Awards 2009
- Details
- David Vodden
Saturday was the occasion of the ThamesMog Christmas dinner at the Poacher's Arms in South Warnborough.
This is an event of international import and imense glamour; outshone possibly by the Oscar Ceremony, the Nobel prize giving in Oslo or the nativity play at South Warborough Infants School.
Such was the excitement and anticipation that half of the local police force was stationed outside the previously secret venue disguised as a flower pot and most participants chose to arrive incognito, leaving their Morgans at home, lest they be identified and asked to give evidence later.
The celebration went well; the victuals provided by the staff of the Poacher's Arms were well up to the very high standard they have established in the past and everyone took on a very warm glow.
Finally the august (or even mythical at noggins this year) Mr Roger Bluff rose to announce the winners to a general hush.
Unfortunately the Queen was washing her hair that night and Barak Obama was otherwise engaged. Tiger Woods volunteered his services, but following advice from Nike, Accenture and several others he had previously been associated with he was felt to be an unsiutable choice. So it was left to well known actor and playwright Keith Wait, who's new play "Silver Age Adieu" premiered at the Brighton Festival this year, to hand out the prizes.
First up was Andy Low; Awarded the FH Douglas award for being the person who drives the most miles in his Morgan in the year. Andy managed a total of 12,495 miles. I have it on good authority that he was even seen to brave the below zero temperatures on Thursday night to arrive top down at the 100% Morgans present turnout at the last Thursday night noggin of the year. Such was the appreciation of the other people frequenting the hostelry at the time that he was clearly heard to be described as "A nutter". Andy can be seen on the right trophy in hand.
Then came Jeff Marshall who, with his wife Joyce, was voted the couple that demonstrated the true spirit of morganeering in the last year. This is recognised by the award of the SGT trophy. On the left we can see Jeff with the Trophy on the right He has swapped the trophy for a beer and given Joyce the honour of holding it for a picture with Roger Bluff.
Jim Tebby was awarded the Richard Thorne Charity trophy for the most money collected for charity on behalf of the centre
Andrew Doughty was the lead in a substantial team who were successful in lifting the best stand in show award from the Uxbridge Motor Show. The team included Mike Smith and Brian Miller on behalf of the Morgan Sport Car Club; well done to them all. On the left Andy accepts the trophy from Keith, watched by Roger Bluff; then, in the centre Andy shows the Trophy to Mike, who is repulsed to such an extent that he needs the support of Brian Miller in the third photograph..
Ian Hargraves is another hero this year. He managed third overall in 2009 4/4 Class Morgan Speed Championship. He only took this up relatively recently so this is a substantial achievement. Here he can be seen with Keith having accepted his award.
That's it for this year. Thanks to Keith for awarding the trophies and to all those who ran events or participated in events. Perhaps next year it will be you who gets the prize.
Photographs Courtesy of Roger Prior.
