We gladly ticked the first event off our 2022 calendar last weekend with a Meet and Greet at Velocity Bar and Grill in Kyanja, Kampala. With the Club’s ever-increasing membership, it seemed only natural to begin the year by not only meeting some new members but also learning about the Club’s other plans for the year.

Our usual early birds, Ronnie the Chairman, Stephen Kavuma, an ardent Club member, and Samuel Hooper a.k.a mzungu, one of the Club Executives, arrived at the venue first, with Samy as we call him, complaining of a tummy ache caused by something he probably ate the day before. Well, that’s what the man said. No one knows what the guy ate.

Despite the scorching heat, members arrived in their Land Rovers, while others arrived in their “neighbour’s child,” a term used by Land Rover Club members to refer to any car owned or driven by a member of the Club that is not a Land Rover. Because we had hosted the Kingsley Holgate Foundation Expedition team the day before, most Defender owners who had been at the Sailing Club for the Kingsley Holgate Meet and Greet the day before were not up for an early start. Regardless, they arrived in style, as is customary.

Velocity offers an open-air area, a closed area, and beautiful gardens, allowing guests to choose what suits them best. The gardens are often the best during the day. The breeze, the calm, the greenery, as well as the privacy of the seclusion, are all available to you.

Throughout the day, music was playing. A simple day attended by friends, enthusiasts, and family. Not to mention our membership secretary, who was happily overwhelmed by some female Club members who paid him a surprise visit to the Club table where he was handling member registrations and any Club enquiries on the day. He attributed the numerous pieces of meat that vanished into his thin body to the day’s overwhelming “official duties.” We’ve always wondered where all of that food that he eats goes.

The event went on till late and ended well. No humans or Land Rovers were harmed during the event.

Dubbed the Meat and Greet because of the signature barbeque that is on as the day progresses, this and other similar events are open to everyone who is interested in Land Rovers or anything related to drop in for a chat and time to learn with like-minded people. Even if you are just thinking of embarking on a Land Rover project, but want to talk about how to begin or what is a good Land Rover to begin with, or you just like looking at Land Rovers, come along.