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 Annual General Meeting of the Lancashire
Automobile Club Ltd
Date: 13th
February 2008 - Now Run
Location:
Whalley Golf Club
106th Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 13th February 2008, 20:00
hours
at
Whalley Golf Club, Portfield Lane, Whalley
Honorary Secretary’s Report
for
the year March 2007 – Feb 2008
My third official tenure as holder
of the Office of Honorary Secretary commences with this report which
details the events of the previous 12 months – from Feb 2007 to Feb
2008. As ever, it has been a busy and eventful year and I will
attempt to capture the most noteworthy in the pages that follow.
My report starts where the previous
one finished, here at Whalley Golf Club for the 2007 AGM. The
business was conducted in a brisk but formal manner (as one would
expect) and was chaired by Eric (Ted) Heath. It was proposed and
agreed that subscriptions would not be increased (as detailed in the
minutes) and Stephen Proctor, Hon Treasurer, outlined his reasons
for such. This (2007) evening concluded with an informal quiz,
hosted and drawn up by Chris Lee.
On Saturday 16th Feb the
club joined forces with other motorsport enthusiasts to assist with
the North West Stages Rally. The LAC has been asked to provide
marshals for the stages at Clifton Marshes and Lytham Hall. A new
role was that of Driving Standards Observers which the LAC provided
touring the route and reporting unacceptable behaviour by
competitors. The very presence of these observers had a calming
effect and was recognised by the organisers and general public. The
contributions of Mel and Mark Whitaker, David Bell and Brian Haslam
and not least Alwyn and Margaret Davis to this cause enhanced the
Clubs reputation in this area.
This event has become a prominent
fixture in the rally calendar and provides drivers and co-drivers
alike with an opportunity to test themselves on a number of
challenging but enjoyable courses.
A number of club marshals gathered
at Clifton Marsh, Preston, under the Jurisdiction of Chris Lee, to
enjoy the spectacle and atmosphere. In addition, a sizeable sum of
money was raised for the event charity – Marie Currie- with an
additional donation going to a designated local charity (as United
Utilities had provided the Clifton Marsh wastewater treatment works
venue for free). The LAC team dealt with a major accident and it is
pleasing to note their efforts were recognised by both organisers
and competitors when they were awarded the ‘Spirit of the Event’
award.
On the 23rd April 2006,
we were treated to the Traditional Club season opener – always known
as the New Year Rally, but this time “The St Georges Day Rally”
Run as part of a National Day of
the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs ‘Drive It’ day
campaign, we turned out 65 cars and their teams on a beautiful
Lancashire Spring Day with sun and blue skies all day; starting at
our ‘home’ – the Black Bull at Old Langho, after teas, coffees and
great bacon butties, all cars sporting
Union jacks, the entourage set off
to visit 10 of Lancashire’s Hill Country / AONB Villages throughout
the Ribble Valley, ending up at the famous old coaching inn Moorcock
Inne on Waddington / Slaidburn Fell. See you 20th May
2008– same place – same time !!
By mid May, and hard on the heels
of the St Georges, we had the second road event on the club
calendar. More serious stuff this - The Fellsman Rally is a great
way to commence the real motorsport year. A navigational route
through some spectacular north west scenery, a lunch halt and return
to the Waddington Arms for a well earned drink and chat.
What’s more, the weather was
totally wet and windy as well - and added to a every enjoyable day’s
motoring for those who managed to get through the floods Thanks to
Mike Raven, John Hartley and Owen Drew for the work done behind the
scenes and to ALL the marshals who assisted on the day.
The month of June brought to the
roads of Lancashire, the longest running event in the club
calendar. The Manchester to Blackpool entered its 45th
annual running with one or two more changes on last years event –
incepted by Nigel Whitaker and Chris Lee. Feedback from previous
years had suggested that a number of competitors had wanted the
option of being able to choose part of the routes on offer. So, in
response, the club put together a route book that allowed the
competitors to do just that. The event concluded at last year’s
location, the Arnold School, at which the event cars formed an
attraction as part of the school community day. Guest of honour was
The Worshipful the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Allan
Matthews and the Mayoress Angela Matthews, J.P.’.
Thanks go to the Clerks of the
Course, David Bell assisted by Martin Wylie and Chris Lee, the
Start, (Alwyn & Margaret Davis – under the sunshade umbrella in 20
degrees at 9am!) to the Finish and Controls organising teams, Nigel
Whitaker’s son Mark and Mel, his wife (course car) Dennis Walton
(course car) and staff of the Arnold School. And our
Mike Chadwick of Blackpool BC. But especially to the trusty marshals
– who make it all possible – thank you from David & Chris
Plans for this year’s event are
already well in hand if not all complete under the Clerk of the
Course, our President, Eric Heath, and Chris Lee, Deputy CofC and
RouteMaster; Regs out March 2008 – see the websites (below)
The 15th running of the
Coast to Coast to Coast Classic Tour, was, once again, fantastic.
The weather was not to standard, bit of wind, lot of rain - the
scenery (for those able to legally take their eyes of the road) was
a sight for sore eyes and the hospitality food and accommodation
extremely satisfying.
The event is becoming ever more
popular year-on-year and this is down in no small part to the work
of a team led by Ronn and Elaine Middleton. I would like to pass on
the thanks of the club for their unstinting efforts. If anyone is
thinking about entering this year’s tour which will simply go from
Coast to Coast, I would suggest they make contact quickly as any
places still available will be snapped up – guaranteed!
If speed is your thing, the first
Sunday in August is probably underlined in your diary. The great and
the good from all over the country – from Scotland and as far south
as Devon – travel to the Three Sisters Race Circuit to take part in
the annual National B 2-lapper.
The LAC is the only club to put on
such an event at this circuit and the entry list suggests that the
drivers enjoy their day with us.
Again, as last year, the event was co-promoted
with Chester Motor Club as a result of calendar restrictions imposed
by the circuit. Yet again, the combined team functioned well with
the joint Clerks of Course, Ronn Middleton and Bob Chesters,
producing a seamless and efficiently run event.
I would like to say thanks to all
who support this event, be it drivers, mechanics, marshals and club
officials, without whom this Sunday in August would be just that – a
Sunday in August.
New management at the circuit has
meant that the club will again this year hold a joint event with our
neighbours, colleagues and friends from Chester Motor Club. The big
news is that we have secured the entire weekend so will be running a
two lap sprint on the Saturday followed by a single lap event on the
Sunday. Last year went like a dream I’m sure that our combined
efforts will bring about yet another fast, exciting and enjoyable
pair of events.
Next came the fabulous Highland 3
Day Classic Car Rally – and rally it was, but 4 days it was also –
as Mike Raven and Team added a ‘Day 0’ to get you in the mood for
what was to come. A fantastic event , the product of many many miles
and more many many hours of pre-planning, routing, re-routing and
arrangements; of administration and more planning; Mike – you are a
Master at your Craft – we will be there in September 2007 to see
what you can do to us next ! Thanks to all concerned – Mrs Cath
Raven, your Marshals etc
This was followed by the fourth
annual running of Lombard RAC Revival Rally. The LAC’s
participation centered on the Last Leg of the event,. Mike Raven I/C
the Blackpool and Nigel Whitaker the special test on the Middle
Walk at Blackpool where some 80 entrants negotiated the route to
finish out of 120. Thanks, as ever, to the marshals who turned out
to support the event and to Ted Heath, Martin Wylie, Chris Gradwell
and Nigel Whitaker for their efforts in ensuring that the stages ran
smoothly.
We then had a stint on the Rally of
the Tests (the original type of event that started the RAC Rally of
Great Britain – in 1932 – the LAC was there running the Start /
Finish at Blackpool) – with Mike Wood at the Start and Bangor TC,
and Dennis Walton Brian Haslam & David Bell were in Pickering the
day and night before – they couldn’t get suitable Yorkshiremen ! It
was a long way – but Denis knows his Yorkshire! (and Brian
recognised the route markings by the Sheep!– serious stuff this!
The 2007 season drew to a
traditional close with our attendance on the Wales Rally GB;
returning back to its last event of the WRC season with a November
date in the calendar.
David Bell organised on behalf of
the Club 15 officials and marshals. LAC members and others attended
Thursday for the shakedown, Friday, Saturday and Sunday stages, and
whilst we were lashed with rain, gales, floods and then some good
but cold weather, all went according to plan and after the event,
one of the Assistant Clerks of the Course of WRGB, Cliff Mainwearing,
sent thanks and appreciation to our team for a good job well done
Thanks also to all the Marshals who
worked for him and who turned out again this year
The conclusion to twelve months of
activities was rounded off the last Saturday evening at the Annual
Dinner Dance and prize presentation evening.
The event, as ever, was organised,
arranged and facilitated by Carolyn and Anthony Taylor. The venue
was the Stanley House Hotel at Mellor, Blackburn. Those attending
will, I’m sure, were impressed with the surroundings, the meal and
the atmosphere generated by a large gathering.
As ever, the club rewards those
individuals who practice the art of motorsport together with those
who organise and enable the events to run. The Attwater Trophy, for
the Club’s organisers and officials, went to Owen Drew. He not only
works with Mike Raven on the Fellsman and Highland but is the unsung
hero behind the Club’s web site. The Wood Trophy for Classic
enthusiast went to Nigel Bentley a regular entrant and one of the
inceptors of the Fellsman event. There was no club member who
qualified for the Jaguar Trophy so this was passed to the Jaguar
Enthusiasts Club for safe keeping for one year only. The Sprint
Championship was won by Derek Martlew after a close seasons battle
with Bobby Fryers. Our premier award, the Peter Collins Trophy, was
awarded to Graham Oates for his lifetime achievement in sprinting
being a regular winner of our Sprint Championship up to his
retirement last year.
Bernard Jones continued as editor
to the club newsletter, “All Torque”. He has settled well in to his
new position over the last 2 years. The newsletter is a vital part
of the club. The committee is delighted that Bernard agreed to take
up the post and we are pleased to express the Club’s appreciation
for the 2007 editions - all arriving at our homes and eagerly
awaited. The magazine could be running in A5 with more colour is top
class – we always look forward to it; thanks again Bernard
2008 promises to be another
successful, but challenging, year. The club, through its links with
and membership of the RAC Foundation, is working to ensure that the
voice of motorsport and its associated business is listened to and
acknowledged. It is only through a club such as ours that future
motorsport champions are able to gain experience and learn their
trade. As members, we all have a part to play.
At this juncture, I should also
like to highlight the work done by two valiant club members.
Firstly, Owen Drew, who is our WebMaster of www.lancsautoclub.com
. It is one of the best motor club websites on the net; try them,
see what I mean; Owen (assisted by Mike Raven) does this for us in a
most professional manner and we are deeply indebted to you Owen; the
grateful thanks of all the Directors, Officers and Committee and the
Club Members of the LAC are extended to you – as well as the general
surfer and browser who will have come to us through the site
information. Thank You Owen…
However dear member, this does not
spring to life all on its own; it comes from information passed to
Owen from many sources; you are one of them, so any reports,
information, pictures, articles, club history, copy of old
magazines, club bulletins; cartoons, quizzes, history, sepia photos
etc etc - please send to Owen on the above email address
Secondly, we express our thanks to
Peter Stanfield – our second webmaster, this time of the Great
Manchester to Blackpool Run website - go to the club site,
http://www.lancsautoclub.co.uk
take the link top right to GM2B;Peter’s email is
info@ite.eu.com
Please send him your car information, part event jottings,
escapades, adventures, stories, photos etc.(strange how both these
chaps have FY locations – must be something in the air ! )
To end my report, having now done
this job for a year, you may recall I said last year I would take it
on for 6 months; well Martin Wylie has generously offered to be
Minutes/Agenda Secretary for the Executive Committee, and Alwyn
Davis has signified his assent to nod to any worthwhile job asked of
him, so I am now able and going to be the Office Bearer until the
2009 AGM, when I will retire and my successor will take over. I have
often felt 3 – 5 years is a good time to spend doing such work and
it gives others a chance to step in, particularly the younger
members and put their personality stamp on the pages of this great
club’s history.
I will again thank my predecessor,
Martin J Wylie for his help and assistance to me this last 2
years, and particularly in the production of all the official
paperwork for this AGM ( And , of course, Alwyn Davis for printing
the high quality 30 copies). Thank you both.
In closing, I should like to thank
all members of the club for their dedication and support. I wish to
express my sincere thanks and gratitude to my fellow committee
members for their assistance and encouragement during the past year,
to wish you all a super year’s motorsport and to thank you all for
taking the time to attend this evenings meeting.
David W G Bell,
F.I.M.I.,
Director, Vice President &
Honorary Secretary
West View
Whalley Road
Langho
Ribble Valley
BB6 8AA
registrar@bellco.co.uk
07850 658600
12h February 2008
E & O E
Means errors and omissions excepted
– and apols for owt I missed
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