In a break with regular routine, this year’s Western Group driving day at Castle Combe #DD2016 will see our members taking advantage of the assembled cars to catch up on the models they may not have driven.
The group decided at a recent meeting that the 8 June event provides an ideal opportunity for a sort of regional super driving day for those members who cannot get to the annual SMMT South day.
It also may help some PR Directors and Fleet Managers justify attending DD2016 if they know there is guaranteed coverage from our members.
The success of the day is down to the participants and what they bring along to drive and its hoped this added-value element will encourage manufacturers to ensure the very latest models are lined up in the paddock.
We are delighted to congratulate the diminutive PR two-some at Suzuki, Alun and Jade, with winning both Guild of Motoring Writers and Newspress awards for their professional work.
Their straightforward service to motoring journalists lacks nothing in effort and enthusiasm and delivers what is wanted with a comparatively small range and budget. They actively engage with regional journalists and visit groups on a rota, dropping into Bath recently (see picture by James Mann).
Many in the industry can learn lessons from Suzuki.
Two local charities have benefitted from group donations so far this year.
Julia’s House hospice and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance have each been given £500, and members Kim Henson and James Mann handed over cheques on behalf of members.
The children’s hospice has been based in Poole but has now started fundraising for an additional much needed facility in Devizes to serve families and children in Wiltshire and due to open in 2017. Jacqui Greenhaf, Community Fundraising Manager, was photographed by Gerald Morgan accepting the cheque from Kim infront of a suitable A35 backdrop of Snowflake and said it would make a difference to the families it supports.
The Western Group extends its condolences to the family of Jaguar UK senior press officer Jon Morgan, who sustained fatal injuries while on holiday in Chamonix immediately before Easter.
He joined Jaguar in March 2014 after being a journalist with Auto Express, where he was a news and features writer before becoming its consumer editor.
“Jon was a very talented writer and undoubtedly a future star in the automotive industry. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him,” wrote Ken McConomy, head of UK PR JLR, announcing Jon’s death.
Robin Roberts | Chairman WGMW
Robin is the longest serving chairman of The Western Group. He's been vice chairman or chairman for over ten years and oversees the annual Western Group PR Driving Day each summer assisted by the group committee and supported by group members.
He contributes to a number of outlets in Wales and the UK, including the Driving Force editorial syndication agency feeding the biggest regional news and feature publishers in Britain.
Robin specialises in the Welsh automotive sector and motor related businesses with interests in Wales and publishes WheelsWithinWales.uk which covers news, features, trade and motor sport in Wales.
