It seems our first Thursday noggin at the Bird In Hand tends to fall on significant historic events. In June it was the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and last month the General Election. I suspect everyone rushed home from the noggin to see the exit polls. What the future will bring, only time will tell.June was a busy month, with the Pangbourne Classic Car Show, and our trip to The Museum of Water & Steam at Kew plus The Chesham Motor Show (Best of Italian vs Best of British); and The Yattendon Classic Vehicle Day. July was just as busy.

On Thursday 6th June, the date of our June 24 First-Thursday noggin was the day services of respect, remembrance and commemoration for all of those involved in D-Day – 80 years ago – on 6th June 1944.  I was fortunate enough to be at a service that evening. It was particularly poignant as in attendance was an 102 year old veteran and he gave the Kaphima Epitaph. It was an honour to be in his presence. In the early hours of D-Day, 24,000 paratroopers and glider-borne troops landed behind German lines to provide tactical support. Our very own Terry Tedman

We are pleased to announce we will be holding our AGM at the Bird In Hand Noggin on May 2nd details have been circulated in newsletter postings to members. Christopher Beck and Christopher Nickless will be giving brief talks on a series of planned events and the trip to Mid-Wales, respectively.  We also hope to have an additional speaker on a subject we are sure will be most interesting for us. Hence, it's that time of the year again when we ask for your nominations for the Thames Valley Centre's trophies which will be presented at this year's AGM this

Over the years we have had good contact with Brighton and Hove Motor Club with the Brighton Speed Trials and of course the Veteran Car Run. Sadly, towards the end of last year a good friend Len Woollen passed away. Len was a leading light in organising the events for the club and he is gravely missed. The Brighton Speed Trials were first held in July 1905 after Sir Harry Preston persuaded what was then Brighton Town Council to tarmac the surface of the road adjacent to the beach between the Palace Pier and Black Rock to hold motor racing

On Monday 1st January some of our members went to an impromptu gathering of cars and car folk at The Phoenix Inn, Hartley Wintney. Others went to the Vintage Car and Motorcycle Gathering at Stony Stratford, and also to New Year's Day Classic gathering at Brooklands Museum. I hope you all enjoy your day, on what was one the few dry days of the holiday period. Our first First-Thursday Noggin of the year was well supported in spite of the rising waters all around us. I look forward to a dryer New Year with everything crossed. Don’t forget that our

Our First-Thursday Noggin in December, at the Bird In Hand, had more than its fair share of rain. As you know, it specialises in beer from Butcombe Brewery. With a beer garden and seating outside the front it is just like old times, when the weather is good. We can look out for passing Moggies as has been done at our sister Noggin at the Harte and Magpie that is going from strength to strength. Let’s hope 2024 will continue such successful patronage. Richard’s Christmas Lunch at the Harte and Magpie on 16th December was thoroughly enjoyed by all that