ThamesMOG members have enjoyed a packed and varied August. The forecast for heavy rain and thunderstorms did not stop Karen and John from driving topless to ThamesMOG’s first Brunch Noggin. 13 ThamesMOGers arrived in five Morgans and two tin tops (they had good excuses, and it wasn’t the weather). It was great to meet up with everyone. The conversation was not only Morgan and motorcycle based, but also ranged across subjects such as London theatres, the Serpentine Galleries, and Glamorgan sausages.
ThamesMOGers had a splendid day in the sunshine watching the racing at the Bentley Drivers Club race meeting. At the Techniques after-race award ceremony, ThamesMOG members Howard and Alan Clark were presented with the ThamesMOG Spirit of Competition Salver. The Salver is awarded to Centre members who have been the most inspirational in the spirit of competition during the year.
Later in the month, twenty Morgans experienced the delightful Chiltern countryside on our Ten Hills scenic tour. This involved driving some of the hills used for sprints and hill climb events in the 1920s, such as Kop Hill and Aston Hill. Each participant was given written directions and an Ordnance Survey Map of the area to tour roads ideal for Morgans. There were some wonderful views, and none of the roads were unsurfaced! The tour ended at the Harte and Magpies for our usual Sunday Lunchtime Noggin.
Later in the same week, we visited NT Nuffield Place. Members enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of the house once owned by William Morris, later Lord Nuffield and founder of the Morris Motor Company, and his wife, Elizabeth. Their home and personal possessions are just as they left them, the decor and furnishings intact.
For September, the village of Winchmore Hill, near Amersham & Beaconsfield, is once again holding its annual Village Show on Saturday 6th. Local members have done this previously and enjoyed the day. It is a traditional event with a produce show in the Memorial Hall, various stalls, a barbeque, fun dog show, tea & cake stall and bar. Members are welcome to park up on the common and leave when they wish. The cars have generated a lot of interest in the past. We have previously secured a flypast of a C-47 Dakota, a Spitfire, a Hurricane and last year the Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster. It has yet to be confirmed for this year, fingers crossed.
Later in the month, ThamesMOG will be attending the Kop Hill Climb on 20th and 21st September. This is a two-day event where you can see cars and bikes from all ages re-enact the famous Kop Hill Climb. As anyone who has been to Kop Hill Climb will tell you, the festival is so much more than a passive celebration of the history of motoring. More than anything, it’s a chance to get up close and personal with some amazing and rare cars and bikes.
The same weekend, Sunday 21st September, ThamesMOG have applied for club entry to the West Green House Classic Car show. This will provide free entry for your Morgan, driver and one passenger. West Green House welcomes all classic car enthusiasts to display their cars in front of the House. Last year there were over 200 Classic Cars on display. To gain free entry, please ensure you arrive between 8:30 and 9:30.
A full list of all our events can be found on our events page
The ThamesMOG committee would like to thank all those members who have played a part in organising our many and varied events and visits during the year.
Summer is here, so get out there, and remember ‘A Morgan is for life, not just for Sundays’.