It gives me great pleasure to wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
At a time of strikes and other disruptions it is a real relief to be able to have some time off to be with friends and family and to put all these things in the background at least for a few days to enjoy their company. Amongst them I count your Porsche or Porsches as a member of the family as well – which is how many of you see them. On looking at our social media I am impressed with the numbers of members who give them car a name as if they were a person – and for many that is exactly what they are with their own special characteristics, foibles and personality.
I hope you have enjoyed your Porsche year – the first to be largely unaffected by Covid, even though there are many bugs and viruses going around. We have had another busy year with large events happening regularly around Great Britain including Portmeirion in Wales, Thirlestane Castle in Scotland, Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, the Motorist in Yorkshire, Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset, and of course the Christmas Fair at Bicester Heritage which was probably the largest event we have ever run.
For most members though it is the local events that they really appreciate and there are literally hundreds of these, every year. None of them would happen without the tireless work of the Regional Organisers and Register Secretaries, assisted by their committees and volunteers, and on behalf of the Board I should like to express our appreciation for all the hard work they carry out week in and week out to bring your communities together.
I should also like to make special mention of the team at Cornbury House who support the events, look after all the administration of the Club, run the systems, keep all our media fresh and newsworthy and publish the biggest and best Porsche magazine which lands on your mat without fail every month. Without their dedication we would not have the Club we all enjoy, and I want to thank them too on behalf of all our members.
Next year will be very special with the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Porsche as a sports car marque, the 60th of the famous and iconic 911 and the Centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Watch out for all the opportunities to celebrate these moments, meet up with friends from across the country and make new friends, and in the meanwhile have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy and Peaceful New Year.
Richard Watling
Chair, Marketing and Partnerships Director