TaffMog - South Wales

Update

Despite the heavy rain and yet more flooding eighteen of us made our way to the Star

Inn in Mamhilad for the Eastside Christmas Noggin. Unfortunately John and Val had to turn back due to the heavy flooding on their route and , as usual, John and Jacquie King were last to arrive. 

Once the food arrived the chatter subsided and between courses the two Jackies got busy selling raffle tickets in support of this year’s charity. The food and service were excellent and we all enjoyed our three course meals, including someone who had only ordered two!

Eventually the raffle was drawn and first prize, a bottle of Penderyn whisky, generously donated by Rob and Kay, was won by Vince and Christine. Twice! All told they had four winning tickets, all consecutively numbered. As usual thanks to everyone who has so generously supported our charity this year. If you haven’t had the opportunity to give and would like to do so you can make a donation direct to the Taffmog bank account.

Thanks to Lyn for organising the final Noggin of 2024 and to the staff at the Star for looking after us so well.

Taffmog Gossip about November.

Quite a few members enjoyed attending the NEC for the Classic Car Show at the beginning of November. The Morgan Classic Car Club had a stand with some of the members cars displayed. Big shout out to the club members who built and manned the stand through the show. Although it’s great that that Car Club has a stand, I think it’s a shame that the Morgan Company doesn’t have a stand at this prestigious event displaying and promoting their products.

Thank you to Phil Royal and the other member contributors for the video clip of the show that gave all those who couldn’t attend a small taste of the show and a walk around the Morgan stand. If you didn’t see it, you can find it on YouTube at YouTube.com MSCCnec2024.

I’ve been busy sorting costumes for my local drama company which got me to thinking about the crafts people who do such wonderful work down at Pickersleigh Road. I am told the design team work with the trim team in order to create unique stitch patterns that involve pleats and quilting. They also do a lot of finishing and embroidery by hand to be able to get the stitching to change direction and give the leather work that ‘Morgan ‘look. Knowing the complexity of carrying out such work on material, I am in awe of what they are able to accomplish in leather. Of course, all the trimming is bespoke to fit the individuality of the car. The Morgan trimmers also make all the hoods and tonneaus, and hood covers at the factory ensuring the great finish and quality we see in and on all our lovely cars. If you ever fancy a retrim they’ll do that as well.

Did anyone know Derek Day?

Derek started at Morgan in 1947 and in his fifty years of employment, he retired in 1997, he rose from tea boy to become sales director.

After he retired, he was often asked to write about his life and times at Morgan, but he refused, preferring to take his memories to the grave with him.

Derek and his wife have extraordinary memories of his time at Morgan, world travel, famous customers, royalty, often taking the rich and famous on tours around the factory. Amazingly although he travelled the world selling Morgan’s many famous people sought him out, Roy Orbison, Mick Jagger to name but two. Mrs Day, who also worked as a secretary in Morgan describes him as “a very quiet man, he didn't court publicity and would always be very discrete, but I have never seen anyone command so much respect from people.

There is now a book out about Derek and his time at Morgan, written by the cricketer Andrew Murtagh. Titled “D. Day at the Morgan Motor Company”, it sounds like it’s going to be good read. Too late for Christmas now, but Easter will be here before we know it.

Interesting Fact.

In 1908 the first Morgan came into existence, it was a single seater, three-wheeler. Unsurprisingly it didn’t sell well at the Olympia Motor Show in 1910. This prompted the building of the two-seater in 1911, with the addition of a bonnet, windscreen, wheel steering and a crank start. It sold in Harrods for £65, the only car ever to displayed in Harrod’s window.

Now here’s an interesting question. Is woodworm a threat to a Morgan car? I don’t require an answer, but could our cars be lunch for a busy woodworm beetle? Food for thought.

Bridgend News

I have it on good (but questionable) authority that thirteen Morganeers braved the autumnal sunshine and met for lunch at the Grove Golf Club in Porthcawl and had a wonderful catch up. I’m so sorry I missed it. Lots of reminiscing about halcyon summer trips, lots of car chat and everyone looking forward to the Christmas meal that was held in December.

West Wales News

Thank you, Phil Harry,

The Noggin was quiet-ish again and due to the Christmas Weekend, we had to move our noggin date back a week. The Railway Inn being booked for our chosen we moved the venue to The Fox and Hounds in Bancyfelin, just West of Carmarthen. This pub was used for noggins in the past so slips back into the Taffmog scene. As it's Christmas some regulars were unavailable due to other engagements but a few still attended. will be going. Lynne and myself went there to check it out and sample the food. No problems at all. We did hope to hold a western area Christmas night there, but numbers were too low with other events enticing people away. The next noggin will be in January, details of date and venue will be announced. We have received notification of prospective members from Gill Bevan at MSCC and Barry has sent details to them so they can decide on joining us. They will be added our database/google group should they join us. Barry has been beavering away updating and sorting our member details and has added some members who were being missed out. So, if you read this in Miscellany and you wish to be a part of Taffmog get in touch. We have members from outside Wales already so feel free to join.

The Taffmog Christmas Weekend took place at The Metropole again with a good number of attendees. Huge thanks to Haydn and Diane for organising it so well. Sadly, they are stepping down as organisers but fear not... Barry Avery has taken up the organising duties so it will be on next year. Storm Bert had an effect on cars and drives, only four Morgans cars braved the storm. Friday had the best weather, so drives were possible. A Christmas Fayre at the hotel which meant an in-house shopping opportunity. It attracted large numbers so the hotel was busy. The dinner in the evening went well, the last members still dancing until 1am.

Usk News

There was no noggin this month. They were saving all the excitement for the Winter Weekend.

Save The Date. (It’s getting closer).

We have Confirmation from Dave Rymer that the TaffMog 50th Anniversary Weekend will be held over the 13th & 14th of June 2025 at The Parkway Hotel, Cwmbran. Make a note of the date. Bookings will be open around January /February. This promises to be a great weekend. A chance to catch up with old acquaintances and to meet new friends. Keep an eye on developments. Commemorative badges are already on sale, contact Dave Rymer if you fancy one for your badge bar.

The 2025 Morgan calendar just fell through the letter box. What a stunning collection of photographs, well done to those who managed to get their photo in the calendar, I must try a more professional approach next year, maybe be put the phone away and get out the proper camera.

Cheryl

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