Well we have a lot of news this month. Nobody knows what the future will bring. The Buddha’s last words were: ‘All conditioned things are impermanent. Strive on with diligence.’ One of the doctrines of Buddhism is the concept of impermanence, and certainly here at Thames Valley we have proved this point. After around 47 years of holding noggins, and more recently Centre dinners, Committee meetings, and AGMs we have now left the Bird In Hand, Knowl Hill. I am sad to report this change. I had hoped we could have celebrated fifty years at this noggin venue which of course wasn’t that far off. However, the once family run business has been taken over by a pub chain and they are now not able to accommodate our needs. This came as a surprise as we were very close to holding our 2017 AGM. We had made our booking some months ago and if we hadn’t had checked with them we wouldn’t have known until it was too late to do anything about it. It was an unacceptable state of affairs. We had no choice but to leave.
Cometh the hour cometh the man, and hence, David Mansfield sprang into action and found us a new location in time for our noggin and AGM. We are now holding our First Thursday noggins at the Novello, 228, Bath Road, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead SL6 3RX, and we also held our 2017 AGM there.
With regard to our AGM, I would like to thank the Chairman of Morgan Technologies Ltd that is an umbrella company to the Morgan Motor Company, Dominic Riley, for his attendance. Dominic gave us a fascinating talk, giving us an insight into the current and future workings of the manufacture of our beloved sports car. He filled us all with confidence for the future; what with Brexit, electric vehicles, and cars that drive themselves, there will always be a Morgan to drive, thank goodness. Thank you Dominic and I hope we will see you again.
We had a good turnout at the AGM. Helen Thorne also joined us and gave us a short briefing on how Richard Thorne Classic Cars are willing to support Centres within the MSCC. Watch this space – we will keep you posted.
I would like to thank Dave Cleveland and his team for organising our AGM and Dave Mansfield for finding our new venue. And I would like to thank to everyone that came along and for your accommodation of the new venue at such short notice. The following officers were re-elected for service on the Centre’s Committee:
Centre Secretary: Roger Bluff
Centre Treasurer: David Williams
Membership Secretary: James Bellew
Communications: Steve Bridge
Regalia officer: David Mansfield
Website administration: David Vodden
Member: David Cleveland
Member: Tim Jones
On behalf of the Centre, I would like to thank everyone for willing to serve on the Committee and I wish you all the best for this coming year. If anyone would like to join the Committee please let me know, you would be most welcome. I look forward to another active year in Thames Valley land in our new beginning.
Last year ThamesMOG had an enjoyable day out at the initial Pangbourne College Classic Car Show, so why not join us again when the College celebrates its Centenary. There is more information on our events page.
If you would like to book your car in to the show, please click on the link below which will enable you to enter your car to the show. http://www.pangbourne.com/classic-car-show.
On Saturday 10th June we are having another skittles evening. This will be an informal and fun evening – no previous bowling experience necessary! There’s a bar and hot food will be served during the evening. Menu choices need to be made ahead of the event. All monies are payable on the night. Numbers are limited to 20 – this ensures that everyone gets a goodly number of bowls and that everyone can sit down, both to watch the action and eat & drink in comfort. The cost to play is £5 per person for the evening. In addition is the cost of your meal. Click here for the menu; it is also is attached to the events page for this event.
We will be in the skittles alley at the Burghfield Community Sports Association, James Lane, Burghfield, RG30 3RS. Parking is right outside the skittles alley and, while it would be good to see plenty of Morgans there, it’s not essential, especially if the weather’s unfavourable.
Timings are: arrive 7 for 7:30 kick-off, food to be served at about 8:15; alley closes 11:30.
If you’d like to join us on this fun evening, the food is tasty too, please let Dave Cleveland (
Back by popular demand, we visit the Fawley Hill railway museum which is just outside Henley on Thames, where our Morgan Sports Cars will be displayed amongst the exhibits. This is a rare opportunity that for any rail enthusiast is a must. The rides on the steam train around the grounds are wonderful. Details on Fawley Hill can be found at http://www.fawleyhill.co.uk/about-fawley-hill/ I hope you will be able to come along for this special day out. There is so much to see.
Contact Roger Bluff
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 any regalia out there and are interested please check with us first. I would like to thank our Australian customer for letting us know about these items.
Thames Valley Centre pin badges
Our range of super new Thames Valley pin badges are now available. These are available in five colours, similar to our car badges. Orders are taken on a first come first served basis, as always. Please contact David Mansfield, our Regalia Officer, to order pin badges or our car badges. Orders can be made on his telephone (0118 3769752) or via email at