Our recent excursion to France was very enjoyable. On behalf of all those that went, I would like to thank Sandra Stuart and David Smith for their assistance on this wonderful trip. I understand that the Chateau that everyone stayed in was just the ticket. Those of us that weren't able to go missed out on a very special visit. Over the weekend David Smith had the honour and pleasure to award the SGT Thames Valley Trophy to Bert Oslar for 2005. We have decided to award this trophy annually to the person in the Centre that has best exhibited the true spirit of Morganeering. Someone that has attended events, helped out, given support to fellow Morgan owners and others, while being a great ambassador for all that is good in owning and running a Morgan. We felt that for the first award of this trophy, in this way, that Bert was a truly worthy winner. In subsequent years the winner will have a say in determining the next holder of the trophy. To this end Bert would like people to nominate Centre members and he will collate the names and announce the winner for 2006. This is something we plan to do at our annual Christmas Dinner.
Bert was a lucky chap in France, since he also celebrated his birthday over that weekend with his Morgan friends as well as receiving his trophy. I am very pleased that Bert has won this trophy, as for me, whenever we have new members arrive at our noggins, Bert goes out of his way to be welcoming, which I think is so important. On behalf of the Centre I would like to send to you Bert our heart felt congratulations. I also hope you had a very happy birthday!
Looking ahead slightly, and most importantly, as you will know, as a Centre we shall be helping out at MOG 007. Our role will be to run the gymkhana over the weekend. David Smith and Sandra Stuart are planning and organising the gymkhana, with their plans well advanced they would like to ask for volunteers to help. We will need a large team, since we don't want people to have too long a session on the gymkhana at any one time. David and Sandra are planning a rehearsal in the autumn at a venue to be determined. Please contact David and Sandra if you would like to help out. The rehearsal will aim to check timings and the general linkage of the various tests with the emphases on fun. From what I have seen of David and Sandra's plans, I think this will be a very special 007 Gymkhana. I hope you will be able to help us.
This month along with our long weekend in Arundel, as a Centre, we shall be displaying and parading our Morgans at the World Rowing Championship finals on Sunday 27th August at Eton College. There will be coverage from the BBC, Radio and the International Media. We will be placed next to the Lake in a prominent position so hopefully we shall be appearing somewhere on digital television. Jane Davies is coordinating the event, if you would like to go please contact Jane giving her your car details as soon as you can. All Centres are welcome. It should be a very special day - I hope you will be able to support us.
As you read this Centre report, I shall hopefully be on a tour of Northern and Southern Ireland to climb the four highest stand alone peaks with my two dogs Bobby and Sally, in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust ' so any support that you can provide would be most welcome. In between the peaks I shall be touring round in my Morgan - while Ann, Brian and Heidi Miller will be touring Southern Ireland in their four-seater Morgan. I shall be meeting up with them somewhere in the Wicklow Mountains near to Dublin. We shall be meeting up with as many Irish Morgan owners as possible. It should be great fun - I am particularly looking forward to sampling some of the 'black stuff'.
We have much to look forward to in September; the most important event for us will be the Twenty-four hour charity run that we are organising over the weekend of 23rd to 24th. Please contact Mike Smith, Andy Doughty or Brian Miller if you would like to take part. It will be a very special weekend with a humungous hog roast to enjoy at the end of it. Entry forms are available from our web site or direct from Mike Smith. I hope you will be able to take part.
Also in September we have a weekend in Sussex to look forward to: on Saturday 9th we shall be attending the Brighton Speed Trials, enjoying a pleasant meal in the evening in the Brighton Lanes and visiting the Brighton Centre's barbeque, Sunday lunchtime on our way home. Please contact me if you would like to join us. Our superb Italian restaurant in the Lanes, Donatello, is frequented often by the famous, so it's most appropriate for us to go there! I can give you further details on the White House, our accommodation, overlooking Madeira Drive the location of the Trials. The web link is listed below for the White House. It should be great - I hope you will be able to join us.
http://www.whitehousebrighton.com
And the web link for our Italian restaurant visit is listed below:
http://www.donatello.co.uk
Please note that anyone interested in going to the brilliant Good Revival meeting this year, Robin Henderson can provide you with some helpful advice and information. Please contact Robin if you would like to go. Thank you very much Robin ' I look forward to seeing you there.
As August is a busy holiday period there won't be a Sunday morning walk, unless you are joining me on my several Sunday hikes in the Irish Mountains ' you would be most welcome of course! However, we shall be returning to the Chilterns next month, details are provided below. I hope to see you there.
Take care & see you all soon