December 2025 | Issue 785 | Page(s) 3 | Gaynor Cauter
Happy Christmas everyone! It’s been a busy year for the Club and not always an easy one – we’ve lost several prominent and well-loved members and, of course, we still don’t know when we are likely to see our former Chairman, Roger Kemp, back amongst us. Soon we hope! However, on the plus side, we have a new man in the Chair in Tony Merrygold and he has, quite literally, hit the ground running, with new ideas and initiatives coming thick and fast.
Tony’s arrival is particularly fortuitous because our 70th anniversary celebrations are going to involve us all in a great deal of planning – not least for our major event at Brooklands on the weekend of 11-12 July – and he brings just the skill-set we need for such an endeavour. We want everyone in the JDC to get involved next year and we hope to see our all-important Areas represented in force on the big day.
You will also be pleased to hear that the date for our next Jaguar Spares Day has been set for Sunday 12 April, so look out for the advertisement in the magazine and don’t forget that everyone is welcome to set up shop if they have some parts to sell. Just email info@jaguarsparesdays.co.uk to reserve a table – a part lurking at the back of your garage might be a useless bit of rusting metal to you, but to another member, it could make or break a resto project. Speaking of which, we are back at the NEC for the Restoration Show on 20-22 March, so look out for the ticket discount code – we have a great stand planned, just turn to Tony’s inaugural Chairman’s Report in Club News for more details.
You should notice a lot more news appearing on our Factory Floor page as Jaguar gears up for the big launch, anticipated for next autumn. We still don’t have a precise date but we are in regular touch with JLR’s Ken McConomy – Head of Global PR – and he is keeping us up to date with what’s happening. I’m pleased to say that those of you who finally got to see Type 00 at Gaydon in September have come away with a much more positive vibe having seen this amazing car close up and personal. As I keep reminding everyone – it’s a concept and as such, it’s bound to be a bit futuristic but, for all that, I think it’s beautiful… particularly in London Blue.
Before I sign off for another year, I must congratulate you all on the amazing support you’ve given to this year’s JDC charity – Headway. Chosen, as many of you will know, in consideration of the help this brain injury charity has given to Roger Kemp, we have so far raised nearly £900, so thank you all.
Finally, we say goodbye to our trusty old Transit van this year. It has been replaced by a very smart new VW Crafter, which is currently awaiting its sign-writing before its first public appearance after Christmas. If anyone is looking for a good, honest and well-cared-for van, turn to Club News! And with that, very best wishes from me and from the Directors for a happy Christmas and a seriously Jaguar-focused New Year!
Gaynor
