Minor Matters

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:22 pm

Received Minor Matters today. Nice to see that the arrival of a new editor has resulted in a change of layout and that the magazine is looking a bit more 'modern'.

I posted this on this site on 9th March:

the format of Minor Matters had not changed at all. If anything it seemed even more dated, particularly with the inclusion of a page titled "From a womans angle". There are plenty of women who own Minors and do their own maintenance rather than just sit in the passenger seat whilst their husband drives. To dedicate a special page to the 'ladies' seems like something from the fifties

Lo and behold this column has now disappeared

Is this just a coincidence or do you think that someone is perhaps taking notice of our postings?

If it's the latter, you never know, the clowns may be absent from next year's National

Post by **Judge** » Tue May 06, 2008 6:32 pm

Let's wait and see how many more suggestions are now taken on board from threads such as: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=19289

Post by **callyspoy** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:45 pm

judge...just read your old thread...i went to santa pod weekend before last for a VW meet. it really slams home how their owners are of such varied ages. there is also a real sense of joint appreciation for modified and non modified cars, which again, just doesnt seem as apparent in minor Matters. i personally think a standard, concourse car looks beautiful and genuinely is fantastic. but on the other hand, a modified minor, in my opinion looks massively more impressive than a modified beetle. it just seems that in time the minor will die as my generation(early 20somethings) are not as interested in them...slight rant...but i did just read minor matters...and it just doesnt have a wow factor to it for someone of my age i think...

Post by **Judge** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:03 pm

callyspoy wrote:judge...just read your old thread...i went to santa pod weekend before last for a VW meet. it really slams home how their owners are of such varied ages. there is also a real sense of joint appreciation for modified and non modified cars, which again, just doesnt seem as apparent in minor Matters. i personally think a standard, concourse car looks beautiful and genuinely is fantastic. but on the other hand, a modified minor, in my opinion looks massively more impressive than a modified beetle. it just seems that in time the minor will die as my generation(early 20somethings) are not as interested in them...slight rant...but i did just read minor matters...and it just doesnt have a wow factor to it for someone of my age i think...

I have said on many occassions that in my opinion if the MMOC is to survive then things must change. Not simply for changes sake, but for the sake of the clubs future.

Post by **callyspoy** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:23 pm

haha! sorry, i was agreeing with your post, it didnt come out that way though!

Post by **Judge** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:27 pm

No, it's me that should apologise. My post was meant to support what you were saying too

Post by **callyspoy** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:37 pm

well at least we agree, that's a bonus!

Post by **onza100** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:51 pm

I have to say I agree with both of you I'm quite new to the club, minors and feel Relatively young at 28! Minor matters is a nice read but it would be nice to see some modifed cars too. This is not saying I dont like original my plan is to have one of each!(one less than my current 3!). It sometimes feels like changing anything is frowned own. This isn't just with the club though I find it at shows sometimes too.

Post by **bigginger** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:13 pm

You won't (I feel) find that on this board

a

Post by **jon1739** » Thu May 08, 2008 5:05 pm

There are other publications around that cover standard and modified Minors, drop me a PM to find out

Post by **Axolotl** » Thu May 08, 2008 5:35 pm

I just thought it was a pleasant change to have legible type (I don't think you can beat black on white when your eyes are not what they were).

Thinking about it, I'd like to see a section on modified Minors too, just to see some of the outrageous things people do to them.

What are the chances?

Post by **polo2k** » Thu May 08, 2008 11:43 pm

Im a whipper snapper too!
I agree with the above comments. I used to have quite a stack of back issues and the majority of the articles followed the same subjects.
I argee that minor matters is quite a somber read. I think that possibly more advertising within it would be acceptable if it was balanced with more articles.
Would it be possible to have several cars featured in sucessive issues so that people can look at the progress and hopefully it would be quite motivational.
I dont think there is anything wrong with the club but it would be nice for it to have some future prospects with younger mambers.

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Fri May 09, 2008 12:00 am

A point to bear in mind is that the editor can only print what he receives. If no one writes about their modified or custom minor then its unlikely to get featured. Like the idea about features in sucessive issues. Reduces the space dedicated to one subject in one issue whilst giving motivational progress reports. Again it needs contributors though.

Post by **polo2k** » Fri May 09, 2008 12:07 am

There is another thread about a "members rides" section and that could be used with it, maybe pick a car to feature every month and then several "shorter" mini features.

Post by **jonathon** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:06 am

Iain, I agree with you in some way, but it has never been the priority for M Matters editor to actively seek articles. I hope that the new editor will be more pro active.
I'm encouraged that the new Matters is now looking a more up to date and visually appealing presentation.

Post by **Judge** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:24 am

IaininTenbury wrote:A point to bear in mind is that the editor can only print what he receives. If no one writes about their modified or custom minor then its unlikely to get featured. Like the idea about features in sucessive issues. Reduces the space dedicated to one subject in one issue whilst giving motivational progress reports. Again it needs contributors though.

I am lead to believe from a number of members that despite them submitting articles in the past, these have never been published, or even ackowledged. This unfortunately tends to discourage them from contributing any further articles.

As I believe the new editor is to be paid on a commercial basis, the first thing I would like to see is all contributions being acknowledged, even if they are not considered suitable for publishing.

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:52 am

Something I submitted to the new Minor Matters editor never got acknowledged, but an edited version of it did go in. The same thing sent to the editor of Minor Monthly got acknowledged in a few hours.

Post by **IaininTenbury** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:19 am

Fair comment - there's never been much encouragement to send material in, in the past but hopefully, a lot will will change, including acknowledging submissions (I understand that is a known problem of the past). Lets give the 'new guy' a chance - he's done very well with the 'fresh new look' and presentation on his first issue.

Post by **Judge** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:26 am

IaininTenbury wrote:Lets give the 'new guy' a chance - he's done very well with the 'fresh new look' and presentation on his first issue.

Couldn't agree more, and all credit to him he did acknowledge a recent submission of mine.

Post by **millerman** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:56 am

Regaliaqueen, any feedback from MMOC Committees?

Thanks