ThamesMog
Secretary's Report March 2009

A little over a year ago, at the time of writing in late January 2009, I was reading the blog of one of my favourite singer/song writers/musicians, KT Tunstall. I remember reading KT was spending Christmas Day in her flat, up in Edinburgh, when there was a knock on her door. Her boyfriend had arrived unexpectedly – he had told her the night before that he was away over Christmas. However, it wasn’t long before her boyfriend went down on one knee and proposed. Happily KT accepted. Now coming back to Christmas 2008, Helen Thorne’s partner David did the self same thing. Except I don’t think he pretended that he was hundreds of miles away on Christmas Eve, as poor KT had to suffer. I am pleased to say Helen also accepted. It seems going down on one knee over Christmas is now a trend. I am surprised; surely all that cold weather would make it harder on the joints – much better to pick a nice warm sunny day in July, perhaps. Nevertheless, on behalf of the Centre, I would like to congratulate Helen and David on their engagement and I hope you will both have a long and happy life together.

Over Christmas we have the pleasure of awarding our three Centre trophies: the mileage challenge originally devised and sponsored by F.H Douglass; the SGT trophy for a person or persons that have best represented the true spirit of owning a Morgan and the Richard Thorne Charity Trophy for the most monies raised for charity, associated with the Centre, over the year. These annual awards are very important to us, as they reflect very much the character of the Centre: keen to be out enjoying our Morgans; supportive of the camaraderie of owning a Morgan; and while we are having a special time, wanting to do some good for others. As always I hope that this ethos will continue with the Centre for a long time to come.

For sometime now an individual in the Centre along with various partners from within the MSCC, over the years, has raised a lot of money for charity. However, his companion for this year probably made the biggest sacrifice as compared to any of his predecessors. Geoff Giles along with his clean shaven co-pilot, Jerry Tanner, drove an authentic Land Rover on the 2008 Italian Job run, raising a substantial sum for the KidsOut charity; this is a fine organisation giving fun and some happiness to children that don’t normally have a lot to look forward to in life. In view of this achievement, I am pleased to say that the Richard Thorne Charity Trophy for 2008 has been awarded to Geoff Giles and Jerry Tanner. Well done chaps, after hearing a little of what you went through during the 2008 run, I think the award is well deserved.

The mileage challenge had an interesting twist this year with the sound of a Morgan bowling round South Warnborough, during the Poacher Christmas Dinner, in an attempt to gain a few extra miles. It paid off as once again, I am pleased to announce that for 2008, the winner of the F.H. Douglass mileage trophy was none other than Dr Andy Low, in his beautifully presented Rolls Royce Velvet Green Roadster. Andy covered over ten thousand and six hundred miles over the year – well done Andy! As this is a special year please send me your entries for 2009 as soon as you can, if you would like to take part. All I need is your current mileage, so the earlier you give me your odometer reading the better. I shall be round with my little black book to record your miles soon. Good luck!

The SGT trophy for 2008 was won by Adrienne and Roger Prior and well deserved too! Congratulations! Over the past couple of years the Centre has been fortunate to have been able to enjoy some locally based events that have become quite special: Snowdrop Walk, Beale Park and the Chilterns Open Air Museum, being good examples. They have attracted visitors from far and wide. I am glad to say that these new friends have all been made to feel very welcome – as they should be. These are now regular events that we look forward to very much indeed. This is all thanks to Adrienne and Roger - a true example of the best you can find in the camaraderie of ownership of the best and last, real sports car in the world. Well done to you both and thank you!

As the winner of the Richard Thorne Charity Trophy in 2007, Bert Oslar had the job of nominating our chosen charity for 2008. Bert, as you probably remember, chose the Sue Ryder Homes at Nuffield, a local concern. I am pleased to be able to report that in lieu of sending Christmas Cards, Richard Thorne Classic Cars have made a donation to our 2008 Charity, i.e. the Sue Ryder Homes at Nuffield. On behalf of the Centre I would like to thank Richard and Helen very much indeed. At Christmas fund raisers are invited to a special party when a candle of remembrance is lit in commemoration of received donations. This will be a special occasion to look forward to.

Geoff Giles and Jerry Tanner as winners of the Richard Thorne Charity Trophy in 2008 have now the pleasing task of nominating our chosen charity for 2009. I look forward to hearing your chosen charity or charities soon. Congratulations to you both. The 2009 Italian Job run is the fortieth anniversary of the eponymous film. This year there is a competition to solve the problem of the coach perched on the edge of the mountain pass with all that gold, with reference to the famous ending. I am sure Geoff you will raise to this intriguing challenge – good luck to you and your associates for 2009.

Our first Centenary walk in Surrey takes us to the Rising Sun Pub in Charlwood. I hope to see you at the pub car park at 10:30 am on Sunday 22nd. See our events page for more details.