AWC Newsletter 197                            January   2025

A very Happy and peaceful New Year to all our readers.

Good news, you can now find the AWC Newsletter in a new section of the AWC Website. Just click on the three dots in the header section and you will see at the bottom of the menu a page for AWC Newsletters. Or the direct URL is AWC Newsletters

FBHVC News

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs recently announced the appointment of the Rt Hon Sir Greg Knight as President. The Rt Hon Sir Greg Knight was Conservative MP from 1983 to 2024 and served in both the government and in opposition as a Minister and Deputy Chief Whip and later as Minister of State for Industry. In 1995 he was sworn in as a member of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council and awarded a Knighthood in 2013 for political service.

Sir Greg founded the All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group in the early 1990s and chaired it from its inception until his retirement in 2024. The group campaigns for the unrestricted use of historic vehicles on the public highways in the UK, a mission entirely aligned with that of the FHBC.

He remains an avid motorist and champion of historic vehicles. He supports many vehicle clubs and owns several Jenson’s, a Rover P5 Coupe, a Bristol and a Cord. 

The insurance world for MG owners is changing for the better   

The MG Car Club announced a new car insurance collaboration with partner, Peter James Insurance in November. The scheme is specifically tailored for MGs including modern versions and EVs. The scheme has been specially developed to address the shortfalls of previous schemes as well as providing unique benefits for all MG owners, young and old. The scheme will be available to MG Car Club Members for policies due for renewal from now on. 

To see more detailed information call 0121 506 6026 or visit   https://www.peterjamesinsurance.co.uk/mg/

AWC Events 

The annual Boxing Day Gathering in Abingdon Market  was very well attended this year by 47 cars partly due to dry conditions. On show were some pre-war models to the very latest Cyberster. Perhaps a date for your diary in 2025.

 

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Natter Events
Chesham Natter – The next meeting will be on Tuesday January 28th at the King Charles, Ashley Green. There will not be a natter in February.

Thames Valley MGF – The next natter will be Jan 9th at the Fox and Goat, Tiddington 19:00

Informal Meets
There are still a few coffee meets continuing through the winter months.

Podium Cars and Coffee breakfast meet. Sat 11th Jan 09:30 Podium Place Newbury RG14 5SH
Banbury Classic Car meet Banbury Cricket Club, White Post Road, Bodicote, Sun 5th Jan Nov10:00 
Cottage Inn, Upper Bucklebury, RG7 6QJ  Lunchtime Sat 25th Jan
Hook Norton Brewery Car meet Sun 12th Jan 10:00 to 13:00
Millets Farm Breakfast meets every first Thurs 09:30. Next meet 2nd Jan
MGB Breakfast meet every third Weds Kingsley Refuel Cafe on the A40 near Eynsham 13th Jan


 

Events in 2025

Wed 1st Jan – Vintage Stony Stratford in the Market Place MK11 1BE will be taking place between 0:30 and 14:00 The annual New Years Day event showcases pre-1940 cars and bikes, which have pride of place in the Market Square. Expect to se many Vintage Cars and bikes and even a few commercials. At 12:00 expect to hear a cacophony of engines as we celebrate the New Year with a minutes noise followed by the awards presentation ceremony. There will be many restaurants and pubs and stalls open especially to welcome you Visit     https://vintagestony.co.uk/ for updates. The event is free for entrants and spectators but there is a collection suggested donation of £5 for the Willen Hospice, so please give generously. 

Fri 3rd & Sat 4th Jan – Exeter Trial  starting from the Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Somerset and finishing at the Passage House Inn, Kingsteignton Devon https://www.facebook.com/events/torquay/the-exeter-trial-2020/2431764417044328/

Sun 5th Jan - Bicester Scramble OX26 5HA The first scramble of the year https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/

Thu 9th to Sun 12th Jan – Autosport International at the NEC Birmingham. 

Sun 19th Jan – Malvern Auto Jumble WR13 6NW. http://www.classicshows.org The first ‘Drive In’ Auto Jumble of the year.

Sun 9th Feb – MG and Triumph Spares Day Stoneleigh Park CV8 2LG. 09:30 to 16:00 Alongside specialist traders for both marques the show will host a wide selection of autojumble, automobilia and cars for sale. Whether you are after a part, a project or a poster, you are bound to find it on sale at the show. Visit :-http://www.mgandtriumphsparesday.co.uk or telephone 01775 768661

Fri 21st to Sun 23rd Feb Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park CV8 2LZ     show is open from  09:30 to 17:30and brings together over 24,00 fans, drivers, preparers, traders and enthusiasts to enjoy a week end of everything you need to know to prepare for the season ahead. Covering every discipline including circuit racing rallying, hill climbs touring cars, GT and more. A fascinating show.    http://www.raceretro.com/

 Sun 16th Mar Malvern Auto Jumble WR13 6NW. http://www.classicshows.org The second ‘Drive In’ Auto Jumble of the year but I suspect not the last.

Sun 21st to 23rd Mar – Practical Classics Restoration Show at the NEC Open 09:30 to 17:30 each day. The show for projects and rebuilds

New Members
This month we welcome 6 new members to the Abingdon Works Centre. Firstly, from Berkshire Ashley Thomas and Rob Stroud and from Buckinghamshire we have Mr & Mrs Richard Claydon and Mr & Mrs David Rodman. You are all very welcome so do come along to your local Natter and introduce yourself, you will be assured of a very warm reception. You can find a list of your natters and their locations on our website:- https://www.mgccawc.co.uk/awc-natters/

AWC Website  
Do you have any good ideas for events and venues that we might organise. Now is a good time for outline planning or do you have a suggestion for new places to visit? If so, please let us know. You can post all comments and ideas on our Facebook page.  Alternatively you can email the Chairman direct at  chair@mgccawc.co.uk

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Happy Motoring,

Mike Lamb.