheabsenceofourmoreusualcarevents.IandmanyothermemberswillbejoiningPhilipBayne-PowellforhisTableTopRallyonthe12thJuly–thedetailsofthiseventisbelow.

StaySafe!ChrisLeigh-Chairman

ThereisaTableTopRally,viae-mail,takingplaceon12thJulyhostedbyPhilip&RosemaryBayne-PowellonbehalfoftheInterRegisterClub.Straightforwardnavigationtechniqueswillbeusedsuchasspotheights,gridreferences,colouredroadsandallyouneedtoparticipateinthisfuneventistheOSLandrangerMap187–furtherdetailsareat:https://www.mgccse.co.uk/

Pleaseconfirmifyouwishtotakepartbye-mailingyourentryformto1942mgman@gmail.combeforeSunday12thJuly.

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CommitteeNotesSECentre3monthCalendar

July2020

SeetheSafetyFastSouth-EastnotesformonthlyupdatesandtheMGCCSEwebsiteforthefull2020Calendarplusupdatesonpendingandpastevents.Note-DuetotheCoronavirusPandemicandGovernmentpolicytheSECommitteehasdecidedtocancelorpostponealleventsuntiltheendofAugust2020(includingthoseinredbelow).

Thursday9thJuly–8pm

AlternativePrideofOwnership(R2)

TheFairmileKT111BW

JohnMorgan07802770025

Sunday19thJuly

TouroftheSouthWindmills

PhilipBayne-Powell01483811428

Monday20thJuly-8pm

AlternativePrideofOwnership(R3)

ThePheasantBucklandRH37BG

JohnMorgan07802770025

Sunday26thJuly

BrooklandsClassicCarShow

BrooklandsMuseumKT130QN

JohnDavies01737241971

5thto9thAugust

EuropeaneventoftheYear

Wurzburg

Sunday6thSeptember

ShereHillClimb

Shere

JohnDavies01737241971

Sunday20THSeptember

AutumnGathering

NewhavenFort

AndrewMitchell07703138419

Monday21stSeptember

PheasantNatterQuizNight

ThePheasantBucklandRH37BG

JohnMorgan07802770025

Sunday27thSeptember

CarTrial(forMGTomatoTrophy)

NearMaitstone

JohnMorgan07802770025

Sunday4thOctober

AutumnNaviscat

TBA

Mikelemon07718339836

ObviouslytheGovernmentCovid-19guidelineswillchangeovertimesotokeepup-to-dateoneventsgototheMGCarClubSouthEastCentrewebsite–http://www.mgccse.co.uk.

Note:wehavejustbeennotifiedthatShereHillClimbon6thSeptemberiscancelled

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CommitteeNotesSocialMediaUpdate

July2020

SocialMedia

WearedelightedthatJohnGallopandTimMorrishavenowjoinedthecommitteespecializinginSocialMediaandasWebmasterrespectively.TimhasalreadystartedtoreviewtheSEwebsitetoimprovepresentation,communicationandfunctionality.

JohnhassetupanewmembersFacebookGroupwhichisavailableathttps://www.facebook.com/groups/259127225161827/-picturedbelow.Throughthisnewpagea“ChatGroup’hasbeencreated,whichisaprivateareaonFacebookwheremembersandprospectivepeopleintheareacanrequesttojoin,providedtheycandemonstratetheyarelocatedinthesouth-east.Withinthisprivateonlinecommunitymembers/peoplecanshareexperiencesandchatinasecureenvironmentaswellasbenotifiedofactivitysuchaseventsinadvanceofwhatispublishedonthepublicFacebookpage.Thisisanewdynamicandup-to-datemethodtoshareMGideas,expertise,storiesandimagessodotaketheearliestopportunitytoreview,asthismediumisanimportantpartoffuturecommunication.

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CommitteeNotesSocialMediaUpdate

July2020

SocialMedia

JohnhasalsoupdatedtheSECentre’spublicFacebookpage,whichisourmainonlineprofileontheFacebookplatform.MemberscanaccesstheopenpublicFacebookpageviatheSEwebpageonwww.mgccse.co.uk/facebookasseenbelow:

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CommitteeNotesCompetitionUpdate

July2020

CompetitionsUpdatebyJohnMorgan-CompetitionSecretary

ThisArticlehasbeeneditedfromthevariousMotorsportUKdocumentsandadaptedtoprovideguidancetotheMGCCSECentre.Itisenvisagedthatmostoftheeventsthatwouldbeorganisedlaterin2020wouldeitherbeclassifiedasCertificateofExemptionorpossiblyaspurelySocialRuns.IthasbeennotedintheMotorsportUKwebsitedataunderCertificateofExemption,itdoesidentifyacriteriaof‘SocialRuns’(notbelievedtobereferredtointheBlueBook)andthedefinitionwordingfromtheQ&Ais:

‘SocialRun’-Anon-competitiverunforlikemindedparticipantswherethereisnootherpurposethanthecamaraderieofmotoringincompanytoapredeterminedpointandwhichisnotwithinthejurisdictionofMotorsportUK.ASocialRundoesnotrequireaPermitorCertificateofExemptionandisnotcoveredbyMotorsportUKinsurancepolicies.

ItisbelievedthisdefinitioncouldbeappliedtothemajorityofsmallrunsorganisedbyNattersorlocallyintheSECentreincludingthelunchtimeNatters.

EventssuchastheTourofSEorsimilarlargerruns,GatheringssuchasAutumnGathering,etc.wouldrequireaCertificateofExemption.UnderthecurrentMotorsportUKadvice,thiswouldrequire:

• Consideration of Motorsport UK guidance for Event/Venue and Organisers.

• Planning to ensure current Government Social Distancing requirements are met. Current requirements would limit drivers and passengers in same car as being from the same household.

• Pre-event health declarations are to be completed by officials, competitors/entrants as per Motorsport UK Guidance

• Entrants to provide own sanitizer, wipes, hand washing facilities • Marshals/Oficials:

1 Event organised to avoid any close contact less than required Social Distancing.

2 Marshals to supply own tabbards where possible. 3 No signing on table as such to avoid sharing forms, pens, etc.

Any instructions to be forwarded pre-event and entrants to download own copy.

• Communications/media: 1 Posters/display notices to provide details/reminders on Social

Distancing, hygiene, etc. 2 Use PA where practical for regular announcements.

SupportingMotorsportUKdocumentsfortheaboveareavailableeitherfromJohnMorgan,asSECentreCompetitionSecretary,orfromtheMotorsportUKwebsite.FurtherupdatesareexpectedinearlyJuly,watchthisspaceonwww.mgccse.co.uk!

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LocalClubMeetsTheFairmileNatterCobhamKT111BW

July2020

FairmileNatterNewYearMeal2020.

Thisarticlewaswrittenbeforelockdownandmayshowsceneswheresocialdistancingisnotobserved!

ThenewdecadewasgreetedbythenowtraditionalFairmileNatterNewYearmeal-secondThursdayofJanuary.AftermeetandgreetinTheFairmileBarandachancetocatchupwitholdandhappily–new–friendsthecompanyadjournedtotheFairmileMeetingroomforaspeedilyandefficientlyservedmealindividuallychosenfromtheexcellentFairmiledailysetmenu(Brexitfoodatreasonableprices!).

IfthissoundslikeapufffromyourcorrespondentforthePub,itisbecauseDannytheManagerandhisteamdeserveitasthey’vebeenaccommodatingtheMGCCformanyyearsandalwaysmakeuswelcome.ThisincludesuseofthemeetingroominwinterandthevastfieldinfrontofThePubforourroundofTheAlternativePOOinsummer,whichmakesTheFairmileanMGhomefromhomeandwearen’ttheonlyCarClubtouseitassuch!

AnywaybacktothatthankfullymildJanuarynightandourDinnerattendedby28soulsincludingtheSECSecretaryandVice-ChairmanaswellasJohnandJennyMorganfromoursisterNatteratTheThreeHorseshoesnearReigate.

Furthesttravelled(noaward)wasWendyWoosteragoodfriendofoursnowlocatedinOxfordshire.Itwasnicetoseewivesandpartnersjoiningnotsomethingthathappensateverymeeting.

AmongthecoupleswereRogerandFredaMarlowwhobroughtaguest,MargaretHarker,withtheexpresspurposeofre-acquaintingherwithspecialguestRosemaryWashbourne.RosemaryisthewidowofourfondlyrememberedleaderDavid.

Theconnection?

DavidhaddrivenMargarettoherweddingin2008,usinghisrareandwell-rememberedWA2.6litreSaloon.IremindedRosemaryofavisitImadetotheirHorsleyhome,justafterDavidhadwelcomedmetotheNatter-‘He’sinthekitchen‘sheretreatedtothelivingroomandafirmshutofthedoor!NotthewarmestofgreetingsandIsoonfoundoutwhy?

DavidwasstrippingtheWAengineonthekitchentable!Wellhehadputnewspaperonitfirst!

Rogerbroughtalongafadedphotoofthecarinitsweddingribbons-seebelow.Anicememory,butthechatwasn’tallnostalgiaastheassembleddinerschewedthefat,(notareferencetotheFairmileThursdaysteakspecial)aboutthefuture–thecomingseasonandwhithertheMGCCandSEC?

DojoinusatTheFairmileNatter,secondThursdayofeachmonth–6.30pmtoeator8.30tosimplywellNatter.

JonGloverjointNatterLeaderwithIanAiles.

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LocalClubMeetsFairmileNatterCobhamKT111BW

July2020

FairmileMeetingFounderDavidWashbournesWAonWeddingduty

FairmileNewYearDinnerguests–January2020

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LocalClubMeetsFairmileNatterIan&KayAiles’triptoDubaibeforeLock-down

July2020

MGMotorsDubaiShowroom

TheClassicCarMuseumatSharjah-UAE

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LocalClubMeetsTheAshNattervisittoKentFire&RescueService

July2020

CreatedbyIanRussell–Natterleader

OurvisittotheKentFire&RescueServiceRoadSafetyExperienceonthe21stFebruarylastedforjustunder3hours.Thereisnochargeforthevisitbutitmustbearrangedinadvanceandthereisaminimumnumberof15visitorsover14yearsold.Wehadinvitedfamilyandfriendssowehadaquiteanagerangeinfactfrom15to82!ApartfromourNattermembersafewmembersoftheKentGroupRoSPAAdvancedDriversandKentSERVBloodrunnersjoinedus.Thetargetaudienceisreallyforyoungpeoplebetweentheagesof14and24butitisnowopentoallagegroupsandIbelieveallofthosewhoattendedhadtheireyesopenedtotheworldoftheemergencyservicesandeveryonethatIhavespokentosincetooksomethingawaywiththem.Iwon’tdescribetoomuchofthedayasIfeelitwoulddetractfromtheexperiencethatothermemberswouldreceiveshouldtheybeluckyenoughtogetonanothervisit.IstronglyencourageotherNatterstoconsidertakingtheirmembersandfamily,especiallyiftheyhaveteenagerswhoareorwillbedrivinginthenearfuture.

WeareveryluckytohavethisfacilityinKent,itistheonlyoneinthecountry,sowhynotgetalongandseewhatsomeofyourtaxeshaspaidfor?

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LocalClubMeetsThePheasantNatterBetchworthRH37BG

July2020

ByJohnMorgan-Leader

Thefirststepshavebeenmadebythegovernmentinscalingdownthelockdownwithreducedrestrictionsonleavinghomeandshoppingfornon-essentialitemsnowbeingpermitted.ThereisnonewswhenpubssuchasourmeetingvenueThePheasantwillreopenandeventhenit’slikelytobeforopen-airvisitsonly.SomevenuessuchasNationalTrustproperties,LeonardsleeGardens,etc.havereopenedwithtoiletfacilitiesbeingavailablebutshopsandcafesremainingclosed.Oncerestrictionsarepartiallyliftedonnumbersmeetinginpublic,wecanthinkaboutmyprevioussuggestionofasocialdriveandopenairgettogetherwithappropriatesocialdistancing.ItisunlikelythattherewillbeanySECentreEventsuntilatleastmidtolateAugustattheveryearliest.However,acoupleofourmembersPeterandSimonGraydidtaketheirMGTDoutonVEDay8thMay.AsSimonsays,‘WedidbreakcoveronVEDay,puttingbuntingonthecarandthenhavinganaughtydrivetoDorkingandgrowlingthroughthetown,reverberatingbetweenthebuildings.Wehadafewwaves,smilesandevenasalutefromanoldboy!Wedidn’tstopanywhereasitwasjustforthedriveandthecelebrationofVEday.

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LocalClubMeetsThePheasantNatterBetchworthRH37BG

July2020

ThepicturesbelowareInJunelastyearwehadthefirstroundoftheBouleChallengeagainstEastSurreyMGOCandJulywasevenmoreactivewiththeExcellentNatterBBQandsocialattheWalcountiansClubwithPeterParker’sbutchery/meatpreparationdemonstrationandvariousroundoftheAlternativePoOfinishingatthePheasantontheNatternight.

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LocalClubMeetsNorthDownsNatterThePloughInnStalisfieldME130HY

July2020

LeadersWilliamandDianneOpie

UpdatebyRayRuffels

NorthDownsisasocialandactivenattermeetoneveningof4thThursdaymonthlyatThePlough,Stalisfield,NrFavershamME130HY.DuringlockdownmembershavebeenactiveinthedriveorgaragewiththeircarsandthemonthlymeetinghascontinuevirtuallyonZoom!

Unfortunatelythe80thAnniversaryBattleofBritainrunbookedforApril20hadtobecancelledduetoCovid-19restrictionsbutwehopetoruntheeventin2021asa80years+1celebration!

RecentlywiththeJuneeasingofgovernmentpandemicruleslocalprivatecarrunsandmeetshavetakenplaceinmembersgardensandvillagegreensforupto3carswithappropriatesocialdistancing!SeebelowZoomnatterandClive&ClaireTaylor’scelebrationof75thanniversaryofVictoryinEuropeday.

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LocalClubMeetsBlackHorseNatterNuthurstRH136LH&SussexWanderers

July2020

BlackHorseNatter&SussexWanderers

Duringlate2019themeetdayfortheBlackHorseNatterwaschangedfromthe2ndTuesdaytothe4thTuesdayinthemonth,toensurethattherewasreasonableseparationbetweentheBlackHorseandSussexWanderersmeets.Atthesametimetheformatforthemeetingwaschangedfromaneveninggatheringtoalunchmeetgivingtheopportunitytochatoverameal.Thechangeprovedextremelypopularespeciallyassomemembersnolongerenjoydrivinginthedarktoattendeveningmeetings.HoweverCovid-19andsubsequent'lockdown'hasforcedthepostponementallfuturemeetingsfortheBlackHorseNatterandSussexWanderersuntilgovernmentpandemicrulesallow.Whilstthe'lockdown'haspreventedusmeetingface-to-faceIconsideredthatitwasessentialtoretainacontactwithmembersandasaresultIproduceamonthlynewsletter.Thisiscirculatedtobothgroupsofmembers,inallsome100people.Ithasalsogivenmemberstheopportunitytocarryoutessentialworkontheircars!

Astimeprogressesthenewslettersarebecomingmoreinformativeandnowcontainarticlesonmembers’carsincludingphotosontheworkbeingcarriedoutduring'lockdown'.Tokeepthegreymattertickingover,Ihavealsostartedattachingaquiztothenewsletter-tobeansweredwithoutassistancefromtheinternetorreferencebooks.PartoftheMayquizisbelowsoyoumaybeinterestedintestingyourknowledge!Foranswers,pleasecontactmeat-dr.gjazz1@timetalk.co.ukForfutureeditionsIhopetoincludeshortfeatureson'whatwasyourfirstcar',whichcouldprovidesomeinterestingarticles.Venuesthathadbeenreservedin2020fortheBlackHorseandSussexWanderersoutings,havenowbeenrescheduledfor2021althoughthereisaslimpossibilitythatwemaybeabletointroduceacoupleofoutingsintothe2020calendartowardstheendoftheyear.BelowisourvisittoGoodwoodin2016.

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LocalClubMeetsBlackHorseNatter&SussexWanderers

July2020

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LocalClubMeetsEastKentWanderers

July2020

EastKentWanderersandtheLockdown.

ByJohnBennett-Leader

LikemostUKsocialactivities,theEKWhavehadtoforegotheirusual1stWednesdayoutingsofcoffee,plannedrunandpublunch.NotsinceFebruaryhaveupto30ofusgottogetherforourmonthlyfixofconvivialMGtogetherness.And,boy,havewemissedit!

Whenrestrictionswerefirstimposed,wewerehardlyallowedoutofdoorssocomingupwithanalternativeactivityfortheGroupwasachallenge.TheanswerwastheTable-TopRally,anideacribbedfromPhillipBayne-PowellwhointroducedtheformatinSurreysomeyearsagoasanactivityforwinterevenings.Backthen,everyonegottogetherinoneplacetotakepart.Inthelockdownversion,theformatisthesamebutparticipationremote.

ItworksbytheorganiserdecidingonaparticularlocalOSsheetandsettingoutinstructionswheretostart,whatroutetofollow,andwhatquestionstoansweralongtheway,allbasedoninformationgleanedfromthemap.

Soundssimple,buttherealityislessstraightforward.ThefirstproblemisthatEastKentiscoveredbyfourOSsheetsandnoteveryonehasthemall,soimmediatelypotentialparticipationisreduced.Thenextthingisthatasurprisingnumberofdetailschangebetweenprintrevisions.WhowouldhavethoughtthattheRomneyHytheandDymchurchRailwaywouldhaveclosedhalftheirstationsinthelastfewyears?So,askinghowmanyrailwaystationsthereareonsheet189producesarangeofanswersandonlythosewiththesameeditionmapastheorganisergetsatick,assumingtheycancountofcourse!Therestareunderstandablymiffedtobemarkeddown!

Thenthere’stheissueofdirections.Thestandardalternatives,roadnumbers,crow’sfeet,orTL/TRinstructionsmostpeoplecancopewithbutherring-bonesprovedtobeachallengetoofarforallbutseriouscartographiles.(That’sawordIjustmadeup,meaningmapenthusiasts).Inshort,whilstwedidhave8or10participantsforthethreeralliesweran,itwasclearlynothittingthespot.

APlan‘B’wasclearlyneeded,anditemergedasaPhotoCompetition.Thiswassplitintothreeclassestomaximiseparticipation,Lockdownrelated,MGsomewhereinshot,andanythingelseatall.Tolendsomesocialresponsibilitytotheschemea£5donationtooneoftheNHScharitiesintheareawassuggested.

Theoutcomewasthat24photosweresubmittedandover£120donatedtothegoodcauses!Thewinningphotosfromthethreeclassescanbefoundbelow,chosenbyakeenphotographerwhoisanexpertinherfieldbutatotalnovicewherecarsareconcerned.Hercommentsoneachshotweremostinstructiveanddelicatelyexpressed.Shemanagedtosaysomethingniceabouteachone!Ifshetakesupourofferofjoininguswhenwearenextallowedout,itwillbeherfirstrideinanopentopsportscar!

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LocalClubMeetsEastKentWanderersPhotoCompetition

July2020

LockdownbyKenPaul

CountryScenebySheilaBennett

MGIn-ShotbyRoyIngleton

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MembersCornerSirStirlingMossRecollection

July2020

SirStirlingMossRecollection

LikemanyofusStirlingcametomyattentionafterwinningtheMilleMigliaalongwithDenisJenkinson.DespitebeingatprimaryschoolatthetimetherewasalotoftalkamongsttheyoungstersandIthinkoneortwohadmodelsofhisMercedes.Ifollowedhiscareerwithinterestandbythebeginningofthe1960'swatchedhimandotherfamousnamesatBrandsHatchandGoodwood.Infacttogetherwithadisabledfriendofmine,whoIstillseefromtimetotime,wewereatGoodwoodontheEasterSundaywhenStirlinghadhisveryseriouscrash.Atthetimeithappenedwerecallthecircuitwentveryquiet.Stirling'srecoverywasaninspirationtomyfriendBobwhohadbeendisabledbypoliointhelate1950's.AtthetimeBobwasreceivingfurtherremedialtreatmentandhesaidtomeonlyacoupleofweeksago,thatin1962hewassufferingabitofalowandseeingStirlingrecoverwasaninspirationtohim.ThenexttimeIreallytooknoticeofStirlingwasthe1989PirelliClassicMarathonwhenIvideodtheevent(whichIstillhave)hewasdrivinganMGBwhichIthinkmayhavebeenpreparedbyRonGammon's.IthenliterallycaughtupwithStirlingin1998atGoodwoodwhenIwashelpingtobumpstartJackSearsFordGalaxie,IsteppedbackwardsandtrodonStirling'sfoot-heapologisedtomeforgettingintheway,hewasatruegentleman!AtarecentBrooklandsMGLivemysonboughttheattachedProfilepublicationforacoupleofpoundsfromsecondhandstockPhilipBaynePowellhadforsale.HethensentittoSirStirlingforsignaturewhichhekindlydidandsentitbackwiththeseconddocumentasasurprisebirthdaypresent.SirStirlingwrotethefollowingoneachinhisownfairhand:-TheProfilepublication'ToJohn,manyhappyreturnsonyour70th,Cheers,S.M.'TheMercedespublication'ToJohn,Ihopeyouwillenjoythisbooklet.S.M.'Itrustthisarticlemaybeofinteresttoreadersandinspireotherstorecallsimilaraccountswithotherdriverstheyhavehadoverthelastfiftyorsixtyyears.JohnH.Davies

SeethesuperbMotorsportstoryoftheMossMilleMigliavictoryin1955byhisnavigatorDenisJenkinsonbelow:

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-1955/14/moss-mille-miglia

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MembersCornerSirStirlingMossRecollection

July2020

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MembersCornerTheMGAirline!WillOpie

July2020

SoIboughtanAirline….NonotBA,EasyjetorVirginbutanMGAirlinefrom1934.IhavealwaysadmiredtheArtDecoerabetweentheworldwarsinitsexpressionofbeautifulsculpturesandbuildingsthatstandoutintoday’scities.Maybealsobecauseitwasanerathatcapturedsomuchdecadence!SohowdidMG’sstartmakingAirlineCoupe’s?FortheansweryouhavetoturntoHWAllingham,aprolificdesignerwhostartedhisownfirmin1931specialisingincardesign.HedesignedtheAirlinebodyin1934;aprototypewasmadebyWhittinghamandMitchelbutCarbodiesmadethelaterproductionbodies.Just50bodiesweremadefittedtoMGcarsbetween1934and1936withthelastbodyonanMGTAnowinAustralia.TheyareregardedasoneoftheprettiestMG’sofalltimebutthecostforwhatwasregardedasasmallluxurycarreallymadeitatoughsell.AfewbodiesalsomadeitontotheNtypechassis.

ThestoryofFA5589Likemanythinksinlife,chanceplaysitspart.RayRuffelsandIwereupontheClubstandattheClassiccarshowattheNEClastAutumnandinachanceconversationIheardaboutanincompleteprojectpartrestoredbutmoreorlesscompleteinCheltenham.Ifollowedthisupandsureenoughthereshewas,bodyrebuilt,bitseverywherebutobviouspartsmissingbothmechanicalandtrim.FAhadbeenofftheroadsince1967,movedhouse(orgarage)morethanonceandmaybesomebitsusedonaMMMspecialinthesamegarage.Thereisalessonhereforanywouldberestorers,youneverknowwhatismissinguntilyoutryandputittogether!Adealwasstruckwiththecurrentownersandthenseveraltripstosortoutwhatwasthereandeventually(pre-covid)shippedthecarhome.

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MembersCornerTheMGAirline!

July2020

Iftherewaseveratimetostartanewprojectthenlockdowngaveittomeonaplateexceptforthenecessitytokeepdomesticpeacebecauseofthegoodweatherforgardeningandhouseprojectstodo!The2mdistancealsomeantIcouldnotgethelptoliftthebodysotrolleyjacksandblocksofwoodgotmeoutoftroubletoraiseitoffthechassistogivemeaccesstothechassis.IhavedonesomeMMMcarsbeforeandgenerallystartwith‘wrecks’asthatisallIcouldaffordatthetime.Anywaythefunisinthe‘doing’searchingforparts,fettling,cursingandIamfortunateinhavingengineersatworktotacklesomemachiningasnecessaryifIdon’tfeelskilledenoughmyself.Unfortunatelythelastownerbecameveryillquitequickly(rapidonsetdementia)sodiscussingwhathadbeendoneprovedachallenge.Luckilyhewasverythoroughwithmanyphotosandnotesplussomeaddresses.DetectiveworkandhelpfromPhilipPaynePowellputmeintouchwiththemanwhodidsomeworkonthecaroverseveralyearsandwasplanningeventuallytohelp.Sofromhimabootloadofpartscamehometobereunitedwiththecarandapetroltankcommissionedwhichhadrustedaway!Alsomissingweremanyinvoicesforpartswhichhiswifetriedtolocate.IsupposeIshouldleavethattopicasImaywellof‘lost’theoddpaperworkathomeforobviousreasons.FA5589fortunatelyhadquiteahistory,havingbeendrivenhardonautocrosseventsintheearly60’sandcamewithmanynotesfrompreviousowners.Anenginerebuildin1960cost£42,10shillingsandtuppence!ThelastMOTwas1967!

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MembersCornerTheMGAirline!

July2020

FA’searlyyearsprovedachallengeforMGatAbingdonasthehistoryfile(inthearchivesofourClubofficesatAbingdon)were72pageswithmanycomplaintsoverthesqueaking,rattlingbody(dealtwithbyMr.Allingham)andareplacementbonnetafterafire!Onelettercommentedthattheycouldonlyachieve73MPH.Engineworkconsistedofskimmingtheheadtotryingtoincreasetheperformanceaboveitsstandard36BHP!CurrentlyIamcompletingthechassis,reinstatingthe12-inchcablebrakesandmanyfeetofbrasscentralisedlubricationsystembeforefinishingtheengineworkwhichhadstartedin2012withthewhitemetalling.Thechallengewillbetheinterior,whichoriginallywasquiteluxuriousandtheroofwithitsArtDecoCathedrallightswhichslideopen.LuckilyotherownersarehappytohelpremotelyfromtheUSAtoAustraliawithdetailsandphotosandhavingmanyoriginalpartshelpevenifIdon’tknowyetwheretheyallgo!Itmaytakeacoupleofyearstofinish,butthenmyPBtook16yearssothatmaybeoptimistic!Pleasesendinarticlesofwhatyouareuptoforthenewsletter,RayandIneedmaterialforfuturenewsletters.WilliamOpie

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MembersCornerThestoryofTwoMGsinLock-down.

July2020

MGCCmemberKarlFoothascompletedsomeupgradesonhistwoMGsduringlock-down.OnhisRV8Ireplacedthecentrewheelbadges,whichhefeelshasmadeabigdifferencegiving itafresherlook.

OntheMGGS,whichisArticWhitewithrarecreamleather,theroofhasbeenwrappedinblackvinylwhichagainhasmadeabigdifference.

NextonmylistofthingstodoonbothcarsisanewhoodfortheRV8andthewindowstobetintedinlimoblackfortheMGGS.

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RegaliaForSale

July2020

Regalia The following merchandise is available: Sweatshirt £21 Polo Shirt £16 Umbrellas £21 T-Shirts £10 Baseball Caps £8 Beer Glasses £2.50 Beer Glasses (Pair) £4 Windscreen Stickers £1.60 MGCC Pens (red or blue) £3.50 (Special Offer) MGCCSE Mugs £5

TonyAtcheson,ourTreasurer,haskindlyagreedtomanageRegaliaandarecentaudithasdeterminedthattherearestockstoclear.Pleasetakealookaaboveandseeifthereisanythingofinterest,inparticularthepoloshirts,teeshirtsandsweatshirts.Theclothingisunlikelytoberestockedforawhileasthecommitteedecidesonwhethertocontinuewiththeseitemsornot.

WearenowabletotakepaymentforregaliabyPayPalsoifyouwishtomakeapurchasepleasecontactAustinBannerataustin.banner@gmail.com

5BearingearlyMGBengineforsalerunningfinewhenremovedfromcarContactWillOpieon077680220444MidgetRostyleWheelsforsalewithtyresinfaircondition.ContactRayRuffelson07970640219

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SECENTRECOMMITTEEANDCONTACTS

President DerekEdwards 01737765891edwards.mgmadness@ntlworld.com

ChairmanChrisLeighcandjleigh@yahoo.com

Secretary AustinBanner07850769506austin.banner@gmail.com

EventsSecretaryAndrewMitchell07703138419andrewmgfvvc@gmail.com

CompetitionSecretaryJohnMorgan07802770025johnv.morgan@btinternet.com

Treasurer(Regalia) TonyAtcheson 02086417837tony.atcheson@gmail.com

Membership DianaCalvert 01737350489peter_diana_calvert@hotmail.comSecretarySafetyFast RayRuffels& 07970640219raywillmg@gmail.comScribes& WillOpieNewsletter

Webmaster TimMorris01932882467timmorris7@virginmedia.com

SocialMediaJohnGallop 07484127251john.corvette@btinternet.com

Committee RoyBaker07768314226roycbaker@gmail.comMembers JohnDavies 01737241971santana@sweethaven.biz NatterLeaders

Queen’sHeadPinner GerryEdwards 07768657797pinnermgnatter@live.co.uk

TheShip,Mortlake& DannyByrne 01932829814dannybyrne@talktalk.netBrooklandsMuseum

ThePheasant,Betchworth JohnMorgan 02086572714johnv.morgan@btinternet.com

TheFairmile,nrCobham IanAiles& 01932856960iailes@as-r.co.uk JohnGlover 07802770025jongloveractor@gmail.com

George&Dragon, GrahameWhite 01892654591pgwhitemg@gmail.comSpeldhurst

Plough,Stalisfield WilliamOpie 01795521846willopie@aim.com

TheGeorgeInn, IanRussell 02083041037mgashnatter@gmail.com

Trottiscliffe

TheBlackHorse,Nuthurst DavidGriffiths 01403264548dr.gjazz1@timetalk.co.uk

TheGoldenLion JohnClark 07940769225cmgow.sec@gmail.comBroadOak,CanterburyDaveSmith07879015525

TheBritishQueen, DennisWebb 07885485255dcmotorseastbourne@msn.comLowerWillingdon&Boship(Lions)FarmHotelHailsham

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Variouslocations

AshdownAdventurers RichardClark 07818420921ricky140clark@btinternet.com

SussexWanderers DavidGriffiths 01403264548dr.gjazz1@timetalk.co.uk

SurreyWanderers SuJoel 02086607266 sujoel1@gmail.com

EastKentWanderers JohnBennett 01227637813johnbennett698@yahoo.com

KentNomads IanRussell 02083041037mgashnatter@gmail.com

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

RegisterOffice:KimberHouse,POBox251,Abingdon,Oxfordshire,OX141FF

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

‘OntheDrive’onlyonVictoryinEuropeDay!