Happy New Year everyone and I hope this edition finds you ready to face the challenges that 2006 will bring to your motorsport.

With a new year often comes changes, out with the old and in with the new etc. Your committee has for the last few meetings, been discussing our future at The Bell, which judging by the comments from many of you, has changed not necessarily for the better over the last year. We now feel that the time has come to move on to a new venue for our committee meetings and social nights. So from February’s meeting, we will be moving to The Chequers just down the road in Heaversham. Some research took place on the New Year Bank Holiday by members of the committee and some of Team Kemsing, after a very pleasant (if a little sloshy) walk through the surrounding countryside. This was followed by a lovely lunch at The Chequers, as I said all done in the name of research! For those who do not know the pub, the Chequers has beautifully restored old barn which is used as a function room, and where we will be holding our socials from March onwards. It has other advantages, such as a decent size car park and a lovely garden for the summer months. There is also a Bat and Trap court which could be the theme for a summer social evening. I have no idea what Bat and Trap is so look forward to being introduced to this quaint Kentish game!

The January social is a Video Games evening, perfect to show off those new console games you got for Christmas and this will be at The Bell as usual. I believe there will be an X-Box and a Playstation 2 available, and maybe even an Xbox 360 thingy to play on. Ian Crocker is organising the hardware, so drop him an email if you want more info.

Continuing the theme of change, our Chief Marshals have decided to call it a day, due to their changing family circumstances. Caroline and Clive Cannon are expecting the arrival of twins so will have their hands very full later on this year. Our thanks go to the Cannons for their hard work during their time as Chief Marshals, a job that they took up with enthusiasm and did very well. We wish them well and look forward to welcoming the new arrivals into the club!

So we are now looking for a willing volunteer to step into their shoes. As always, there will be lots of help and advice on hand to anyone who wants to get more involved in the club. In the first instance, call one of the committee or the Cannons who will give you an idea of what is involved. Without marshals events can’t run, so please think about offering that help. Thank you.

2006 is going to be a bit of a funny year for us as a club and for local motorsport, especially speed.

You may have heard that North Weald has come under another threat, as the District Council has agreed a lease to the Sunday Market, which involves using a large section of the paddock area for car parking for the market users every Sunday. This has effectively put all 2006 speed events running at the airfield under serious threat. We wait to hear the outcome of a meeting that took place a few days ago to see if anything could be salvaged for the clubs that have provisional bookings, but things look bleak. This is going to have a knock on effect for many championships and clubs. We will let you know more next month.

It means that we all need to be more proactive this year and make the most of what we have available. Who knows, perhaps that elusive perfect venue may turn up!