Anglia Centre News
Some musings including MG’s I have owned – Roger Latham
I’m a long standing member of the MG Car Club over some thirty plus years. Can’t say for sure how long as I don’t recall and the Club is unable to tell me when I joined.
As a Natter Leader at the time I was invited to a meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a Branch within SE Centre to look after Anglia affairs. From this we formed a Committee and gradually progressed first becoming a Sub Centre and then finally a full blown Centre in 1987.
I have been a Committee member of Anglia from day one right through to today holding various positions over the years. Firstly a very long spell of more than twenty years as Secretary followed by five years as Centre Chairman. Nowadays I’m serving as a Committee member without portfolio.
My MG motoring started in the 60s when I spotted an MG Midget on the forecourt at my local BMC dealer. At first they couldn’t start it, not a very good beginning! Undeterred I purchased it and used it for my daily commute; it was our only family car. As is often the case it eventually had to go to make way for something more family friendly.
All that was long before I became an MG Car Club member.
Since when I have owned many MGs and still do today.
Here is a list of them to the best of my recollection.
MGB Roadster, MGC GT and TC. These three I owned concurrently. Sadly they had to go first to do so was the MGC then the TC. The MGB was my daily driver for some three plus years.
A pause in my MG owning followed while I made do with other cars. Then the urge took hold again with the purchase of a new MGF in 1996. This had an unfortunate end as it was damaged at the dealers while there for service. It was repaired but unfortunately not correctly. The outcome was the car was returned to the dealer and the full invoice amount refunded!!
After a while an MGF VVC Abingdon followed. This gave way to a TF160 with aircon and hardtop too. A great car.
Restless again it was sold and an MG Maestro EFI replaced it.
That went but a new MG ZS180 filled the void very nicely. That in turn was replaced by the updated MG ZS180 which was improved not just in looks but in ride and performance; a better torque curve I thought.
I have owned various MGB GTs, probably about four in total, over the years including a very nice BGT LE, the pewter colour one.
An RV8 was enjoyed too especially as it had power steering fitted during its time in Japan, plus aircon of course.
I enjoyed a lovely black TF LE 500 which had a very full specification and was purchased with less than 1500 miles on the clock. It went to the Le Mans Classic where the aircon proved its worth in temperatures of 30 C.
With a desire for something more versatile it moved on and was replaced by a ZR105+ fairly quickly replaced by a ZR160, face lifted version, which I much enjoyed.
Coming right up to date last December I traded in my first MG3 a 3 Form Sport for an MG3 Style Lux which you can see in the photo above.
Enough from me I think hope you enjoyed my musings.
Roger Latham
2016 MGCC Anglia Trophies Awarded
The 2016 MGCC Trophies have been awarded –
Restoration Trophy – Roger Martin
Enthusiast Trophy – Michael Murkin
Chairman’s Trophy – Mike Pelling
See the photos at http://www.mgcc.co.uk/anglia-centre/anglia-trophies/
2016 Riviera Run Form
The entry form for the 2016 Riviera Run on the 29th of December is now available HERE
Auto-Solo Regs for Debden in October
I attach regulations for the Clubs Autosolo to be held at Debden Airfield on Sunday 23rd October. Entries are now open via the clubs website wsmc.co.uk Please assist the organisers by submitting your entry at an early date.
As always we will also require a good number of marshals to help run the event. Newcomers will be more than welcome. If you can help, or might be interested in assisting, please contact the chief marshal, Keith Walladge. Keith can be contacted kwalladge48@btinternet.com
Autotest 25th September Cancelled
Please be advised that the planned Autotest on the 25th of September is now cancelled due to lack of availability from support staff. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Mid-Summer Run 14th August 2016
The Anglia Centre Mid-Summer Run, organised again this year for us by Margaret Beresford and Barbara Pratley, takes place on Sunday 14th August 2016. Please contact Margaret by e-mail, margaret@beresford.me.uk for a place on the run.
Meet at 9.30 am at The Coach and Horses, Melton Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk. IP12 1PD. Coffee, sausage or bacon baps will be available for purchase for those that require refreshments.
Cars are to be away on the run by 10.30 am to maximize the day out in Suffolk through the beautiful country lanes. The run includes a lunch stop beside the sea and a tour of the ‘Long Shop Museum’ in Leiston. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch or buy fish & chips at the Café will be available.
The Long Shop Tour fee is £7.00 per person
The Run fee of £6.00 per car includes Route book and Rally Plaque.
HERE is the application form. Please send this to John Cumming, by 3rd of August 2016.
Margaret and Barbara look forward to meeting you on the day.
Helmingham Hall Classic & Sports – Sunday 7th August
John Cumming can be contacted on Telephone, 01359 259717 or by email johncumming@talktalk.net
Norfolk Natter Relocation
The Natter held originally at the Crown at Gayton has moved and will in future be held in The Woolpack at Terrington St John. Every 4th Tuesday:
The Woolpack, Main Road, Terrington St John, Wisbech, Cambs, PE14 7RR
Autosolo Debden Airfield – Help Wanted
The Autosolo to be held at Debden Airfield on Sunday 17th July is in need of help. For information please read the flyer HERE
President MGCC Anglia Centre
President MGCC Anglia Centre
The Anglia Centre Committee are very pleased to announce that on the 12th of March at the MGCC Council Meeting, Roger Latham was voted in unanimously as President of the Anglia Centre following his nomination.
Roger was a founder member of the Anglia Centre and spent many years as Secretary of the centre and then a five year term as Chairman. Roger has, and continues to work tirelessly, to make the Anglia Centre one of the most successful centres in the car club.
In the past Roger has written a chapter about the Anglia Centre for the book ‘The first 70 Years of MG’ and continues to organise the very popular Anglia Centre Picnic each year.
Please remember that this year the picnic will be held on Sunday 26th of June visiting Audley End House; you will find a booking form in this month’s issue of safety fast or download it HERE.
This photo was taken at last year’s picnic, just to entice you along…
