Page 37

Christmas meal at Briars Hall

Next Meeting – AGM

Wednesday 17th January 2007

The Blue Bell, Barton. 8.00pm

Nigel’s Natter

First of all, I would guess that by now, most of you will know that Joan (Keith’s wife) has recently had a short stay in hospital, where she had an operation, and is now home convalescing. I think we would all like to wish Joan a speedy recovery.

As many of you will know, the last meeting attended by 14 members (and one neighbour), was Keith’s musical quiz. There were Rounds called, Vaguely Classical, Film themes, 1960’s, Who’s Singing with Cliff, and finally a Picture Round. There were 7 teams of two, and the winners in reverse order were 3rd, with 36 points Lancashire Branch, 2nd with 40 points, Birds of a feather (Shirley and neighbour Paula), and winner with 42 points were Tom and Roy. Congratulations to all the winners. There are some of us, where although you can remember you have heard a piece of music before, recalling its title, or which film it was in, is another matter. We also had a buffet laid on, so none of us should have gone home hungry. There was also a raffle, with some of the prizes being spectacular, like a working portable TV, which had been donated by Derek. This was won by one of the bar staff. The last prize to be selected was a bright orange table lamp, which was won by Roy.

Our AGM is on January 17th. All of the existing committee have indicated they are willing to stand again for next year. However, any one in the Branch who is a paid up member of the MMOC is eligible to stand. However, they may be others that don’t wish to be on the committee, but want to assist in other ways. The committee meets at the Blue Bell on a Wednesday once every 3 months. i.e. 4 committee meetings per year. If you want to stand could you please make your wishes known to either Keith or myself by Wednesday 3rd January.

Regards

Nigel

Report on MMOC AGM- A personal view

The MMOC have a ‘For Doing Daft Things’ memorial trophy. This year it was awarded to Andrew Rudman in recognition of the entertainment and daft things he has done during all the London Lord Mayors parades to which the MMOC has been involved with. Congratulations.

Moving on to other things, the 2007 National Rally will be held at Kelmarsh Hall, Northampton. The other venue considered was Gaydon, but unfortunately Gaydon wanted to exercise more control than the rally committee found acceptable, so Kelmarsh Hall was settled on. Andrew Stone then summarised how from an attendance and financial standpoint, the last few rallies has done. Donnnington (2004) had made a reasonable profit, Braemore House (2005) had made a significant loss, partly offset by the profit made at Donnington . Normandy Hall (2006) had broken even. The suggestion was that where a National Rally is held near the coast, this would significantly affect attendance, because there is a reduction in catchment area.

On the web site front, Andrew Booth and Billy McMillan have stepped down, and have been replaced by Cameron Shaw and John Rock. Within the chat room forum, there have been some discussions about Traders, some of which has been libellous. For those of you that don’t know, if a member put a derogatory or inaccurate posting on the web site, there is a Moderator (appointed by the MMOC), whose role is to make a ‘moderating response’ or possibly delete the members posting. However, it appears that this has not always been happening. There will be a meeting with the Moderators on this subject. One trader has made a formal complaint about the contents of the web site.

On a more personal note, after some informal discussions outside the meeting, it was announced inside the meeting that I would be editing the MMOC Handbook.

On the financial front, the MMOC made a loss in 2005 of £10,347, compared to a profit in 2004 of £ 12,868.

It was agreed that membership rates will go up as follows:

Full membership £1 increase, Concessions 50p increase, Family membership, no increase, New members £2 increase. These will come in on 1st January 2007.

It was agreed that remuneration of officers would increase by 3%. These increases are as follows: (Pre increase amount in brackets)

Ray Newell: £158 (£5,226), David Harvey: £62 (£2,060), Deputy Editor £24, (£803) Ann Ford: £24 (£803) Treasurer: £75, (£2498). The treasurer does not take his remuneration.

There had been submitted a number of proposals from members, which was dealt with as Any Other Business.

The first proposal was that all Branches and Registers should have an equal opportunity to have their vehicles displayed at shows, including the NEC. The response was that the general practice is that vehicles should only be displayed once, and that to adopt the proposed policy which been an unworkable burden on show organisers. However, an advert could be put in Minor Matters, once the theme of the stand has been decided, to appeal for vehicles.

The second proposal was that the minutes of committee meetings (I assume national committee meetings) should be in Minor Matters and on the web site. The response was that, yes, they can be put onto the web site once they have been approved. The approval is done at the following meeting, and once this is done, they will be put on the Web site. They won’t be put in Minor Matters because they will only be of interest to a minority of members, and space is limited in Minor Matters.

The third proposal was that there should be a recommended list of traders. Ray Newell indicated that his list of complaints was quite short. He had 2 complaints on 1 trader, one complaint about a convertible hood, and 2 complaints about gearboxes. There were then discussions about the merit of the MMOC offering an arbitration service. Apparently the MG owners club has an approved trader’s scheme. A working group is to be set up to investigate this area.

On the gearbox front, the problem of the quality of gearboxes had been flagged up to the MMOC by MGM. The design of 2nd gear is a weak point, and in a worn gearbox, it will jump out of 2nd gear. The supply of the original equipment (OE) 2nd gear components has dried up. The club has located the original tooling. Another member had access to a company that manufactures gear components. To manufacture a trial quantity of gear 2nd gear components would cost £4,000 including set up costs. It was agreed that the MMOC set aside £4,000 for this purpose.

This report on the AGM should be looked upon as being a personal recollection. The official minutes won’t be public until next years AGM.

Nigel

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

FROM THE SECRETARY

Firstly, many thanks to Nigel for his kind words regarding Joan. She is now well on the way to a full recovery – her sense of humour borne out by the fact that when I asked her if she was no going to come to the Christmas meal, that she’d only had a large cyst removed and a hysterectomy – not a lobotomy!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I am actually writing this piece the evening following the Christmas meal – I think all of you who attended will agree that it was an overwhelming success – the venue, food and service were excellent. Even Father Christmas made an appearance – I missed that though – can’t think why. For those of you who booked and had to cancel, we were very sorry you were unable to join us. However, 32 members and guests had a very enjoyable afternoon. Subject to committee approval I reckon it’s odds on that we’ll be back there again next year!!

As Nigel has also mentioned – we had winners from Sefton Branch at the music quiz last month – it must have been far too easy – although I think our previous winners from North East Lancs Branch might not agree!! I’m already working on next year’s!!!!

I suppose that there’s not really a lot happening at this time of year – classic car wise – since the last meeting I have been on my now annual trip to the “Cliff & The Shadows” tribute weekend in Blackpool where Flingel Bunt performed once again – he must have done something right as he received a standing ovation when he finished playing Cavatina!! I understand a recording contract may soon be available!!!!!!!!

A couple of months back we carried some members advertising for the first time – the same ads are repeated this month as the items are still for sale!! Please contact me if you have anything to advertise in future issues.

That’s all for this month, except to remind you all about the AGM already mentioned by Nigel, and to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

See you all in January 2007!

WEBSITE – www.sefton.mmoc.org.uk – email: sefton@mmoc.org.uk

See you all on Wednesday 17th, January 2007, the Blue Bell, Barton at 8.00pm.

Keith

KeithSrtn@aol.com

0151 931 2557

07950125498

DISCLAIMER

The Sefton Branch Committee would like to point out that any advice, articles or views expressed in this newsletter, are entirely those of the individual contributors.

FOR SALE

1957, four door saloon. BMC Island green in colour. Green interior with late series 2 leather seats. 1098cc with unleaded head and 4.22 differential. Needs a little cosmetic attention to upper body but structurally excellent having had the chassis renovated in 1998. Mechanically good and very reliable. This is one of the cars that starred in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth games. New acquisition forces very reluctant sale, but space required.
£1400.
Tel John or Shirley on 01282 415699 (Burnley)

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

FOR SALE

2 Large Jerry cans – one plastic – one metal

Suit military vehicle

£10 each

Tel Keith on 07950125498

Can be brought to Sefton Branch Meeting

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

Members, guests and Santa enjoying themselves at the Christmas meal.