Morning Severn7s…yes, it’s still raining…

I attended the Officer’s Town Hall meeting last night with the Club’s LT and there are a number of updates from this which I thought you may find of interest.

Firstly, Martin Phipps (Club Treasurer and Caterham Archivist) gave a report about the excellent progress being made with Caterham’s new factory at Dartford X. It sounds like it’s going to be a great facility which will include a parts shop and a viewing area so you can see the factory floor in action - first staff move in on the 2 April ’24, and other departments following through April. There will be a grand opening event in late May/early June – date to be confirmed so watch this space.

Martin also ran through some staff changes at Caterham as follows:

• Ralph Jenner            Global Head of Sales
• Olivier Jouanne         European Sales
• Justin Gardner          Asia Sales
• Simon Lambert         Responsible for Marketing at Board level and Motorsport
• Ali McColl                  Global Head of Marketing
• George Campbell       Head of Engineering/Technical reporting directly to Bob Laishley.

 The Kennet Road parts sale is still proposed for the 20 April ‘24. Parking in the area is limited so attendees will be encouraged to visit, buy, then depart. If you are going, can you let me know so we can try and co-ordinate car sharing?

 Drift Days:  Caterham have offered two more Club Exclusive dates:

• Donnington    18 Sept 2024
• Brands Hatch 23 October 2024

Details will be announced shortly and once released, booking will be via the Pink Angels office, 01873 777304 or admin@caterhamlotus7.club.

2024 Speed Championship: Have you thought about doing this? I am told it is possible to sign up to only one or both of the Curborough events as a taster and still remain a Novice for the following year. This might be a good way to ‘dip your toe’ in the Speed Championship waters? Let me know if you are interested and I will pass your details to the Speed Championship team.

Charity Matters:

If you are doing the Taffia Fish & Chip run, please don’t forget that fundraising for PCR is ongoing at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/julie-wiggins-1702211341014 with current fundraising standing at £735 against a target of £5,000.

Hopefully you saw the email sent last week seeking support for a signing petition re a national prostate cancer testing programme. Have you considered signing it? I just have…

https://act.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/a/manifestos?mc_cid=e0729d9793&mc_eid=3a3e96df61

Raffle tickets for the Supercar Fest Show remain on sale here: https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/news/charity/charity-raffle-your-chance-to-experience-supercar-heaven-r652/. I know date clashes with the F&C Run but then its not really about the ticket, more about the fundraising and it is only a tenner…

 The Big Picnic takes place on the 1 June: https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/events/event/341-the-big-picnic/ Do sign up for this excellent National Event.

 WhatApp:

Whilst the ‘Seven7s’ and other Area WhatApp groups are not an official Club communication channel, it is recognised that they are popular way of communicating, although hopefully the new website will take over in large part. To ensure they remain a safe space, there has been some discussion at Club level about guidance around the WhatApps which Areas might adopt, taking a lead from Rules of Conduct which apply to BlatChat. Slightly adjusted for a WhatsApp group they would read:

 “By using the Area WhatsApp you agree not to:

• Post insulting, threatening or defamatory material.
• Post any material likely to cause undue annoyance, provocation, upset or embarrassment to any reasonable person.
• Use this forum to harass anyone, including but not limited to posting personal or private information and images.
• Reproduce, without permission, private emails, or other forms of private correspondence.
• Post material or links to material that may be considered pornographic, violent, racist, sexist, voyeuristic or unlawful, or which may otherwise be judged to be offensive.
• Repeatedly posting commercial adverts for your own commercial gain. Occasionally reminding members that you offer a service in response to a relevant discussion is appropriate. Repeated or unsolicited posts are not.
• Impersonate another Club member.
• Posting content on this forum that personally attacks another forum member or contains profanity or any type of racial, religious, gender-based or ethnic slur will result in immediate removal from this WhatApp group.
• You are also reminded that posting material that infringes copyright or other intellectual property rights is against WhatsApp terms and conditions.
• Whilst WhatsApp is a semi-private platform, you are advised not to name companies or individuals in relation to allegations or accusations of malpractice, fraud or other criminal or civil offences. If you have a complaint about a product or service provided by a company or a person please take this up with them directly. And remember that what you post can be copied and sent to the person/company.”

Hopefully, nothing in here anyone could object to? The other aspect to be aware of is that some non-Club members may be on the WhatsApp groups, although if that is the case hopefully, they see the value and join the Club. It would be ideal if the WhatsApp group is ‘members only’ of course.

Volunteers – Your Club Needs You!

The operation of the Club cannot happen without a willing group of volunteers to fill the various roles. If you can help, contact Richard via chair@caterhamlotus7.club to discuss suitable roles. The Taffia AR role really needs to be filled for one thing!