ThamesMog
Secretary's Report July 2003

I would like to thank all the Ann’s in the World that responded to my May greeting. Perhaps this month I should continue this by saying hello to Sue.

This month we have an update on our event at Brooklands and of course we are getting ready for our day at the N.S.E Gymkhana. The teams working on these events have put a lot of time and effort in so please give them your full support if you can. They need our thanks and gratitude.

N.S.E Gymkhana
Sunday 13^th July 2003
National Society for Epilepsy, Chesham Lane
Chalfont St Peter, SL9 0RJ

Sandra Stuart and David Smith are repeating their fun day out for all the family with all the proceeds going to the National Society for Epilepsy. Sandra and David promise even more things to do this year. Once again it will be a fantastic day out for all the family. Please contact Sandra and David for an entry form via email at sandra.stuart@btinternet.com, or telephone 01494 601375. It will be wonderful if you can give this event your full support. Stop press: we have about nine-twelve entries so far so please be quick if you want to book any of the remaining places.

It should be noted that this event was booked through necessity well before Mallory Park. Unfortunately since we have unavoidably clashed with Mallory. However it is a clearly a different event to Mallory and as was stated to us last year by people we approached they could not attend as they were committed to attending Mallory.  We expect similar feedback this year and we are convinced neither event will suffer because they are different events attracting mainly different audiences. As a Centre we feel that members should be given a free choice to attend the type of events they prefer.

Morgans at Brooklands
Saturday 16^th August 2003

We are now counting down to the day, and have already filled the currently available places for active participation in this event, both for Display Vehicles and for vehicles giving ‘Morgan Dream Rides’ over the restricted historic circuit.  Vehicles currently registered include a 1930 ‘Brooklands Replica JAP engined three wheeler, a 1952 +4 ‘Flat Rad’DHC , various cowled radiator 4/4, +4 and +8 traditional Morgans, and a 2002 Aero 8  For all those who have already registered, and to Barclays who is sponsoring this event, thank you for your support and for your donations to the good causes.  Full instructions and passes should now been sent to all participants.  If anyone has not received these, or not returned the indemnities, please contact Ian Sollen as soon as possible. 

A few places can however still be made available, in the Display Only Area, for particularly ‘interesting’ or early cars, and for three wheelers.   For anyone with one of these vehicles, and who still wishes to participate in this event, please contact Ian Sollen as soon as possible.  Anyone still wishing to drive over the historic circuit, especially four seaters, should also contact Ian Sollen to have your name added to the reserve list, - you may be lucky!!   However, please note that only those Morgans with a valid Paddock Pass for this event will be allowed on to the Circuit or the Display Area on the day.  The closing date for all requests for all active participation in this event is 16 July, so be quick.  And remember, this event is open to members of all Centres.

If you only wish to turn up on the day, you can still do this.  You will however be directed to the public car park after paying the normal Brooklands Museum entrance fee at the Gate, and your vehicle will not be able to enter the paddock, or drive on the Circuits.  However you will, for a small donation to charity, be able to join the public and take a ride either in a participating Morgan, or in one of the ‘Sporting Bears Dream Rides’ vehicles and supercars.  You will also be able to see the displays, and access all the Brooklands Museum attractions, so it will still be a great day out.  Why not set up a Centre ‘Scenic Run’ to the Site, and park together as a group in the main car parks.  On production of your MSCC membership card, the Thames Valley Centre would be delighted to offer you (pedestrian) access to the Morgans only picnic area, overlooking the paddock and all the activities.  .  (The Brooklands Museum Site is just off the B374 at Weybridge in Surrey, and by Junction 10 of the M25.  Public entry will be from 10am.)

Remember, all funds raised on the day will be donated to The Rainbow Trust, (for terminally ill children), and to the Brooklands Museum Trust, so support on the day is important even if you are not able to actively participate in the Morgan Display or ‘Dream Rides’.

Please feel free to contact Ian Sollen on any matters relevant to this event at morgansatbrooklands@hotmail.com, or telephone him on 01923 773246.  Details have also been published in previous editions of ‘Miscellany’ and on the Thames Valley website.

(We wish to point out that this event has no connection with any other events held previously at Brooklands by any other Centre)

Fawley Steam Day
Sunday 17^th August 2003

I am very pleased that we have been invited back to visit the McAlpine Steam railway near Henley on Thames. Terry Tedman is organising this event, please contact Terry as soon as possible if you would like to go since there are only places for twenty-five morgans and tickets for fifty people available. (Terry Tedman – telephone 01494 637368 or using email at trtedman@aol.com) By August the Sir William McApline steam locomotive will be back from its refit at the Seven Valley Railway. Last time two years ago those that attended had a really wonderful day out including rides on steam trains and a look round the particularly interesting private collection. I really enjoyed the model railway set – a must for model railway enthusiasts. People attending are asked to make a three-pound donation to help make a contribution to the cost of the coal that will be used on the day.  Please note this event is adjacent to the Brooklands day so if you would like to make a weekend of it please note that we have arranged special rates at the local Hilton Hotel. Please contact Ian Sollen for details. I am thoroughly looking forward to this weekend – I look forward to seeing you there.

And naturally we have another monthly walk exploring some more of our lovely countryside.

The King William IV, Hailey
Sunday 22^nd June 2003

This month we shall start and end our walk at the King William IV pub in Hailey. Hailey is three miles southeast of Wallingford and is signposted from the A4074 between the two A4074/A4130 roundabouts. The pub has a small car park. Limited roadside parking is also possible. As we shall be having lunch at pub we may be able to park here, as we shall be arriving early.

The walk is three and three quarters of a mile in length. It is a classic Chiltern walk, enjoying views of the nearby escarpment, the Oxfordshire Downs along the horizon, and green fields and hedges on all sides.

We shall meet at the King William IV at 10:30 am and we shall be back in time for lunch at the same pub.  I hope to see you there.

As a regular feature please find the latest web page report from Dave below.

Web Page News
Dave Vodden
www.thamesmog.co.uk

In January we had 506 visits delivering 2293 pages while in February it was 444 visits and 1764 pages.

The gallery is the most popular page, registering more use even than the site front page.  Other pages used heavily are in order, the events page, the articles page, the news page, the mog2002 gallery, the aero8 gallery, the dealer links page, the 3-wheeler gallery and then the regalia page.

Some of you will have seen the pictures of the 2002 Christmas dinner now in the gallery.  I am also adding older pictures from my personal collection.  Any suitable material you may have is welcome.  In the next report see what brings people to the site.

Also news of a new exciting event:

Thames Valley Morgan Picnic
Sunday 31 August 2003, noon onwards
Venue: Hurley, Berkshire

Directions: From the A4130 (east from Henley) turn north at the East Arms towards Hurley village. After 500 yards, past Ye Olde Bell Hotel and the Rising Sun, at junction, turn left into farm, signed to Riverside Car Park.

This event will simply be an open-air noggin where you bring all your own drink and food. Over one kilometre of beautiful Thames riverbank provides over 10 acres of picnic grounds for day visitors. There is a slipway for medium sized trailed boats. Car park cost £5.00 per vehicle. Toilets and water are available on site.

Everything else is totally up to you. Arrive early or when you like, bring what you like, no open fires or music! No need to book, just turn up.

This is a Morgan event, but Land Rovers allowed if wet!! 

Contact: Jerry Tanner 01494 724018 or tanner@fish.co.uk