The trip down memory lane can be long for some of us, especially in my case if one thinks in the context of one’s involvement with the Centre. My first noggin at Thames Valley Centre was in February 1986 in the wilds of Shinfield. So if I have my maths right that is just over twenty-six years ago. I must say the time has flown and for the most part I have enjoyed my time in the Centre immensely. Around the early part of 1986, Pat Hadley, the then Centre Secretary, introduced a signing in book at noggins for recording attendance and peoples’ reflections at the time and on the day. I am pleased to say this has continued and we are still using the same book. It has been rebuilt over the years, in the time honoured Morgan style, by our very own Lyn Doughty. This is an important book and should never be thrown away – it is an historic document.
This fact was brought home to me at a recent noggin at the Poacher when we met up with our old friend Keith Hanlon and his wife. He hunted through this book and found his entries from old. One important one he photographed with his smart phone (the wonders of modern technology). His entry celebrated the imminent arrival of his baby daughter. She is now grown up and will be seeing soon this old comment from our noggin book. Keith reckoned she would say, “Oh dad!” As I have often said the Centre is like an extended family where we always celebrate new arrivals to our kin.
Comparing notes with Keith I discovered he went back to 1973 as a member of the Centre. At that time Keith owned a Moss box Plus 8 which must have been quite a vehicle to own back then let alone today. When you think the Centre was formed in 1970, Keith must be the longest living member – an elder statesman so to speak. Welcome back Keith and I hope we will see more of you between your trips to Singapore and the UK.
Last year we began our forty-first year at the Bird In Hand and to celebrate Mike Aldrich organised a Morgan only photo shoot outside the Bird In Hand. The main photograph is now on the wall in the pub for all to see – please have a look when you are next in. Well done Mike.
Also, if you remember about this time last year we beat the Marcos car club at that pub bowling game, at the time of writing the exact name of this sport escapes me. The important thing is we won the Marcos versus Morgan trophy. Well Marcos has challenged us again, this time to ten pin bowling. Morgan expects all owners to do their duty. I hope we are up for it?
By the way, the Fawley Hill event with TerryTedman is practically full up, so please be quick in contacting Terry if you would like to go. Mike Aldrich is handling the monies and will forward the tickets as soon as they are available. Well done to you both. It should be a tremendous day.
This month we make a welcome return to Savill Gardens, at this time of year it should be a spectacle; I hope to see you there.