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Sefton Branch MMOC Monthly Meeting
17th August

BBQ

The Branch Barbeque was held at Roy’s house the night before Woodvale. It was very enjoyable; thanks were given to Roy and Beth for providing the food and for their hospitality. Tony Seed has very kindly offered to hold the barbeque at his house next year.

Woodvale

Woodvale was a very enjoyable and successful day, also the weather was very good everyone who went enjoyed themselves. Nigel’s sandwich board was presented very well.

Oulton Park

Oulton Park is being held on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Keith has to be informed tonight about who is going to the event, he has also acquired tickets which
will enable members to get in free of charge. Members were asked to try to attend
Oulton Park if they can, because if there is not enough participation we may not be
able to go next year.

Beaulieu

Nigel, Keith and Les are going the Autojumble at Beaulieu. Tony Seed may go but he will make his own way down there.

Chairman

At this present time Nigel didn’t have any matters arising, but he did mention that he met the new member James McPartland when he bought a heater off ebay. When Nigel went to pick up the heater he took with him a membership form so that Jim could join.

Any Other Business

Keith asked Andrew if there was any new from the Lancashire Branch. Andrew mentioned there was a fun day being held on the August Bank Holiday weekend at Bank Hall in Tarleton everyone is welcome.

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Nigel’s Natter

I write these words the day after the last meeting, which was attended by 13 members. The seventh item on the agenda (which I had not seen before the meeting) was ‘Chairman’. It turned out not be a comment on the performance of the Chairman, (the chance for that comes later,) but more an invitation for the Chairman to speak. Initially slightly stuck for words, I saw this as an opportunity to comment on what had already been said, and to widen it to a discussion which generated some interesting nuggets of information ranging from very favourable comments on Bert’s ‘patented’ drop weight nut to ease the adjustment of a Minor clutch, to the price of front wings for a Jaguar XK 120. Hopefully I did not go on too long before we had comments from the floor. I leave this Natter shorter than usual, to leave space in the Newsletter to convey to you any proposals agreed at the Committee meeting.

Nigel

From the recent committee meeting.

The next meeting is on 21st September. The new Sefton Branch year starts in October, and this is when subscription renewals are due. We would like you all to renew, and in order that the Committee can gauge your requirements, we need to know if we are getting it right, or if there are areas which need improving. To enable members’ requirements to be defined, a survey form has been produced, which will be distributed at the next meeting. For those members not attending, a copy will be sent to them with a stamped addressed envelope.

Proposed Annual Fee Change.

The current membership fee is £5. This is the same as when the Branch was set up in 1998. Within the questionnaire is a proposal that the annual membership fee is increased to from £5 to £6, retaining the existing meeting attendance fee of 50p, which is waved when there is a raffle. If there is an ‘Additional Member’ living at the same address, their annual fee will be reduced to £3. (£5 at present). Also if new members join part way through the Sefton Branch year, then the membership fee for that year will be on a sliding scale, i.e.., joining in period, October to January, £6; February to May £4; June to September £2; and ½ the fee for each ‘Additional Member’. I must emphasise, this is only a proposal, which we are asking your views on in the survey. Any formal decision can only be made at the AGM in January 2006, any change in fees coming into force in October 2006.

Currently the annual membership fee for all members remains at £5. If you are intending to attend the next meeting it would be helpful if you could please bring along your annual subscription, be it in cash, or cheque. This will help keep down our administration charges. Any cheque's should be made payable to: Sefton Branch MMOC.

List of Members

A number of other car clubs produce for use by club members only, a list of members and their vehicles. I am in the Morris Commercial Club (not to be confused the LCV register), and have found this to be very useful, especially to a new member, and I am sure it helps to unify that club.

As applied to Sefton Branch, at glance it would be possible to see who has a Minor that is closest in age, model, etc to your own vehicle.

The inclusion of a member on this list is purely voluntary. Some member may have ex-directory numbers, which they don’t want publicised. Some members may not want to be on the list at all. All those wishes will be adhered to.

The collection of this information will be via the Sefton Branch Membership renewal form, which will be distributed at the next meeting.

Information on the list will be limited to:
Name. e.g.. Nigel Harrison, Town. e.g.. Chester, Phone No. e.g.. 01244 341767,
Model. e.g. Series II, Type. e.g. 4 door, Engine size. e.g. 1098 cc,Year . e.g. 1954, Colour. e.g. Grey .

An example of the layout of the ‘List of Members’ will be distributed at the next meeting. For those members not attending, it will be posted to them together with a Membership renewal form, a survey form and a stamped addressed envelope.

Keith will continue to maintain the confidential branch membership list.

I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting

Nigel

FROM THE SECRETARY

Well, here we go!
Since the last meeting we’ve had the BBQ, Woodvale, a very interesting committee meeting and the Oulton Park Gold Cup.
This coming weekend sees the now annual trip to Beaulieu.
With regard to the BBQ and Woodvale, I do not intend to devote any time as this is covered elsewhere in the newsletter.
Also, details of the committee meeting will become apparent at our next meeting on 21st September.
With regard to the Oulton Cup Gold Cup – I WILL NOT BE ORGANISING THIS NEXT YEAR – the general lack of support amongst branch members compared to the effort of organising it makes it completely unworthwhile. Whilst I personally really enjoy attending it, it is becoming quite obvious that this is not everyone’s cup of tea. To those branch members who did go this year – Roy, Nigel, Tony, Janet and John a very big thank you for your support – to my personal friend Les Carter, and to our friends Keith and Christine from Barnsley Branch also, a big thank you, but I’m afraid you’re on your own next year.
As mentioned elsewhere, annual subs are due in next month, however, booking for the Christmas Meal will also soon be available – more money!!!
Please come along to the next meeting and take part in the member’s survey- we need to know what you want!!

WEBSITE – – email: - under construction by Phil – have a look!!!

See you all on Wednesday 21st September, the Blue Bell, Barton at 8.00pm.
Keith