CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT THE BENT ARMS, LINDFIELD. 17 December 2025.
A record number of members took part in this lunch, 50, and the room upstairs at the Bent Arms had been booked for us by Geoff Heath of the Sexmog Social team. The room had been set out in a basic horseshoe patten with a desk at the end for the musical entertainment which was to take place later.
With their lovely Palladian window overlooking Lindfield High Street and the ceiling decorated with white lights the room looked very attractive. The Bent Arms always serves an excellent meal and there was a choice from their Christmas menu of starters, mains and desserts which we had preordered.
After lunch the entertainment started. First to take the stage was Karen with one of her humourous and perceptive poems on life as Morgan owners. Members really enjoyed her poem and showed their appreciation loudly afterwards. Next came Wendy and Alan with the musical entertainment. Alan played the ukulele and Wendy the autoharp. To start with they played and Alan sang two traditional songs which were followed by Christmas Carols. We had all been provided with the words for the carols and invited to sing along which was a lot of fun , members showed their appreciation with loud applause.
After the entertainment coffee was served giving members the opportunity to mix and mingle with friends.
It was a great event and we thank the social committee and especially Geoff Heath for organising.
by Karen Dollery
The following poem is called The Committee & is based on my observations throughout the last 2 years.
You all now know the Committee men, Geoff, Jeff & Bob.
When these 3 men first formed a group there were issues to be sorted.
Despite the trials of technology they tried not to be thwarted.
Communication was the key so a WhatsApp group was made
The man in charge sent out a text but his hopes began to fade
when 2 days later all was quiet, not one reply was seen.
But the group that he’d created allowed NO REPLIES – how mean!
Another attempt, much better now as all could read AND write.
So with Friendships formed and WhatsApp working all was looking bright.
Notes were made, a meeting planned with a date & time set too
But the day before confusion reigned, did anyone choose a venue?
They like to meet up regularly to sit & share their thoughts
for Noggins, lunches, drives & trips, new places must be sought.
Coffee ordered, the meeting starts with the MOST important matters,
“How’s your back and how’s your hip, your knees & eyes,“ they natter.
Moving on they next discuss the state of local councils,
Of money spent and money wasted, potholes and high bills.
Congestion on the roads and the need for traffic calming.
Government funds that disappear, it’s really quite alarming.
A second coffee, a toilet break, somehow an hour has passed,
When you’re having this much fun the time just flies so fast!
So finally on to Morgan matters, but no one takes the notes.
They just rely on memory…….You can guess the rest dear folk.
As tummies rumble they all return to their respective homes.
But with notes to write & dates to check they speak AGAIN – by phone.
Whilst Jackie, Pam & Karen stand by to give their aid.
with IT skills & diaries & help find items now mislaid.
After much discussion, at last an email can be sent.
But just a minute, the date is wrong! They rewrite this event.
Replies are needed, names required, deposits to be paid
Some are prompt, some pay twice or forget replies already made!
Members send their money, but somehow numbers go askew
Menu choices forgotten, “was I chicken or beef stew?”
The committee member pulls his hair, the printers ceased to print,
He’s lost his notes, technology fails. He decides he needs a drink.
But somehow all works out just fine with Morgans where they should be
With Polished cars parked perfectly, it’s quite a sight to see.
But looking at the weather there are choices to be made.
Sunny to the east, stormy to the west, their spirits start to fade.
Should the Roof be up or down? The cautious use a cover.
No easy life for Morgan owners, new members will discover.
So the Morgan family happily meet, keen to see old friends,
Sharing Morgan stories, including tales of their Big Ends!
The organiser drinks a beer, relief across his face.
But just a moment, there’s someone here who didn’t book a place!
SexMog went on holiday, 5 days to spend in Obourne
A country hotel, delicious food, and chairs upon the lawn,
But surrounded by fields with crops to grow and weather conditions just right,
The farmer decided to spread manure. The smell lasted throughout the night!
ScrumpyMog then joined us, a scenic drive & lunch for all.
We all received a route map, though the print was rather small,
And the format called DockX had a few of us quite floored!
So a kindly member assisted by resending it PDF,
but somehow, in translation, of page 1 we were bereft!
Our Chairman then assisted with the full version all in Word
With the writing now much larger, sighs of relief could then be heard.
So now we had 3 versions, to pick & choose at will,
But none of them were needed, Scrumpy led, so we could chill.
Apart from our Committee, we thank others who lend a hand,
Volunteers with new ideas help keep us a merry band.
David takes the photographs and Brian works the sums,
Geoff R’s our wizard on the web with our Miscellany chums.
Alan watches over & does his best to keep us WOKE
Now this word is quite beyond me, but I hear it is no joke.
We must not offend with He or She it’s best we just say ‘They’
Though when I attended school that meant plural, in my day!
But I digress and must now close so you can chat together.
We’ll meet again at the Gardeners Arms, let’s hope for good driving weather.
Please raise a glass to ALL who help, especially our Committee.
I hope you’ve all had fun today & enjoyed this little ditty.
With thanks to Marilyn Neary for the photographs.