Welcome to the home of the Western Group

The Western Group of Motoring Writers was formed in 1983 to represent the views of its members when communicating with the motor industry. We’re also on hand to help out manufacturers with test drives and new model launches in our region.

Find out More

 A SELECTION OF IMAGES

The 40th Anniversary of the Western Group of Motoring Writers, images from driving days and other events over the last 40 years

From the Chair: February 2024

This time next year the world could be a very different place. Donald Trump might well have just been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, while Sir Keir Starmer could still be enjoying a honeymoon period as our new Prime Minister. However, as 2023...

2023 Western Group of Motoring Writers PR Driving Day

The Group began its 40th anniversary celebrations with the 2023 Driving Day held at the Haynes Motor Museum, in the heart of Western Group territory on 15th June. With cars from BMW, Ford, Genesis, Honda, Kia, Mazda, MINI, Suzuki, VW and Volvo, there was plenty to...

From the Chair: October 2022

We certainly didn’t have it easy trying to run the Western Group Driving Day for the first time since before the pandemic... But by all measures, I think we can claim a success. Not only did we need to revive an event that has been valued by our PR colleagues for many...

From the Chair: Driving Day 2022

The Western Group of Motoring Writers Driving Day will continue as planned on Wednesday 14th September. The unexpected death of Her Majesty the Queen last Thursday caused us to discuss whether it was appropriate to continue with the arrangements, given that the date...

From the Chair: July 2022

After the Western Group had to make the decision to abandon our annual Driving Day, a blow to us all as it would have been the first to be staged since 2019, I’m pleased to say that we have been able to re-schedule the event this year. The 1 June date fell victim to...

From the Chair: 22 May 2022

Unfortunately, our plans to hold the first WGMW PR Driving Day since 2019, have hit a hiccup. We were due to hold the event at Castle Combe Circuit, where the event has been held since it began over 30 years ago.  Now that events are up and running again at...

From the Chair: May 2022

Leigh Robinson 1948-2022 The Western Group lost a stalwart when Leigh died suddenly at the beginning of April. Leigh was a ‘proper’ journalist as many will know, working his way up through the local press in Northern England before coming south in the 1990s and after...

From the Chair: March 2022

Whither Geneva? The first week of March has since time immemorial been the date of the Geneva Show, the event which always seemed to herald the new motoring year. But once again and for the third year in succession, the Show has been cancelled. The organisers blamed...

From the Chair: February 2022

I recently carried out an interview with the Chief Technology Officer of the Volvo Group – not the car manufacturer but the truck, bus and off-road equipment manufacturer. In the course of the discussion, the subject of autonomous vehicles came up. I was quite...

From the Chair: January 2022

Last month, Daimler Benz announced that it had received authorisation from the federal traffic office to equip its car with level-three automation, effectively hands-free driving. The first appearance of this will be on the new S Class Mercedes due for launch during...

WHAT WE DO

Our PR Driving Day at Castle Combe Circuit

Every year the Western Group of Motoring Writers invites PRs from various companies to our special event at Castle Combe. Many cars are available to drive from many manufacturers, its a great day and has been held for many years.

The 2020 event normally held in June was cancelled due to Coronavirus.

WGMW News and Views

Monthly News from our Chairman and views and opinions from our writers

John Kendall (WGMW Chairman),  Kieron Fennelly (Deputy Chairman) and Steve Grant (Secretary) - all unanimously re-elected for another year at our AGM, along with John Kerswill (Treasurer) ...

Kim Henson | WGMW Member

Future Classics

Future Classics: 12 Smart Roadster

Future Classics: 12 Smart Roadster

For the final car to feature in his year-long series covering ‘collectable’ models introduced during the three decades since the Western Group of Motoring Writers was formed, Kim Henson takes a close look at another modern classic, the diminutive but sporty 21st century smart Roadster –

Share This