I am deeply saddened to report the recent passing of Howard Rose. Howard was a long standing member of the Centre and he had many friends in the Centre. I remember almost ten years ago when we were enjoying a weekend away in the New Forest Howard explaining to me the geology of the Isle of Wight while we were parked up enjoying a fine view of The Needles from the coastline of the National Park. Being a keen walker, earth sciences has been one of my passing interests. I am always fascinated when I come across evidence for the last ice age. On that memorable day Howard filled in many of the details laid out before us. Howard was a distinguished member of several learned institutions in his academic area and I know he will be sadly missed in his field. Howard and his wife Carol shared and enjoyed their Morgan immensely. Carol of course is an active member of the Centre’s committee with the important responsibility of being our Awards Secretary. And I hope Carol’s involvement in the Centre will continue for a long time to come. On behalf of the Centre I would like to send our sincere condolences to Carol and family – to live in the heart of those we love is not to die.
On a happier note, this month we can look back to two trips away to Corfe Castle and Torquay during the latter and earlier May Bank Holidays respectively. I am pleased to be able to report that we enjoyed some glorious weather on both occasions. I would like to thank the organisers of these two super events and well done on the weather. Full reports will be appearing soon I’m sure. You can find pictures on the website.
On Sunday 26th May we made a welcome return to Cliveden, a National Trust property near Marlow. I am grateful to that we managed to find Adrienne and Roger Prior in the demanding Cliveden maze. On our last visit you may remember Roger our Events Co-ordinator and his good wife Adrienne were lost. Somehow Roger ran his operations from this base – the first Wi-Fi enabled maze I guess. As I said, ‘Dr Prior, I presume?’ Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe have never been so close. Welcome back to you both.
I pleased to learn fifteen Morgan sports cars attended the Ace café facing half a dozen Marcos sports cars. I had been looking forward to a delicious serving of rice pudding with cream and brown sugar but I managed to contract an upset stomach beforehand. Never mind I am already looking forward to next year. Well done to all of you that made it along. If anyone has any photos please send them over as I would love to use them on our website and in our monthly newsletter – many thanks.
Please note we have the opportunity this month to attend RAF Benson for their family day air show. If you would like to go, please contact Dave Cleveland to register your details before the event. This will be a special day out with any proceeds going to the RAF benevolent fund. I would like to thank Dave for organising this day out: we are honoured indeed to be invited. We will of course put on a good show of Morgan sports cars for the RAF families. There will be plenty of souvenirs to buy there, I think.
Also, this month we have a walk at the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Please meet at the main car park at 11 am. (London Road, Hindhead, GU26 6AB) We will then go for a stroll around the Bowl. Afterwards there is a nice National Trust café where we can have some lunch.
Looking a little further ahead next month Tony Newbery is organising for us to show our cars at a vintage glider rally and Tim Marsh is involved/camping at an extraordinary live music show with classic & vintage cars and other assorted vehicles and auto jumble being held over two days at White Waltham Airfield, Waltham Road,. These are two events with a strong aviation connection and are both well worth a visit. I would like to thank Tony and Tim for these two interesting events.