As 2021 comes to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all members of the Club for their continued support throughout what has been a turbulent year for the United Kingdom as well as our Club. Despite the challenges we have faced, the Club still continues to thrive at Regional, Register and National levels. Many hundreds of events and meet ups have been organised by our dedicated Regional Organisers and Register Secretaries as well as our Clubhouse team. Attendance records have been set at our summer events where Brands Hatch in particular saw the largest array of Porsches in the UK in our Club history. Overall Club membership levels continue to climb back to over 22,500 members and pre Covid levels.
Following the recent announcement relating to the proposal to move the Club headquarters to Bicester, I have personally received over 150 emails of support and encouragement.
To offer every member an opportunity to express their own view I can share with you that, as part of the forthcoming Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Wednesday, 19 January an indicative poll will be taken on this important milestone for the Club. Full details of how to take part in the poll will be sent to everyone ahead of the meeting, but briefly the poll will open on the night and will remain open for 48 hours afterwards.
I have already invited members to submit any questions they may have about the project, and I am grateful to those who have taken the time to consider the matter.
During the coming weeks, the Board will be working as hard as possible on your behalf to answer these questions in preparation for the EGM.
So far three important themes have emerged and I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the issues raised.
- A contract with Bicester Heritage has not been signed. We will only move forward with the overwhelming support of the membership.
- The renting out of Cornbury House is included in the feasibility study and overall business plan. There are no plans to sell Cornbury House.
- In support of our overall budget and event plans for 2022 and beyond, a membership fee increase is planned to go ahead irrespective of whether the membership supports the Bicester move or not. This membership fee rise was originally planned for April 2021 but delayed due to the pandemic.
As part of the member engagement process for the Bicester proposal, it is hoped that the Board will be able to join as many of the Regional and Register monthly meetings in January as possible to answer your questions first-hand.
Any member can ask questions on this important topic by emailing
bicesterquestions@porscheclubgb.com. The latest answers to your questions can be found at
porscheclubgb.com/bicester and this document will be updated regularly.
In other Club matters, we are close to finalising our national event season for 2022 in recognition of our 60th Anniversary. I am delighted to say that our new Event Manager Michelle Louise has already been making a considerable positive impact on our planned event schedule where the Club will be offering six national scale events in different parts of the United Kingdom including Scotland, the North West, North East, Northern Ireland, the South West, and South East. This is important as the Club continues to invest both Regionally and Nationally as part of its ongoing event investment strategy. For 2022, the Club will also have a full motorsport program including racing, hillclimbs, sprints and trackdays as well as supporting several dedicated Porsche concours events.
Please be aware that the office will be closed from midday on Christmas Eve until Tuesday, 4 January.
In closing, I thank you for helping keep Porsche Club Great Britain at the heart of Porsche ownership and enjoyment in the UK, and on behalf of the Board I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a safe and healthy 2022.
Mark Hamilton
Chair, Information Systems and Services
Porsche Club GB