Our History

The Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club was formed in December 1984, and grew rapidly and within 12 months, it was able to produce a glossy A4 monthly magazine, a Jaguar spares department and a technical advice service that was second to none. By 18 months, it had built a remarkable membership of 2,000, clearly identifying the JEC as the fastest growing single-marque Club.

The newly formed Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club encouraged local members to form  Regional branches to organise events within their demographic area. The Dorset Region was formed in July, 1987 and was initially centred in the Dorchester and Weymouth area. Gradually as time went by the membership grew, but many of the original founder members resigned their various committee roles and these were filled by members more towards the east of the county. Traditionally the Dorset Region membership has been fairly healthy with over 100 members and continues to be a very active region. The region organised events with the full backing of the main JEC club, and fundraising at these events enables the Region to support local charities, whilst providing the necessary funds for the Club. Social Weekends away both in the UK and abroad are regularly organised and have proved to be very popular.

As a region we produce an electronic quarterly Magazine and monthly Newsletter and print a small number for people who are not computer owners. Printed copies of the Magazine & Newsletter are also available at Club Nights. We also recognise the need to involve the younger generation who own Jaguars and to this end we have developed our own bespoke web site.

Dorset County is one of the largest counties and the Club recognises that fact that not all members living to the West of the County find it easy to attend Club Nights currently in the Poole Bournemouth area, so the Committee organises events and road runs that take place in the West of the County, which are notified in the magazine and on the forthcoming events tab of this website.

About The Committee


The Committee comprises up to 10 locally elected members who are nominated and voted onto the Committee at the Annual General Meeting which is held on the first Club Night of the year, usually in February. The Committee consists of several key posts who are jointly responsible for the running of the Dorset Region and making sure that the Regional Members have a varied and interesting diary of Events and Functions to attend and take part in throughout the year and to ensure that the funds generated by the Region are correctly managed so that monies can be donated to a set of chosen charities each year.

The Region relies on Raffles held at Club Nights, membership fees, donations from members and monies raised during events as the main sources of  income each year to enable Charities to be supported and assist the Region in having funds to cover the costs of magazine production and to help towards the resources needed to run Regional meetings and events.

The current Committee comprise 10 members serving as Chairman, Vice -Chairman, Magazine Editor, Treasurer & Minutes Secretary, Membership Secretary, Events Coordinator and 4 Committee members. Their photos are shown below.

Who We Are

Below are photographs and profiles of most of the current Committee. Click on the photo to open the profile details.

  • Bob Flint

    Chairman

    Bob Flint is the Chairman of the Dorset Region Committee and has been a Regional member since 2008. He joined the Committee as Minutes Secretary and was elected Chairman in 2015. Bob has 3 Jaguar vehicles, and a 1950's Ford V8. He is married to Gill and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

  • Barry Heath

    Magazine Editor

    I joined the Dorset Region in the year 2000. I started my own business in September 1992 and took over printing our Dorset Region Newsletter. I was asked to join the committee in 2002 alongside Derek Patterson and we began to organise road runs and other events. After a short period of time and a change of editors, I was asked to take on this role and I reluctantly agreed for a short time whilst we searched for a proper editor. Needless to say I am still carrying out this role and fortunately the club was in a healthy financial position so able to purchase our own print machine, so I am still a printer in my retirement.

  • Wendy Luffman

    Treasurer

    Together with Gerald, I joined Dorset JEC in 2004/2005 and in 2012 I was co-opted on to the Committee as Deputy Treasurer, becoming Treasurer in 2013. My interest in classic cars began when we participated in the various events organised by Dorset Region J.EC and as a result of this we have gained many new friends along the way. Gerald and I also enjoy boating and caravanning.

  • Peter York

    Events Coordinator

    I live in Weymouth and have been a member of the JEC in excess of 17 years. I joined the club, and the Cheshire region, when I bought an XK8 convertible in 1999. I changed the XK8 for my present car, an XK 4.2 convertible, in 2008. I joined the Dorset Region when we moved to Weymouth in 2016 and became a committee member in 2017. Over the years I have participated in many Club and Regional events but the most noteworthy by far was the Club’s 2008 Route 66 trip from Chicago to LA.

  • Debbie Coleman

    Membership Secretary

    I have been Membership Secretary of the Dorset JEC for almost 12 years. Prior to this I was connected to the Club through my husband David who was an avid Jaguar enthusiast and JEC member for over 10 years, 8 of which he was Membership Secretary. I have always been interested in Classic cars including Jaguars which have featured in my life for many years. However at present  my only Classic is a Frogeye Sprite!

  • Gerald Luffman

    Committee Team Member

    Gerald became a member of Dorset JEC in 2004/2005. In February 1968 Gerald together with a Co-Director purchased their own Garage business in Wimborne and in 1978 he started another Company selling touring caravans. Gerald retired from business in 1996. From a very early age, he has always had a passion for motor cars, boats and tractors. He owns several Jaguar vehicles which he very much enjoys driving. He joined the Committee in 2012.

  • Chris Hutton-Penman

    Committee Team Member

    I have been a member of the JEC since 2000 when I purchased my first Jaguar.  Since then I have owned an S type and XF but have now defected to a Land Rover! I still own my first Jaguar as owing the model was always a long term ambition of mine and I would like to spend more time with it but the “day” job keeps getting in the way.   I joined the Committee in 2018.

  • Mike Ballam

    Committee Team Member

    I joined the JEC in 2003 after I had bought my S Type 3 litre sport, which is still my main car, I then joined the Dorset JEC later the same year. I also ran an 1989 XJS until I sold it in 2017. My Wife's car is a late X Type Estate, completing our Jaguar fleet. We enjoy the regular club meetings, also the runs, pub meets and other social events.