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Monthly reports

 

January 2012

We opened our 2012 calendar with our annual Ice Breaker run on the first Sunday of January.  Richard organised a pleasant run around the north of the County - once again magically finishing up so that we could impose on Gareth and Helen for their hospitality - many thanks go to them.

The rest of January was quiet as usual with nothing more than our regular meeting at The Boat House (upstairs if you haven’t been before) – a venue which gives us plenty of room to welcome new members! 

Now March is a very important in our calendar as it is the month when we have our AGM.  If you are interested in your local MGOC club then this is the meeting you mustn’t miss!  The AGM will be on Thursday 22nd March starting at 8.30pm.  There will also be a regular meeting on Thursday 1st at 8.30pm.  Both meetings will be held at The Boat House, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

December 2011

By the time you read this we will be well into 2012, but the Musketeers are still reflecting on the fact that 2011 was the best year we have had for a long time based on the number of ‘new faces’ who have come to our meetings and events and supported the Club.  Such has been the influx we have had to move our regular meeting place to a larger more spacious venue! 

We finished off 2011 by having a Club Christmas dinner at The Beckford, when we all put on our finest – hopefully there will be a photo to prove it, and enjoyed a very jolly and convivial evening. 

Meeting dates for February 2012 are provisionally – Thursday 2nd and Thursday 16th at our new venue, The Boat House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  As the venue is only provisional please contact us before setting out for up-to-date information.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please  email. 

November 2011

Once again in November we gathered at Arthur and Margaret’s to celebrate the dastardly deeds of Guy Fawkes!   The weather was kind – no rain and not too much wind, the fire and fireworks went well as did the soup, burgers, and hot dogs with no reported cases of gastric enteritis or burns – perhaps the medicinal qualities of Margaret’s Parkin had something do with it?  Thanks to everybody who helped to make the evening a success.

The big issue at the moment is where shall we hold our regular meetings?  During the year our membership has grown to such an extent that the Tudor House no longer has a suitable large room for our meetings – just the sort of problem we like!   For the interim period we are thinking of splitting our meetings between The Boat House in Tewkesbury and The Hunters at Buckbery.   I am sure this will be resolved quickly in the New Year, in the meantime keep watching this space for details especially if you would like to join in.

January 2012 meeting dates – the provisional date for our Ice Breaker run this year is Sunday 8th January finishing in time for lunch – contact us for more information.  Just one regular meeting in January on Thursday 19th provisionally at the Boat House, Tewkesbury – but please check before setting out because it may be at The Hunters, any time after 8.30.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

October 2011

Writing this little piece in October you always get a nasty reminder that Christmas is just around the corner and it’s time again to wish all our members and readers of this column Seasons Greetings!

The last weekend in September was our annual weekend away and this year we ventured overseas – but we didn’t need passports, as our destination was the Isle of Wight!  The weather was exceptional and the company excellent!  The rich heritage of the island meant we were never short of something to attract us – one of the best being a visit to Osborne House, which everybody enjoyed.

As for December meetings, we will be at The Boat House, Tewkesbury on the 1st and having a celebratory Christmas dinner on the 15th at an alternative venue.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

September 2011

September saw the last in our series of “away” meetings for this summer.  They seem to whiz by and continue to be very popular – perhaps we should continue the theme throughout the year?  Now there’s a thought!  Anyway the venue for September’s meeting was the Beckford Hotel - not surprisingly at Beckford!  A big thanks to all our members who have supported these meetings over the summer and made them the success they are.

Later in the month it was back to The Tudor House for more of the usual Club night chatter and banter, and I am glad to report, that the recent influx in interest in our Club is making the meeting room there look a little on the small side!

There will be no meeting on Thursday 3rd November as it’s so close to a major event, bonfire night.  Once again we will be celebrating this event with barbeque, bonfire and fireworks at the usual venue. We will be meeting on the 17th as normal at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

August 2011

For our August “away” meeting we returned to the Hunters Inn at Buckberry, a popular location that attracted one of the best turnouts of the year – perhaps we will be seeing more of the Hunters in the future?

Later in the month we set off once again to the Forest of Dean for a picnic, but this time, we augmented our visit with a trip to Hopewell Colliery Museum, one of the last privately owned coalmines there.  The owner, a very jolly chap, took us on an entertaining walk through his mine whilst relating many amusing anecdotes as he went.  For the picnic we travelled on to the New Fancy View site and for once enjoyed excellent weather and company of course!

Meeting dates for October are: 6th and 20th at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

July 2011

The great advantage of our summer  “away meetings” is that they take us to places we would otherwise never think of going to!  So it was the July meeting that took us to the Rising Sun at Hartpury – some found it easy to find others a little more difficult – my excuse was that it wasn’t where the map said it should have been!  Once we got there a surprising number had already arrived – how did they do that?  Anyway the warm weather gave us the opportunity to stand around in the car park and pick over each other’s cars and have a jolly good natter – just what an MG meeting is all about.

It was nice to see new faces at our second meeting of the month at the Tudor House – as always, anyone with an MG of whatever age, or just an interest in MGs, is very welcome to come along and see what we get up to.

One hot, sunny Sunday in July some of us boarded a steam train at Kidderminster and had a lovely three course lunch whilst enjoying the beautiful countryside on the way to Bridgenorth.  There we had a short break to stretch our legs and have a closer look at the engine before retracing the route back to our cars and home.  

Meeting dates for September are: 1st – an “away” meeting so please contact us to find out where we are meeting and 15th September at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury.  Right at the end of September we are off to the Isle of Wight for the weekend – our first overseas trip for some time!  For more information please email.

June 2011

Our second away meeting of the summer season took us back to the Swan Inn at Staunton where, unbeknown to us, we were not to be the only club meeting there that evening – we shared the venue with a party of clog dancers!  Never mind – there was still a very good representation of MGs and once again old friends whom we hadn’t seen for some time at a club meeting came along.

One very wet Sunday in June we met up for a delicious roast lunch at a Newent garden centre before going on to the Three Choirs Vineyard for a tour and wine tasting.  Due to the weather it was a shame that we had to hurry past the fields of vines and lovely views to get inside to hear about the wine making, but I am sure that we all learnt a lot.

Later in the month it was back to the Tudor House in more conventional surroundings, which gave us plenty of opportunity to chat away about all things MG. 

Meeting dates are: 4th August – an “away” meeting so please contact us to find out where we are meeting and 18th August at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

May 2011

Our first away meeting of the summer season confirmed how popular these events on our calendar are - and everyone arrived in a MG!  As an added bonus, it bought out several new faces and the reappearance of some old friends.  The venue was not too far away at the Farmers Arms, Birtsmorton, for once the weather was good, the cars were on show, and the company was excellent, which all combined to make a very enjoyable evening.

Later on in May we spent a more historical and educational evening with a private guided tour of Tewkesbury Abbey. Thanks to David who organised the event and our host for the evening, John Badham.  He certainly knew his subject and how to entertain an audience - we all came away knowing a lot more about this famous landmark.

Meeting dates are 7th July – an “away” meeting so please contact us to find out where we are meeting and 21st July at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email. 

April 2011

With Easter and a wedding being uppermost in peoples minds for most of April – both of which had very little to do with MGs, all things MG in the month of April took a backseat - which we all know is a squeeze in most MGs!

Despite all those distractions we had a couple of meetings at the Tudor House and we are all looking forward to the summer months when we will repeating the successful formula of previous years of holding our first meeting of the month at an “away” venue.  If you were planning on coming to one of these meetings please contact us before you travel to make sure you have details of the meeting venue.

Meeting dates are 2nd  June – an “away” meeting at The Swan, Staunton, and 16th  June at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

March 2011 

We held our AGM on the 24th March at The Tudor House, we had a very good turnout and all the usual matters were discussed, and thankfully, Trevor volunteered to occupy the Chairman’s seat for yet another year.  The committee remains much as before, but many thanks go to Karl who has stepped down having organized many enjoyable events over the years, and a warm welcome to the committee goes to Gareth, who I am sure will make a worthy replacement.  Also, a big thanks goes to everybody for making the club the success it is – we are a friendly crowd, and so if you have an interest in MGs why not drop by one Thursday evening for a chat?

May sees the return of our “away” meeting schedule for our first Thursday meeting of the month when we travel out of Tewkesbury.

Meeting dates are 5th May – an “away” meeting at the Farmer's Arms at Birtsmorton, and 19th May at Wetherspoons, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

February 2011

February was a quiet month excepting a wonderfully wet Sunday when we met up with members from the Exeter MGOC whom we had previously met when visiting their county a couple of years ago, we were also joined by some members of the Gloucestershire MGOC.  Richard organised an interesting run through the Cotswolds stopping mid-way for lunch and a chance to chat with our visitors.

April meeting dates are Thursdays 7th and 21st, both to be held at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

January 2011

For the first time our Ice Breaker run on the first Sunday of January fell foul of the calendar and the freezing weather.  And so the decision was made to wait awhile until things improve – weather-wise that is, and to aptly rename it for one year only, the Pot Hole Swerve!   To find out when, keep watching!

Instead of the run we all limped sedately to the Swan at Birlingham for lunch, which was a nice venue.

The rest of January was quiet as usual with nothing more than our regular meetings at The Tudor House.

Now March is a very important in our calendar as it is the month when we have our AGM.  If you are interested in your local MGOC club then this is the meeting you mustn’t miss!  The AGM will be on Thursday 24th March starting at 9.00 pm.  There will also be a regular meeting on Thursday 3rd at 8.30pm.  All to be held at The Tudor House Hotel, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email. 

December 2010

We ended 2010 by doing something we had forgotten about for a number of years – we had an end of year Celebration Dinner!  Well it was our last meeting of our Thirtieth year, and so we all thought it would be a good idea.   We all put on our finest – hopefully there will be a photo to prove it, and enjoyed a very jolly evening at The Tudor House.

February 2011 meeting dates – Thursday 3rd and Thursday 17th at our usual venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

November 2010

Once again in November we gathered at Arthur and Margaret’s to celebrate the dastardly deeds of Guy Fawkes!   The fire and fireworks went well as did the soup, burgers, and hot dogs with no reported cases of gastric enteritis or burns – perhaps the medicinal qualities of Margaret’s Parkin had something do with it?  Thanks to everybody who helped to make the evening a success.

Another year has flown by and here we are into another new year, as usual we will be looking to create an interesting calendar with a mixture of events to appeal to all tastes – keep watching this space for details especially if you would like to join in.

January 2011 meeting dates – the provisional date for our Ice Breaker run this year is Sunday 16th January finishing in time for lunch – contact us for more information.  Regular meetings on Thursday 6th and Thursday 20th at our usual venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

October 2010

Writing this little piece in October you get a nasty reminder that Christmas is upon us once again and it’s time again to wish all our members and readers of this column Seasons Greetings!

We had a very good turn out for our first meeting in October when Trevor organised a plant identification quiz followed by gardening question time.  Well done to Gareth for getting the most answers right.  The second meeting was not so well attended due to holidays, etc but it is encouraging to see the occasional new face and returning past member at our meetings. 

December 2010 meeting dates – there will be no regular meetings in December, only our Christmas Dinner at The Tudor House, Tewkesbury on Thursday 9th.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

September 2010

With the summer evenings fading September was the last opportunity for an ‘away’ meeting for the year. The Drum and Monkey was our selected venue, and, as with all these ‘away’ meetings was as popular as ever.

The last weekend in September was our annual weekend away and this year we once again ventured to Wales - not very far this time, the foothills of the Brecon Beacons was the destination.  Plenty to see with the heritage of South Wales on the doorstep, steam railways, coal mines, waterfalls and caves being just some of the delights on offer.  As usual the company was excellent! 

November 2010 meeting dates include a bonfire party on Saturday 6th plus our regular meeting on Thursday 18th at our usual venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  There will be no meeting on Thursday 4th.   For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

August 2010

August turned into a very busy month for the Club.   Not only did we have a very enjoyable away meeting at the Penny Farthing at Aston Crews, a regular Tewkesbury meeting and the most important event of the year so far to celebrate 30 years of the Musketeers!   Gareth & Helen (with the help of Alan) arranged an adventurous run, Audrey baked a cake and we all ended up having a picnic within site of Broadway Tower.  The first two pages of the run were great fun but the omission of page three left us all lost!  The picnic was interrupted by the man from the Gloucestershire Echo complete with camera, he took numerous pictures, the one of Audrey and the cake appeared a few days later in the paper.  All in all a good day, a few too many wasps being a real pain for some!

October 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 7th and Thursday 21st at our usual venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please  email.

July 2010

A very quaint location close to the church in Ledbury was the chosen venue for our July away meeting.  The Prince of Wales is one of the oldest pubs in the town and retains many of its original features, which judging by the turnout, are much appreciated by the membership!

September 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 2nd which will be an away meeting at the Drum & Monkey, Upton on Severn and Thursday 16th at our usual venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  Plus, later in September our annual weekend away takes us back to South Wales.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

June 2010

Our June away meeting was far away at the Tunnel House Inn at Coates near Cirencester. Despite the remoteness of the location it was pleasing to see so many members make the trek to this historic place at the head of the canal tunnel.

Later in June our regular Thursday meeting was supplemented with an “educational” walk around Tewkesbury.  Many thanks to Helen and Gareth for that, I’m sure the walk did all those that took it a power of good! 

August 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 5th which will be an away meeting at the Pennyfarthing Inn, Aston Crews and Thursday 19th at our usual venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  Plus we have a short run followed by a picnic scheduled for Sunday 15th August; the finishing place will be Broadway Tower but for details of the starting point please contact us.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please  email.

May 2010

Our first away meeting of the season was as popular as always when we went fairly local to the Coal House at Apperley

But on May 15th we celebrated the Tewkesbury Musketeers 30th anniversary in real style – see the photos to prove it, with an evening of elegant dining and jazz aboard the Orient Express – well almost!  For Orient Express read the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway steam train, just as elegant I’m sure!  We puffed gently back and forth from Winchcombe to Toddington dining on the way – a great way to spend an evening.

July 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 1st which will be an away meeting at The Prince of Wales in Ledbury and Thursday 15th at our new venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30. For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

April 2010

With the Easter festivities taking over the early part of the month not much time was left for MG based activities.  However we did manage to squeeze in an outing to Ledbury for Sunday lunch which turned out to be quite entertaining!  Anyway it gave us the opportunity to blow a few cobwebs out of the machinery. 

June 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 3rd which will be an away meeting at the Tunnel House Inn, Coates, and Thursday 17th at our new venue, The Tudor House, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.  

March 2010

We are now established in our new regular meeting spot, The Tudor House, in Tewkesbury, where we have sole use of a meeting room off the main bar area.  Not only can you enjoy an evening in a very historic atmosphere but also our meetings aren’t bad either!  Feel free to pop in and see us – we don’t bite.

Thanks to Bobby & Ken for organising our winter skittles evening, this time at the Railway at Ripple and of course to Anthea for the raffle.  A jolly time was had by all, and for once Alan didn’t win!

We held our AGM on the 25th March – in our new venue of course, all the usual matters were discussed and thankfully Trevor volunteered to occupy the Chairman’s seat for another year.  Our secretary Ann was voted Club member of the year, Audrey collected the Most Cherished MG cup and David the New Member of the Year Trophy.  A big thanks goes to everybody for making the club the success it is.

May 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 6th, our first away meeting of the year, at the Coal House Inn, Apperley and then on the 20th at The Tudor House Hotel, Tewkesbury any time after 8.30 pm.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.  

February 2010

The weather seemed to take over February but it did give us the chance to fill in the events calendar for coming months with a mixture of old favourites and new ideas.  Holding the first of our monthly meetings at an “away” venue during each of the summer months remains popular and if anyone would like to know where and when just drop us an email or phone.

The big news of the month is that we have found a new venue for our regular monthly meetings, The Tudor House Hotel, in Tewkesbury.  It must be some time since the Club last held meetings in our home town!   If you’ve not been to a meeting before it’s the time is right to come and see what we are about, whilst enjoying the surroundings of this historic hotel.

Due to Easter being at the beginning of the month there will be just one meeting in April on Thursday 22nd at our new venue, The Tudor House Hotel, Tewkesbury, any time after 8.30.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

Janaury 2010

We opened our 2010 calendar with our annual Ice Breaker run on the first Sunday of January.  With plenty of frost about it really lived up to its name.  The route took us on a scenic trip around Bredon Hill and thanks to the frosty weather and water cascading across the road a number of truly ice breaker patches of slush caught out the unwary.  Once again we imposed on Gareth and Helen for the organisation and their hospitality - many thanks go to them.

The rest of January was even quieter than usual as the snow put paid to our first meeting of the month. But this month – March, we have our most important event of the year – our AGM on the 25th.   If you are interested in your local MGOC club then this is the meeting you mustn’t miss.

March 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 4th & the AGM on the 25th, at the Tudor House Hotel, Tewkesbury.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

January 2010

We ended our year with a jolly evening at The Hunters with sausage rolls, mince pies and a seasonal raffle courtesy of Anthea, plus of course all the usual friendly banter you get at a regular Musketeers meeting.

By the time you read this we will be well into 2010 and thinking of how best to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary!  If you are a regular reader of this column and have any memories of the early days of the Musketeers please do let us know.  Much planning will be going into events this year so watch this space for details, especially if you would like to join in.

February 2010 meeting dates are Thursday 4th & 18th any time after 8.30, please get in touch for more information on the venue.  Also, for more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

December 2009

Another year has flown by and here we are almost into another new decade  - a belated Happy Christmas to everybody as the Musketeers look forward to an exciting new year – which we believe, is our thirtieth anniversary!  Much planning will be going into celebrating this event so watch this space for details, especially if you would like to join in.

In November we held what has now become a calendar fixture, our bonfire and barbeque at Arthur and Margaret’s.  The weather was much kinder than last year and, despite having been stored for 12 months, we finally managed to use the fireworks left over from then.  Thanks to everybody who helped to make the evening a success.  

On the first Sunday of January we will be having our Ice-Breaker run and lunch.  Other meeting dates for January 2010 are Thursdays 7th and 21st at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30.  For more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

November 2009

Our big adventure for 2009 took place over the second weekend of October when 20 intrepid travellers made the trip all the way to Castle Ashby in Northampton for the weekend!  Most made the way there in their MGs but I was left with egg on my face, as I was one of those who didn’t – the Black Beast refusing to co-operate and run reliably was left at home.  It is an area of the country that none of was familiar with, however it turned out to be a most agreeable venue with many fascinating attractions within easy reach.  A jolly good weekend was had by all, to such an extent that a repeat visit seems a strong possibility.  Thanks to all those who were involved in the organization.

There is only one meeting in December 2009 and that is Thursday 10th at the Hunters, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

October 2009

A quiet month with many members away on their holidays, and I for one missed the September away meeting, which was at the Kings Head at Norton.  According to all reports this was again well supported.  And by the way, with the long autumn nights upon us now is the time for a change so why not come along to one of our meetings and see what we get up to – you may be surprised!

Meeting dates for November 2009 are different as we thought we would have our bonfire party on Saturday 7th and once again Arthur & Margaret have stepped up to host it, which is instead of the usual Hunters meeting of course – if you would like to join us please call for more information - and Thursday 19th at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

September 2009

The File Mile House at Duntisbourne Abbots was the away meeting destination for August. The weather was as usual high up on the agenda – not bad for January but awful for August!   Despite all that, all those who found their way there voted the away meeting format a success.

Later in the month the weather was much kinder and we once again enjoyed Arthur and Margaret’s hospitality for a delightful summer evening barbeque.   Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to two of our most stalwart members, Keith and Linda, who have decided to leave glorious Gloucestershire and move to Yorkshire.  We wish them good luck in their new home and thank them for all they have done for our club over the past years.

Meeting dates for October 2009 are Thursday 1st, which is a pub run instead of the usual Hunters meeting – if you would like to join us please call for more information - and Thursday 15th at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

August 2009

Our luck held! On a lovely early July evening we held our entire meeting outside at the Swan at Staunton.  Once again an excellent turnout of both members and their MGs, which must tell us something about the popularity of moving our meetings around the county – watch this space for further developments.

It is becoming something a habit for us to visit cider making establishments.   Last year a very small family run affair near Ross, but this year the opposite end of the spectrum when we visited the Westons cider factory at Much Marcle.  Our wonderful summer weather put paid to the planned pre-visit picnic but an interesting place all the same – especially the product tasting.

Meeting dates for September 2009 are Thursday 3rd, which is a Summertime pub run instead of the usual Hunters meeting – if you would like to join us please call for more information - and Thursday 17th at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

July 2009

June seems to have flown by so it feels a long time ago when we held our second Summertime pub run meeting on the first Thursday of the month. This time our destination was the Anchor Inn at Eckington.  Again this proved a popular alternative to our regular meeting and attracted a very good turnout.  With a bit of luck our next meeting will match the “Summertime” theme and allow us to sit outside and soak up the evening sun!

Meanwhile plans are forging ahead for our club weekend away in the early Autumn together with a number of more local events.  If you would like to join us on any of these please contact us or just turn up at one of our regular meetings.

Meeting dates for August 2009 are Thursday 6th, which is a Summertime pub run instead of the usual Hunters meeting – if you would like to join us please call for more information - and Thursday 20th at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

 June 2009

With May upon us it was time for the first of our series of Summertime pub run meetings. This time our destination was the Coal House at Apperley.  It is a long time since I had been there and it is still a popular venue on the banks of the river Severn, and best of all we had nearly a full turnout of members!

At our regular meeting at the Hunters we welcomed two prospective new members, however we seem to have lost the use of our regular meeting room, which may mean we have to look for an alternative venue.  Watch this space!

Meeting dates for July 2009 are Thursday 2nd, which is a Summertime pub run instead of the usual Hunters meeting – if you would like to join us please call for more information - and Thursday 16th at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30.  In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

 May 2009

To start the month off we woke ourselves up with a guided Ghost walk around the alleyways of Gloucester.  To many of us, even though we were all locals, the jolly guide and her ghoulish companions gave us insight into the history and areas of the town we had not seen or heard of before.  All very spooky and but very informative at the same time.  A good - if a little bit jumpy at times – evening was had by all, thanks Ann for suggesting and organising.

To finish the month off and to give the MGs an airing Karl guided us on a run through the lanes of south Worcestershire to finish for lunch at the Berkeley Arms.  Much enjoyed by all - thanks Karl.

Meeting dates for June 2009 are Thursday 4th, which is a Summertime pub run instead of the usual Hunters meeting – if you would like to join us please call for more information - and Thursday 18th at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

April 2009

March is the time for our AGM and once again a near full house attended this event.  Many thanks went to Arthur who has held the fort as Chairman for the last year and a big welcome to Trevor who has taken over the reins as Chairman.  The Club “silverware” went to Roly as new member, Barry for most treasured MG, and to Helen as Club member of the year.  The rest of the Committee remains unchanged, so all we have to do now is formulate an interesting calendar of events for the coming year.  Watch this space!

Meeting dates for May 2009 are Thursday 7th, which is the first of our Summertime pub runs instead of the usual Hunters meeting – if you would like to join us please call for more information - and Thursday 21st at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

March 2009

Our annual dinner is now well established as a February event in our calendar and this year we were back at our base The Hunters Inn.  Thanks go to Arthur for organising yet another successful occasion, to Ann for the very professional table decorations, to Anthea who once again ran the raffle and of course not forgetting all the members who attended and made it the grand occasion it was.

 Meeting dates for April 2009 are Thursday 2nd - which will be held in Gloucester as we are going on an organized Ghost walk around the town – if you would like to join us you would be very welcome and all the details are on our website, and Thursday 16th at the Hunters as normal, any time after 8.30.   In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email. 

 February 2009

For once the weather was with us, and our annual Ice Breaker run on the first Sunday of January lived up to its name for the first time for a few years.  Many thanks go to Gareth and Helen for the organisation and their hospitality afterwards.

The rest of January was quiet as usual but next month – March, we have our most important event of the year – our AGM on the 19th.   If you are interested in your local MGOC club then this is the meeting you mustn’t miss.

Meeting dates for March 2009 are 5th the 19th at the Hunters, any time after 8.30. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email. 

January 2009

We ended our year with a jolly evening at The Hunters with sausage rolls, mince pies and a seasonal raffle courtesy of Anthea, plus of course all the usual friendly banter you get at a regular Musketeers meeting.

By the time you read this we will be well into 2009 and thinking ahead to the Annual Dinner and the AGM  -  more later on those!

Meeting dates for February 2009 are 5th and back to the Hunters on the 19th. In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

December 2008

We know how to pick the weather!  Our annual bonfire, barbeque and fireworks party coincided with a very wet and windy November night but nevertheless, it was a cheerful group of Musketeers who braved everything and made this event a memorable event – but not for the best of reasons.  Anyway we’ve still got some fireworks left, which maybe we will use to celebrate the New Year.  Once again a big thanks to Arthur and Margaret for the use of their garden and generous hospitality, and also to everyone else who helped to make it happen.

It’s a long time since we had a film show at one of our meetings but thanks to Roly he changed all that.  We all enjoyed a film made at the 1965 Targa Florio motor race held annually for many years around the roads of Sicily, one of the entrants being a prototype MG Midget which equipped itself remarkably well against the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

Meeting dates for January 2009 are our Ice-Breaker run on Sunday 4th and back to the Hunters on the 15th.  In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

November 2008

The first weekend in October saw a large contingent of the Musketeers head to Exmouth.  The weather wasn’t up to much but that didn’t dampen our spirits at all.  That was thanks in no small part to the efforts of Exeter MGOC who not only supplied details of a local run to occupy us on Saturday but also royally entertained us on the Sunday to a trip across Dartmoor finishing at Widecombe for lunch.  Once again, thanks very much Exeter MGOC, next time you visit the Tewkesbury area we look forward to returning the hospitality.

The last weekend in October saw us enjoying a game of skittles at Chaceley – thanks to everybody for coming and making it a success and to Arthur for the organisation. 

Meeting dates for December are the 4th at the Hunters, and of course in the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our up-to-date events calendar, please email.

October 2008

September means barbeque time and so after an absence of a year or so a very select band set off for our old haunt in the Forest of Dean.  The weather on the first Sunday of September was less than promising but apart from the odd very wet patch under foot umbrellas weren’t needed and a jolly time was had by all.

Our meetings have seen a surge in new faces, well two or three anyway, including some long lost members.  However, there is plenty of room for more and if you are looking for something to pass the time on these long autumn nights why not come along and see what we get up to!

Meeting dates for November are the 6th and the 20th at the Hunters, our Fireworks spectacular on the 8th and of course in the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our new events calendar, please email.

September 2008

Our August “away meeting” was held at the Yew Tree at Chaceley Stock where the brave were able to sit outside for a change!  We had an excellent turnout including a number of potential new members.  Later in the month Gareth & Helen organised a run (not so well attended), followed by an evening trip on the steam train from Toddington to Cheltenham.  While we ate our fish and chips with plastic cutlery is was most amusing to draw alongside a train full of smartly dressed “elegant diners” enjoying a sumptuous meal with all the trimmings.  We were all jealous but kept asking ourselves who was having the most fun?

 

Graham and Alan's MGs at the Fish and chip run

Meeting dates for October are the 2nd and the 16th at the Hunters and of course in the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our new events calendar, please email.

August 2008

The idea of our “away meetings” was that it would be nice in the summer to enjoy the great outdoors while the weather allowed and sit and chat in the open air.   So far this summer we haven’t managed the outdoor bit once!  Nevertheless we had a jolly good turnout for our July away meeting at the Glasshouse Inn near Newent with most members able to give their MGs an airing.

On Sunday 7th September we are having our barbeque in the Forest of Dean – if you would like to join us just give us a call and we’ll let you know the ‘secret’ location.   Other meeting dates for September are the 4th and the 18th at the Hunters and of course in the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our new events calendar, please email.

July 2008

June seemed to have been a busy month.  Our first meeting was another away evening, this time at the Chase Inn at Colwall on the western slopes of the Malvern Hills.  Sadly the expected glorious June evening wasn’t to be – so no sitting in the garden enjoying the views and a nice pint.

Thanks go to Steve & Claire for organising our second major event, a run around the lanes of Herefordshire ending at a very rural farm where a truly scrumptious cream tea was had.  After that came short chat given by the proprietor on the secrets of cider and perry making – and then of course the tasting!   After all that I decide a very discerning palette is needed to fully appreciate the art of the farmhouse cider maker – definitely an acquired taste!

Provisional meeting dates for August are the 7th, which will be an “away” evening so please contact us for details if you need them and the 21st at the Hunters.  In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our new events calendar, please email.

June 2008

It seems a while ago now when we had our first “away” meeting of the summer.  It didn’t rain but it was too cold for sitting out – what do you expect of May 1st!  This time we ventured not too far to the picturesque Mount Inn at Stanton, and a jolly time was enjoyed and best of all, the meeting was very well attended.

Karl has done his stuff and sorted out the Club Autumn weekend away, which this year will be in Exmouth on the first weekend in October – plenty of room for latecomers should you dare to join us.  Provisional meeting dates for July are the 3rd, which will be an “away” evening so please call for details if you need them and the 17th at the Hunters.  In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our new events calendar, please call, email, or for the very latest news visit our new website.

May 2008

On our last meeting in April we hosted members of a local Triumph owners club at the Hunters.  It turned out they weren’t quite as “local” as we had expected, some travelling from as far a field as Brecon.  Anyway, we had a very good turn out with much well polished machinery in evidence in the Hunters car park and the inter club chatter lasted until closing time.

At the beginning of the month the newly elected committee met for the first time.  Most of the meeting was spent discussing and planning forthcoming events with the result that the calendar for the coming year is now available.

Provisional meeting dates for June are the 6th, which will be an “away” evening so please call for details if you need them and the 20th at the Hunters.  On Sunday 22nd we are meeting for a picnic lunch, followed by a run to Ross-on-Wye for cider tasting and cream teas.  In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our new events calendar, please call, email, or for the very latest news visit our new website.

April 2008

The social highlight of our year, the Annual Dinner was held this year at the Hunters, a near full house enjoyed a very good night.

The AGM held on 27th March was once again well attended and gave out a very positive and upbeat feel to the future of the Club.  Important changes to the Committee will breathe new life into the Club ensuring that we have another action packed year.  Arthur takes over from Linda to do his stint as Chairman for the coming year and is replaced by Trevor as Vice-Chairman.  The Club silverware this year went to Simon for the “most cherished MG”; to Steve & Clare for “New Club member”; and Ann was voted “Club member of 2007/8”.

Our events calendar already has some exciting entries and will be expanded over the coming months with the ever-popular favourites remaining. 

Provisional meeting dates for May are the 1st, which will be an “away” evening so please call for details if you need them and the 15th at the Hunters.  In the meantime, if you would like more information about any of our future events or a copy of our new events calendar, please email for the very latest news.

February 2008

Hi everyone, not much to report this month, but as I write this we are planning our January run which will take place on the 6th.  Also coming up is the Annual Dinner on Feb 23rd.  Don't forget to get your photos to Helen in time for our Cars and Kids evening on Feb 7th.  She is also still eagerly awaiting your reports for the new web site!

We have an “MG drive” planned for March 6th, you need to be good with the dice not the driving!  The AGM is on March 27th.

January 2008 Ice-breaker run

Some of the MGs that took part in the annual ice-breaker run on 6th January.  This year it was very successfully organised by Keith and it took us from Tewkesbury around the Gloucestershire countryside via Newent and back to Gareth and Helen's.  Arriving back very cold we enjoyed some of Helen's delicious onion soup and a "take and share" lunch.  A good way to start the year!

January 2008

Sorry everyone I don't know what happened to last months' report it must be lost in cyber space somewhere.  So here it is.

Well didn't we have a wonderful time in Wales, true the weather wasn't too kind to us but we didn't care.  Everyone made their way to the Gower on the Friday in time to book in and get ready for dinner.  Saturday we explored the area and made a start on Gareth's Welsh quiz.  In the evening who will forget watching The England rugby team put the  French out of the world cup.  Sunday most of us went to the Botanical gardens.  Our thanks to Karl and Helen for organising the weekend.  Suggestions on where to go next year will be gratefully received.

The answers to the quiz were revealed on our next club night and the winner was Bobby, well done and thanks to Gareth for compiling it.  This was followed by Gardener's question time and in the chair was our own Trevor.  As well as the questions Trevor brought along 20 cuttings for us to name, ha ha, this was won by Margaret.  Some of us didn't even recognise things which were growing in our own gardens, I promise to do better next time.

 Don't forget there is no meeting on January 3rd instead there is the January run on the 6th finishing at Gareth and Helen's for a shared lunch.

Our next club night is on January 17th with a skittles night planned for the 19th. As our planned venue hasn't recovered from the floods, we are at the moment looking for a new one.

© 2008  Tewkesbury Musketeers MG owners club