This is a version of my latest 'Chairman's waffle' from the latest copy of the club magazine, The Viking.

We’ve come to the end of another busy and exciting year already. We had a great stand at the NEC in November. The event was made even more interesting by being nominated, along with the Rover Coupe Owners Club, in the Classic and Sports Car magazine’s 2022 Awards in the ‘Best Action Event’ category for the Tomcat Affair@30 event back in August.

Between the two clubs, and at short notice, we managed to get a table of guests together for the Friday evening’s award ceremony. The opposition was stiff, being the Mercedes-Benz Club UK and the Austin Seven Club, but we only went and won it! Congratulations to all those from both clubs who helped with the planning and running of this event.

Thank you to everybody who attended the AGM in October, which much to my chagrin, I couldn’t attend due to a ‘family diary malfunction’. Overall everyone who attended seemed to be happy with the direction that the club is taking, so we’ll carry on. You’ll read a summary of the proceedings in the latest magazine. The summary of the summary is that we are a growing club in terms of members and a profitable one too.

In my last waffle, I mentioned the repair panels for the R8 Cabriolet and 3-door models; with recent sales we have now got back all of the club’s initial outlay. We are looking at further opportunities to improve the parts situation for our cars and we hope to have some interesting news in the new year.

This edition of The Viking also contains a partial autobiography of my career within Austin Rover and Rover Group, focussing on the Medium Cars products designed, engineered, manufactured and sold in the 1980s and ‘90s, which are the basis for this club. I hope you find it an interesting read.

We also have a heartfelt tribute to club member, Howard Williams who died suddenly this Autumn. Howard attended many club events and organised our regular NE meet, as well as our ‘Graduate’ run in 2019. He was a lovely guy and was taken far, far too young.

If you're reading this but aren't yet a club member, can I ask what's stopping you? Annual membership probably costs less than 3 of your favourite tipples (less at NEC prices!). You'll get our fab mag 4 times-a-year, other benefits, access to all of the forum and you'll help the club invest in the future of our cars


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your families.

Many thanks to you John and the committee for all the work you do behind the scenes making this such a good club.
Also many thanks to the many members of the club who provide such helpful and illuminating advice here on the website and in person.
Hope 2023 turns out to be a good year for everyone

Plodder wrote: ↑Wed Dec 21, 2022 6:00 pm Many thanks to you John and the committee for all the work you do behind the scenes making this such a good club.
Also many thanks to the many members of the club who provide such helpful and illuminating advice here on the website and in person.
Hope 2023 turns out to be a good year for everyone

Ditto........and the older you get, the faster time flies. Why is that?!

Plodder wrote: ↑Wed Dec 21, 2022 6:00 pm Many thanks to you John and the committee for all the work you do behind the scenes making this such a good club.
Also many thanks to the many members of the club who provide such helpful and illuminating advice here on the website and in person.
Hope 2023 turns out to be a good year for everyone

Absolutely, this club punches well above its weight and that’s thanks to the diligence and efforts of many on the committee.

Thank you - "It's teamwork, Sam, teamwork !"

HNY - here's to an exciting 2023

Yes thanks for all the hard work and all the best to all happy 2023