2004
Our monthly meetings are held from 19:30 on the first Thursday of each month. Most Members take the opportunity to dine at the venue. Some even take
to drink!
Use this drop down list to jump to the month you want...
January Thursday 8,
Coal
House Inn, Apperley
Agenda...
- Ostensibly to discuss who would be willing to take
on the vacant role of Area Coordinator.
Action points...
- Unfortunately the meeting ended without any conclusion and hence no Area Coordinator. However, the year's
drives were scheduled.
February Thursday 5,
Red Lion
Inn, Norton
The landlady of the Coal House Inn will be on a
Caribbean cruise when our next meeting is due. Consequently the
Coal House Inn will not be open for business. Hence the move to the Red
Lion Inn.
For those who like to dine, here is the
menu.
Agenda...
- Vacant position of Area Coordinator
- Review the new web site and its content
- Submission of pictures for the web site gallery
- Is everyone happy to have their details on the site?
- Titles, dates and organiser names for drives
- Other pubs as venues for future meetings
- What's happening in December? Meeting or Christmas meal or both?
- Do we need a newsletter?
- Where is everyone (over 100 Members, 30 in the discussion group)?
- How many people want tickets for the Castle Combe Track Day?
Action points...
- Alec Willis kindly volunteered to stand in as Area Coordinator on a
trial basis for the next three months. Though of course we would not
tie him into that commitment. Alec will make contact with Doris
Tulley, Area Coordinator Liaison, to that effect.
- Members present remarked on the new website very favourably (thank you).
- Nick Higgins suggested that Members should submit new photographs
periodically so that old ones could be taken off the web site. In this
way the photo gallery would remain fresh.
- Harry Baldwin asked that if anyone wanted their details removing from
the web site to let him know and they would be removed. Conversely,
anyone whose details were not on the site and who wished to appear there
should provide contact details.
- Nick and Verena Higgins kindly volunteered to organise a
run for May.
However, the proposed date clashes with a national event at Brands Hatch.
Is this a problem?
- Harry Baldwin pointed out that there was a link on the Area's web site
(at the bottom of the Pubs page) to the
local CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) site. This site lists and reviews
local pubs that could be used for future meetings.
- It was decided that this year's Christmas Dinner would be on Sunday 12
December at the Scrumpy House, Much Marcle. Alan Wilson would contact
the pub for further information.
- There was no conclusion as to whether the usual monthly meeting would
still take place on Thursday 2 December.
- The issue of a newsletter was not raised.
- Harry Baldwin proposed that once we had an Area Coordinator one of the
first exercises we could undertake would be to mail shot the whole Area to
generate more interest in our meetings and drives.
- Three people, Mike Westley, Paul Starkey and Harry Baldwin expressed a
wish to attend the next Castle Combe Action Day on Saturday 24 April.
Harry will contact the Castle Combe Circuit directly to ask for concessionary tickets.
- It was agreed that a "Shiniest Car" competition could be incorporated
into one of the summer runs. Perhaps the
Treasure
Hunt and Barbeque on Sunday 20 June
or the Wyre Forest Run on Sunday 18 July.
- Harry Baldwin will liaise with the Yorkshire Area Coordinator, Steve
Watkins, with a view to possibly arranging some kind of "Exchange" visit
with that Area.
- Alan Wilson will visit Edwards Mazda to discuss the possibility of an
"Open Day" once renovation work has been completed there.
My, my, what a lot of action points! And, by the way, the Cumberland
sausage was excellent, as was the Weston's cider.
March Thursday 4,
Coal
House Inn, Apperley
Agenda...
- Review last month's action points
- Will there be a monthly meeting in December?
- Suggested prizes for the Christmas dinner - "Run of the Year", "Member of the
Year" and "Car of the Year"
- What would you like to "vote" on?
- Do we need a Newsletter?
- As March 21 is Mother's Day should the March run be put back a week?
- May is exceptionally busy! Is the May 23 clash a problem?
- Banner - courtesy of David Jones
- Web site statistics
- Eunosverse sponsorship
- "Open Day" at Edwards Mazda
- Warwickshire Rally details
- Submission of reports to STHT magazine
- Any other business
- New venue for next meeting?
Action points...
- The December meeting is to be cancelled
- It was agreed that a bottle of wine could be offered as a prize for each
of the
Christmas competitions
- Members were made aware of the new voting facility on the web site
- A newsletter does exist, which Members will receive shortly
- The run planned for March 21 has been put back one week to March 28
- The run planned for May 23 will stand
- Members were informed that the club banner currently resides with David
Jones
- Harry Baldwin distributed web site statistics showing that there are
currently an average of ten hits per day
- Harry Baldwin mentioned the possibility of sponsorship, raffle prizes,
publicity and discounts available from an MX-5 parts company called
Eunosverse. He will pursue this further with the company
- Alan Wilson reported that the open day at Edwards Mazda is definitely going
ahead but as yet the date is uncertain; possibly late summer
- Graham Smith pointed out that the Warwickshire Rally coincides with the
National Rally. It was therefore felt unlikely we would be requiring a
marquee at this event
- Alec Willis explained that the STHT magazine did not necessarily need
write-ups for our normal runs though comment on future events might be a
good idea. Anyone interested in putting wordings together should
contact Alec
- Alec Willis pointed out the new National Events Phone Line - 07799 410936 -
useful for those who do not have Internet access to the Area's web site
- Alec Willis explained that all Members in the Area would shortly be
receiving a mail shot with a view to drumming up more interest in the club
and its activities.
- Harry Baldwin explained that he was now on the mailing list for Castle
Combe and expected to receive something from them imminently.
- Under "any other business" - Jenny Wilson drew attention to raising
money for the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, which is under threat of closure.
Ideas included contacting Eunosverse (see above), a quiz and an MX-5 day
where Members could pay to "have a go"
- Also under "any other business" - Harry Baldwin suggested a Beaujolais
Nouveau run for November. Three people expressed interest with the
possibility of others as the time gets nearer or more concrete plans come to
light
- The April meeting will take place at the Yorkshire Grey
- Mike and Jenny Westley volunteered to arrange the May meeting
- Rob and Trish Boulton volunteered to arrange the June meeting
There were about 20 Members at this meeting. We are going to need
considerably bigger venues!
April Thursday 1,
Coal
House Inn, Apperley
Agenda...
- Review last month's action points
- Details of the April run
- Feedback on the mail shot
- Tickets for the Action Day at Castle Combe
- Area's Forum
- Area's Banner
- Shelsley Walsh update
- Eunosverse email
- Update on Edwards Mazda Open Day
- Any other business
- Venue for next meeting?
Action points...
- Last month's actions points were reviewed
- Louise Tarling provided out details of the April run
- Alec Willis said that there would not be another Member mail shot for
some time
- Harry Baldwin explained how he had just received an application form for
the Castle Combe Spring Action Day on April 24. Any Members who were
interested should contact him immediately.
- Harry drew attention to the new Member Forum on the web site.
- Harry pointed out that the Area's banner was now with him.
- Harry provided an up date on the Shelsley Walsh situation; the ball is
in their court at the moment.
- Harry read out an email from Eunosverse that pointed out the areas they
would be interested in helping out. He will make contact to pursue
these further.
- Alan Wilson suggested a Saturday in August for the Edwards Mazda Open
Day. He will go back to them with this suggestion.
- Nick Higgins reiterated a point he raised at an earlier meeting about
photographs for the web site. This was supported by a suggestion from
Alan Wilson that he bring his camera to the next meeting to take photographs
of Members and their cars.
- Alec and Pam Willis are to arrange the venue for August if there is to
be a meeting that month.
After an initial, well, cock up, the meeting eventually commenced at a
different location to that originally advertised. The Coal House Inn came
to our rescue.
May Thursday 6,
Yorkshire Grey, Earls Croome
Steve, at the Yorkshire Grey, agreed a special deal for us on the night -
any two courses from a set menu for £7.50. See the pub details for more information.
Agenda...
- Review last month's action points
- Details of the drive on May 23
- Other events this month...
- Spring Rally on May 9
- Shelsley Walsh meet on May 15
and 16
- MaX5 Racing on May 15, 16, 29
and 30
- Japfest May 22
- Brands Hatch May 23
- Curborough May 29
- Rotorstock May 31
- Should we have a meeting in August?
- Any other business
- Venue details for next meeting?
Action points...
- Alan Wilson reported he had tentatively agreed with Edwards Mazda that
we could visit them on the evening of Thursday 5 August
- It was agreed that this would effectively replace our meeting for the
month of August (see below)
- Nick Higgins gave details of this month's drive
- Harry Baldwin gave brief details of other events taking place this month
- Gloria Clark asked that people advise her of numbers for the drive and
barbecue in June - please let her know as soon as you can
- Alan Wilson will make arrangements for us to visit the Coal House Inn
for the meeting in September
- Harry Baldwin will make arrangements for us to visit the Yorkshire Grey
for the meeting in October
Steve and his staff did an excellent job with the food. So good in fact
that we plan to revisit the Yorkshire Grey in October. Well done Steve.
We had our biggest turn out this year - I made it 23 people in all including
one or two new faces.
June Thursday 3,
Nelson Inn, Suckley
Agenda...
- Review last month's action points
- Details of the drive on June 20
- Other events this month...
- Sunday Times Motor Show (27/5
- 6/6)
- Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb
(5/6 - 6/6)
- Castle Combe Track Day (12/6)
- Goodwood Festival of Speed
(25/6 - 27/6)
- Where shall we meet in November?
- Is the Christmas Dinner a "meeting" or a "drive" :) ?
- Any other business
- Venue details for the next meeting?
Action points...
- Trevor and Gloria gave details of their event on June 20. There is
a maximum of 15 cars with 9 places already gone. Get in there quick!
- Edwards Mazda have invited the club to its official Open Day on July 10
and 11
- The October meeting will be at the Yorkshire Grey
- Alec and Pam will organise the venue for the November meeting
- Next month's meeting will be at the Coal House. This is a change
from the previously published venue. Please note!
- I have some confusion over drives later in the year and am checking with
Alec. Please watch this space (Harry).
There were approximately 15 Members at this meeting.
July Thursday 1,
Coal
House Inn, Apperley
Agenda...
- Review last month's action points
- Details of the drive on July 18
- Other events this month...
- Max-5 Racing 3 and 4 July
- Shelsley Walsh Hill Climbing
3 and 4 July
- Lulworth Rally 9 to 11 July
- Edwards Mazda Open Day 10 and
11 July
- Max-5 Racing 17 July
- Any other business
- Venue details for the next meeting?
Action points...
- Alec and Pam will organise the venue for the November meeting
- Mike and Jenny gave details of their run on 18 July
- Some further clarification of the September and October meetings is
stilled required. However it seems that there will be a run on 19
September to Coventry and on 24 October to Golden Valley
Great entertainment value seemed abound as Harry tucked into an initially
uncooked chunk of fillet steak on a stone! Great fun!
There were about 22 people at this meeting.
August Thursday 5, Edwards Mazda, Kempsey
01905 821132
Map
Proposed agenda...
- Review last month's action points
- There is no run this month
- Other events this month...
- Shelsley Walsh Hill Climbing
14 and 15 August
- Max-5 Racing 15 August at
Cadwell Park
- Max-5 Racing 28 and 29 August
at Rockingham
- Any other business
- Venue details for the next meetings?
- September - Coal House Inn
- October - Yorkshire Grey
- November - TBA
- December - no meeting
As this month's meeting was of a slightly different nature (Open Day and
barbecue) there wasn't the
usual discussion and consequently no minutes to record.
September Thursday 2,
Coal
House Inn, Apperley
Agenda...
- Review July's action points
- What are the arrangements for the September 5 run?
- What are the arrangements for the September 19 run?
- Ideas for things to do at the Christmas party, quiz, prizes, games, etc.
- Other events during September...
- 10th National Rally 3 to 5
September
- Castle Combe Classic Action
Day 11 September
- Shelsley Walsh Hill Climbing
11 and 12 September
- MaX-5 Racing 19 September
- Any other business
- Venue details for the next meetings?
- October - Yorkshire Grey
- November - TBA
- December - no meeting
Action points...
- Alec confirmed the venue for the November meeting as the Royal Oak in
Much Marcle
- Harry will chase Eunosverse in respect of prizes for the Christmas
party
- The October run, Coventry Motor Museum, will meet at the Little Chef
near Tewkesbury at about 09:30. The trip around the museum itself
might take a couple of hours. The museum has offered an outside
caterer for us
- Bill suggested we make a run of the trip to the National Rally on
Sunday. Harry will put together a
route available on the National
Events page
Another good turn out, around 22 people and 13 cars!
October Thursday 7,
Yorkshire Grey, Earls Croome
Again I have agreed a special deal with Steve at the Yorkshire Grey; any two
courses from the special menu for £7.50
Agenda...
- Review September's action points
- Details of the drive on 24 October
- Do we use the outside
caterer?
- Other events during October...
- MaX-5 Racing, Oulton Park, 2
October
- Run What You've Brung,
Shakespeare Dragway, 2 to 3 October
- Driver Training Days, 1st
Lotus Driving School, 13 to 15 October
- International Classic Motor
Show, NEC, 22 to 24 October
-
Bill had comments on this event about a suggested convoy
- MaX-5 Racing, Croft, 23 and
24 October
- Track Day, Mallory Park, 30
October
- Run What You've Brung,
Shakespeare Dragway, 30 to 31 October
-
Harry asks whether other Members will be attending with him
- Should we have a committee, as does the Yorkshire Area, in addition to an Area
Coordinator?
- Any other business
- Venue details for the next meetings?
- November - Royal Oak, Much
Marcle
- December - no meeting
- Harry shows you...
- the Area web site
- the new Area forum
- Finally, try your hand at rallying, live, on the evening, from the
comfort of your own pub table!
Action points...
- Harry will liaise with Eunosverse with a view to securing some items for
the Christmas prizes, if possible
- The October run to the Coventry Motor Museum will leave the
Little Chef near Tewkesbury at 09:30
- The food for that run will be at a local pub, about £8 to £9 for a
Sunday roast. It looks as though there will be about 17 people for
that run
- The idea of a committee went down well. Members should give some
thought to both the nature of any positions in the committee and who might
fill them
The large screen seemed to keep the large audience captivated! This was
our biggest turn out ever - 27 people! We must be doing something right!
November Thursday 4,
Royal Oak, Much Marcle
Remember to go to the Voting section and vote for...
- Your favourite pub venue of the year
- Your favourite drive of the year
Agenda...
- Review October's action points
- There is no drive in November
- Other events during November...
- Main Committee meeting, 13
November
- Area Coordinators meeting, 14
November
-
Any comments for Harry to take to this meeting?
- Should we have a committee, as does the Yorkshire Area, in addition to an Area
Coordinator?
- Venue details for the Christmas lunch
- Would someone be willing to
organise a quiz for the night?
- Any other business
Action points...
- Harry will chase Eunosverse again with regard to possible prizes for the
Christmas quiz
- It was agreed that whoever organises the drive should also create the
next newsletter
- The January meeting is to be held at the Coalhouse
- Everyone was happy to continue to hold meetings on the first Thursday of
each month
- Likewise, drives would continue to be held 17 days after the monthly
meeting
- Alec confirmed that the Christmas lunch will start at 1230 for 1300
- Harry would organise the Christmas quiz
There were 16 attendees.
December
NO MEETING
