President’s Report - August 2022

I am sure by now that you will have noted the August club newsletter is in an abbreviated broadsheet format.  We have signalled this change for some time now and as of this month we have implemented the transition to bi-monthly newsletters.  The full newsletter will now a substantially improved magazine style issued each alternate month to be complemented by a more compact information broadsheet style communication in the intervening alternate months.  

In addition, we have significantly upgraded our club website to facilitate communication.  Here you will find an event diary, descriptions of upcoming events, a members’ only area in which the current and past newsletters are available, links to event bookings where you can book attendance at upcoming events, the ability to renew membership (next year) and lots more including the latest news from Rolls-Royce and Bentley.  Here you will also find descriptions of past events and lots of photos to be enjoyed.   Technical information, links to other clubs and sites of interest, classified advertisements and lots more.

I am pleased to report that the proposal to establish a finance review committee for the purpose of providing oversight of the club’s books and finances was approved at the special general meeting in July.  This new committee is scheduled to meet very soon to review the books and accounts for the past financial year and report to the membership at the annual general meeting in September. 

Coming up in August we have Drive and Be Driven on Sunday August 7 and our general meeting on Thursday 11 where Keith Mortimer will talk to us about the challenges and opportunities in the future for motoring clubs such as ours and we will enjoy a winter supper of pies and soup.  A midweek run is planned for later in the month. 

For those who attended the general meeting in July and listened to the very interesting presentation by Chris Hope, we were fascinated to hear of the future direction of Rolls-Royce including moving into electric vehicles with the very first being the Spectre to be launched in 2023 and the companies increasing focus on bespoke manufacturing.  Thank you to Chris and our major sponsor Zagame for a great presentation. 

Finally, as we contemplate the electric future of Rolls-Royce – how many electric motors are there in a Silver Spirit? 

Howard Wraight