The Fellowship’s Midlands Lunch

The Fellowship’s Midlands Lunch was held in the Sky Suite of the British Motor Museum at Gaydon in Warwickshire on Wednesday 1st September 2021.

One hundred and twenty Fellows and guests attended the event; a remarkable number given persisting misgivings surrounding the Covid situation.

An opening welcome was given by the Fellowship’s recently appointed Chairman, Peter Leake. In his trademark ebullient style, Peter encouraged Fellows to help the Fellowship’s committee by suggesting potential events and by promotong membership to their friends and colleagues. Peter also took the opportunity to thank his predecessor, Brian Spratt, for his hard work in chairing the Fellowship during a very difficult period. “He certainly helped us keep our focus,” said Peter, before presenting Brian with a handsome commemorative tankard.

An excellent lunch was provided by the museum’s chefs, and this was followed by the now traditional, fund-raising game of ‘Heads and Tails’, admirably hosted by our President, Peter Lewis-Jones. The game raised £1,085, which will go directly to the Fellowship’s charitable fund. Thanks also goes to fellow Andrew Jeffrey for supplying a range of reprints of Autocar adverts in card form which were well received as table gifts.

The toast to the Fellowship was proposed by Andy Goss, chairman of the Vertu Group. He gave the audience his perspective on current issues in the automotive market and drew upon his extensive experience with major companies across the industry to illustrate his conclusions.

Thanks must go, in particular, to Fellow Peter Cottle who organised the event, which included multiple changes to the seating plan as bookings rose, gratifyingly, over the preceding weeks. As Peter is also our Honorary Treasurer, we can be assured that the event also made a contribution to the Fellowship’s charitable fund !