Having just received John Harris's email about the forthcoming event at the Bucks Rail Centre, hosted by the T-Register, I was disappointed to see that although the invitation is to ALL Magnette owners,there is a requirement that they have to be MGCC members.
Some off you are aware of my long standing grievance with the MGCC. I signed up to join when I bought my Magnette in 2001, and when accosted by an MGCC official at a car show a year later, I realised I had no communication from them. The cheque was cashed, no "Safety Fast" magazines were sent, and no membership renewal was forthcoming. The cheque had just disappeared into the bowels of the MGCC. Details were taken on the MGCC stand, I was assured that it would be followed up, and sorted out to my satisfaction. Nothing happened, so as I am reluctant to have anything to do with an organisation that doesn't function efficiently, I have never joined.
It would now appear that I am to be discriminated against, unless this stupid rule is treated with some flexibility.
It would appear that I can give accommodation (Very Happily - he's a fantastic guy) to Malcolm Robertson when he did his European tour, Likewise for his fellow Aussie Len Dawson and his wife, Gilly, when they came to the UK in 2006. I can supply a cake for you all to enjoy for the "Gerald Palmer" centenary at Gaydon, I can make available for the register to use my own design of a sweat shirt logo, available to anyone who wants it,I can have an evening meal with a large Australian Magnette owners gathering at Sydney, hosted by John Russell, but I can't attend the meeting at Quainton because "you're not in the club"
What are they going to do if I do turn up? Will there be "Heavies" on the gate to throw me out? Another ridiculous facet of this unnecessary situation is that an MGCC owner could attend the event,or even be on the Magnette Register Committee even if he does not own a Magnette. I would like to stand for the Magnette register committee, I have plenty of time, contacts and energy to be of some use - again "you're not in the club".
I despair- it seems easier for an illegal immigrant to get into this country, than it is for a Bona Fide Magnette owner to enjoy the company and friendship of fellow enthusiasts.
I stress that one of my prime reasons for being a Magnette owner is to be able to make friends and share interests, sadly this is being hampered by some faceless official. It may be time for the ZA to go. Am I alone in my views?
