Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Miscellany

Lots of my long-term Morgan chums have given up with MSCC because the mag's hardly worth reading. I tend to agree that sometimes it's like what we did on our a Saga holiday.

I suspect the passage of time has altered much and never more so than in the case of our expectations. The first automotive club I joined was that of the Norton motor cycle club, and at the time in my area it was run by a couple of guys who had access to a Gestetner printing machine printing and sending out an A4 sheet by post...As a club it was a means of helping each other and sharing knowledge of mechanical trips and fixes. Back then it was not unusual to carry spare spark plugs, chain links and even clutch "corks" in ones pocket, using fag packet paper to gauge spark plug gaps and inner wrapping thickness to measure contact breaker gaps... I expect that Evolution has changed much..?

These days with the majority of the population carrying access to the interweb and everything on it in their pocket, even us old f*rts can access most things we might have interest in by the same means..? , As for the youngsters it seems instant access is just not fast enough..!

I am a member of three clubs one has a real glossy magazine, and very nice photographs but just as Miscellany has been criticised for it follows a very similar format and it from the usual reports and pictures in which club members appear, they would seem to be ..err..somewhat of the baby boomer generation.

The third club seems much like my Norton club was, though the news letter is a pretty simple affair and sent out via email, the age group of members is very similar in that they too are mostly baby boomers . Some still engage in a bit of spanner work but the numbers are dwindling of those happy to roll around a garage floor, or worse still try a repair (other than a simple fix) out on the road on an old car. As for the modern stuff... Cell phone and breakdown service, seems the logical route...

In the words of Dylan, "The times they are a changin. "

I'm not confident how well the Magazine is managed, there was an additional 'cost' posted in the accounts of £26,000 for production of Miscellany, when queried the explanation was very woolly, I suspect someone didn't negotiate a fixed price contract with Offstone so that they take the ‘hit’ of increased costs

I subscribe to several club and general magazines, the closest to Miscellany for comparison is also subcontracted out but has less members (so costs to print higher)
it's usually around 60 pages, glossy, lots of quality photos, interesting articles written by marque experts, tech stuff, and it isn't supported by so many adverts.
Subs are UK £39, Europe £55, ROW just £67, and it's recently had it's costs reviewed to check it's not loosing ££, oh and it has a clever compostable see thro wrapper

Don't forget that the content is only as good as what is submitted by members. I love the calendar being an with a short memory.

Coop and Luddite, what are the names of the other clubs?

I will not be renewing my MSCC membership next year....unless there is a sudden and vast improvement in the monthly rag. Complaints about the quality fall on stony ground...When I had a Land Rover, the Series 2 mag was superb, very few adverts, subs half the price...With websites and forums like this, and the monthly Morganeer, who needs the magazine? Not me for sure.

We are hanging in the balance with membership of the MSCC, its only the clubs discount for the cars insurer that keeps us in..The magazine is at best a two minute read and then it goes onto the shelf of the lower deck loo before moving into the recycle truck. Most of the content of the monthly magazine I do not relate to, such as the "saga" like group write ups. I like the tech side of all the Morgans but its generally only Dave W's tech input in the mag and you mostly see and read it here first anyway ( Thanks Dave ! ) I also appreciate the odd article of touring in the Morgan.. We hardly attend the local club events, as I do not want to go to "Noggins".

Part of the the 'problem' may be that he club has had to become a 'business' to keep up with the current rules and regulations, and it's own growth and popularity.
What started as a few like minded folks meeting in a pub has become a global presence, with a large turnover and a full page of club officials and officers.
With it's size and company status come constraints.
It's too big to be 'fun' and spontaneous, things need to be planned, have meetings to debate, advertised and then, hopefully someone might turn up.

I'm not here to stick up for the club as such, but it's only as good as it's members.

If, as it is the case with many Morgan car enthusiasts, their average age is similar to that of the pyramids, then the content they submit to the miscellany will reflect their 'maturity'.......!

I feel the same way. Though being in the states the insurance discount doesn't help us.

I joined with the feeling that I needed to be in touch with the larger Morgan community, but I find most of Miscellany useless. This website, and others like it, are a much better connection. And I much prefer the 3/4 Morgan Group publication, but that may just be because it is my local club, and I am involved.

Don't forget the monthly Morganeer is part of the MSCC membership.

I also do a quick scan of the Mag and bin it, but the membership is not unduly expensive, so will continue with it. Not entirely sure why, I also don't go to any meets or noggins, but I suppose I'm happy my cash is going into the coffers and may be doing someone, some good, somewhere.