While I was enjoying Richard Thorne's hospitality at his annual Christmas Party, I had the pleasure of bumping into Jim Bellew and his wife Elizabeth. Last year at Richard's annual festivities, I had met Jim and Elizabeth when they had recently gotten engaged. This year over the summer they were married and then they went on their honeymoon to Ireland in their Morgan of course. It's amazing how many of us went to Ireland last summer. On behalf of the Centre I would like to congratulate Jim and Elizabeth very much indeed. It was good to see you looking so

I hope everyone had a very happy enjoyable Christmas. With the New Year upon us I am pleased to say we have much to look forward to! Along with Geoff Giles' planned trip to France next August, as mentioned last month, Robin Henderson and I are pulling together our plans for a return trip to Ireland for late June or early July this year. We hope to start making booking arrangements very soon. Please have a chat with either Robin or myself if you are interested in this trip. We hope to be based in Cong, County Mayo with plenty

It was nice to see Peter Moloney's photograph of the Irish noggin we visited last summer in Miscellany the other month. I would like to thank Peter, Nick Koumarianos and everyone that was there for making us feel so welcome. We did have a wonderful time, so much so we hope to return next year. Robin Henderson and I are looking into visiting Cong and the County Mayo area in June or early July next year. I would like to revisit my friend Marty who mans the Alcock and Brown landing site near Clifden ' he would be thrilled to

While I was enjoying a picnic and the sensational racing with fellow Thames Valley Centre associates at Mallory Park this year, Ann Miller said to me 'She had a surprise for me!' We were going on holiday to Ireland the next day so I couldn't imagine what it was! Well, Ann led me to the centre of the Morgan car park and showed me their newly acquired Aero 8. I do like pleasant surprises, before me was a lovely light blue Aero in superb condition. A few weeks earlier I also had the pleasure of being introduced to Brian and

David Smith and Sandra Stuart are planning a rehearsal this month for their MOG 007 Gymkhana. Please contact David and Sandra if you would like to help out. The practice will aim to check timings and the general linkage of the various tests with the emphasis on having fun. From what I have seen of David and Sandra's plans, I think this will be a very special 007 Gymkhana. I hope you will be able to help us. If you are not planning to attend our first Sunday noggin next month, you may like to consider joining us with the

I would like to thank Admiral of the Fleet Mike Aldrich and Admiral Bert Oslar for our wonderful first cruise, as the Thames Valley Centre, on the River Thames. We may only have one ship in our navy but we our very proud of the Caversham Lady! Everyone had a great time on what was a lovely balmy evening. Listening to the talented jazz band under the stars, slowly drifting along was just magical. I was sorry that we had to turn people away as all the tickets had sold out with no cancellations. We hope to hold this event