The Bird In Hand noggin in January was snowed in with temperatures only two degrees above the South Pole, at that time. However, one intrepid adventurer made it looking forward to a discussion on the merits of front wheel drive over four in snow bound conditions. All I can say is a well done to Tim Marsh and I am sorry you had no one to talk to but you have a mention in dispatches.
Over Christmas we have the pleasure of awarding our three Centre trophies: the mileage challenge originally devised and sponsored by F.H Douglass; the SGT trophy for a person or persons that have best represented the true spirit of owning a Morgan and the Richard Thorne Charity Trophy for the most monies raised for charity, associated with the Centre, over the year. These annual awards are very important to us, as they reflect very much the character of the Centre: keen to be out enjoying our Morgans; supportive of the camaraderie of owning a Morgan; and while we are having a special time, wanting to do some good for others. As always I hope that this ethos will continue with the Centre for a long time to come.
Last year we had an enjoyable day at the Bracknell Town classic car show. All proceeds raised went to the fine local charitable organisation the Sebastian's Action Trust. The aims of the trust is nicely summarised on their web site as
"Nine year old cancer victim Sebastian Gates' last wish was to help other children by creating a holiday home where families could spend precious time together in spite of an uncertain future. The Trust aims to provide holiday homes and practical support for families with children suffering from life-threatening illnesses".
http://www.sebastiansactiontrust.org/news/latest_news.php
Sebastian was a lively, positive child and in spite of his condition he was able to be an encouragement to many. I was proud that as a Centre, we supported this trust last year and I hope we will be able to do so again this year. One young man on the day gave dream rides to local children in his stunning bright blue Aero 8. He was busy all day with hardly any breaks for him or his trusted Aero. This wasn't the first time we have enjoyed his assistance, back in 2003, during Ian Sollen's tremendous charity day with the Sporting Bears at Brooklands. While there he also raised a lot of money giving spirited rides in his Aero, this time for a Children's Hospice and the Educational Trust at Brooklands. So it is about time that this young man was the proud recipient of our charity trophy. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that for 2009, the winner of the Richard Thorne Charity Trophy is Jim Tebby. Well done Jim. Talking to Jim at the Bracknell Town Classic car show I leant that he knew Sebastian. Jim told me what a smashing lad he was and the wonderful legacy he leaves that his mother strives to take forward. It was a special day for a special boy - thank you Jim.
The mileage challenge if you remember aims to encourage us to get out and enjoy our Morgans more. Well the bar for winning this trophy has now been set quite high. We were lucky with the Poacher Christmas Dinner this year as I had to move the date by one day due to a clash with bookings. On the day we normally book it snowed and the day after our dinner at the Poacher the road passing the Poacher was closed. However, one individual was out and about in his Morgan even in those snowy conditions. With this sort of bravado the miles just clock up and of course put him in the winning position. As I said the bar is set high, with a total of 12450 miles during 2009, I am pleased to announce that the winner of the F.H. Douglass mileage trophy was once again Dr Andy Low, in his beautifully presented Rolls Royce Velvet Green Roadster - well done Andy! He is going to be difficult to beat. If you would like to take part, all I need is your current mileage, so the earlier you give me your odometer reading the better. I shall be driving round - to keep the miles up - with my little black book to record your starting point soon. Good luck!
The SGT trophy for 2009 was won by Jeff and Joyce Marshall and well deserved too! Congratulations! Over the past couple of years Jeff and Joyce have supported us tirelessly on our various expeditions. Jeff is the Ray Mears of our Morgan walks. I have enjoyed wild mushrooms, horseradish, you name it. We do so well I don't need to have lunch at the pub, although I still do to be sociable. Jeff and Joyce always arrive cheerfully in their nicely turned out Morgan Roadster. Jeff and Joyce represent the best of what you can find in the camaraderie of ownership of the best and last, real sports car in the world. Well done to you both and thank you!
In fact, this month Jeff and Joyce Marshall are organising a walk, full details are available on our events page.
Take care, see you all soon