Although the Annual Dinner held in February and the AGM in early March are now distant memories, the low number of members who attended both were very noticeable. The dinner of course involved cost which these days is a big factor in everyone's budget. Although numbers were down the evening was a great success with an excellent meal followed by after dinner recollections of our past chairman Steve Dear who had the assembly laughing from the start.
The AGM on the other hand is always held on a
natter night which is usually well attended. Well this year the numbers dropped
to 22 and 7 of those were on the committee. With a centre membership of over
1100 this was and has been in the past very disappointing. I wonder if other
Centre's have a similar problem?. The AGM is the one time of the year when the
local membership can air their views and get things onto an agenda for change. I
can only assume
1. the events listed are considered suitable and varied enough for the active
membership.
2. interest is only in Register events and 3. Safety Fast is attractive enough
to maintain an armchair interest in the marque. How different all those years
ago when I and most of the committee were invited to join and organise
competitive events which attracted full entries and a good turn out of
marshal's. If the social side of the club is what matters to most of the
membership why do they not speak up and come and organise their type of event
via the committee? financing centre events is seldom a problem but getting
anyone interested in organising or even helping on the day is being left to a
dwindling number of dedicated members who are not getting any younger. Food for
thought
Now on the brighter side of life you should all have time to enter or marshal this years Kimber Classic Trial on April 17th. The event really is possible in the average MG although it can be muddy and may get the carpets wet if the ford is a bit higher than normal!. The idea is to give a 'taste' of the pre war type of trial without damaging the car. I can get up most sections in my Astra Estate when setting up the trial on the previous day so don't be put off come and spectate or better still enter or marshal. Entries on the Centre web site www.mgccsw.com or contact Andrew Owst on 01761 221893. Help with marshalling please to Bruce Weston on 01963 440941 .The social side follows in the evening with an informal dinner at the Sherborne Hotel followed by a Gymkhana on Sunday 18th at the home of Barry Foster at Butliegh near Glastonbury.
The Bristol Classic Car Show on May 1st and 2nd is held at the Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet and the SW Centre has always been well represented since the first show back in 1978. Autojumble and trade stands together with a wide range of classic's makes this a very good day out so why not come and see us on Stand 56A.
If its speed you want then the Wessex Sprint on Bank Holiday May 3rd at Colerne North of Bath will get you up close and give you an exiting days motorsport but only if you enter or volunteer as a marshal as spectators are not admitted due to safety considerations. Details are on the web site but further information can be obtained from Bruce Morgan on 01275 790855.
Going into May two events for the diary are
1. The Wye Valley Social Run on Sunday May 16th, organised by Terry Davies on 01989 562366. This event is always a delight being held in and around the County of Hereford on country lanes which really do give a feeling of driving in the 1950/60s.
2. The Bath Gymkhana on Sunday May 23rd, held in the afternoon and consisting of a light hearted romp around various obstacles placed about a disused airfield just to the North of Bath on the A46. Full details on the web site or from Peter Jones on 01225 837545.
To give a bit of encouragement to all those thinking of entering this years Kimber Classic a photo of Val and Tony Blake 'meandering' up 'Hell Ladder Lane' on last year Kimber.
SW Centre website: www.mgccsw.com