“Happy New Year”, what more can I say? In our house, every year at this time the topic of a New Year resolution rears its ugly head. Normally I completely ignore it. Not this year; I have resolved to use the double tot measure when making gin and tonic instead of just pouring gin recklessly out of the bottle! So what’s in store in Area 22 for the months ahead??
The draft calendar was sent out in December and attached here is the first edition of 2025. There are still dates to confirm which we hope to do so shortly as I know you like to get “things in the diary”.
We begin with the New Year Brunch at the Ragged Cot on Saturday 4 January. This is always an excellent event and we have 41 members and friends attending. We will meet around 1230 and should have shambled off home by 1630.
6 February at the Frogmill brings the Area 22 AGM as part of the monthly meeting. AGM’s can be boring, not ours! We shall be looking back over 2024 to all the meetings and events we have enjoyed, hearing about our chosen charity, CALM, and hearing some details about what is ahead in 2025. More importantly we shall be voting in the Area Reps for the coming year. We have an excellent interim team in place but if you feel motivated to be an Area Rep I shall be sending out the Notice of Meeting shortly and you have your chance to be involved.
Following an excellent Winter Gathering, we shall retain our presence at the Frogmill for our “northern” monthly meeting venue and potentially adopt the Ragged Cot for the “southern” meetings. Why stick to the same places you may ask? Experience tells us that we get better service if we establish an ongoing relationship with a venue. However, if you have a pub you would like us to investigate, let Mike know.
The events calendar brings a mixture of themes from the “country house” to the roads of Wales and beyond including the opportunity to support our charity. Importantly, we must recognise the 90th. Anniversary of AMOC and we have chosen to do this in July at Elcot Park, Newbury. I have heard a whisper that the September Expedition will be to Belgium and the Ardennes but will leave Ray to talk about that! The September bonus is the Whitewell Getaway, a short break in Lancashire. Look out for more details.
Before Christmas we learned of the untimely passing of Sir David McMurtry. Many will recall the fantastic day we spent with him, and his wife Terry, at Swinhay in May 2023. We will remember him. This event gave us the opportunity to meet Tom Yates, the CEO of McMurtry Automotive, to sit in the “Speirling” and to hear firsthand of its development.
Finally, I would mention the Silverstone Festival. If you are interested, the “super early bird” ticket opportunity closes in the next couple of days… the AMOC club code is 25CCD042.
The Area 22 Team hopes to see you at the 2025 meetings and events.