The

October 2019

NEWSLETTER of the WESSEX CENTRE of the MORGAN SPORTS CAR CLUB

Greetings, fellow Wessex Morganeers

y quill is scratching the parchment (not quite in time with the hammering of the rain on the window), and I am conscious that this is the edition of The Morganiser just before the M clocks go back. This is when the days suddenly feel a lot shorter, and we spend dark evenings wondering where the summer went, and then hatching exciting plans for the year ahead. At this point we begin to remember those conversations with intrepid Wessex members who have toured far and wide in their Morgans in the UK and in Europe, and dream of adventures of our own.

ver the year to date, Wessex has had a very busy calendar, and, checking the reports, I am amazed at how many have been bathed in glorious sunshine. The New Year’s Day outing O to Coldharbour Mill in steam, and all the Sunday lunches (including those stunningly photogenic venues at Dillington House and Hornsbury Mill) have seen a splendid turnout of topless Morgans. And, the same was true of Drive-it Day to Mapperton House and gardens, Killerton, Hive Beach, the Tinney Tribute Tour, Bennetts Water Gardens and the lighthouse at , Fivehead summer fête, Thornfalcon, and the Honiton Hill Rally. We have done well! The Stonebarrow Picnic was a damp exception which proves that Britain does still have a maritime climate. Bob and Jenny’s trip to Angoulême in mid-September for the Circuit des Remparts was a scorcher, too.

oing forward, we still have some important Centre events which you should seriously consider, including the imminent visit to the Motor Museum at Moretonhampstead. G Wessex is celebrating its 38 years at the Anniversary Lunch on Sunday 3 November, and then on Saturday 16 November we have the Annual Dinner and Presentation of awards for achievement during the year. Full details of these events will be found inside these pages, and I encourage you to book your place now. We round off the year with our Christmas noggin at The Flintlock Inn, where, wearing seasonal ties, jumpers, hats, and beards (!) we enjoy putting our feeble minds to the test with fiendish quizzes and games amidst the usual superb food and service.

It has been good meeting some of our newer members during the year, getting to know you a little, and seeing you join us at noggins and events. When you get to know the rest of us please don’t be shy to send in notes/ comments/ photographs of your own Morgan experiences to share with us through these pages.

So, my Plus 4 has been prepared for the season ahead, waxed, greased, leather treated, checked underneath, and serviced, and I look forward to seeing many of you again before the end of the year. Enjoy the days ahead, get out when you can, topless when you can.

Safe motoring Roger

Copy date for the next Morganiser: 8 December 2019

Page 1 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

John` s Jottings… The Centre Secretary`s report for October

What a drastic change in the weather since our last Morganiser. Okay, we accept summer`s over but it`s this incessant rain that tests us. But think of all the events we have enjoyed and look at those planned to take us to the end of the year.

Various detailed reports elsewhere, but I particularly enjoyed the Honiton Hill rally where Pete and Jill had `arranged` ringside seats to view exhibits entering and leaving the arena. Thanks to Pete and Jill swapping driving seats I was able to provide commentary when it came to the turn of the Mogs. Thanks, too, for showings at the AIM Classic Car Show, Thornfalcon, and the Stonebarrow Hill picnic near , though Robert and Jane tell me views could have been better. I didn`t have any comments to feed into national review of MOG events but these will be rationalised for the future in the light of experience. I am kept abreast of developments at national level within MSCC.

Centre membership continues to thrive and recently we have welcomed Les and Jean Morton, Brian Loveluck, Andrew and Sarah Goodwin-Davis, and of course John and Wendy Woodward joined us at the start of the year. It was also good to see Linda Wells and James Bairstow back at the last noggin - attended by 31 members. It was pretty full at the Royal Oak! At the same time, we were sorry to hear about poor Babs Phelps for her arm injury – third time unlucky, same arm with silly trip at home. Also Sue Sapp with her Segway safari mishap, resulting in serious injury to her knee. You will be glad to know both are recovering and being looked after by respective Morganeer hubbies. Sue sends her thanks to Wessex centre members for her signed card.

Your Committee recently met to review the Centre working and programme. Lots of discussion and ideas covered. A few events had been poorly attended, but it is heartening to see overall good support for organised events – this month 11 Wessex Mogs due on Dartmoor Trip and 27 booked for the Sunday lunch at the Walnut Tree, West Camel. My sincere thanks to all those involved.

Pete and Jill are working on draft events programme for 2020, and Graham Land joined us as Deputy Secretary to shadow me over the next year. It is also felt we should have scope for Membership Secretary role to administer membership records – and we are proposing a Wessex tag-name (more to follow at AGM). The AGM will be held on Thursday 6 February at the Prince of Wales, Ham Hill, near Yeovil. A date for those 2020 diaries when they arrive - details to follow nearer the time.

Pete and Jill have published an update of remaining 2019 calendar. If you have not already booked, if possible please support our forthcoming key events of the Anniversary Lunch on Sunday 3 November at the Drayton Crown, nr Langport [contact Nick and Kate]; and the Annual Dinner & Awards Evening on Saturday 16 November at The Lanes Hotel, West Coker, nr Yeovil [Nev and Julia].

…. And that`s without mentioning our Christmas noggin Wednesday 11 December.

As you can see, with Wessex it`s foot down to the end of 2019, but still drive carefully.

John

Page 2 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Annual Dinner with Awards Presentation

Once again it is time to sort out the details of our Annual Dinner which this year is to be held on Saturday 16th November. Please arrive at 7 o’clock; dinner will be served at 7.30 p.m.

This will be held again at Lanes Hotel, West Coker, as the majority of members seem to think there is nowhere else quite as nice in a central position, as we are a little short on ’posh’ hotels to which we can all easily reach. For people wishing to stay overnight (and this number increases each year) when you ring Lanes mention you are with the Wessex Centre as the price for us has been discounted to £110 per room. I am assured this is well below their normal rate. (Tel. no: 01935 862555).

The menu is shown on the next page; the price this year is £29.00 per head (service included) which again has been subsidised by the Centre. This includes 3 courses and coffee or tea. If anyone suffers from a food allergy or intolerance, please inform me when placing your order and I will ensure the instructions are passed to the hotel. I need your choices together with a cheque by the 8th November at the latest, but in actual fact it would be useful to know who is coming well in advance of this date. For your information, we don’t cash your cheque until after the dinner.

The speaker this year is Jacqueline Larcombe, Philanthropy Manager at the Donkey Sanctuary, . Jacky promises to tell us something about the history, current work and future plans of the Donkey Sanctuary. Perhaps like me, you were not aware that this is one of the biggest animal welfare and rescue charities in the world, so it should interesting to hear what Jacky has to say.

We have had a number of new members join us this year and we hope that the idea of dressing up for a good night out just once in our Morgan year appeals to you. Of course, we also hope that for long-standing members this is an evening not to be missed - a really big crowd would be wonderful.

Hope to hear from you soon

Julia

I / We wish to attend the Annual Dinner on the 16th November 2019

NAMES a) ...... b) ......

Menu choices for a) Menu choices for b)

......

......

......

Please return this form by 8th November together with your cheque for £29.00 per head to me

Julia Lear, Toad Hall, 14 St. Michael’s Gardens, South Petherton, Somerset. TA13 5BD

Cheques should be made out to the MSCC Wessex Centre, NOT ME!

Page 3 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Page 4 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Treasure Hunt Sunday 21 July 2019

We arrived just after midday at the ‘Gaggle of Geese’, Buckland Newton, in glorious July sunshine. We joined John in the orchard behind the pub; he was enjoying the weather whilst cradling a pint of the finest brew (and we quickly followed suit). The intrepid few arrived within minutes of each other Dave and Sue with William and dashing Panama Hat, Rob and Jane with that fine V8 soundtrack coming through the lanes, and John and Elaine hood down side screens off (they always look the part). We all relaxed for a short while over drinks and a chat, not a good idea prior to a navigation test and quiz as a little tension might have given us all an edge. Still, John passed around the directions and clues which we dutifully studied hoping that all would become clear or that luck and divine guidance would see us through the Sunday afternoon. At this point I can only give a one-sided view and flavour of the afternoon’s events. It should be noted that your route is a ‘line by line’ of the turn left/right/ with distances. So, you start off not knowing where you are going, and arrive at the finish not fully knowing where you’ve been, but that you have covered 30-odd miles of beautiful countryside on some of the narrowest of country lanes, with a vague sense that you went ‘through’, ‘in’ or ‘over’ Bulbarrow Hill / Winterborne Stickland / Winterborne Whitechurch / Milton Abbas / Cheselborne / Cerne Abbas / Wardon Hill. I can never be sure which route other cars take (we all have the same hymn sheet, but . . . ?). I’ll mention that we started by following John and Elaine, we then lost sight of them and then after a few miles we saw Dave and Sue up ahead. They remained in view for some little time before we found ourselves motoring solo again. Much later in the afternoon we stopped in a lane to review our progress (note I didn’t say lost), when from the opposite direction (!), came Rob and Jane. The Quiz questions were as diverse and intriguing as the route: ‘Yachts’ a long way from the sea, No trains in a ‘Sheep station’, ‘Broken Hearts’ on cottage shutters, ‘Dutch Barns’ but not in Holland. All in all an excellent drive and quiz. So, who were the winners and losers this year? Dave and Sue won the bottle of ‘bubbly’ and Bob and Jenny got the ‘wooden spoon’. We rounded the afternoon off with dinner in the George and Albert Hotel. Many thanks to John Adams for all the work he put in organising this event (John had estimated 2hrs and looked slightly anxious when we all rolled in after taking 3 hrs).

photo: Bob Glover Bob & Jenny.

Page 5 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Thornfalcon Meeting Sunday 18 August 2019

The weather for the 43rd Thornfalcon Gathering turned out to be pretty good once again and 18 Wessex Morgans lined up, this year in the lower section of the park for a change. It is getting increasingly difficult to see all of the vehicles on display in the time available, such is the popularity of the event. I imagine that there were in excess of 1000 vehicles. Anyway, I went looking for anything rare or unusual.

Actually the 4-4 flat-rad belonging to Dave Sapp is quite rare, I believe only four 4-seaters with the 1267cc OHV Standard Special engine were built pre-war, the first in June 1939. This engine gave 40 BHP and reasonable performance. Surprisingly the Standard Motor Company never used this engine in any of their own cars, but continued to supply it to Morgan until 1950. My first Morgan which I bought in 1959 was a 1950 4-4 with the Standard Special engine, chassis no. 2067 and reg. no. MTT 91. I know that the car is still around; I wish I still had it!

I was quite surprised to come across a Berkeley sports car. These were built in Biggleswade between 1956 and 1960 and are now a rare sight. Charles Panter had become a leading caravan maker after the war and teamed up with Laurie Bond (Bond minicars) to make small sports cars. Early cars had twin cylinder Anzani engines giving 15 BHP and then Excelsior engines giving 18 BHP! Later cars used Royal Enfield twins, the most powerful giving 51 BHP and a top speed of just over 100 MPH. This model was known as the Berkeley B 105. Various versions of these cars were used in competition in the sixties and raced successfully by Lorenzo Bandini who went on to be a Ferrari F1 driver. Three-wheel versions were also produced and, like Morgan, had two wheels at the front, but unlike Morgan they were front wheel drive. The 3-wheelers are probably even rarer now than the 4-wheelers. The introduction of the Mini in 1959 seems to have caused the demise of the Berkeley; the Mini just did everything better.

I came across two polished-aluminium bodied Lotus Mk V1 sports/racing cars from the fifties. These were the cars that started the Lotus engineering business. The aluminium-bodied Triumph Spitfire single-seat special was beautifully constructed (by a Westland engineer I believe).

Thornfalcon Classics had a nice collection of cars for sale, and in the same area an ex-Michael Schumacher Benetton F1 car was on display, fresh from an appearance at the Goodwood festival of speed. The owner was able to run up the Ford engine for a mere 30 seconds, but it did draw in the crowd.

All in all a nice event, long may it continue. photos 1-4: David Carlton 5: Roger Gibson David Carlton

1 2

Page 6 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

3

4 5

All your Morgan and Classic Car needs

 Routine Service to Full Restoration and Rebuild.  Competition Preparation.  Accident Repair – Insurance Company Classic Car Workshop, Approved. Shunters Yard, Station Road,  Rutherford Suspension/Chassis parts including Semley, Shaftesbury, AVO Dampers. SP7 9AH Tel: 01747 858334  Morgans required for sale. Email: [email protected]  Collection/Delivery.

[email protected]  Secure Storage. www.newelms.com

New Elms Workshop

Page 7 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Honiton Hill Rally Monday 26 August 2019

A good weather day had been promised by the MeteoGroup so it was definitely a top down drive and, due to Pete wanting us all to be at Smeatharpe by 8:45am, I decided to take the quickest route, along the M5 from Bridgwater to Wellington and then south across country. Usually I plan my route using AA Route Planner and GoogleEarth and then memorise it but, just for once, I thought I would try using a SATNAV. Big mistake! The dreaded SATNAV sent me down a very narrow lane which had just been resurfaced with loose chippings. I had to keep the speed down to about 15 mph to avoid skidding and throwing up chippings everywhere. Eventually I went under a bridge which looked suspiciously like a motorway overpass and, sure enough, I found myself in back in Wellington on the north side of the M5! Trying again the SATNAV sent me in the correct direction, heading south and over the Blackdown Hills, but the light mist that had formed turned progressively denser, it became very dark amongst the trees, and I started to get very wet. So it was headlights on, wipers at full speed and heated windscreen on to try to clear the condensation. All of these problems put me about ten minutes behind schedule so the sight of three Mogs waiting for me at 8:55am in the appointed lay by was a very welcome sight. Pete and Jill, Dave and Sue, John and Elaine and I then convoyed to the Classic Car section of the 46th Honiton Hill Rally, letting Mike Smith find his own way when he arrived a little later. The Honiton Hill Rally owes its origins to 1971 when a small group of vintage farm vehicle enthusiasts decided to hold a rally to exhibit tractors, stationary engines, steam engines and other items of vintage farm equipment, resulting in the Honiton Hill Veteran Tractor and Horse Ploughing Rally. This is still its official title but it is now better known simply as the Honiton Hill Rally. The first rally, on August Bank Holiday Sunday, 1971 was held at a farm in Offwell but in 1974 the rally moved to a larger site in Stockland. As the rally grew it moved to another site in Stockland in 1982, an attractive location but people and machinery would get bogged down in the mud if the weather was wet. So another move was made in 2016 to the current site, an abandoned airfield at Smeatharpe. As we drove to our allotted space I was amazed by the number of tractors parked in the agricultural vehicle section, I had never seen so many. We parked together in the classic car area, reserving a space for Mike, and erected the Wessex Centre’s flag. We were parked 1 conveniently close to the arena where vehicles would strut their stuff for the public, and we were informed that we would be in the arena at 11:30 with the other classic cars. We were parked on a hard standing which was, in fact, originally runway 27, the main east west runway of the wartime airfield at Smeatharpe, and known as RAF Upottery. This was one of many airfields very rapidly constructed during WWII. It was built as a standard RAF Class ‘A’ bomber base with three runways. It officially opened on 17th February 1944 and on the 26th April the 439th

Page 8 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Troop Carrier Group of the United States Army Air Force Upottery control tower moved in. This group consisted of four squadrons of Douglas C-47A Skytrains (better known as Dakotas in this country), 70 aircraft in total. The group trained for the invasion of France and on D-Day, 6th June 1944, the four squadrons flew out of Upottery and dropped troops of the US 101st Airborne Division into France, and towed and released gliders carrying reinforcements on the next day. In 1945 two US Navy Patrol Bomber Squadrons were based at the airfield flying 2 Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberators. The airfield closed in 1948 and was returned to civilian use. It was in the news again in 2001, appearing in the first episode of

the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers. After taking a look around the site in general, I came back to 3 the arena where the farm vehicles were parading around the ring from 10:00 am. This was very well organized, each vehicle being described in detail by a couple of very knowledgeable and entertaining gentlemen with strong Devonian accents as it made a 4 slow lap of the display ring. At 11:30 it was our turn to join the classic car section in the show ring, and John prepared an excellent commentary to read out briefly describing Morgan history in general and our five cars in particular when it was our turn in the spotlight. Because John was doing the commentary Pete drove John and Elaine’s car and Jill drove their car. The cars circled the ring and were then parked side by side in two rows. As we were the last cars to go into the ring we were parked in the back row. This display was really organized quite badly. The classic car “expert” gave a commentary on each of the cars in the front row and then came to us in the back without moving the front cars so poor John had to give his commentary while our cars were hidden from the view of the crowds. Various other sections such as steam engines, commercial 5 vehicles, and military vehicles, were displayed in the ring throughout the day. Another display which particularly interested us was the Fire Engine section as John and Elaine had managed to wangle a ride in one of the engines, a 1961 Dennis F28 Water Tender Ladder powered by a Rolls Royce B61 straight six petrol engine with twin SU carbs. This fire engine had spent its entire working life, from 1961 to 1978, at the Glastonbury Fire Station. Apart from the vehicle displays in the ring there were many other things going on. There was an auction of more than 1600 items laid out on one of the other old runways, ploughing competitions, a jumble sale and various vendors. Dave purchased an old carburetor from, I 6 believe, a Citroen; Mike spotted a few tools he just

Page 9 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019 couldn’t resist and I came away with an aviation book which had been written by a well-known aircraft designer who I used to work with in the sixties. There was certainly a lot of interest in our Morgans throughout the seven hours we were on display. However by four o’clock, when display vehicles were allowed to depart, I think we were all ready to leave. If, for no other reason, to get away from the Fair Organ which had been blaring out somewhat monotonous “music” all day just a few feet from us. I did not want to take the same route home so I convoyed with John and Elaine and Mike via Corfe to Taunton where the three Mogs went their separate 7 ways. On the whole a very enjoyable day very well organised by Pete and Jill.

photos 1: Mike Smith 2-7: John Gilbert John Gilbert

Page 10 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Norfolk Ahoy! Well, it seems like a life time ago now, but at the end of May we set off for Norfolk. Graham has been desperate to undertake a road trip in the Morgan and I felt safer doing it in our own country for the first time. Why Norfolk? No other reason than neither of us had ever been there. Having been an Enid Blyton groupie as a child, I never came across Arthur Ransome. Oh, to be sure, they were on the school library book shelf, but by then, I was showing off with Iris Murdoch – as my English Master said: ‘From the sublime to the ridiculous’, but I survived and am now a voracious reader. A couple of years ago, I read the Swallows and Amazons stories, back to back, and once more Norfolk caught my interest.

We left Somerset on a very wet day in June, with the roof up, I’m glad to say. We stopped at Avebury for coffee, but it was too miserable to visit the ancient stones. On we travelled, on and on, eventually arriving at Milton Keynes. Having worked with a chap who had lived in the town, with not a good word to say about it, I was dubious, but I did so want to visit Bletchley Park and I am very glad that we did.

We enjoyed the afternoon there so much that we returned the following morning to finish what we hadn’t managed to see the first time. It truly is a fascinating place; I like to think that had I been a Wren during the War, I would have been stationed at Bletchley Park. It’s all an accident of birth and I was rather too late, although some of the office equipment on display was still being used in the early 1970s 1 so I did have a little experience of it!

Anyway, onward we motored to Norfolk, stationing ourselves in a hotel just outside of Norwich. From there we were able to take the local bus into the city, so that we had a break from driving. Norwich was an interesting city, although the castle was a disappointment, but it was too late once you paid your money. The cathedral more than made up for the castle’s deficit, as did the Caribbean food we found for lunch. On our walkabout we descended down the ancient Elm Tree Street to discover a film set for a Christmas production of a Dickensian type feature – so look out for that. It’ll be snowy apparently, although no snow was in evidence on that day.

The following day we planned a tour to several sites, taking in a NT house too. By now the weather was glorious, roof down, and all was well with the world. We began the day at Horsey Wind Pump, then took the coastal road to Cromer and finally onto Felbrigg Hall (NT). Coffee stops and lunch included, needless to say.

Buoyed up with the success of the previous day, we went further afield in a different direction. We stopped for coffee at Sandringham, but we had no time to visit the lady of the house as we were on a mission; just wanted to be able to say we’d been there! We met a charming man parked next to us in the car park who had owned a Morgan, as had his father before him. After a lengthy chat, we headed off and passed the famous lavender fields via Page 11 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Weybourne only to discover on the local news that it had been the hottest part of the UK that day – we know, we were there! At the lunch stop pub, another couple couldn’t take their eyes off the car and much enthusiastic conversation took place, to the point where he’s now thinking of sinking his retirement fund into the purchase of a Morgan. This practice took place at several stops along the way. The car generates loads of interest and much friendly conversation. I think even I am beginning to feel a little glow of pride when people comment on how lovely the car is. After lunch, we crammed in a visit to Blickling Hall, too, before returning to base completely shattered.

Our return journey home was in better weather than the outward one and was broken just outside Oxford where we visited Graham’s uncle and aunt for lunch. More car admiration and an opportunity to see how much you can pack into a bootless car. Uncle Tom is an artist and at his recent exhibition we bought some pictures, as did Graham’s sister. We were the haulage contractors, but with grit and determination we managed it; arriving home with them unscathed. For us, it has resulted in the living room having to be redecorated and updated, but hey, small price to pay (especially as I don’t do decorating!).

We both agreed that we had spent rather a lot of time in the car and that it wasn’t comfortable for such lengthy periods. However, I recently overheard Graham suggesting to his sister that we should do a road trip abroad together, so cushions and ear plugs at the ready! photo 1 : Sheila Land others : Graham Land Sheila Land

Page 12 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Angoulême Circuit des Remparts, September 13/14/15 2019 The ferry embarkation changed at the last minute from Poole to Portsmouth, which saw us on the road at the unearthly hour of 4.30 am. On the plus side, the roads were very quiet and the driving was relaxed until the first diversion for road works, which directed us via Poole and up through Ringwood and the New Forest and onto the M27 which seemed to have miles of roadworks and 50 miles an hour stretches. We then experienced a gradual build-up of the early morning traffic. The crossing from Portsmouth to Caen was uneventful but we felt a bit like Johnny Morris/David Attenborough observing our fellow travellers. On one side of the divide was my generation of grey haired, relaxed, casually-dressed from M&S, with motor homes and caravans at the ready for a winter in sunnier climes. This contrasted with a much younger generation of school-trippers to the continent who seemed to have three modes of activity: running around in small tribes, bounding up and down the stairs two at a time, and falling into clusters of chairs with immediate inactivity save for the exercising of digits on small screens, all fuelled with a dash to the cafeteria for a mountain of chips with ketchup. We just wished that we had half their energy.

The afternoon found us motoring down from Caen to a first night stop at Le Mans, a drive of 100 miles which we’ve done a couple of times before. But, I still have to relearn the two or three variants of the toll road entry and exit machines, and, later, the garage forecourt petrol pump ritual. Oh the joys and pitfalls of limited linguistic ability when travelling abroad; I can never pronounce properly (according to Jenny) where we are going, and I only have a vague idea of what I’m about to be served in a restaurant. On arrival at the hotel we tentatively got to know some of our fellow guests during the evening, and you tend to put faces with cars. We had two TVR boys from Essex, a fellow Morgan owner (who turned out to have owned Nev’s four seater in a past life), a rich larger-than-life character with his wife and barrister drinking-buddy driving his 1950’s R/R (with a brand new one in the garage at home), a Caterham owner who turned up flustered and out of kilter much later after coming off the ferry and filling up unwittingly with diesel with the subsequent linguistic barrier of getting a garage to sort it out before resuming his journey to join us at the hotel.

The following day we motored the 200 miles down to Angouleme in temperatures touching the 90s. The countryside is very picturesque in this part of France dotted with aristocratic chateaux and road-side cafés and restaurants. The hotel was north of the centre of Angoulême, and later we found out it was a short 20-euro taxi ride up to the old town. The hotel car park had an even finer array of classic cars than the previous night. Not having been to this event before we took guidance from those that had. The official programme of events for the weekend runs something like: Friday night is ‘Le Concours d’Elegance’ and dancing in a venue in the town (I’m afraid the hot drive down had sucked the energy out of us for this activity, so we opted for the hotel bar and next door restaurant). Saturday was down for a cavalcade of over 200 cars motoring around the countryside with a couple of stops at elegant ancestral piles for such delights as champagne and oysters. After two days and 300 or so miles in the Morgan in extreme heat we plumped for a taxi into the old town with a visit to the cathedral, walking around some of the ramparts with views over the town and countryside, a leisurely lunch washed down with the local ‘miracle water’ of excellent vintage, and just about managed a nose around the ‘pits’ before a taxi back to the hotel and siesta. It should be noted that Angoulême has more bars and restaurants than you will manage in a weekend, though some did try (and had the hangovers to prove it the following day).

Sunday, because of the heat, I opted to go in early with a fellow Morgan owner for the practice laps in the morning which would be followed by the racing in the afternoon. Jenny joined us just before lunch at the hottest part of the day and the small stands have no shade cover, so everybody was glad for the two-hour lunch break. Those that had booked tables struck out for the restaurants, others literally joined the fishes in the pond in the park behind the stand. Others sought shade under the park trees, some more resourceful found cardboard packing cases which as a group they later re- fashioned into large sunshades for use in the stand. The circuit in the town has remained unchanged since 1939; it’s less than a mile in length, and the distance is covered in around a minute by the Page 13 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019 faster cars. It looks very challenging, with hairpin bends up around the ramparts and a 100 mph straight through narrow streets with high buildings on either side. The hay bales of yesteryear have been replaced with modern crash barriers accompanied by large screens to enable spectators to follow the race around the course with the commentary in French and English. The changes to racing rules and regulations over the years (especially after the tragic deaths at Le Mans in 1955) resulted in a move towards purpose-built racing circuits. A gap in this annual event of nearly 25 years, starting again in 1983, has resulted in Angoulême remaining (with Monaco and Pau) one of the few on-street circuits left in France, with Angoulême’s original 1939 circuit remaining unchanged and unique.

The Sunday offers eleven grids with cars from 1900 through to the 1970s including sports cars and ‘out-and-out’ racing cars of the period. For me, the best grid would be the Type 35 Bugattis numbering twenty or so cars and driven with such enthusiasm and panache in the scorching sunshine, where the need for physical strength and skill is so evident. I would recommend looking at YouTube to get a feel for this event, but the week away offers more than the Sunday racing. Angoulême is a lovely French hill-top town surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Having a little more time on the way back we meandered on the B roads for two days, dining lunch times at ‘Les Routiers. This was all very French, including a large bowl of snails (declined) to go with a green leaf salad, and being quizzed by the French over Brexit. Jenny fielded the questions like a true diplomat, and I wrestled with the menu whilst pointing at my neighbour’s lunch with enthusiasm hoping the waiter did not misinterpret the gestures. photo: Bob Glover Bob Glover

Nice drive in the Quantocks photo: John Woodward

Page 14 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Goodwood Revival September 13–15 2019

We have just returned from a very enjoyable, thrilling weekend in Hampshire and Sussex. Our brother-in-law, Pete, is a bit of a petrol-head and loves Goodwood. We have done the Festival of Speed with him, and Graham’s sister Debbie, so this year we have been to The Revival.

Finding somewhere to lay one’s head near to Goodwood is vastly over-priced and extremely difficult, so we settled for a Premier Inn in Portsmouth. Having been brought up just over Portsdown Hill in Waterlooville, I was sceptical about this option, but was assured that there was nothing else. Indeed, when we checked-in, a young man was being turned away as the hotel was full. I believe you, Graham!

We travelled down a day early, and did some of my old haunts in Old Portsmouth. It’s so lovely to have a beer outside at the Still & West watching the shipping passing by. Have you seen how fast an IOW car ferry can turn around? What a slick operation; in order to reverse into position the Captain had to make an incredible manoeuvre, it was such a very tight turning circle that I was speechless, and very impressed. Wow!

After a little mooch around Gun Wharf Quays (seriously, ladies, it was a very short mooch!) we hit Zizi’s for dinner. We were able to continue our al fresco theme as the weather was glorious even in the evening. We watched the people going about their business and leisure, including a wedding party ascending the Spinnaker, before catching a train back for a good night’s sleep in readiness for the following day at Goodwood.

Dressed fittingly, we took a short step to the train station in order to catch a bus to take us to Havant to catch a train to Chichester! Fancy doing engineering works over Goodwood weekend! Everything ran like clockwork and when we arrived at Chichester station we embarked on a lovely old bus – ticket prices were not in alignment though; thank goodness for plastic! Once in the venue, people just seemed so happy and to be enjoying the atmosphere which was noisy and exciting. Most folks had dressed in costume; indeed, those who hadn’t stuck out like a sore thumb. It was interesting to see what people had chosen and which era was the favourite. Most ladies loved the wide dresses of the 50s, but there were lots to choose from. Graham had worn a tweed suit as a bit of a Spiv. So, it seemed, had most of the gentlemen there! It was either the tweed suit or a boiler suit or military uniform. One chap was wearing Commodore’s epaulettes, with a Chief Petty Officer’s cap! He probably never was a real sailor then!

Cars, so sorry, you probably want to know about the cars. Yep, there were lots of them. Lunch was great with a welcome pint of beer. Oh, the cars! Yes, if you are really interested in the racing, then I think having a seat in the stands is a good idea so you can be guaranteed a good view. The large screens dotted about are helpful too. We were told that a guy who has recently moved in to our village was racing a motorbike, so we tried to 1 meet him in the pits, but he was at a briefing. We’ll just

Page 15 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019 have to go and knock on the farm door. We watched his race though, which was like a relay as they had to swap riders. His team came a creditable 3rd.

The static stands had a surprising amount of old vehicles for sale; many with ‘Sold’ signs too. There were some truly beautiful ones, nice colours (sorry, couldn’t help myself there). When asked to pick one out from a line, I chose the battered old Land Rover. I wouldn’t mind an Aston Martin, or Bugatti though. We only spotted a few Morgans; where were they all? The Morgan Motor Company had their double decker bus and were showing off the new Plus 6 including a stripped-down version displaying the chassis and engine. 2

There is something for everyone at Goodwood. No shortage of stalls to browse, with interesting relics from history, or more modern items that one just can’t do without! Plenty to see and to do. Even a funfair, if you can manage to go round and round without your stomach ending up where it shouldn’t be! Debbie managed two massages and didn’t buy a thing!

The return journey was smooth, too, and we ended our day in a Lebanese restaurant near the Guildhall in Portsmouth. Once more we ate outside and it was just like being on holiday abroad. We avoided the shisha, but Graham and Pete had to make a quick dash to Tesco for the wine as the restaurant didn’t sell alcohol. By this time we were exhausted and slept soundly.

On our way home we called in to a NT property, Mottisfont near to Romsey, before finally reaching our destination – home! It was a worthwhile stop-off if you’ve never been there, though; highly recommended.

I have to admit that this was not a trip in the Morgan. The car had to be left in a public car park – definitely not one for the Morgan! Also, with passengers, we may have been over-loaded with no room for those all-important costumes!

Excuse me, I have to appease Miss Fig, who has not forgiven me yet for putting her into cat prison for the weekend! photo 1: Graham Land photo 2: Peter Moate Sheila Land

Page 16 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

JOY RIDE 3 Exmoor Excursion

This is another of our day trips, undertaken for the simple pleasure of driving a Morgan through interesting landscapes, and well away from our everyday traffic queues. For us it is about 150 miles for the round trip, with, again, a return for aperitifs before dinner.

Somerset Levels and west to Bampton

The route over Ham Hill and through Martock to Muchelney avoids any contact with the A303. Muchelney is a picturesque village which would once have stood as an ‘island’ just above the surrounding marshes. The abbey, founded well over a thousand years ago, was demolished by Henry VIII in 1538. It would have been an important landmark in the Levels. The ruined remains (English Heritage) are well worth a visit.

It is interesting to enter the ancient market town of Langport through the Hanging Chapel. This C13th archway is now all that remains of the east gate into the defended town. From there, past Fivehead, and on to negotiate Taunton and pick up the B3227 through to the historic market town of Wiveliscombe. On my OS 1:50 000 map (dated 1979) this is marked as the A361(T)! From the Vale of Taunton the route sees an increasing number of contour lines. The old and Somerset Railway came this way from Taunton to Barnstaple, with some impressive engineering. Just south of Waterrow it crossed the River Tone with a viaduct 31m above the valley floor (some of the stone pillars are still there).

At Bampton we can recommend the Bridge House (EX16 9NF, www.bridgehouse-bampton.co.uk) for lunch. It is a short walk from the car park, which, interestingly, has been built on the site of the old Bampton station. The old Exe Valley Railway linked Dulverton to Exeter St David’s, and steam engines would have run through Tiverton and Bampton from 1864 to 1963. In the car park there is a model of the ‘Bampton Bumper’ engine. Bampton was largely destroyed during the Civil War, and was resurrected and flourished later due to the wool trade.

Exe Valley and north to Winsford

From Bampton the Exe Valley will lead you to Dulverton, via Exbridge and along the River Barle. Another historic market town, Dulverton can boast the oldest medieval bridge on Exmoor. Care is required here . . . narrow lanes and parked cars! The B3223 then climbs up to Winsford Hill with superb views. Descend into Winsford from Spire Cross near the Caratacus Stone (believed to have pagan origins in the C5th). Be aware that if you turn east to Winsford from Comer’s Cross (further on) the lane enters the village via a ford through Winn Brook (a detour loop is possible). At this point it is likely that a cream tea will be calling you; we wholeheartedly recommend Bridge Cottage tearooms and gardens (TA24 7JE, closed Mondays and Tuesdays), more or less opposite the small service station. The servings of clotted cream will

Page 17 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

satisfy any Morgan driver (and passenger). Winsford is an ancient moorland village; it is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1085, and many of the farms here have retained their original names since the tax records of 1327. It must also be one of the prettiest villages in Exmoor.

The route then continues north-west following Larcombe Brook, round Staddon Hill, to pick up the B3224 from Exford to Wheddon Cross.

The Brendon Hills

The hamlet of Luckwell Bridge takes you to Wheddon Cross. The village here developed at the cross roads when the Minehead to Bampton turnpike was built in the 1820s. Its claim to fame is as the highest village on Exmoor, but it can also claim an awkward cross roads for the east-west route (care!).

The Brendon Hills, with scenic views, are an elongated ridge running east from Exmoor. The source of the River Tone (Taunton) is here. This was once a very active centre for iron mining, and there are some important archaeological remains to be found. The old West Somerset Mineral Railway was built to take the iron ore to Watchet harbour, thence to South Wales for smelting. The well-preserved Beulah Chapel, dated 1861, that you will see at the junction of the B3224 and B3190 (about ½ a mile west from Raleigh’s Cross Inn) is now all that remains of a mining village where several hundred people lived.

If you have time, a detour north to visit the peaceful location of C13th Cleeve Abbey (English Heritage) at Washford, will give you chance to stretch your legs, with another opportunity for a cream tea en route at the Torre Cider Company farm shop and tea room (TA23 0LA, open every day). Otherwise, head for home . . . and those late afternoon aperitifs.

photos: Roger Gibson Roger and Carole Gibson

A Scenic Tour in Germany 2020 Just a quick update on the position re a tour of the Rhine next summer, which was proposed earlier this year. We didn’t get enough interest to run a Wessex trip, but together with two other couples we have booked with Scenic Tours for an 8 day trip starting on July 1st, to travel to the Rhine and Black Forest, staying in Rudesheim for 2 days and at different hotels as we tour. If anyone else is interested, the tour is called the Rhine in Flames (because of a firework display viewed from a boat with dinner on board). Please call Scenic & Continental Car Tours independently on 01732 879153 and mention you are part of the Wessex group. It should be a lovely holiday.

Neville & Julia Lear

Page 18 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

MSCC WESSEX CENTRE

Events Calendar 2019

For events (unless otherwise stated) Contact: Pete/Jill Turner 01460 64455

or text 07986514466 or email: [email protected]

Some of the details of these events may change in which case we will try to inform everyone beforehand.

OCTOBER

Tuesday 8th October

Noggin – Royal Oak Over Stratton, South Petherton TA13 5LQ - 6.30 for 7pm

Thursday 17th October

Classics to Iron - Scenic & social drive to Dartmoor.

Meet for coffee at 10am at the Otter Valley Field Kitchen, just off the A30 Near Monkton. Drive to Moretonhampstead to visit the Motor Museum, Light Lunch at the local White Hart Pub and drive on via a picturesque route to Sticklepath to visit the very interesting NT Finch Foundry – contact Pete & Jill 01460 64455

Sunday 20th October

Sunday Lunch - The Walnut Tree West Camel BA22 7QW 11.30 for 12.00

A cosy family run pub offering good food – Mixed menu including roast dinners. Numerous walks nearby (the interesting 28mile Leland Trail sectional walk passes by the hotel) if the weather is good and you fancy a bit of exercise afterwards. If you would like to join us - contact Roger & Carole on 01935 872008

NOVEMBER

Sunday 3rd November

Anniversary Lunch at the Drayton Crown, Drayton, Nr Langport TA10 0JY

Arrive at 12 noon Celebrating 38 years of the Wessex Centre. This is a main Sunday roast with a range of carved meats served on platters at our tables. There is a vegetarian option and unlimited tea/coffee afterwards for £15. In addition, a choice of starters and/or desserts will be available. A special celebration cake and a glass of prosecco to toast Wessex past and future will be provided.

Please let Nick and Kate have names and numbers, together with any dietary requirements, by not later than 26th October - contact Nick & Kate 01935 881084 or email [email protected]

Page 19 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

Sat 16th November

Annual Dinner and Awards Evening at Lanes Hotel, West Coker Nr Yeovil BA22 9AJ

Our ‘Posh Frock Do’ Special evening with Dinner (Menu choices and more details will be sent out soon) and an interesting speaker this year from the Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth. With an opportunity to stay overnight at this lovely hotel with spa facilities at a special MSCC rate (You will need to contact Lanes directly to book your room) – more details contact Nev & Julia 01460 240978

DECEMBER

Wednesday 11th December

Christmas Noggin at The Flintlock, Marsh EX14 9AJ 6.30pm for 7pm

Wear your Christmas jumpers and hats and bring a Secret Santa gift for Santa’s sack (a wrapped Christmas gift value no more than £10). With a lovely seasonal atmosphere and fun quiz this should be a great evening. Numbers will be required please. No later than (and well before if possible) Tues 3rd December - contact Pete & Jill 01460 64455

JANUARY 2020

New Year’s Day - Wednesday 1st Jan

We hope to be meeting for an event on this day – more details to follow – contact Pete & Jill 01460 64455

Tuesday 14th January

Noggin – Royal Oak Over Stratton, South Petherton TA13 5LQ - 6.30 for 7pm

Thursday 6th February

AGM – Prince of Wales, Ham Hill, Stoke Sub Hamdon TA14 6RW

Page 20 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019

CONTACT DETAILS

CENTRE SECRETARY TREASURER John & Elaine Robinson Ian & Olivia Denson 51 Shoreditch Road Brunel View Taunton St Ann’s Chapel Somerset Gunnislake, Cornwall TA1 3DF PL18 9HP T: 01823 257448 T: 01822 835803 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

EVENTS REGALIA EDITOR Peter & Jill Turner Robert & Jane Pring Roger & Carole Gibson Willow Cottage Quarry House 2 Sarum Nimmer Lower Severalls Thornford Chard, Somerset Crewkerne, Somerset Sherborne, Dorset TA20 3AD TA18 7NX DT9 6SU T: 01460 64455 T: 01460 72146 T: 01935 872008 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER

Morgan Sports Car Club Wessex Centre

The ‘Morganiser’ is the newsletter of the Wessex Centre of the Morgan Sports Car Club. All opinions expressed in this publication are those of the editor, unless otherwise stated, and none of the material reproduced, however obtained, has been used for material gain.

Venue for the Wessex Centre Anniversary Lunch: Sunday 3 November

Page 21 of 21 The Morganiser October 2019