ThamesMog

January 2012

Well, we are now finally in the year where we will see whether the predictions from the Maya Calendar come to pass or not. Whatever happens we will fit in one more visit to the Fawley Hill Railway, owned by the Hon Sir William McAlpine Bt. FRSE, and railway model collection in June 2012, which I am pleased about indeed.  Many thanks to Terry Tedman for all his hard work in getting us back to this special day out. We have a load of exciting events to look forward to this year. I would like to thank everyone who put in the effort to organise our events and also I would like to thank those of you who come along to make for such enjoyable occasions and all the effort worthwhile.

I hope all readers of this column had an enjoyable Christmas and that 2012 will bring good health, wealth and happiness. It will certainly be an exciting time in the Morgan world what with three wheelers, a new roadster and the welcome return of the legendary plus eight. On behalf of the Centre, I would like to thank Richard Thorne Classic Cars for their kind invitation to his party just before Christmas, celebrating his thirty years of supplying Morgan Sports cars to the surrounding area and beyond. Unfortunately, I was unable to be there but I do offer my congratulations to Richard. I understand it was a great way to start the festive season. I did once remark to Richard that it took him a hundred years to sell me a Morgan but then we both look good for our respective ages, or shouldn’t I say it.

Don’t forget we shall be doing a walk on New Year’s Day with Brighton Centre and Hopmog starting and ending at Saltdean Lido. Please meet at the car park of the Saltdean Tavern at 10:30 am (http://www.crowncarveries.co.uk/find-us/Thesaltdeantavern.html) for the start of the walk along the seafront. The world famous Lido is still under threat, so it will be good to support the campaign. The walk should be quite dramatic as we cross the downs looking out over the Channel. There is also a wonderful café en route, on the beach, with homemade cakes, a favourite spot. I hope you can make it.

Alternatively, there is the perennial New Year’s classic car meet at the Phoenix near Hartley Wintney which is well worth a visit. As Steve Bridge has reported there are some interesting vehicles to see there, over and above the veterans. This visit clashes with the Frog and Wicket noggin as New Year’s Day falls on the first Sunday in January. Therefore, please assume that this noggin will be primarily based at the Phoenix.

With the New Year in mind, we are refreshing our circulation list for the Centre. Please send to me your email address if it has changed and confirm that you would be happy for us to use it for information on our events and Newsletter, primarily sent by Mike Smith. Please contact me also if you are not on our communication list – thank you. If you are out of our area and just want to receive our Newsletter, for its general snippets on Morgan sports cars and what we get up to, then please let me know and we will accommodate you accordingly. Our Newsletter does tend to find itself in different parts of the world. Many thanks for your help.

Also, Roger Prior is busy compiling our event list for 2012 which we hope to circulate soon and on a fairly regular basis as we receive updates.  Looking a little farther into the New Year, on March 1^st we are holding our AGM at the Bird In Hand, Knowl Hill starting at 20:00. I hope you can make it.

I look forward to seeing you all very soon in 2012.

Take care, see you all soon:  Happy New Year - Roger.