I am sure you will be pleased to learn that Ian Sollen is at home now after his recent time in hospital. He is unable to drive at the moment but hopefully in a couple of months he will be back behind the wheel. On behalf of the Centre Ian, I would like to wish you a speedy recovery and we all look forward to seeing you back with us feeling your old self again soon. Best wishes to you.
Rather belatedly, I would like to thank Peter Johnson MSCC Chairman and his good wife for attending our beer and skittles evening with the local Marcos club, earlier this year. It was wonderful to see you both. It was a competitive evening, as Peter has mentioned, but I was pleased to see at least three of our members in the top ten play off including Anita Pullen (signs of a misspent youth perhaps), Roger Nickes and Peter. It went to the wire with Peter's last roll clinching it for us. However, I think they must have had some accountants on their side as one of their best players was allowed a second go and that was enough to redress the balance. Still it was a great evening. I would like to thank Gary Harman and his team from the Marcos club for organising the event. As to a rematch, as Peter said, we should perhaps involve a gymkhana type challenge, as they obviously don't have enough time to drive their cars as they are always practicing beer and skittles. On the night there were more Morgans out there than Marcoses. A great time was had by all - I look forward to the rerun.
This month will be holding our first ever Oktoberfest at the Chiltern Brewery. Please contact Anita and Steve Pullen if you would like to go. At this late stage I believe all the tickets have gone but it is worth making contact in case there have been any late cancellations, etc. Also, the Chiltern Brewery will be bottling some Thames Valley Centre specially labelled beer for us. Please chat to Anita and Steve if you would like to order some, it would probably be nice to get a stock in for Christmas.
Also, this month we have the Birkett Six Hour Relay Race which is being held at Silverstone. This event is run by the 750 Motor Club and is quite unique, it was originally conceived to allow cars of differing performance to compete reasonably equally in a long distance race. This year will be its 58th consecutive year, apparently. Normally there are at least two Morgan relay teams taking part. As for the Bentley Drivers' meeting we plan to meet up at the Bird In Hand at 08:30 am, on Saturday 25th October, for a similar run across country to the circuit. I think the race normally starts at about 11:00 am and finishes at 17:00 as the light starts to go I guess, so we ought to arrive in good time. It should be a really great day out, please contact me for the latest information. I hope to see you there.
If you are not planning to attend our first Sunday noggin next month, you may like to consider joining us with the Brighton Centre, at the venerable London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. We shall meet them at the Jolly Tanners, Staplefield on the B2114 between Handcross and Cuckfield. From our region we plan to meet at Newlands Corner car park just outside Guildford off the A25, for the run down there. This is a great rendezvous point since it has toilets and a café. Not forgetting of course the lovely views across the Surrey Hills. We shall meet at Newlands Corner at 07:15 am - the sun should just about be up by then. This appointment time is in the smaller hours to try and ensure that there will be space for us at Staplefield on our arrival - I hope it isn't too early for you. Please contact me if you need any directions. I hope to see you there.
I would like to congratulate Dave Collins on his recent purchase of a Plus 4 four seater in a rather nice dark blue colour. Also, thank you Dave for your lift back from the John Harvey pub the other night, it was the first time that I have ever ridden in the back of a four seater. It was a lovely evening with the hood down, looking out across the darkened countryside, with UFOs buzzing us overhead. There is a first time for everyone of course. Nevertheless, Dave, your lift will be the nearest I shall ever get to wing walking. Look forward to seeing you at the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
Don't forget as a supplement to our Charity Challenge, we are organizing a special event this autumn with Richard Thorne Classic Cars. We shall be holding a themed Halloween party, on of course, Friday 31st October. Please contact Helen Thorne or myself to book a place as soon as you can please. All proceeds from the evening will go to our designated charity for 2008; it should be a great evening. I hope to see you there.
Our next walk with our friends from Hopmog starts off at the Four Horseshoes pub, Burrowhill in Surrey.