Our year of events got off to a flying start in February with a visit to the splendid Prodrive factory in Banbury. Some of you will recall the Prodrive name from their rally days with World Rally Champions Colin McRae and Richard Burns driving the Prodrive Subarus. Today Prodrive is a multimillion pound engineering company covering everything from race prepping Aston Martins and Land Rovers, to prototyping Last Mile electric delivery vehicles, and developing innovative engineering solutions for businesses in the automotive, aerospace, marine and other industry sectors. By the way, here is something I did not know. Richard Burns was born in Reading, Berkshire, and grew up in Checkendon, Oxfordshire.
Our monthly Noggins at the Bird in Hand and at the Harte and Magpies continue throughout the winter months. We were delighted to see four Morgans and seventeen members at February’s First Thursday Noggin, a fine turnout especially as we were awaiting another Beast from the East.
The ThamesMOG committee announcements: Firstly, the creation of an Event Coordinator, whose role is: to be the Centre’s point of contact for members who wish to arrange events, or who have suggestions for events. To provide support to members who wish to arrange an event. To ensure no clashes of events date. We are delighted to announce that Chris Beck has volunteered to take on this role, so if you have any suggestions for future events, Chris would love to hear from you. Email him
This year, the ThamesMOG AGM will be held on Thursday 1st May, at the Bird-in-Hand. As has been our custom, this meeting will be a joint Noggin and AGM event. It customary at our AGM to award trophies for actions in the previous year. Have a think. Who do you suggest should be awarded these three trophies for the past year 2024?
• Richard Thorne Charity Trophy: for a member’s contribution to raising money for charity associated with the use of their Morgan.
• SGT Trophy: awarded to the member who has most exhibited the best traditions of Morgan ownership and its furtherance in true club spirit.
• Silver Salver Trophy: awarded to the Centre member who has been most inspirational in the spirit of competition during the year
A full list of all our events can be found on our events page
"What's the healthiest new car on the market? On the basis that it has been clinically proven that smiling lowers blood pressure, adrenaline gives you energy and a digital detox reduces stress, the healthiest currently available might just be one that's been around for 75 years: Morgan's endlessly charming Plus Four" Simon de Burton writing for BOAT International. - I find a short drive in my Morgan puts a smile on my face, even it only a trip to Waitrose. So if you are feeling down, put on your ThamesMOG beanie hat, a pair of skiing gloves, and go for a drive.
Remember ‘A Morgan is for life, not just for Sundays’.