Just come back from France and downloaded a ton of emails, having been away over the copy deadline date.  Instead of showing off my tan I am indoors slaving away to get the Acorn finished and out before Social Night.  I vaguely remember making a note last year to organise holidays around deadline day and I obviously took no notice of myself!  Never mind.
Last month’s social was John Milligan’s quiz night and all who attended had a really good evening.  John’s questions were challenging and  interesting and the eventual winners were the team consisting of Daren Hall, Colin Shipway, Iain Gibson and Nick Furmidge.  Everyone else had three team members though so I’m thinking...unfair advantage maybe?? No, the boys did good. Alan Pearson, Mark Dawson and I  were doing well until we played our joker in a panic on the wrong round, where we got about 2 points. Hmm!  It was a good fun evening and it was a shame there weren’t a few more of you to appreciate John’s hard work.
August social is at The Bell Pub in Smarden Bell (Nr Headcorn).  September’s karting evening brought about the usual tiny response so have decided to postpone.  A few people expressed an interest in Karting at the Brooklands circuit but as it is outdoors, perhaps the Spring/Summer might be better.  Ian Crocker and Sam Collins will have to have their grudge match then.  My thanks to John Kemp who also came up with some great info on other karting venues.
What we really need is one or more people to come forward to organise a social.  The committee have been thinking that it might be easier perhaps to spread this job around rather than one person try to think up ideas all the time.  It is hard to be innovative every time while also concentrating on other things. So if any of you out there have thought is would be nice to…..(please insert your idea here)…. then either email or phone a member of the committee so we can fit it in the Social Calendar. You are then free to organise the event and we will advertise it for you in Acorn and on the Web. October’s social will be a bowling night in Maidstone.Anyone like to take over the reins of this event? We would like to open it to other Weald Clubs for an interclub friendly so please give me a call soon!
On the marshalling front, the Spotted Dick and Custard Stages (if you’ve been on another planet for the last few months) are on 1st September.  Once again WE NEED MARSHALS for the event on the day and help with setting up on the Saturday. We can’t have too many so don’t think it’s too late. Chris Scudder awaits your call.  Please help to make this event a success (it will probably be the last ever at Longcross before it closes its gates to motorsport forever—yet another blow for motorsport in the South East).
There is also our sprint at North Weald in October (see calendar at the back for dates).  We are looking for someone to be Chief Marshal as Chris will be Assistant Clerking that day so he can complete his Clerk’s Licence.  It is not that onerous a task so please ring Chris and he will give advice and support.
Now a huge vote of thanks must go to Clive Cooke for his efforts in organising a successful Autotest Series.  He is finalising the championship scores and the table will appear in next month’s Acorn. Well done Clive and we look forward to next Summer and hopefully even more support of your efforts.
Finally inside this month is one of the club’s “Are you interested in Motorsport” leaflets.  Perhaps you know a friend or work colleague who has expressed interest in our beloved sport but doesn’t know where to begin?  Please feel free to copy and pass on the leaflet to anyone you know who might be interested or perhaps pin it on your work place notice board.  We would like to raise the profile of the club and this is one way you as members can all help.

Off to Scotland next! Och Aye till next time!

Dawn