ThamesMog
Secretary's Report January 2008

I hope everyone had a very happy and enjoyable Christmas. With the New Year upon us, I thought you may like to hear about the results of our charity raising activities for 2007. As you may know Mike Aldrich’s daughter Sue is a Consultant at Great Ormond Street hospital, in the Rheumatology ward. For the last year this worthy cause, and this particular department, was one of our chosen charities. Along with charity activities organised with Richard Thorne, we had an immensely successful year. Helen Thorne supported two local girls: Charlotte Pope and Lucy Bolsover, who ran a 1990 Lancia, on a rally from Calais to Casablanca, with all their raised money going to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Incidentally, in her day job, Charlotte is Helen’s race mechanic - I’m afraid my pit crew aren’t so pretty. During an evening of celebrations at Richard Thorne’s premises, for Charlotte and Lucy’s participation in the rally, Mike’s daughter Sue gave a presentation on her work at the hospital, and along with an evening raffle held on the night, raising three hundred and fifty pounds. When we know the size of the substantial grand total, we shall let you know. A fantastic achievement! At the celebrations we announced the details of the forthcoming treasure hunt charity event that Helen Prior had devised, with all the monies being spilt equally between the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice and Great Ormond Street Hospital for our 2008 charities. From this event one hundred pounds was raised for each charity. I think all involved should be very proud with this achievement. Well done! I look forward to our charity raising events for 2008.

From the sad news, late last year, of the loss of Tony Hempel, the Centre has made a twenty-five pound donation to the Florence Nightingale Hospice in Tony’s memory. Our thoughts are with Viv and family, especially over this festive season.

On a fitting note, one that I am sure Tony would have approved of, Brian Miller’s latest Morgan acquisition, a 1987, blue 4/4 two seater, will be made ready for competition in time for the 2008 season. Many congratulations on your recent purchase Brian and good luck in this year’s competition events.

Please don’t forget that on January 1st you have the opportunity to attend the classic car meeting at the Poacher and the Phoenix Pub. Both start in the morning and run over lunch time to mid afternoon. Please contact Andy Low if you are thinking of going and would like some more information. Both venues can be busy, parking at the Phoenix in particular, normally involves finding a space at the roadside. Last year people tended to travel between the pubs to see the different cars on display. We shall congregate at our normal watering hole - The Poacher. The landlord will be providing his normal excellent range of food designed to add recovery from the night before.

Alternatively, on New Year’s Day we have a rather spectacular walk to celebrate the start of 2008 and to blow away the cobwebs see our events page for details.