The Western Group of Motoring Writers was formed in 1983 to provide a body which can not only represent the views of its members when communicating with others in the motor industry, but also perform the role of event organiser for motoring events, test drives and new model launches.

The Western Group of Motoring Writers boasts over 20 full and honorary members with interests that cover the full range of motoring journalism, including regional and national press, broadcast media, trade press, photography, video and specialist publications.
Group activities are held throughout the region on a regular basis. We constantly strive to raise professional standards and protect our members’ interests and liaise with motoring writers’ groups in other parts of the UK.

The highlight of our year is undoubtedly the WGMW’s annual invitation-only PR Driving Day held at Castle Combe race circuit in Wiltshire each summer, when we see a wide range of cars available to be test driven by representatives of the motor manufacturers’ press office teams.
Recent Posts
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 choose from for the PR guests, while members of…
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The WGMW is well represented at this year’s Newspress Awards…
…Even before any entries have been sent WGMW chairman John Kendall has been selected as a judge and industry Friend of the Group Denis Chick will sit alongside him and five other judges, from the world of PR, print and photographic media. John is currently Europe Editor of SAE International and a freelance contributor to a number…
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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 years, but we…
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 fell within the period of national mourning. Government guidance on national mourning…
New WGMW Member takes two Newspress Awards
One of the Western Group’s newest members Mark Smyth won no less than two trophies at the Newspress Awards, staged at Bicester Heritage on Thursday 21st Jul. Mark was called up to the stage by the Voice of Strictly Come Dancing and the Voice of the Balls in the National Lottery draws, Alan Dedicoat. His…
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 combination…