Most may not be aware, but preparing for our club Christmas Concours requires the completion of a twenty-eight page application, the submission of a health and safety plan, a hazard management plan and an application for a food certificate.

And all this, of course, together with a donation to the beloved bureaucrats in our city hall, and a little prayer that our pre-Christmas weather will be kind.

It is a painful experience (especially as I don’t often see the inside of a church!), and one that takes a year to recover from.

The last two years we have had more than fifty cars at this event, and this year it was hoped that maybe we could get a few extra people and their cars along. A little bit of warning was given in the months leading up to December, and an attempt was made to advertise in Classic Car (although they forgot!).

Sunday the 12^th dawned damp and gloomy, although the forecast offered some hope of a fine and sunny day. Leaving home light rain gradually gave way to misty drizzle, and when arriving at Vellenoweth Green, this had stopped.

As we started setting up the club marquee, preparing to fly our new MG flags, getting the BBQ warmed up and laying out the regalia, MG’s started arriving. People had been reading their magazines and clearly got into the swing of things. And they kept arriving.

By the end of the day 75 MG’s had turned up representing 22 different models of our marquee. They came from the north from Whangarei and from the south from Rotorua. And the sun was shining bright

A fantastic set of helpers had the event humming. Everyone appeared to be having a great time and the public were being provided with a fantastic display.

There were many great cars on display, even a ‘special display’ from Rob Ellis with his immaculately cleaned MGB so soon after Far North. Or exactly one half of it was clean. Four RV8’s, three C’s, a TA, just too many to mention.

Congratulations to John Hancock for first place in the concours, Graeme Fisher for 2^nd and Charles Tisdall for 3^rd. And Charles, many thanks for the cheque for your new membership. Welcome to the MGCC! Also the surprise on Rex Benns face for winning the People’s Choice was worth seeing, especially after being conned into entering the concours. See elsewhere in this magazine for the full results and list of entrants.

It was great to see a number of new members, members attending their first club event, and even non-members coming to see what we get up to.

Everyone who attended deserves thanks for representing our club. And Classic Car made an appearance also and will be allowing us some free space in their coming magazine.

I had hoped for 75 cars, but didn’t think it would happen. It did. So next year I am already hoping for 100. It is up to you all to make it happen.

Thanks for a great event everyone. Cecil would be proud.