ThamesMog
Secretary's Report October 2003

As I write this report I am returning from a holiday in the Lakes in brilliant sunshine thinking of our picnic by the Thames and how well it must be going. August was a very busy month for the Centre. I would like to thank Ian and Estelle Sollen for their wonderful and purposeful event at Brooklands, Terry Tedman for organising the ultimate day out for steam enthusiasts and Jerry Tanner for our picnic by the Thames.  Having lovely weather on all these occasions is of course a real bonus.

Our walk this month will be the one we cancelled back in August. In place of the advertised walk we shall be going to the spectacular Devil’s Punch Bowl. Below Ian Sollen has provided a summary of the great success he and his team enjoyed at the Brooklands charitable event.

 Morgans at Brooklands 
Saturday 16^th August 2003

Some weeks have now passed since the running of this event.  We hope that everyone who was there on the day had a great time.  The weather was kind, despite some early showers, and the crowds appreciative. 

The event was run in support of ‘The Rainbow Trust’ for terminally ill children, and Brooklands provided the facilities of the Site free of charge, in return for a proportion of the donations raised to support their educational plans.  The Thames Valley Centre was offered the exclusive use of a short historic circuit at Brooklands, consisting of The Test Hill, the Historic Banking, and a slalom on the Finishing Straight, with Morgan owners offering rides to the public for one of two sessions during the day. 

The day started early with some tentative practice runs and a special flight by Concorde overhead!  As drivers became more familiar with the circuit, then their enthusiasm increased, and the distinctive sounds of two, four or eight cylinders dominated the Paddock.

Of thirty-three participating Morgans, nineteen were from the Thames Valley Centre, many with dual Centre membership, and fourteen from (seven) other Centres.  We had two immaculate three wheelers from The Morgan Three wheeler Club present, and giving rides to the public.  On display were three equally immaculate early flat rads.  Of the newer cars, Richard Thorne kindly provided his AERO 8 demonstrator.  This new Morgan contrasted sharply with the late Brian Charlesworth’s well travelled car, vigorously campaigned by his son Nick, which like the woodsman’s axe is now on its third engine and second body!   Also being exercised on the day, by David and Debbie, was the car of Quentin Mitchell, who was unfortunately in hospital.  We wish him well. 

The picnic area overlooking the slalom on the finishing straight was a popular place to be, and participants and guests used this as a base from which to explore the activities on the Site.  Meanwhile, those members of the public who accepted rides on the day, and some 180 took this opportunity, came away from the event with a new respect for the Morgan car, - if not the sanity of some of the drivers!  (There was in fact a 100% safety record on the day.) 

Overall, £2285 was raised for the Charities from the event, including £750 generously donated by Barclays, as part of their employee fundraising programme, which matched funds raised on the day from donations from the public.

The Morgan world should cater for the desires of all members, whether they are social, charitable, pride of ownership, driving or racing orientated. ‘Morgans at Brooklands’ achieved these aims.  Perhaps we will be able to repeat the day, maybe as a joint venture with another Centre. Watch this space!!! 

In conclusion, a huge thank you to all who participated in this event.   Special thanks go to those who helped on the day, driving the cars, offering rides, and providing the vital administration of both cars and public.  If you have any thoughts or photographs of the day, please contact Ian Sollen at Morgansatbrooklands@hotmail.com.  A photo gallery of the event will eventually be placed on the Thames Valley website, courtesy of Gerry Burkitt.

And finally this month’s walk: 

Hindhead – The Devil’s Punch Bowl

Sunday 26^th October 2003

This month’s walk takes in the deep valley of the Devil’s Punch Bowl. The path around the Bowl offers views across miles of russet heathland stretching northwards. The walk starts from one of Surrey’s highest villages, 850 ft above sea level. The Devil’s Punch Bowl has been chiselled out of the hillside by springs and streams washing away the sandy soil. The scenery is characteristic of North Wales or Yorkshire rather than of Surrey.

 The walk will start at the National Trust car park beside the A3 in Hindhead. Please meet at 10:30 am, the walk is three and half miles in length, we hope to be back in time for lunch. We shall visit a local pub hopefully on Doug Smith’s recommendation. I hope to see you there.