Angie Daw receiving the Vera Cooper Rose Bowl from Michael O’Shea (Photo: Dave Smith)
The first ‘turkey dinner’ of the year, and served in style as many members gathered at the Bluebird for an ‘end of term’ celebration of the year!
The prosecco flowed freely, along with the beer whilst the ladies sold us raffle tickets amid the varied conversations.
After sitting down for lunch, our President Alex Fyshe gave us his usual ‘international’ welcome . The generously donated raffle prizes were distributed after the starter, with just under £500 going to the very worthy Grange Centre in Bookham for people with disabilities. A day being chauffeured around London in a Maserati was then auctioned – many thanks to Maserati Northern Europe for providing this prize.
Michael O’Shea then took us through the winners of the Club trophies this year:
President’s Trophy – for meritorious service by a Club member throughout the year and it is awarded to Edwin Faulkner. Edwin organised yet another excellent Maserati gathering at the Silverstone Classic and yet another meticulously well organised “last Highland Fling” for sixteen couples driving around Scotland, The Orkney Islands and the island of Skye over 14 nights.
Vice-President’s Trophy – for a remarkable and outstanding achievement during the year. This award goes to Bob Amato. Bob organises with Mary Pole the only Maserati charity fund raising event which he calls Maserati & Margaritas and Bob prepares and demonstrates does the cooking to raise money for different charities each year. This year they raised £280 for Claire House Children’s Hospice.
Anthony Hartley Trophy – for the best Club event is awarded to Geoff Lancaster. For organising the annual Blyton Park track day. It is well appreciated by those that attend and by the club whose heritage is based on racing cars.
TASO Mathieson Trophy – for best use of a Maserati or promotion of the Club and is awarded to Tony Young with his 1970 unique targa top and spyder Ghibli. It was the winner of the car of the show at The NEC Classic Car show last year. I believe Tony has owned the car for some 30 years.
Vera Cooper Rose Bowl is awarded to woman who has made a significant contribution to the Club or best promoted Maserati and the award goes to Angie Daw for her significant contribution towards the design of the Maserati stand at the NEC Classic Car Show. Last year the club won the overall prize for the best large stand.
John Duggleby’s grandfather was the originator of the Rose Bowl, having been presented with it on his retirement from the Bristol Evening News. John then presented it to the Club for this award.
All too soon, it was time to ‘retire’ to the bar, and then to say our fond farewells and Seasons Greetings, whilst we look forward to an action packed 2018.
Many thanks once again to Andrew Hutton for the superb organisation and a very successful year end event!