MG Car Club South East Centre
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This leaflet outlines the principle 1999 Season Events and Activities, which the South East Centre of the MG CAR CLUB are organising, and additionally provides information about our various local meetings and other activities. You will find the range of events, planned from this Premier Centre of the Club, cover the full range of members' interests. Winter activities for 1999 are also being organised and further information on these will be found in Safety Fast!
The South East Centre is one of 14 National Centres, with an annually elected Committee, responsible for co-ordinating events and activities within the region, which covers Middlesex, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Greater London. This responsibility ranges from organising the main Centre activites and various touring/competitive driving events, to monitoring the social local Meetings. Registers operate totally independently of the Centres, but are often represented at the main Centre Events.
Additional details on the activities summarised in this leaflet will be published within the Club magazine, Safety Fast!, either in News Review or within the South East Centre Notes, including entry forms, where applicable. The Local Meetings often organise their own activities, such as treasure hunts, cream tea runs, visits, etc., which do not appear in the magazine due to publishing lead times - these can be discovered by attending your local meeting.
At all major Club events, a Control/Information post will be present, where details about activities or Club Officials/contacts can also be obtained - it is a good reference point for meeting other members or seeking assistance.
Alternatively, for more information or to give suggestions for future activities, please contact any Centre Committee Member, who will be only too happy to assist in any way they can.
If you have not yet tried some of the mildly competitive, all non damaging events, why not have a go! Competition licences are required for race, sprint and hill climb events. All others can be entered under the cover of your Club membership card. If you are unfamiliar with what is involved with the various activites, the South East Centre has produced a general introductory leaflet for your guidance.
The Local Meetings are all run informally by a member(s), who acts as the local co-ordinator. If you are visiting a meeting for the first time, it is worth contacting this member to check location, start times, activities, etc. These local meetings operate in subtly different ways and it is worth trying two or three meetings to find one closest to your interest and aspirations. Should you experience any difficulties with a meeting, then please discuss the matter with a Committee Member. Should there not be a member close to you and you know of local MG enthusiasts, why not think about starting a new meeting. The Committee would be only too pleased to help you with this and discuss any ideas you may have.
Mar 13th AWARDS DINNER AND DANCE
Reigate Manor Hotel
(Close to Junction 8, M25)
John Morgan 0181-657-2714
The seasonal starter. An excellent dinner, presentation of
Centre Awards and Trophies from some of the 1998 events and
dancing until late, with music and volume to suit all
tastes. Do book early to avoid disappointment.
Mar 14th CHAIRMAN'S DAY
Doug Bush 01342-870069
Mystery tour starting from Reigate Manor Hotel, including
lunch at a local hostelry and afteroon tea. An interesting
follow on to the previous evening's celebrations, to round
off the weekend.
Mar 28th NAVISCAT
Andrew Bowden 01732-761437
Popular event for the novice and expert alike - A
navigational scatter rally around the country roads
of Surrey/Sussex, collecting clues, finishing at a
country pub.
Apr 3rd MG RACE MEETING AT BRANDS HATCH
01235-555552
With a full day of MG racing. For further information
contact Main Club Office or any Committee Member.
Apr 19th GENERAL MEETING
Darrell Cocup 0181-874-5051
Coulsdon Manor Hotel, Coulsdon, Surrey
Review and adoption of 1998 Accounts followed by the
Coulsdon Local Meeting.
Apr 25th SRING GATHERING,
Goodwood House near Chichester, West Sussex
Brian Galipeau 01737-832100
Goodwood House, home in recent years of the Festival
of Speed, is the new venue in 1999 for this premier
meeting. Come and participate in the Pride of Ownership
and Treasure Hunt or enjoy the experience of this
fascinating, magical place in the heart of the South
Downs. The event will incorporate several runs and
tours into the venue and will feature a special display
of historic MG cars which have been raced at Goodwood.
May 9th REGENCY RUN FROM CRYSTAL PALACE, LONDON TO BRIGHTON
Main Club 01235 555552
A gentle run over a set route enjoying the more rural
areas of Surrey and Sussex. Apply early as entry lists
close quickly due to the popularity of this run.
May 15th GARDEN OF KENT BLOSSOM RUN
Peter Arnell 01306-885707
A new event for 1999, comprising a tour through Kent
to see the blossom trees, finishing at Brogdale, home
of the National Fruit Collection
May 16th FLEET DRIVING TTESTS
Fleet Services, M3
Darrell Cocup 0181-874-5051
Driving tests take place in the lorry park area at
the Service Station, which provides good access
for all. Activity is enjoyed by expert and complete
novice alike and you will always meet new and familiar
faces.
It provides a pre-summer practice for the more
competitive entrants and the Inter Centre competition
and rivalry between the South East and Abingdon Works
Centre adds to the entertainment of the day.
June 4th/5th SILVERSTONE INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND
6th Main Club 01235-555552
Orgainsed by the Main Club, this is the largest club
in the world, with South East Centre participation
in several activities.
In addition to the full MG Race Meeting and Banquet
Dinner on the saturday, there will be Race Practice
and circuit drives on the Friday, Concours, Pride of
Ownership, Sprint Meeting, Gymkhana, California Cup
Autotests on the Sunday and Traders Village throughout
the weekend, with a range of autojumble, new parts and
general car automobilia. A must for all club members!
June 20th MID SUMMER RUN/TOUR, BBQ & CONCOURS
Woodcroft, Nr. Billingshurst, W. Sussex.
Andrew Turner 01403-783218
An excellent lunch time bar-b-que with self judged
concours, ideal for all the family, at a superb
location, with the added feature this year of
runs/tours into the event.
July 1st CONTINENTAL OUTING
to 5th Jenny Morgan 0181-657-2714
To Northern France. Visiting Monet's Garden before
spending the weekend at John Bevington's delightful
Normandy farm house in the village of Hambye. Look
out for details in Safety Fast!
July 11th TOUR OF S.E.
To Museum of Kent Life, Cobtree near Maidstone, Kent
Doug Bush 01342-870069
A social tour through the country lanes of Kent
and East Sussex with a mildly competitive
overtone. This year the event will finish at
the well established Museum of Kent Life, Cobtree,
with the fascinating backdrop of pastimes in Kent and
a meeting of historic classic commercial vehicles.
September 3rd/ CONTINENTAL OUTING
6th Doug Bush 01342-870069
To Northern France with a repeat visit to the Champagne
region to collect the bottles ordered last year.
September 19th AUTUMN GATHERING
Groombridge Place Gardens, Nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Jenny Morgan 0181-657-2714
A new venue this year, following the highly successful
event in 1997/8, Groombridge Place has become famous
for its enchanting and award winning gardes, with the
wonderful setting of a moated Jacobean House (not open
to the public). The event will include: judged Concours,
Pride of Ownership, Gymkhana, Adult and Children's
Treasure Hunt and Trade Stands. Several runs/tours will
be incorporated to make the day even more enjoyable.
Entry to the MG Car Club Gathering will include entry
to the Gardens, which include Children's Venture
Playground and the themed area of The Enchanted Forest.
Oct 2nd REGIS RALLY
Main Club 01235-555552
This well established Rally is a one day event for all
models of historic cars in the Sussex area.
Oct 2nd/3rd BRITISH SPORTS CAR WEEKEND
Brands Hatch Main Club 01235-555552
A weekend of sports car racing at this popular race
circuit
Oct 17th AUTUMN TRIAL
near Longfield, Kent
Dave Fox 01474-708421
A production car trial. Gentle, off road, competitive
event, driving up slippery slopes.
Oct 24th NAVISCAT
Jeremy Bayne Powell 01483-811428
Another opportunity to participate in a navigational
scatter rally in the Sussex/Surrey area.
Oct 25th PRESENTATION AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Darrell Cocup 0181-675-5051
Reigate Manor Hotel (Close to Junction 8, M25)
The presentation will be by Sir John Whitmore of MGA
racing fame. An opportunity to meet the members of
the South East Centre Committee and to have your say
in what we do as a Centre and a Club.
Autotest Challenge
For information, copies of regulations, or participation registration please contact Michael Heath 01903 523167.
Details and contacts follow for the monthly, local area meetings. These are very informal and should be ensured of a warm welcome from fellow enthusiasts. Meetings generally take place from 8.30 p.m. onwards and all venues offer evening meals. It is advisable to phone the contact before attending the meeting for the first time.
MIDDLESEX Queens Head, Pinner, 1st Tuesday
Kenneth Baker 01895-672153
Hare and Hounds, Osterley, 2nd Monday
Danny Byrne 01932-829814
SURREY Blue Anchor, Bindley Heath, Nr Godstone, 2nd Monday
John Morgan 0181-657-2714
The Dukes Head, Tadworth, 2nd Thursday
John Morgan 0181-657-2714
Coulsdon Manor Hotel, Coulsdon, 3rd Monday
Peter Arnell 01306-885707
The Talbot Hotel, Ripley, 3rd Thursday
David Washbourne 01483-282379
Venue varies each month, 3rd Wednesday
Lunchtime meetings, Piers Hubbard 0181-657-2170
LONDON The City FOB Pub, Lower Thames Street, Last Friday
Jody Goh 07971-267633
KENT The Crown Inn, Sarre, Nr. Birchington, 1st Friday
Paul Knowles 01227-721706
George and Dragon, Speldhurst, Nr. Tunbridge Wells, 2nd Tuesday
Graham White 01892-654591
The Carpenters Arms, Eastling, 2nd Thursday
William Opie 01795-521846
Anchor and Hope, Ash, Nr. Brands Hatch, 4th Wednesday
Dave Fox 01474-708421
The George, Egerton, Nr. Charing, 4th Friday
Paul Bernal Ryan 01233-840331
SUSSEX The Black Horse, Nuthurst, Nr. Horsham, 2nd Wed
David Griffiths 01403-264548
The Gribble Inn, Oving, Chichester, 4th Tuesday
Peter Mace 01903-743335
The British Queen, Willingdon Triangle, Nr. Eastbourne, 1st
Monday Dennis Webb 0585-485255
KENT/SUSSEX The Harrier, East of Sandhurst, 3rd Thursday
BORDERS Tony Homersham 01580-241454
Committee/Contact Telephone Numbers
| Chairman and Competition Secretary | Doug Bush | 01342-870069 |
| Secretary | Darrell Cocup | 0181-675-3761 |
| Treasurer | Piers Hubbard | 0181-657-2170 |
| Publicity | Brian Galipeau | 01737-832100 |
| Membership/Social/Awards | Jenny Morgan | 0181-657-2714 |
| Competition Secretary/Regalia | John Morgan | 0181-657-2714 |
| Logistics and Local Meeting Co-ordinator | Peter Arnell | 01306-885707 |
| Autotest Challenge Co-ordinator | Micheal Heath | 01903-523167 |
| SE Centre Scribe/Register Co-ordinator | Nick Rowlatt | 0181-672-3041 |
| Beth Galipeau | 01737-832100 | |
| Derek Edwards | 01737-765891 | |
| Roy Castle | 0181-402-1687 | |
| Tony Cox | 01372-812173 |