Diana and I were a little concerned as we drove in to the drive of Gissing Hall as we were not particularly early and there was not a Morgan in sight. We drove round the next corner and still no Morgans to be seen. Now we were really worried. Was there another Gissing Hall or even another Gissing? Were we about to be redirected across country only to arrive too late for lunch. There was a slight panic as we rounded the next corner of the hall to receive a lesson in how law abiding all Morgan drivers are as we at last found the car park.
Once we had reversed into a space and we unpacked ourselves along with the
multiple layers of clothing much convivial chatting ensued before we even
entered the hall. There was some discussion about the age of the hall as
we decided that it almost looked Tudor but the bricks were wrong. Eventually
it was deemed to be Victorian after the style of something older (note to
self really should check sometime but then again why let a good theory be
ruined by facts).
Upon entering, the important jobs were performed. Firstly find where we were to eat and second where we were to find the bar. All of this seemed remarkably easy and we settled down to an hour or so of catching up with old friends. This made the job of the serving staff a little difficult as they staggered around with chairs as they completed the last table but they were very patient.
We eventually sat down to what turned out to be a very pleasant lunch and
attempted to do the quiz that had been left for us on the table. The room
was nice and large and accommodated us fairly easily. It did get a little
warm but after all we are Morganeers, we have layers to remove.
The meal was followed by the prize giving. Maurice and Eileen were awarded
the supporters of the year award and Ian and Dylis received a new award that
I am not sure has a name yet but consisted of a turned piece of wood with
a Folkmog badge and was made by Roy May. (Roll your mouse over the image
below to see Ian and Dylis)
Maurice and Eileen also passed out booking forms for the Silver Jubilee weekend, announcing as they did so some new regalia, a sweatshirt and a polo shirt, which will only be available to be people attending the weekend, having ordered them beforehand.
The quiz was marked and Ken Prentice won (I think – I was slightly unsighted at the time so I can’t be sure) Finally, it was time for the raffle and this took quite some time as people had been very generous in donating lots of prizes.
‘Stumps were pulled’ at about four o’clock in the afternoon and it was pleasant that the first part of our journey home took place in daylight which portends well for 2007, I expect. In all there were some fifty nine of us at lunch and we had arrived in twenty two Morgans most of which had their tops down. Another joyfull event. There are more pictures of ‘Not the Christmas Lunch’ here