At our November Noggin at the Bird-In-Hand, John Buckmaster outlined his planned Centre trip next year to the D Day landings on the Normandy beaches. John is deciding whether to hold the trip in late June or possibly in September next year. The trip, however, will most likely be over a long weekend and should take in all the main beaches and centres of interest. Please have a chat with John at noggins to lodge your interest. It is hoped that everyone can fit into the same hotel(s) in the same vicinity. It should be a great trip – many thanks John.
It was good to see so many Morgan sports cars at the November noggin. The weather had taken a turn and it was raining a little – it appeared to be the end of our recent Indian summer. Also, it was nice to see Quentin and Judy Mitchell, and to find they are still with us. Their move will soon take place and we will have to eventually say goodbye as they immigrate to Hopmog land. Happily, they will be joining us for our Centre dinner on January 28th, 2017. They will be taking one of the excellent rooms at the Bird In Hand. It should be noted that the Bird In Hand always has a range of beers from local microbreweries – so staying the night makes a lot of sense. We are very fortunate to have such a progressive bar manager. It will be a great night.
Please remember our trip to Sandham Memorial Chapel on Sunday December 11th. Sandham Memorial Chapel houses what is arguably the most important series of paintings by the Modern British artist, Sir Stanley Spencer (1891-1959). The chapel is a temple to the genius of Spencer, who wanted to express in paint his military experience during the Great War. His nineteen canvases, which took six years to complete, are unique in that they depict everyday routine rather than the horror of combat.
I hope you will be able to join us on this special visit.
Please note on the January 1st there is the Phoenix Inn Classic Car meeting near Hartley Wintney – please see details on our events page. This is always an enjoyable day out.
Please don’t forget our New Year Centre Dinner on Saturday 28th January, Mike Aldrich and David Williams have made contact with Aldon Ferguson and he has agreed to give a talk on the D Day landings, and as mentioned before, this will complement the proposed tour by the Centre of the Normandy landing beaches next year with John Buckmaster. Aldon has a background in Russia and the Former Soviet Union, and British Military Aviation History. All his lectures are fully illustrated with PowerPoint comprising both still and movie images. Tickets for the dinner are available now, so please book your place with Mike Aldrich now. And don’t forget your menu choices please. This should be a great evening – I hope you can join us.
I am pleased to report that we have been invited as a Centre to Richard Thorne’s Christmas Party celebrating his 35 years as a Morgan dealer, on Thursday 1st December. By the time you read this it may, of course, have taken place, knowing the vagaries of the post sometimes. As this is the date of our normal noggin at the Bird In Hand we have decided to hold our noggin to Richard’s party. I would like to thank Helen and Richard for their kind invitation. There are always plenty of fun things to do and several interesting Morgan sports cars to crave over. It should be a memorable evening with their VIP visitor. I look forward to seeing you all there.
We were also delighted recently to announce that Steve Morris, Managing Director at the Morgan Motor Company, will be our honoured guest at our AGM on the evening of Thursday May 11th at the Bird In Hand, Knowl Hill. Please put this date in your diary. This will be a great opportunity for Centre members to meet Steve and to look to the future. I hope you can make it. If you can look this far ahead please make contact with Mike Aldrich so that we can make appropriate accommodation. It will also be a special evening.
Thames Valley Centre car badges available on eBay - beware
Don’t forget please, as reported previously, a Morgan owner from Australia has brought to our attention that Thames Valley Car badges are for sale on eBay. They appear to be our badges but we would like to point out that these sales are nothing to do with us or our previous suppliers. They are very highly priced, and please remember we can supply Thames Valley car badges new at the nominal club price. If you see, therefore, any regalia out there and are interested please check with us first. I would like to thank our Austrian customer for letting us know about these items.
Thames Valley Centre pin badges
Please remember we are now taking orders for our new super range of Thames Valley pin badges. Ideal Christmas presents. These are available in five colour, similar to our car badges. Any order is taken on a first come first served basis, as always. Please contact David Mansfield, as our new Regalia Officer, for orders for pin badges and also our car badges. Orders can be made on his telephone (0118 3769752) or via email at
As this is the December edition of Miscellany, I would like to wish all readers of this column a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I hope you will all have a peaceful time and above all you will all enjoy good health. I look forward to seeing you all in 2017.
Take care, see you all soon – Roger.