Chairman's Report - JEC Bedfordshire Region – January 2025
Since the Region was inaugurated in December 2022 we have continued with meetings at the Rose & Crown every month in 2024.
We have had 60 individuals attend those meetings, being 45 JEC members and their partners. Over the 12 meetings the attendance has ranged from 14 up to 28 with an average of 22. This is slightly lower than our first year, as that period benefited from members coming just once out of curiosity.
Membership on our Regional email listing has climbed from 198 to 210.
Membership of the Facebook site has risen from 167 to 223.
I am pleased to report that at many of the meetings, members and visitors gave presentations.
- Business updates from our sponsors E and E Services.
- Andrew Baines about his C Type replica build.
- Simon Ham with his 1958 Lister Jaguar and history of the Lister Company
- Steve McCoy about his E Type restoration.
The Region has put on displays at a number at events, starting off with the first anniversary event at the April Jaguar Breakfast Club at Gaydon. This was followed in June by the Luton Festival of Transport in conjunction with Bucks & Herts Region. The Bedford River Festival and JLR Dealer Charity Day in July. In August the Flitwick Car and Bike Show again with Bucks & Herts and the Pulloxhill Car Show with the Loose Alliance Car Group. Finally in September the Sywell Piston and Props event, although the second day was cancelled due to the dreadful weather.
Trips were made to a specialist Jaguar restoration company in Letchworth and a day trip to Jaguar Classic Ryton with a private tour of the workshop followed by a visit to the nearby Midlands Air Museum.
In September a Drive Out day was planned with a dozen members and partners starting from Castle Ashby in Northampton using Tulip Routes to visit the Foxton Locks near Market Harborough and the onto the historic Royal Ordinance Depot at Weedon Bec.
Members have also supported other JEC events, the 40th Anniversary event at the British Motor Museum, JEC South Lincolnshire group trip to Shuttleworth Military Air Show, JEC Tracksport at Goodwood and Castle Coomb and Supercharged Saturday at Coventry Transport Museum.
Groups of members have gathered at various other events during the year, such as the monthly Jaguar Breakfast Club meets at the British Motor Museum and locally at the Dukes Hotel and London Gliding Club, Dunstable.
The highlight of the year was the 3 nights away trip held in May at the Fat Lamb Country Inn near Kendal. 12 members with partners had a fantastic time touring the Lake District and North Pennines.
The year closed with a Christmas Dinner and Annual Awards evening on the 12th December. Awards given to Mike Nixon “Jaguar ownership” because of his expenditure on a new X type daily driver, Richard Govier “Jaguar driver” with his 3 days at the NEC supporting the Sporting Bears Club and finally Peter Davies as “Club person of the Year” for this assistance at the monthly meetings and route planning for trips.
Just prior to Christmas Robin and I visited the Keech Hospice for children and adults based near Luton and donated various Christmas treats for residents and staff.
Finally, thanks to Andrews and Sally Baines of RCM Products and the team at EandE Services for their continued financial sponsorship of the Bedfordshire Region.