Future Events

Special Presentation

February's meeting started with a presentation of a £600 cheque to the Coventry Myton Hospice from some of the proceeds from the Jaguar Day in the Midlands, which Bob and Margaret presented to Claire McDowell who gladly accepted it on behalf of Myton Hospice.   This meeting was all about the JEC and in particular, the cars that Club Secretary Graham Searle has owned.  In short the club has come along way in 25 years and evolved with the

times.  For example, only 5 years ago, Graham would spend approx. 90% of his time for the members, these days that is forced to around 60% due to the H&S requirements of running the club as a business.  The club has 3 full time staff, 4 part-time, took out a mortgage for the Bristol office (now worth a lot more than was paid), has a turn-over of £1.2m, and income of which only 50% is membership contributions.  So despite the economic situation, the club is in very good shape with stable membership and lots of varied activities.  It was a good sales pitch!

Graham came along with a plotted photographic history of cars he'd owned, starting with a 340 in the 50's.  Each photo had a story to tell, bringing back mainly happy memories.  You could tell from the passion in his voice, he is a devotee of all things Jaguar.  He's had most of the Jaguars cars, XK140, E-Type, Mk VII, VIII & IX (his favourites), Mk. 2, S1 XJ (probably his second favourite), SII, & SIII, XJ-S, XJ40, X300 & S-TYPE V8.  There were lots of stories and buying and selling including a SIII he bought and sold many times!  Also the very reliable 340 that was faultless until it refused to start when it was sold.

 

 

It was a captivating and fascinating insight into one man's passion.   Even the photo's of rare modified or "specialist" Jaguar conversions he'd seen and events he'd been privileged to have been involved with over the years would make the good beginnings of a book I'm sure.

 

Everyone was impressed with the smooth flow of the meeting and the time simply spirited away. 

 

Fabulous.  Thank you Graham for visiting.

 

 

Many thanks to Mike Sharman for the above report.