So fit like a' body and a Happy New Year tae all,

Well it’s been quite a while since I put my mind tae newsing about the JEC up here in the good old Grampian Region. Now that the New Year is almost a month old it is time to reflect on the past year and it’s many highlights.

Y 2000 saw the region embark upon it’s old favourites with successful runs to the many castles and distilleries that the region is famous for. This year saw a cracking run from Aberdeen a la tulip rally style to Royal Lochnagar via the Lecht on a very fine day indeed. The run started with a fine collection of cars from Mk IV’s to X300’s. We even allowed an Aston Martin to join our line up at the front of the distillery. The second run was to Balvenie Castle at Dufftown on yet another glorious day. (Who say’s it always rains in Scotland). This run saw one of the new members and his E-type joining the regulars. Some of us took the opportunity to continue on up to Elgin to visit the Motor Museum there. A possible venture, for a return this year especially if it could also include the museums workshops. Mrs Acquirer must have one of the finest examples of an SS100 in Scotland, not least to that the museum also houses the old No 8 car which over time was extensively modified by Jaguar.

A slight change of direction saw a very good turn out of cars and members visiting Mr. Charles Palmer at Classic Restorations at Alyth in Tayside. This visit was made all the more interesting for the numerous numbers of XK's and other cars that Charles is restoring for his clients.

Perhaps our biggest surprise for Y2000 was the organisation of our very first regional public event. "The Drum Castle Gathering". This gathering started as an idea from the regional registration secretary who was getting married at Drum Castle. Idea sown, nurtured and then on July 30th, it blossomed. It is estimated that attendance of Jaguars and Daimlers was in excess of 75 plus cars. Old ones, new ones replica ones and exotic ones were all on show. My thanks to all those members; friends, helpers and supporters that made this inaugural gathering such a success. Club membership increased greatly after this event, and also that of the National Trust for Scotland who were our hosts for the day. Their gate figures showed a turnout of 1300 visitors on that day. Normal Sunday attendance is between 500 to 800. So much for the lure of beauty in machinery. Thanks to for the loan of Larry Kinch’s 1984 Group "A" European Touring Car Championship XJS, (works chassis N0 5) and his Group "C" ex Sidicci, ‘Martini’ liveried XJ220, probably the most easily recognised XJ220 ever.

This event will be on again this year, so if you would like to attend please contact any of the committee or better still come along to a meeting and give us your details.

The end of the year came all too quickly, but we did manage a couple of other visits. One to a car valet shop for an introduction lesson on how to prepare and maintain car bodyworks correctly and another workshop visit to ABB turbo’s courtesy of George Allan.

Finally THREE dates for your diary.

Firstly a workshop visit has been arranged at Reg Vardy’s for the 20th March at 7pm prompt. I will require numbers ASAP for this as it entails the mechanics working late for us, so that we can see how our cars are fettled by them. Please note that this is a workshop visit first and foremost, but will give all attendees a chance to enroll their car into the gold card membership offered by Reg Vardy to Jaguar owners.

Secondly, another reminder that the Regional AGM is to be held at the Gordon Hotel on MARCH 28TH at 7.30 pm prompt. Items for the agenda to be sent to me before the 7th March. There will be much to discuss and if weather permits lets hope for a good turnout.

Thirdly, Wednesday February 14th, all you romantics and young at heart out there, if response is great enough I will book a evening meal at one of Aberdeen’s fine hostelries so that you can take your loved one out for candle lit dinner, and no I don’t mean the car.

Replies to attend any of the events etc can be done by phone or by e-mail on benjecat@btinternet.com.

So this is me signing off for now, and as I will not be at the next meeting due to work, I wish you all a very happy motoring year.

Slainte,

Ben.