Northern Group of Motoring Writers’ Christmas 2024 Newsletter

The Northern Group of Motoring Writers has published its Christmas 2024 Newsletter, landing in a variety of motoring industry inboxes around the country.

This new edition is something of a weighty one, assembled by our newsletter editor David Whinyates and featuring contributions of all kinds from several members in the Group — including opinions, features, thoughts, and adventures, as well as something new for the festive season.

With the Annual General Meeting in the rear-view mirror, there’s some news from the Group itself, as we welcome two new members — Keith Adams and Naveed Hussain — and have a little shuffle on the side of the executive and various committees. Alan Domville also pays farewell to his – and our – good friend Derrick Grocock.

Kia once again sponsored our event, to which it graciously invited Derrick’s partner Dianne along with other members’ partners for another fine evening in the press team’s company. Dan Sayles, head of press and PR at Kia, also announced a £1,000 donation to Cancer Research UK in Derrick’s honour.

Two of our number have been musing on “bangernomics” this month, with George Loveridge taking a look at some vehicles that were very expensive as-new but not so much now, even if they might still cost a packet to run. Andy Harris has actually been buying them, meanwhile, hoping he can get as much mileage from his pre-loved Mk3 MR2 as his Mk2 MX-5 before it.

Frederic Manby had been our man on the continent again, reporting back from holiday trips to Germany and a close call while out walking in the scorching heat of Cyprus.

Meanwhile Will Kilner had his own troubles with the opposite end of the weather, relying on a press-fleet Hyundai Santa Fe to rescue him and a friend from snowbound rally stages at Kielder.

Checking in from America is David Thomas, who headed over to LA for the motor show and a trip round the famous Petersen Museum. Closer to home we’ve got a round-up of the SMMT Test Day North at Wetherby Racecourse, and Graham King has been taking in a variety of motorsport in our region with stock cars, bangers, hillclimbing, and rally stages.

Meanwhile David Whinyates has a bone to pick with a somewhat florid press release from a brand Northern Group members rarely get to experience, among others whose attendance at the Wetherby event has been sparse over the years. Andrew Evans also has a gripe with manufacturers which take — or rather give — the PS.

Andrew’s also talking about how the A19 somehow topping a poll of the nation’s favourite roads, and reporting back on this very website and its progress — which includes new records for traffic and our first paid advertisements!

To celebrate the festive period and what’s turned out to be a decent year despite many challenges, we’ve put together a prize crossword. There’s 51 clues in total — one for each year of the NGMW’s existence — and if you send in a completed puzzle to us you may win a festive gift (which contains alcohol, so over 18s only please).

As usual there’s also news of the latest comings, goings, and movements in the PR industry too. You can read the newsletter in the sidebar on the right or click here!