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Sefton Branch Monthly Meeting
21st September 2005

Chairman

At the last committee meeting, Nigel suggested devising a form showing relevant information about members of Sefton Branch. It was agreed by the committee to put this into action. Nigel showed an example of the renewal form he had put together for members to fill in. It was also reinforced by Nigel that the information which was put down will not become public. Members who do not want to be included on the list will insert an asterisk on the form next to their name, also an asterisk will be placed near the information that they don’t want to be noted e.g. if you don’t want your phone numbers shown then put an asterisk near to the phone number then it will be omitted from the list. At the committee meeting it was also agreed to devise a membership survey for members to complete so that their opinions and views may become apparent. Nigel gave one of these forms to each member so they could complete it and give it back to him, they will be posted to the members who were not at the meeting.

Oulton Park

Keith has made the decision not to organise Oulton Park next year because he had a problem getting hold of the tickets and there was a general lack of support from branch members.

Beaulieu

Nigel and Keith went down the Autojumble at Beaulieu, next year it will be different because there is a trip to the Isle of Wight and Beaulieu is the following weekend.

International Classic Car Show

Keith asked if anyone is interested in going to the NEC in Birmingham to the Classic Car Show which will held on the 6th November the cost is £9 on the internet and £14 on the day, if you hand in your ticket stub the car club you belong to will be given £1.50.

Next Meeting

The next monthly meeting will be held on October 19th. Phil has arranged for the batman to come and give a talk on bats. He will also bring bats along with him. A donation will be given which will go to charity. On the 16th October there is a run to the Nuclear Bunker at Hack Green. For anyone who is interested the meeting place is Knutsford Services at 12.00 noon - there is no need to book for this.

Any other Business

This weekend it is the Roses Run from Morecambe to Scarborough, Keith, Roy Janet and John will be taking part.
Keith has paid the deposit for the Christmas meal at Shorrocks Hill, Formby the date of the meal is Sunday 4th December.
Nigel thanked everyone for completing the survey form.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm

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Membership Renewals and Members Survey

By the time you read this Newsletter, all of you should have received your copy of the Membership renewal form and survey. If it’s still sitting on the mantelpiece in the ‘do later’ pile, hopefully you will be able to complete them, and either post it to me, using the stamped addressed envelope, or bring it to the next meeting. For those of you who have already renewed, thank you for doing this so promptly.
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Nigel’s Natter

You will have seen in last months Minor Matters that there are 2 new books out about Alex Issigonis, the creator of the Minor. The first one I purchased is called Alec Issigonis The man who made the Mini by Jonathan Wood, and the 2nd which I have only just started is called Issigonis The Official Biography by Gillian Barnsley. Initial thoughts are that both books are worth a read, and in some ways complement each other.
Which vehicle, the Minor or the Mini would you say was most successful?
The answer to this question depends on how you define success. If you define success in terms of volume of production, then undoubtedly it is the Mini that wins. However if success is defined in terms of how profitably the car was to the manufacturer, then the Minor wins.
Issigonis, although being a very good innovative engineer in designing the concept of a compact vehicle with good handling, had a significant blind spot in terms of designing a car which was cheap to make. The Minor was profitable because it used an existing engine and transmission, which was already in production, and reliable, so warranty claims (which can have a significant impact on profitability) were fairly low.
People tend to forget that the horizontally opposed engine as Issigonis proposed for the Minor was a completely new Side valve design, when the tendency then was to go for an Overhead valve design, because of its improved performance.
His other blind spot was not being very interested in improvements to a vehicle after it was in production. This blind spot was not so significant in the early production of the Minor, because he was not in a position to set engineering policy. However this was not the case in the late 1950’s when he returned to BMC and engineering policy was his responsibility.

I will probably come back to this subject in a later Nigel’s Natters when have completed reading the Gillian Barnsley book.

Nigel
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Next Meeting

Wednesday 19th October. Batman. Phil has arranged for a gentleman to come to us to talk about Bats. He will also be bringing a couple of live bats in cages.
Also, if not already handed in, please bring along your Subscription forms with payment and Survey forms.
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FROM THE SECRETARY

Well. What’s happened since the last meeting? I suppose the most significant thing was the “Fourth Roses Cross Country Run” as organised by North East Lancs Branch on Sunday 25th September. This year I was equipped with a “co-driver” (navigator), our former Chairman, Roy Brown. What a great day – nothing wrong with last year when I just followed the car in front – however, relying on the person sitting next to you giving instructions is far more direct! We didn’t go wrong – completed the whole 157 miles without any hitches – driving through beautiful countryside – even using two Forestry Commission routes!! Thanks Roy! Thanks also to Janet and John for their company over the three days – yes, we stayed in Scarborough for two nights!! This is an event that I can thoroughly recommend, although having now completed the route two years running – Morecambe to Scarborough this year, and vice-versa last year, I doubt whether I shall do it again for a couple of years – how about the JOGGLE instead next year – anyone else interested?

Nigel has very kindly listed the events for the rest of this year.

The next one is the promised visit to the Nuclear Bunker at Hack Green on Sunday 16th October. Although we don’t need to book, I still need to know who will be coming as we all need to be at Knutsford Services (Southbound) on the M6 for 12 noon. Can you please let me know by telephone or email if you will be joining us.

Then, the next meeting on Wednesday 19th October – BATMAN – yes, he will be joining us to show and give a talk on his bats lasting approximately 1 hour – please come along and support - we will have to start this one promptly at 8.00pm.

Next – Sunday 6th November – The International Classic Car Show at the NEC. Does anybody want to go – how many cars can we fill – I must know at our next meeting on 19th October.

Then, our November meeting on Wednesday 16th November – the annual music quiz – this is when we expect guests from Lancashire, North East Lancs and possibly Merseyside Branch to join us – how about a winning partnership form Sefton for a change – buffet will be provided as usual together with a raffle.

The Christmas Meal – Shorrocks Hill Country Club, Formby, Sunday December 4th. 1.30pm for 2.00pm – slight change this year – choose your menu on the day from a list of starters, traditional Sunday roasts and desserts – coffee also included, still at £10.00 per person – please mark the booking form (enclosed) if you require a vegetarian alternative – lets have a full turn out this year!!

Our AGM will of course take place at our January meeting – Wednesday 18th January 2006 – all of the committee will be up for election – if anybody wishes to join the committee please ensure that you have somebody to nominate you – only fully paid up members of both the Branch and MMOC are eligible.

LASTLY - as mentioned elsewhere, subscription renewals are now due, please complete the renewal forms sent to you by Nigel and return them with your payment as soon as possible.

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