ANNUAL REPORT MARCH
2012
At
the 2011 AGM the Committee were re-elected en masse
and Rob Richards and Adrian Skyrme were co-opted
onto the committee.
Our
first event of the year was a very successful tour
on 17th April to celebrate Drive It Day.
The route was very ably planned by Mike and Sally
Jones and we enjoyed afternoon food in the sunshine
at the Honey Cafe Bronllys.
The
27th April saw the first of the monthly
summer pub runs which are so ably organised by
Christine and Alan Broughton. 12 cars were on this
first evening run but we averaged 15 later in the
season.
At
the beginning of May we staged the annual Singleton
Show and this year we purchased a new marquee for
the event which will last us for many years. We
also sent out special invitations to a selection of
Ford owners to help celebrate a 100 years of Ford in
the UK. We also had a display of Ford RS cars from
Mark Bailey at Trade Centre Wales. CEM Day also
provided a Ford display marquee and a selection of
new models.
The
following week 8 cars took part in the annual Irish
Raid to Kinsale which was well reported at the time
in our magazine.
After two hectic weeks at the beginning of May we
enjoyed a quiet club night before a very enjoyable
May pub run up the Swansea Valley ending with supper
at the New Tredegar Arms, Cwmtwrch.
On
the first Saturday in June several cars met at the
Cothi Bridge Hotel for brunch. This is a regular
event on the 1st Saturday of every month
during the summer.
After good weather in March, April and May the
heavens opened for our June club night run to
Mumbles and there were very few brave souls who
fortunately were able to shelter in the Tram Museum.
Our
July barbeque was lucky with the weather as we only
had light drizzle. Thanks again to our now
experienced chefs Adrian and Rob for the cooking and
the ladies who provided the supporting salads.
In
July we were very lucky with the weather for our
summer rally and following our Friday night get
together we all enjoyed a scenic run to Rhossilli
where some enjoyed lunch at the Worms Head Hotel
while others picnicked in the sunshine.
On
Sunday several cars in the tour were wrong footed by
Neath Port Talbot Council closing a road on the
route but eventually we all made it to the Visitor
Centre at Brecon Beacons National Park for lunch.
Sunday evening saw our end of rally presentations
which are light hearted in the extreme and a series
of activities to help get everyone involved.
Our
August Show Your Car Night was a meteorological
disaster but full marks to the brave souls who
brought their classic cars out in the pouring rain.
Again in August seven club cars met at Cothi Bridge
and afterwards went to the Transport Museum in
Gorseinon thanks to Mike Palmer.
We
ended the month with another evening pub run to
Llandarrog.
The
September club night again suffered an attack from
the gremlins and the planned film show didn’t work.
The following week was the last pub run of the
summer.
In
October we tried to stage an Autojumble in the Old
Bus Garage but we had a very poor response and had
to cancel. In 2010 the October jumble had been very
successful so we don’t know why the enthusiasm of
the jumblers has disappeared.
October saw the first of the winter Sunday Lunch Pub
Runs with the weather smiling on the entrants.
In
November Patrick arranged a very well supported trip
to the Classic Car Show at the NEC
For
December club night we laid on a Christmas theme
with roast chestnuts, mince pies and mulled wine.
After New Year 25 cars joined us for the Frostbite
Run and in spite of a challenging route card
everyone eventually made it to the Chip Shop in
Mumbles.
The
following week 16 of us got together to send out all
the Singleton and Autojumble entry forms. 750
envelopes stuffed, labelled and stamped in 45
minutes.
On
16th January we again all enjoyed our
Christmas Party night coupled with a giant raffle.
On the 22nd eight cars enjoyed a run
through the narrow lanes north of Llanelli to a pub
for lunch.
February 19th we held our traditional
Autojumble in the bus garage. Unlike the previous
attempt in October last year, the February event was
more of a success. We sold 29 pitches, although not
all the stall holders turned up on the day for some
reason. We had 200 paying visitors through the
doors, so those vendors that were there had a
reasonable day sales wise. At least from a club
point of view, we covered our costs and made some
money for the club.
Supporting the Club in the background to all the
above events is our excellent website and if you
have never looked at it can I recommend you to
www.swanseahistoricvehicleregister.co.uk
Many
thanks to Marryl Bradley for keeping this up to date
in such an able fashion.
John Dorney
