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CLUB NIGHTS and
Mid Month Meets 2012
ACTIVITES AT OUR  CLUB

OUR AGM - JANUARY 19TH 2012

There were over 30 of our club members present to bring in the New Year with our first meeting of the year - our  Annual General Meeting.
Jamie Coventry was re-elected to his position as Hon. Treasurer for a further 3 years, having now served for 9 years . Congratulations to Jamie.
Cam Cunningham has a further 2 years left in his position as Hon. Secretary as ratified at AGM 2011.
There were no nominations for places on the committee and all serving committee members were prepared to continue . All existing committee members were re-elected for a further year in office.

At the  committeemeeting on Tuesday 7th February the committee re-elected Nigel Malyan for a further year as Hon . Chairman. for his 8th year in office  - congratulations to Nigel. So there are no changes to last year's committee.

The Club Committee elected at the AGM January 2012

Hon. Chairman -                   Nigel Malyan
Hon. Secretary -                   Cam Cunningham
Hon. Treasurer -                   Jamie Coventry
Events secretary -                Richard Sherman
Membership secretary -      Eric Hesketh
Regalia coordinator-            Noel Skinner
Mid month coordinator-      Ralph Greenhalgh
Social secretary -                 Roger Morrison
Information officer -             Tom Harrison
Thursday 16th February - 8pm.

There was a large turn out of over 40 club members for this  presentation from Ian Pogson who is the After Sales Chief Engineer for MGUK. He gave us a rivetting and amusing talk with details of the new Chinese made MGs as well as telling us of his experiences whilst in China. He kept us all transfixed with his tales and laughing at the photos for well over an hour - and the time flew by. we also had record takings for our raffle with over £50 taken - excellent evening.
Club Nights 2011
Our next club meetings
Friday November 2nd
Our annual Bowling Competition
Souhport Plaza
Cost is £13 for buffet meal and 2 games including shoe hire.
Contact Ralph to book your place

Thursday 15th November
The Annual Scalextric Grand Prix has had to be postponed - but we will have something else interesting instead.

Thursday December 20th
Annual Xmas Meal
Ticket Only - please book your place at the November club meeting

OUR FIRST MID MONTH MEET OF THE YEAR
AT THE RAILWAY TAVERN
THURSDAY 1ST MARCH 2012
Around 20 club members gathered in the bar of the Railway Tavern in Hoscar for our first mid month meet up of the year. I think we made the pub landlord's evening as there were only 3 other people in the pub.  It was a beautiful warm evening which was proven by the fact  that there were half a dozen classic cars in the car park - all with tops down -- in March!!
Club members pack into the small bar of the Railway Tavern.
THURSDAY 15TH MARCH 2012
OUR EASTER FUN ACTIVITY

Our treasurer, Jamie , was given the task of setting our Easter activity for March club night. He came up with the brilliant idea of "Chocolate chick racing"! This novel idea used a 1960s Waddington's horse racing game , called Escalado - but the horses were replaced with small foil wrapped chocolate Easter chicks . It was a winner - with everyone joining in the fun. Each chick was given a name ( KFC, Kiev, ArnieSquawkenegger, Clucky, Nugget etc.)- cleverly thought up by Mandy, Jamie's partner. There were several heats with the 1st two going through to the next round - and Jamie giving a running commentary for each round - as well as operating the handle to activate the track. The 4 reaching the final were Pam Bryant, Martin, Margaret, and Sandy. Eventual winner was Sandy's chick ( going by the name of Mrs. feathers).
Photos - Nigel Malyan and Jerry Myers
The chocolate chicks waithing to be selected.Jockeying for position at the startJamie gets the chicks ready...and they're off!Jamie winds up the handle with the chicks well on their way........and one of the runners falls off the trackJoyce whittle gives her chick some encouragement. The finalists gatherThe four finalists Pam, Martin, Sandy, Jamie the starter and Margaret. Mrs. Feathers (aka Sandy) with her chocolate winner's medal and bottle of "champagne".
7 of the club MGs in the car park.Taken from another angle - this photo gives a good view of the full moon.
Thursday 5th April 2012
Our 2nd Mid month Meet of the year at
The Bottle & Glass Inn, Rainford
There was a good turn out on a clear but rather cold evening. There was a total of 10 club MGs plus a Morgan on the car park plus a couple of members everyday cars too. The car park was pretty full so we did not all manage to park together - but the photos show that at least 7 managed to commandeer one corner for the club. Most of the memebrs stayed in the car park until well afetr 9pm with a few taking the sensible option of the cosy interior of the pub.
Steve arrived in his MGB - complete with Henry his black Lab.Eric's MidgetA nice picnic area where Henry waits patiently for Steve to open the crisps as he chats to Peter and Richard.As is traditional many of us stood in the car park rather than sat on the rather more convenient picnic benches Martin's Midget - although the top only went up after he had arrived. The staff of the pub showed a lot of interest in our cars.
The Holts Arms Billinge
Thursday May 3rd

We had a good turn out of MGs on a fine dry evening for our visit to The Holts. this was a return to its roots for Ralph's TC , which received a lot of admiring looks from the Landlord. The full story of how Ralph found his TC in the car park nearly 50 years ago will be in the May Newsletter.
APRIL CLUB NIGHT - THURSDAY 19TH APRIL 2012
We decided to try a new activity this month - a driver reaction test. This a was actually a simple computer game which involved shooting a dart at escaping sheep . We managed to project the images on the to the main screen so everyone could see what was happening. There were around 24 members prepared to have a go and the results showed that most of them had pretty good reactions, with the average score being around O.28 seconds. The top 5 scores ( all around 0.21 seconds or better) were put through to the final which was more car oriented being a simulated computer Formula One style pitstop. The finalists were Dave Maguire, Nigel Lomas, Jamie Coventry, Mandy Sheridan and Laura Jackson. This test was more difficult than it looked and yourthful reactions won through in the end with Junior member Laura having the winning time nearly 10 seconds faster than her nearest rival.!

CLUB MEETING - THURSDAY 17TH MAY 2012
OVERLAND TO EGYPT - A TALK BY GORDON MAY
(photos - Nigel Malyan)
We had an excellent talk from adventurer and travel writer, Gordon May at this month's club meeting. This the 2nd time we have heard from him - last time was after his trip to India on a Royal Enfield. This time, Gordon took his tiny 1952 BSA Bantam all the way to Egypt via Libya in 2010. It was no straightforward journey either. His first attempt floundered in Italy when the motorbike broke down but undeterred, Gordon's second attempt got him there and back safely. He told of the help afforded him by friendly Libyan's and Syrian's which helped ease his journey. We look forward to hearing from him again after his next journey , which he hopes will be to South Africa next year.
Club members gather for the talk from GordonJerry chats to Gordon with Warren standing by.Gordon signs a copy of his book.The cover of Gordon's latest book.Gordon gets ready to sign his book for Dave Staniforth
JUNE 21ST 2012
PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP EVENING

When we planned that the PoO would be on Midsummer's Day we all anticipated a lovely summer's eveing,30+ shining cars on display and 50+ members all judging the cars and enjoying the late sunshine with a cool drinking glass in their hands.
Unfortunately it was not to be - the rains arrived at around 7.30pm and by 8.30pm it was clear that we would have to postpone our traditional self judging competition. Fortunately we had planned ahead and Nigel brought out one of his famous quizzes - this time a cryptic story with hidden car names all done in Nigel's well known amusing style. The winner was Ray Trivass ( who would have thought!) with a score of 29 out of 40 and runner up was Dave Maguire with a score of 28.
We will try again with our Pride of Ownership at the July club meeting .
July Midmonth Meeting - Thursday 5th July 2012
The White Crow Inn.Worthington, near Wigan

The first 4 cars to arrive at the White Crow car park - just as the rain was starting.Soft top s were down for driving there - but tops went up quickly on Ralph's and Eric's cars.More cars soon arrive to join the MG area in the car park - the red roadsters of Tim Eastham and Steve Bentley and the GT of Ron and Joyce. A few more arrivals - Richard's TD joins us. We commandeered tthe patio area of the Inn with its picnic tables and covered "smoker's area". Despite the intermittent rain , it made an excellent area to have a chat with other club members.Nigel sprints to the bar ( or was it the loo?)Tom, Ron and Andrew use the cobvered area for shelter as the rain started again. Ron shows off his latest MG T-shirtRay notes the ducks that arrived on the patio and gives his imitation - (Oooh ducky!)Ray and Pam ready to leave as Nigel puts up his hood. Final line up of MGs in the car park - nice display of 11 cars that attracted a lot of attention from the Inn's customers.
JULY CLUB MEETING AT BRIARS HALL
OUR ANNUAL PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP COMPETITION
19th July 2012

At last we managed to get the judging of the Pride of Ownership under way . There were a few moments when the drizzle started getting heavier that we thought it may not happen , but eventually it eased off for long enough to get out and judge the cars. There were fewer cars on display than usual - due mainly to the bad weather, but also to the start of the holiday season. Still we managed it and I think all those who turned out with their cars deserve a trophy !!
Nice to see ex committee member, Ted Bennett back with us again after a break of 7 years - his GT looked in good nick too..
RESULTS
Premier Class
1st  - Ralph Greenhalgh   -  MGTC - 1101 points
2nd  - Richard Sherman    -  MGTD - 1097
3rd  - Cam Cunningham  -    MGA - 1055

Standard Class
1st  - Ray Travies - MGB GT V8 - 1107 points
2nd    -   Peter Dobson - MGB - 1033
3rd - Peter Ferris - MGBGT - 1003

Modern Class
1st  -  Eric Hesketh - MGTF - 1050 points
2nd  -   Ron Whittle - MGZR - 926
3rd    -   Sandy Grant Wilkie - MGF - 916
Dave Maguire's recent MGB acquisition heads teh line up - whilst Richard checks out Ralph's TCTed Bennett finds his way around the Briars hall car park after rejoining us after a 7 year absence - welcome back Ted. Bill and Roger check out Eric's MGTFThe drizzle eased off and we all managed to judge the cars on display.Peter Ferris's black GT in the standard category once again after buying it from Bill last year.
AUGUST CLUB MEETING
THURSDAY 16TH
PIT STOP CHALLENGE

The car park trial this year did not involve using your MG but instead there was challenge to remove 4 spark plugs from and old MGB cylinder head as quickly as possible.
16 club members rose to the challenge including only one female member - well done Mandy Sheridan for volunteering to get your hands oily and turning in a good score too.
The eventual winner was Richard Sherman with an excellent time of just 33 seconds ( it is rumoured that McLaren are making him an offer for their F1 pit crew!
Photo to follow

SEPTEMBER CLUB MEETING
ROCKER BOX DERBY
We had an excellent entry of 12 buggies up for the challenge of Longest Distance and Best Design.
We were in a different room (thicker carpet!) than last year and using a different angle of slope on the ramp - so comparing distances with last year was not possible.
We had the same procedure with each buggy having two runs down the ramp . The final result was
1st - Jerry Myers - 17'6"
2nd - The Malyans - 14'5"
3rd - Peter Dobson - 13'5"
Peter's buggy was also voted as the best design - congratulations to everyone who entered. 
MGB 50th Anniversary Cake made by MandyRaffle prizes - mostly MG themedEveryone checks out the raffle prizes. Trophies and Shields for the AwardsAll ready for the presentations.. agood turn out of members and family.Everyone enjoyed the Hot Pot supper. Jerry Myers won the Rocker Box TrophyEric Hesketh won the Best Modern Car Shield for his TFRay Travies won the Best Stanbdard Car Shield for his V8 GT. Ralph grenhalgh won the Best Premier Class Shield for his TC. The Dargan Trophy was won by Mandy Sheridan - presented by Ray Trivass , last year's winner. Nigel helps Mandy cut the Anniversary cake.
ANNUAL AWARDS EVENING AND MGB 50TH ANNIVERSARY
THURSDAY 18TH 0CTOBER 2012
There were around 50 club members, family and friends to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the MGB together with the presentation of the Club awards.
As well as the presentation of the Pride of Ownership Trophies, Jerry received his Rocker Box Trophy and centre stage was this year's winner fo the Dargan Trophy - Mandy Sheridan , for all her work in assisting Jamie as treasurer, looking after the monthly raffle and creating magnificemt cakes for charity raffles and auctions.
NOVEMBER CLUB NIGHT - THURSDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2012
Paul Jackson picked up his award for Club Supporter of the year award after missing the Awards evening last month. Unfortunately Paul was unable to put on the Scalextric competition this evening - but Tom Harrison stepped in and produced a novel Olympic /MGB anniversary special. There were 3 events designed to be completed by teams of 4 or 5. The events were - 1. Answer 15 questions relating to MGs; 2. Solve a computer maze; and 3. Build a concours model MGB. There were 4 teams but committee members were not allowed to take part - because they already knew most of what was planned. Only Jill and Joyce managed to solve the computer puzzle giving them maximum points for their team. Then both Paul & Nigel's team and Jill & Joyce's team scored the highest points in the quiz  . Finally - all the teams managed to complete their MGB models to a very high standard - but only Pual & Nigel's team scored maximum points for a concours production. Final scores put Jill & Joyce's team on 115 points to win the gold followed by Paul & Nigel's lads team on 105 to take silver and Richard and Pam's team taking bronze with 93 - tail enders were Ray and Ted's team on 89. Altogether a fun evening and many thanks to Tom for organisinbg it so thoroughly.
Paul Jackson receives his award of Club Supporter of the Year award - a month late. Paul has been a club member since 2000 and has organised the Scalextric competition for the last 5 years as well as organising several Kart racing sessions. Nigel Lomas tries out the computer maze puzzle - with paul looking on - looking suitably puzzled. The winning team of Andrew Staniforth ( engrossed in cutting out - Ron Whittle - looks like he feels better after that! - Joyce - also busy cutting out and Jill taking a breather after successfully completing the computer maze. Looks like the Olympic event stimulated Ray's team - as even the quiz couldn't keep Ray away from his iphone, Ted looks suitably enthused - Pam resorts to the red wine - but at least Mandy gets on with MGB model.Roger's team were kept busy - looks like Roger needs his glasses. as Cynthia, Pam and Richard keep on task.The 5 man, all male team of Dave, Paul, Nigel, Ray Travies and new member Duncan managed to contruct the best MGB model - but still didn't win overall.
Ray Travies and JoyceMandy and JamieStuart and LouisePaul chats with Peter.3 of our junior members - Jack, Thomas and Laura.Ron & Joyce WhittleLaura Skinner with her friend Jason from NYCDave and Sandy Grant-WilkieNoel & Jill SkinnerNigel presents a cheque for £500 to Sue from Derian House.Jamie, Jack and Thomas have No DirectionNo Direction in full songEvery angle was coveredA rousing finale.
Our Christmas Meal at Briars Hall
Thursday 20th December 2012

We had a good turn out of over 40 club members for our annual Xmas dinner at Briars hall. The food was excellent as usual and our thanks must go to Jamie Coventry our treasurer for arranging and organising the evening together with his fiancee Mandy Sheridan who put together the hamper and table gifts. After the meal the members were subjected to ... er i mena treated to a rendition of a Micheal Buble song from Jamie, and Jack and Thomas Malyan and then to add insult to injury the committee choir did thier version of "Must be Santa". It was a good job that we locked the doors first otherwise everyone would have escaped. This was followed by a presentation of a cheque for £500 to Sue a representative from Derian House. This was the money raised at the chairman's BBQ last October. Finally we had the raffle for the magnificent hamper. We tried something different this year - by having a ticking electronic "bomb" - this we pased round until it "exploded" with a realistic sound - with 2 people being eliminated each time - evetual winner was Dave Law.