ThamesMog
Secretary's Report May 2003

I am always pleased to hear how widely read our Thames Valley column is becoming, so I hope you will forgive a slight indulgence this month – hello Ann how are you, I hope to see you very soon!

Robin Milner has kindly invited us to join him once again at the Classic Car show and fete in aid of the Woking Hospice. The event will be held on Sunday 1^st June. Please ring Robin on 01932 353675 if you would like to take part. Please give this event your support if you can, it is a great day out and the proceeds will be going to a very good cause. I have some entry forms, which I can give out, please note that the closing date for entries is 12^th May. Entry is free to drivers and passengers of classic vehicles. The whole event is a fun day out for all the family.

This month we have an update of our event at Brooklands and don’t forget our welcome return to the Fawley Steam day.

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 six-eight 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

Only 23 places still available!!

We are now counting down to the day, and have already filled the majority of places available.  For those who have already registered and sent their donation of £10, full instructions and passes will be issued shortly.  For those who have already asked for the registration package, please return it as soon as possible, as places cannot otherwise be held.  A few places are still available, especially for the Display Only Area, for ‘interesting’ cars, and for three wheelers and four seaters.  All Centres are invited.  The moral is, be quick if you wish to actively participate in this event!

The aim of the day is to raise funds for The Rainbow Trust, (for terminally ill children), and for the Brooklands Museum Trust, where it will be used for educational purposes.  It is hoped that the ‘Morgans at Brooklands’ event will raise some £3000 for these good causes, and Barclays Bank PLC has generously confirmed it will be a major sponsor of the event as part of its Community Programme.  All monies raised on the day will supplement the funds to be raised by The Sporting Bears Motor Club from their ‘Dream Rides Day’, which will also be held at Brooklands on 16^th. August.

A reminder of what will be available on the day:

For those registered for the Display Area, you will get: *Themed vehicle display in prominent Morgan only car parking area. *Information sheet for windscreen of your vehicle’s history. *Opportunity to Marshal or help on the day. *Dedicated Morgan owner’s picnic area overlooking major activities. *Free entrance to all of the Brooklands Museum Complex. *Free pedestrian access to paddock and circuits for Sporting Bears Dream Rides, rally rides, and all other attractions on the day. *Opportunity to purchase commemorative polo shirt. *Access to special bed and breakfast rates at the local Hilton Hotel.

In addition, for participants offering ‘Morgan Dream Rides’ to the public, you will also get:- *Rides over the special short historic circuit, open only to Morgans for the day, and consisting of The Test Hill, The Historic Banking, and The Finishing Straight. *Unique display documentation/plaques and opportunities for photo shoots 

If however 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 in a participating Morgan, or on one of the ‘Sporting Bears Dream Rides’ vehicles.  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.

If you wish to participate within the Display Area or by giving rides, please register with Ian Sollen for this event at morgansatbrooklands@hotmail.com, or telephone 01923 77326 as soon as possible.  Further information is also available from him if required.  The Brooklands Museum Site is just off the B374 at Weybridge in Surrey, and by Junction 10 of the M25.

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

Annual Centre Dinner
Saturday 7^th June 2003

We shall meet at 19:00 for 20:00 start. Please contact Mike and Pam to book your place as soon as you can, via email at mwraldrich1@aol.com, or telephone 01628 676619 – thanks very much. We have a new venue at a secluded and select country hotel very near to Maidenhead. It should be a great evening.  We currently collecting deposits for the dinner please contact either Mike or myself to book your place.

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 of course we have another monthly walk exploring some more of our lovely countryside. this month its  The Four Horseshoes at Checkendon on Sunday 25^th May 2003 full details are on our events page. I hope to see you there.

As a regular feature please find some web page news below. 

Web Page News

Editor:  Dave Vodden
www.thamesmog.co.uk

Andy Low has passed onto Dave and myself his hot photos of our Christmas Dinner at the Phoenix. As you read this report they will be on our web page for the entire world to see – have a look. We also hope to soon to have a video clip of an Aero 8 at speed circumnavigating the Le Mans circuit – exciting stuff!

Please don’t forget we are planning pictures of owners with their Morgans to be included on our web page. Some history would be interesting to go with the photos. Please contact Dave via the links on the web page for further information.

See you all soon.