Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all,
Nice to see many of you again at the AGM.
Today's venue and the weekend's events were fantastic - I'm just off out, but will post a bit moe later.

Same here and thanks for the delivery Ray

The weather managed to dampen a few people's feet but didn't dampen much enthusiasm. Those who attended the plant tour (300ish) really enjoyed it.

Today's weather was miserable, but the parade turned out well and the weekend was met with a fair bit of press coverage - watch out for forthcoming coverage including a TV slot for BBC south (this Monday evening IIRC).

It was brilliant to see more Minors than modern cars in the carpark at an AGM. Obviously the combination of other activities was the underlying reason but still, credit where credit's due

Marie Curie were presented with a £30,000 cheque thanks to the efforts of many members in many ways including those who took the Yellow car all round the country's events and sold stickers etc...

We voted in 2 new committee members (Treasurer and Assistant Secretary) so no gaps in service

Mention was made (following on from the comments in the club mag) that AON's purchase of Footman James has caused some ripples. The club scheme is now run by Footman James.
The reports (including those via this forum) that young drivers have not recieved the correct treatment from FJ have been taken quite seriously. The club has pushed hard to receive assurances that the insurance name change wont see the club scheme affected (finally resolved late this week) - therefore if any further problems occur in the transition period there should be a good resolution.

Ray Newell talked on the problems facing many of the smaller owners clubs and how it is worthwhile to pull together where neded. Therefore it's expected that combined rallies will be more commonplace in future.

Club revenue is on the decline in nearly all areas(with the exception of booming regalia sales) - partly due to a small reduction in membership but also due to an ever growing proportion of members in receipt of age-related discount.

Regalia (Lou) received well earned praise and an additional mention of the online ordering which is a real asset. The website and forum received a big thanks (well deserved of course )
Thanks went to the outgoing Treasurer (also to his wife for aving to suffer it so long) and further thanks to our outgoing Assistant Secretary. IMHO this AGM has to be the icing on the cake for Anne as it was great all round

Awards went to the couple responsible for the Marie Curie car, to Northants branch and others. One new (and timely) award was for one of the northern members - 'Best Young Achiever' who not only took part in club runs but had helped to run them.
There was an award of recognition for David Harvey (former magazine editor) and another Awardee not present was our infamous 'Judge' Bill Hewlet for his 7 year championing of concours.

No major changes to club direction, however there was a change to fees. The biggest 'mumour' I've heard at an AGM was when the fee proposal was announced. However following Ray's more detailed explanation of the reasoning, it was passed (but not completely unanimously):
Fees for senior members are increased 50p and standard fees remain unchanged. This reduces slightly the difference between concession and standard rate, however faced with similar age-demographic issues, other car clubs have removed their concessions so this was less radical.

Concours is planned to be up and running next year but a bit of planning is still unfinished - there will be a meeting between those involved early in the new year to finalise the venues as the normal procedure to use Regional rallies is not practical next year (the dates are all together).

Other business - the proposal regarding RAC association was dropped following explanation that the offending RAC statement was from a seperate organisation 'RAC foundation' (unrelated to the RAC we are associated with now)
There were a few further items of AOB, but most were thanks giving to those who've given a lot of efforts recently.

appologies for the bits I've forgotten!

You were quick off the mark Ray, you must have been awake to remember all that. I have just come home from taking my daughter out for a birthday meal. I was going to add to that a couple of other points:-
Sandy Hamilton gave a speech concerning the RAC matter which was discussed on the website recently. Apparently the RAC sold off the breakdown services some years ago and this is the organisation which the MMOC has dealings with and which no longer has anything to do with the "Club", the organisation looking at removing old cars from the road. These discussions were raised by a think tank set up by members of the remaining club and are very unlikely to be acted on. We were assured that there was no danger to historic cars as these were protected by European legislation (it does do some good occassionally), although it was conceded that the arbritary date set at 1973 in this country was affecting the survival rate of future historic vehicles
The other point raised under AOB was the question of the relationship between the MMOC and Minor Monthly magazine. The topic was raised at the recent Southern Counties Area liaison meeting.
It was understood that a meeting had been planned between the MMOC and Minor Monthly to attempt to resolve long standing differences but that the meeting had yet to take place. Liaison meeting members were unanimous in their support for a closer working relationship to the benefit of all Morris Minor owners.
The committee was asked to comment and Ray Newell stated that a meeting was in the process of being arranged in the New Year.
One further comment from me. Where were you all??? I was expecting a hall full of website users desperate to have their say.

The other point raised under AOB was the question of the relationship between the MMOC and Minor Monthly magazine. The topic was raised at the recent Southern Counties Area liaison meeting.
It was understood that a meeting had been planned between the MMOC and Minor Monthly to attempt to resolve long standing differences but that the meeting had yet to take place. Liaison meeting members were unanimous in their support for a closer working relationship to the benefit of all Morris Minor owners.
The committee was asked to comment and Ray Newell stated that a meeting was in the process of being arranged in the New Year.

I knew there was something important I'd forgotten Thanks Mike.
Actually there were probably quite a few things I'd forgotten, but I did make it home in time for Church

Thanks very much for reports.

What are the names of the new treasurer and assistant secretary?

Pass

Roger Taylor is our new Treasurer and Christine Haigh (Barnsley Branch) is our new Assistant Secretary

And here are some pictures taken at the event:

http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/RallyPics/ ... GM2008.htm

mike.perry wrote:You were quick off the mark Ray, you must have been awake to remember all that. I have just come home from taking my daughter out for a birthday meal. I was going to add to that a couple of other points:-
Sandy Hamilton gave a speech concerning the RAC matter which was discussed on the website recently. Apparently the RAC sold off the breakdown services some years ago and this is the organisation which the MMOC has dealings with and which no longer has anything to do with the "Club", the organisation looking at removing old cars from the road. These discussions were raised by a think tank set up by members of the remaining club and are very unlikely to be acted on. We were assured that there was no danger to historic cars as these were protected by European legislation (it does do some good occassionally), although it was conceded that the arbritary date set at 1973 in this country was affecting the survival rate of future historic vehicles
The other point raised under AOB was the question of the relationship between the MMOC and Minor Monthly magazine. The topic was raised at the recent Southern Counties Area liaison meeting.
It was understood that a meeting had been planned between the MMOC and Minor Monthly to attempt to resolve long standing differences but that the meeting had yet to take place. Liaison meeting members were unanimous in their support for a closer working relationship to the benefit of all Morris Minor owners.
The committee was asked to comment and Ray Newell stated that a meeting was in the process of being arranged in the New Year.
One further comment from me. Where were you all??? I was expecting a hall full of website users desperate to have their say.

Whats the story regarding the MMOC and Minor Monthly? For those who don't know.

I honestly don't think that going back over this will achieve anything. Let's just hope that the meeting, agreed whilst I was still a member of the committee, will now finally take place, and that both magazines can work together for the benefit of Minor owners/enthusiasts everywhere.

i was there as well it was an excellant day even thought the weather was not nice.the venue for the agm was very good as well.well done mmoc for arranging it.there are some good photos on there cam.

Well it was down South Dale

mike.perry wrote:One further comment from me. Where were you all??? I was expecting a hall full of website users desperate to have their say.

Sadly, I wasn't well enough to drive on Saturday and my chauffeur Roger R. was unable to drive us up to the AGM as planned.

It sounded positive though. I wish I'd been there to catch up with folk.
I had my packed lunch infront of the log fire with the cat and read "Watership Down"

Good photos Cam.

Congratulations to Bill for his award and to all the others.

Thank you to the folk 'going out' and welcome to those now in the respective posts.

Just one item that's been left out is that the publishers of Minor Matters is to change after a very long association with the current ones as the committee decided to check on the costings and have found another company that was offering a 3 year fixed price deal that would make savings of £60,000 over the three years, to give an idea of the current cost for the year ending 2007 it was £84,925.

Just imagine the savings both in printing and postage if there were an online version. I do of course accept that there are those that will always prefer a traditionally printed copy, although they could still print one themselves from their PC, but I still believe there could be big savings.