Fellowship Email Newsletter – June 2024

 News and Events from your Fellowship

One of the best things about Fellowship events are groups of members, often quite small groups, taking so much enjoyment from the opportuunity share an experience or their experiences.  One recent event and one upcoming event typify this sharing element.

The Fellowship’s golf day obviously gave the partipants an enjoyable experience and the report is in this newsletter.

We also anticipate our upcoming Southwestern and South Wales lunch which, although a relatively small event, allows all the opportunity to add their conribution to the chatter, anecdote and joke-telling which ensues.  There’s still time to book a place.

Our editor has abandoned his goggle-box reports from last month and returns to his trawling of the motor scene of 100 years ago.

There’s still plenty to look forward to in the Fellowship’s events for the year. We look forward to seeing more and more members taking advantage of the chance to rekindle old friendships and make new ones.

We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter, please let us have your comments – criticism or praise, both are useful.  Why not submit your bit of motor industry experience to share with other Fellowship members ?

Fellowship Golf Day – Woking Golf Club

(in conjunction with the MTGS)

Twelve members took part in this year’s Golf Day held at the wonderful Woking Golf Club ranked 17th in England by Golf World.

We are very grateful to the Motor Trades Golfing Society for allowing us to be part of their members/guests day.

We were blessed with one of the best weather days of the year so far.

Woking has always been a lovely course but this year it was really in exceptional condition. With lightning fast greens and pin positions set up for the Club championship no member managed to break handicap on the day.

Following a welcome shower and a change into jacket and FMI tie we enjoyed a fine three course carvery.

Following the meal and the presentation of the MTGS prizes our Vice Chair Ray Sommerville gave a short speech thanking the club for looking after us so well and to the MTGS for allowing us to be part of their day.

Ray then gave out the prizes to the winners of the Fellowship event.

1st prize and the Percy Butler Memorial Plate to Roger Prowting

2nd prize and the President’s Bowl to Paul Fulford.

There is a full report with more photos and  all the prize-winners on the Fellowship’s website.

Our thanks to Ray Sommerville for organising this super event for the Fellowship.

The 2024 Southwest & South Wales Luncheon

Thursday 20th June – Noon. – Book Now !

We’re getting close to the final booking date for this lunch, hosted by Fellows Tony Ham and Brian Spratt.   There has been a pleasing upturn in bookings this year, almost doubling last year’s bakers dozen !  We’re looking forward to, once again, welcoming members and their guests to this very informal luncheon at which there are no speeches, just great conversation, and anecdotes.

Just follow this LINK to make your booking.

If you have any special access or dietary needs, or any other queries, just contact Brian Spratt at brian@sprattyman.com

We are very pleased indeed to announce that we will be holding our annual Classic Car Show at BEN’s Care Centre at Easenhall, near Rugby. We hope for near 100 classic cars to be on show, and Fellows can also enjoy the various stalls, plus food and refreshments set in the splendid gardens. The date will be Sunday 4th August 2024 so please make a note in your diary.

For those wishing to attend without a classic car the entry fee from BEN will be just £2 per car. Fellows, local car clubs, and individuals are very welcome to display their classic car(s) and a fee of £3 per car, to cover our costs, will be collected after cars have parked up on the display area. Classic Cars can arrive from 9.30am to 11am prior to the official opening of the Fete.

Cups will be awarded as follows:

Best Car in Show

Best Car 1900-1960

Best Car 1961- 1999

Please email Peter Cottle at cottlepeter@yahoo.co.uk to register your interest.

We look forward to another enjoyable day among friends, families, and like minded enthusiasts and hopefully the weather will be kind to us !

The fete is at the BEN Town Thowns Care Centre, Brinklow Road, Easenhall, CV23 0JE

This ever-popular boat trip on the River Thames is again being held in 2024. Leaving the Riverside Steps in Maidenhead (SL6 8NP) at 12.00 noon on August 22nd the Georgian will progress downstream towards Windsor at a leisurely pace. Fellows and their guests need to be ready to embark at 11.45am.  There is ample paid parking in the Riverside Gardens (directly opposite the steps).

This is an ideal event to bring along partners, friends and especially friends or colleagues who are thinking of joining the Fellowship. The atmosphere is always lighthearted coupled with lovely views as we progress down the Thames.

The event is always well supported so please book early to avoid disappointment by purchasing a ticket via this website.

The price of a ticket will be £61, do book early as numbers are limited. Any queries please email the event organiser, Tina Steele at tsteele47@aol.com

Closing date for tickets is 1st August.

(click on the event, to visit the webpage)

June 20th               Southwestern and South Wales Lunch, North Petherton, Somerset.

August 4th            Tony Jennings Classic Car Show,Town Thorns nr Rugby

August 6th            Golf Match v. MTGS, Beaconsfield

August 22nd         Thames Boat Trip, Maidenhead

September 6, 7 & 8th   Goodwood Revival – Meet & Greet

September 25th    Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire

November 14th    London Lunch, RAF Club, Piccadilly

And more activities in preparation – news to follow – keep visiting the Fellowship website !

Pursuing the motoring news from 100 years ago, a notable anniversary must be mentioned.  In June 1924 a motor dealer named Oscar Seyd decided that the world of motor racing needed a dedicated publication on the subject. Back then motor racing in Britain was centred on Brooklands’ track, so the title seemed obvious – The Brooklands Gazette. A first edition appeared in July 1924, the founding issue of what, one year later, became Motor Sport magazine, still a beacon of motor sport reporting excellence.  You can read more HERE

In the same month in 1924, some fascinating submissions to the ‘letter to the Editor’ section appeared in the June issue of Commercial Motor magazine.  Three correspondents debated the efficacy of two-wheel braking over four-wheel braking on public service vehicles such as buses and charabancs (touring coaches). Engine braking was also advocated for the safety of passengers, and the correspondence was lengthy and detailed.  You can read all about it HERE.