While I was enjoying a picnic and the sensational racing with fellow Thames Valley Centre associates at Mallory Park this year, Ann Miller said to me 'She had a surprise for me!' We were going on holiday to Ireland the next day so I couldn't imagine what it was! Well, Ann led me to the centre of the Morgan car park and showed me their newly acquired Aero 8. I do like pleasant surprises, before me was a lovely light blue Aero in superb condition. A few weeks earlier I also had the pleasure of being introduced to Brian and Ann's son Andy Miller's recent purchase of a dark blue Aero 8 also in breathtaking form. I couldn't help wonder if they had done some sort of a 'buy one get one free' deal! Certainly they are keeping Aeros in the family. On behalf of the Centre I would like to congratulate you all on your new steeds. I hope you will have many safe and enjoyable miles with them. If I have my arithmetic right, I think we now have about 2% of the total production of Aeros manufactured to date, owned in the Centre ' not bad going I guess! We did have a very enjoyable time at Mallory, so also on behalf of the Centre I would like to thank the organisers very much for all their hard work in bringing us another brilliant event.
On the subject of well organised, exceptional events, our charity runs over a twenty-four period, for 2006, in aid of the Antony Nolan Trust was a phenomenal success. Held over a weekend in September, eleven scenic routes running practically the length of the Thames were navigated by groups of Morgans with each party led by a Morgan carrying the Number One 35th Anniversary Thames Valley Car Badge. It meant very early morning starts with later runs going until dusk. This event has grown over the years with this being the most ambitious yet. Raising money for charity while we are out enjoying our Morgans has always been the philosophy of this event. It is held in remembrance of the lost love ones and friends that have been connected to the Centre. The buzz that people got from this event was very evident, the weekend had been very special to all those involved. I can't adequately express in words my thanks for all the hard work and sacrifices of the team that put this event together and of course to the people that took part in the runs. We now have one well travelled number one car badge. Thank you all very much.
If you are considering joining the Brighton Centre, at the venerable London to Brighton Veteran Car Run this year, 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 08:15 am. Please contact me if you need any directions. I hope to see you there.
Please note that we have now changed our first Sunday noggin to the Leather Bottle, Mattingley near Hook. The Barley Mow has sadly been closed for sometime, so we now have decided to make this a permanent change. It is a pub that we have visited before with the Marcos Car Club, the food is delicious and the surroundings very pleasant. I hope you will be able to come along in the near future.
Amazing as it may sound, Christmas is just round the corner. As last year, Anita Pullen will be coordinating our Christmas Lunch at the Hampden Arms and I will be organising our Christmas Dinner at the Poacher. Please contact either of us if you would to come 'see events listed below. They should be two special occasions. I look forward to seeing you there.
At the Christmas Lunch we plan to award the Richard Thorne Charity Trophy and the F.H Douglass Mileage Challenge. While at the Christmas Dinner we shall award the SGT Trophy. All those of you that have entered the F.H.Douglass Mileage Challenge, please give me you r final odometer reading by December 15th to give me time to work out the winner. Also, don't forget to send your nominations to Bert Oslar for the SGT Trophy. You can ring Bert on 01189 342 474. If you remember, the SGT Trophy is now awarded to the person in the Centre that the members feel has best represented all that's good in the true spirit of owning and running a Morgan. Please contact Bert as soon as you can if you have somebody you would like to nominate.
I would like to thank Richard Thorne, F.H. Douglass and SGT for their generous support. The individual trophies are very important to us, as they reflect very much the character and heart of the Thames Valley Centre. Thank you very much.
Our next walk in the Chilterns takes us close to the National Trust's Greys Court. See our events page for details. I hope to see you there.
Take care & see you all soon