CONTACT: Spring 1975
The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held on the 8th January 1975 at the Guild Club. The following were
elected to serve on the Committee for 1975:-
Chairman:
D J Parkes
Vice Chairman: D R Horner
Secretary:
S R Pink
Asst Secretary: C J Houghton
Treasurer:
S E Wright
J A Cox, R Fernie, T Murphy
Our progress of events for 1975 is, of necessity, not so varied as previous years. With many
component factories on a shortened week, we have been forced to cancel arrangements previously made to visit Fort Dunlop and British
Leyland's Plant at Longbridge. But if we can't provide variety, let's hope we can promote some enjoyment throughout the latter part
of the year.
Two Treasure Hunts are planned, one in the near future and another in the Autumn. These have been very well supported
in the past and I know I can rely on you to come along and join in the fun this year.
We have again been invited to enter a team in the R E Gillies Rally, which this year is taking place on Sunday 4th May. We hope to field an unchanged team this year but individual entries are more than welcome, especially from the ladies - so don't hesitate to telephone Steve at Ladywood or myself at Cotteridge for an entry form. After the good all round performance of the team last year - 6th overall - let's hope that we can show them who the BMB are once again.
For the last two years the Club has hired a mini-bus for a week-end during the Summer. These trips have taken
us to such places as the Motor Show at Earls Court and Hednesford Hills Raceway. If anyone is in favour of a trip to Brands Hatch
or Silverstone this year, we'll be going, so why not join us?
A further note for your diary - Saturday August 16th when we shall be
once again be visiting our old friends, Mitchells and Butlers at Cape Hill. Further details of all events will be circulated nearer
the dates.
Members of the Staff wishing to join the Club, or anyone requiring details of the Insurance Scheme should contact either
Steve or myself.
Weekly visits are made on behalf of members to a discount warehouse - so it's wise to get in touch with us before
you buy anything. Last year, we saved members literally hundreds of pounds.
The Car Maintenance classes have proved very popular and are continuing this year.
HINTS
It is always wise to check oil, water and tyre pressures weekly. Few people will subject their cars to closer scrutiny than this, but listed below are a few things to check before starting your holiday this year, which may save you trouble.
(1) Windscreen Wipers
Check that they function and that the blades are not worn. Check that the washer bottle is topped
up with water and anti-smear solvent and that the nozzles are free from blockage and point to the correct height.
(2) Seat Belts
The
webbing of the belts should not be worn or frayed at all. Check that the mounting belts are secure and that the anchor points pivot
freely. If they don't, remove and clean them.
(3) Battery
Check that the level of electrolyte is visible. It should be ¼" above the
plates. Do not overfill a battery as this weakens the cells. Remember that distilled water evaporates quicker during Summer.
(4) Brakes
& Clutch
Make sure that the fluid in the reservoirs is at the recommended level. Do not allow any dirt to get into the cap or the
reservoir. Always keep fluid in a moisture-proof container. If moisture from the atmosphere is absorbed it will lower the boiling
point and render the fluid useless.
(5) Tyres & Lights
Although you may have checked your tyre pressures, examine tyres more closely for cuts, bulges etc. especially the inner walls. Finally check your lights, brake lights and indicators and always carry a stock of spare bulbs. Remember that it is an offence to drive with defective lights and tyres, and that these two as well as being dangerous, are the most easily noticed.
Happy Motoring,
Chris Houghton.
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FLYING ABROAD THIS YEAR?
If you are flying from
Elmdon, East Midlands, Luton, Gatwick or Heathrow and don't want to leave your car at the airport read on. Several members have got
together and are willing to drive with each other to the airports, bring the car back and collect each other after the holiday in
return for similar arrangements. Anyone interested in helping should contact any member of the Motoring Club Committee.
CONTACT:
Summer 1975
The Bank entered a team in the R E Gillies Rally on 4th May 1975. The event which started at Blackburn and finished at
Bolton covered approximately 150 miles in the Yorkshire Dales. The individual placings were:-
David & Jeanette Parkes -
Ford Cortina 1600 GXL - 12th
Steve Pink & Chris Houghton - BLMC Mini Clubman - 32nd
Brian Godwin & Keith Higgins - Allegro 1500 Special - 38th
Over 50 cars started the event and the BMB was placed 7th out of the 13 Banks that took part.
The event was won by Leeds TSB
with Liverpool TSB coming second and Sheffield TSB third. The Rally was followed by an enjoyable evening at the Last Drop Motel provided
by our hosts, the Liverpool TSB.
A treasure hunt took place on 29th June, organised by Bob Fernie and Steve Wright. The 23 cars covered
33 miles between Knowle and Studley. The results were:-
1st Steve Carrick - 1st Aid Kit
2nd Bob Lynex - Fire Extinguisher
3rd David Parkes -
Vacuum Gauge
On the 16th August there will be a trip to Cape Hill brewery, details of which have been circulated.
During September
we are hoping to visit Hednesford Hills Raceway and there will be another treasure hunt in November. Full details will be sent out
in due course.
Weekly visits are made on behalf of members to a discount warehouse, so it's wise to get in touch with us before you
buy anything in the motoring line. Since we started the scheme, we have saved literally hundreds of pounds on parts, paint, accessories,
tools etc.
The car maintenance classes have proved very popular and are continuing this year.
With the ever increasing cost of repairs
and service charges, why not tackle the job yourself! All the necessary details are in the workshop manual for your car (available
through the Club at only £1.20, a saving of over 50%). A set of good quality tools would cost roughly £20 in the shops - about £9
through the Club. We can supply all the bits and pieces such as oil and air filters, plugs, points etc. except the actual oil.
If anyone's
got a Mini, we still have a fair number of parts left over from breaking the Club's Wolsley Hornet.
The Club meets on the 1st Wednesday
of every month at the Guild Club, Station Street at 9pm and members are always welcome to come along and air their views.
Happy
motoring,
S R Pink,
Secretary.
CONTACT: Christmas 1975
On the 16th August, thirty members of the Club visited Mitchells
and Butlers brewery at Cape Hill and I'm sure everyone that went along thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
The R E Gillies Rally will
be held on the 4th April 1976 and anyone who would like to try their hand at rallying will be most welcome to join us - the Bank will
again enter a team of three cars and individual entrants will be accepted. This time, the event will cover mainly South and Mid-Wales
and so at least we will be nearer to home than on previous events. Whilst on the subject of rallying, my thanks to John and Yvonne
Lane and Bob Fernie for their excellent work on the RAC.
The weekly visits to the discount warehouse continue to thrive. Members have
saved somewhere in the region of four hundred pounds this year alone.
There is still room for several members at the car maintenance
classes which are available free of charge. The classes are held in the Moseley area every Tuesday at 7:30pm.
Members who have not renewed their subscriptions should send their form to Bob Fernie at Kings Heath Branch as soon as possible. The subscriptions are the same now as when the club was formed over ten years ago.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st January at the Guild Club, Station Street at 7:30pm and I look forward to seeing a large turnout of the membership.
MOTOR INSURANCE
There has always
been the need for a book designed to give the everyday motorist concise information on Insurance. The Consumers' Association in the
December issue of 'Money Which' outline the subject in every detail, if you would like to know how motor insurance works and what
you are covered for, why not borrow a copy from your local library.
S R Pink
Secretary.