IT'S BEEN a while since we've featured a picture of The John Thornley Suite on the MG Car Club website.

The above photograph was taken today (Friday 7 May) and shows the completed building. Inside, the John Thornley Suite is virtually complete and functions have already taken place. The new space at Kimber House really is terrific and the feedback from those who have used the room has been very favourable indeed. An official opening is planned for June.

If your passing Abingdon, please feel free to drop in and see the John Thornley Room. These are exciting times for the MG Car Club!

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ROY LOCOCK'S hotly anticipated UK Tour began at the MG Car Club's recently extended Kimber House headquarters on Friday 9 May.
A large group of MGCC members and motoring enthusiasts gathered for the talk which provided fantastic entertainment.

Roy begins his UK tour on Wednesday (14 April) and is coming to an MG Car Club centre near you.



Talk 2 -  Wednesday 14 April, 7 for 7.30pm
Midlands Centre (1)
Location: Luffield Cars, Belton Road, Loughborough LE11 1LR
Contact: David Wood on 01509 216100

Talk 3 – Friday 16 April 7.30pm
MGCC MG101 Lunch Group
Location: St Marks Church Hall, Brickhill, Bedford, MK41 7UY
Contact: Graeme Brown 01234 358729

Talk 4 – Monday 19 April 8pm
MGCC South East Centre
Location: The Bell Inn, Godstone,
Contact John Morgan

Talk 5 – Tuesday 20 April, 7.30pm
MGCC Anglia Centre
Location: The Railway Freehouse, Station Road, North Elmham, Dereham, NR20 5HH
Contact: William Ball 01508 471506

Talk 6 -  Thursday 22 April, 7.30pm
MGCC Lincolnshire Centre
Location: Abbey Lodge, Kirkstead, near Woodhall Spa, LN10 6UH
Contact: David Stonehouse 01790 754774

Talk 7 – Saturday 24 April, 1.30pm
MGCC Yorkshire Centre
Location: The Star, Roberttown Lane, Roberttown, Liversedge, WF15 7LQ
Contact: David Copeman, Tel 01274 674655, Mobile 07920064585,

Talk 8 -  Wednesday 28 April, 7.30pm
MGCC Tyne Tees Centre
Location: The Knights Hall, The Manor House, Front Street, West Auckland DL14 9HW
Contact: 01434 344568

Talk 9 – Friday 30 April
Unicef Pit Stop
Kelso,
Ken Henderson – 01750 20112

Talk 10 – Sunday 9 May, 2pm
MGCC Caledonian
Location: Hilcroft Hotel, East Main Street, Whitburn, West Lothian EH47 OJU
Contact: Willie Scott 0141 644 1882

Talk 11 Tuesday 11 May,
MGCC North West
Toft Cricket Club, Chelford Road (A537), Knutsford, WA16 8NG, 8pm
Contact: Paul Goodman 01625 876300

Talk 12 Wednesday 12 May, 7.30pm
Midlands Centre (2)
Somers Sports & Social Club, Grange Hill, Halesowen, West Midlands B62 0JH
Contact: Brian Osborn on 0121 453 3380

Talk 13 Friday 14 May, 7 for 7.30pm.
Location: Kimber House, Abingdon, OX14 1AS
Contact – Chris Seaward 01235 849731

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Around the UK in 30 days for MG Enthusiast who took on the World!

Roy Locock, the MG Car Club member who successfully completed a 39,000 mile Around the World trip in his 1977 MG Midget, is hitting the road again!

Oxfordshire based Locock received extensive media coverage in the latter part of 2009 when he successfully completed his mammoth journey, all of which was in aid of Unicef. 

The 62 year old who survived earthquakes in Panama, waded through floods in Australia and dodged Taliban bullets in Pakistan is taking his MG Midget, affectionately known as Bridget, to meet fellow Classic Car enthusiasts.

Starting in April, happy go lucky Locock is embarking on a more sedate journey – a month long trip of the UK during which time he’ll give a series of presentations to members of the MG Car Club.

Once again, proceeds from the tour will be donated to Unicef and combined with the substantial sum already raised.

Roy’s tour, aptly titled “An Evening with Miss Bridget”, will begin and conclude, at the MG Car Club’s recently extended headquarters in Abingdon, the site of the old MG factory. His UK journey will see him give presentations throughout the UK – including a talk in Scotland.

Locock has condensed his 18 month journey into a rip-roaring two hour presentation. The former telecommunications engineer will recall tales that will set tongues wagging, jaws clanging and heads shaking!
An excited Locock said:

“Since I’ve been back in the UK I’ve had several requests to attend MG Car Club meetings to relate my adventure around the world. Rather than tackle these on a piecemeal basis I spoke with the MGCC to see if a tour could be arranged and I’m delighted we’ve been able to lock in so many dates.

I know how much passion there is for MG up and down the Country and I’m hoping the tour will prove extremely popular.

Of course, there were many experiences throughout the trip that raised the adrenalin levels. These included my brush with the Taliban, the meteorological extremes of Australia and earthquakes of Panama. Some events were actually pleasant and I will try to give people as complete understanding as possible in the time”.

The provisional tour is currently as follows, more dates are likely to be added.
•    MGCC Abingdon, Kimber House, 9th April.
•    Midland Centre, East, Loughborough 14th April
•    MGCC MG101 Lunch Group , 16th April
•    MGCC Anglia Centre, 20th April
•    MGCC Yorkshire  Centre, 24th April
•    MGCC Tyne Tees Centre, 28th April
•    MGCC Caledonian  Centre, 9th May
•    MGCC North West Centre , 11th May
•    MGCC Midland Centre, 12th May
•    MGCC Abingdon – Kimber House, 14th May

For more information please contact the MG Car Club.

Chris Seaward
01235 849731
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