MG 100 – Evolution of an Icon: A Report

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The Abingdon County Hall Museum is hosting an exhibition titled “MG 100 – Evolution of an Icon,” commemorating the 100th anniversary of the MG brand. This exhibition takes visitors through MG’s history, highlighting the iconic models, record-breaking achievements, and influential figures who shaped the brand.

The exhibition begins in the sessions hall as a series of information boards, each board exploring one aspect of MG’s story. The exhibition continues upstairs in the attic area. You can learn about:

  • MG Early Days: Morris Motors and MG. MG Finds Identity. Rise of the MG Midget.
  • Lord Nuffield: The visionary owner and Managing Director of Morris Motors who played a pivotal role in MG’s development.
  • Cecil Kimber: The Managing Director who is credited with shaping MG’s unique identity.
  • MG Car Club: John Thornley founded the MG Car Club in 1930, fostering a passionate community of enthusiasts.
  • The War Years: The repurposing of the factory for wartime production of tanks.


The exhibition highlights MG’s post-war achievements with sections on:

  • The MGA: An export success, particularly popular in the USA.
  • Syd Enever: MG’s chief engineer, who played a key role in the MGA and MGB.
  • The MGB: Another iconic model that achieved great export success, especially in the American market.
  • The New Midget: A successful smaller sports car featuring a smaller engine.
  • EX Numbers: A section dedicated to ‘EX’ numbered prototypes and parts, not all of which reached production, showcasing MG’s spirit of innovation.
  • MG’s racing heritage: Racing drivers, George Eyston and Goldie Gardner
  • The End of MG Abingdon: The decision by BL to prioritize a Triumph model over the MGB, and other factors that led to closure of MG production in Abingdon.
  • MG After Abingdon: The brand’s continuation with production shifting to other locations including China.


Beyond the information boards, the exhibition offers :

  • Films: A film featuring Sterling Moss and an MG record-breaking car, and a documentary showing the process of lifting the last MGB into the museum.
  • Vehicles on Display: A showcase of MG car models in a display case allows visitors to see dozens of models together.
  • Additional Exhibits: The exhibition features various artifacts including a section of the assembly track, and design drawings by Peter Neal. He is now the club archivist who collaborated with the museum staff in making the exhibition.

For more details about the exhibition, visit the Abingdon Museum website: https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/event/exhibition-mg-100-evolution-of-an-icon. Admission FREE.

The museum is financed and overseen by Abingdon Town Council.

Abingdon Events: Music, Murder, Beer and Books

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For those of you following the Abingdon Passion Play 2024, there is an opportunity to hear some of the music for the play. On 21st April, at 5.30 pm, the Choir of St. Helen’s will perform “Music and Readings for Easter”, followed by the Abingdon Passion Play Singers, directed by Sally Mears.

At the Abingdon Library authors event in April, Peter Tickler will be talking about his new crime novel: The Tickler’s Jam Murders.  Peter previously talked about his next project, combining a murder story with his own family history. This is the finished product!

2024, is the 80th anniversary of the Friends of Abingdon saving the Abbey Buildings  in 1944 and founding the trust that owns, maintains and cares for them on behalf of the community. The Beer Festival is one way to raise money to improve the Abbey Buildings.

At Mostly Books there are two more events in April:

Thursday 25th April: Georgina Moore in conversation with Becky Hunter

Georgina Moore’s novel, “The Garnett Girls” is out in paperback. The novel is about the Garnett sisters, Rachel, Imogen and Sasha, and the impact of their parents’ passionate but doomed love affair on their lives. Each sister is struggling with their own challenges, but their mother’s silence about the past is preventing them from finding happiness.

Saturday 27th April: The Gruffalo’s 25th Birthday Party!
SOLD OUT.

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now

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Walking into the Abbey Gardens, first you see Magnolia

and then a line of trees in blossom.

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough
(from Shropshire Lad by A E Houseman)

The Abbey Grounds are transformed into a wonderland of white.

Trees, both near the Cattle Market Carpark and around Abbey House, are hung with blooms. The small leaves are just appearing.

Even yesterday’s strong winds haven’t marred this yet. The trees are at the height of a Spring celebration.

Family Unit and Female Flight

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While walking along the River Thames in the countryside beyond Swift Ditch, I spotted my first ducklings of the year. They paddled close together behind their mother, forming a cohesive family unit.

On my way home, near the open-air pool on the Millstream, I saw a group of ducks engaged in what appeared to be mating behaviour. There were males crowding around a single female! She eventually broke free and took flight, with a couple of the males in pursuit.