Things are revving up in the tiny Herefordshire village of Stoke Lacy, where residents are bracing themselves for a flood of Morgan maniacs. The village is hosting a week long event devoted to the exclusive Morgan car to mark its one hundredth anniversary.

“We are getting really excited by the whole thing,” said the vicar, Graham Sykes, a self confessed motor addict. “The idea of more than fifty Morgans gathered together in this the birthplace of the iconic car is just unbelievable.”

The car was designed by a son of the vicarage; Harry Morgan’s father and grandfather were both vicars of Stoke Lacy and he grew up in what is now the Old Rectory. The cars are still hand made at the Morgan Plant in nearby Malvern.

“We are probably the only village church in the country to have stained glass windows featuring Morgan Cars and Harry and Peter Morgan. It may surprise people to see loads of historic Morgans parked outside a small village church but Harry Morgan was born in the vicarage here, so we have a real claim on being the birthplace of Morgan cars.” added Graham Sykes. “We have welcomed fans from all over the world in our time and they paid for one of the stained glass windows, but this week promises to see even more addicts and we will be ready for them.”

Throughout the week, roadworthy replicas of the prototype and of the first production model will be on display in Stoke Lacy which is a reason in itself to come along and enjoy what promises to be a memorable week! On Monday 27th July, Martyn Webb, author of Morgan, Malvern and Motoring, the newly published history of the car company will be presenting a slide show about the family, also in the church. There is also a walking history tour of the buildings and land associated with the family and the Old Rectory will be open daily for afternoon teas. Wye Valley Brewery will also be offering guided tours as they are producing a new Morgan Centenary beer.

The week long event is from 25th July until the 1st August 2009. Stoke Lacy is on the A465 road between Hereford and Bromyard.

Note to editors: Press are very welcome at any of the events. Rev. Graham Sykes and others involved in the organisation can be available for interview,

A wide range of jpeg pictures of Morgan cars in Stoke Lacy, by the church, in the windows, outside the Old Rectory etc are available on request and there are numerous photo opportunities during the week long celebrations. Please contact Anni Holden below for further information, interview requests and jpegs.

An outline programme can be found below

PROGRAMME

Saturday, 25 July at 2 pm Church Fete in the grounds of Stoke House with more than 50 cars on show.

Monday to Friday (27 July to 31 July)

• The church and churchyard where the Reverend Prebendary H G Morgan was curate and vicar and where the Morgan family grave is located, will be open to the public. 
• The old church at Moreton Jeffries where Harry Morgan’s father began his ministry will be open to the public, and from where it is possible to gain a view of the exterior of what was known as New House where Harry Morgan was born.
• At lunchtime each day a concert will be given by Herefordshire musicians followed by refreshments in the church. The entertainers will vary daily.
• A walking history tour of the buildings and land most associated with the Morgan family will be available for visitors and The Old Rectory where the family lived will be open daily for afternoon teas.
• WyeValleyBrewery will be offering guided tours and an insight into the production of their new Morgan Centenary beer.
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Monday, 27 July at 7.30 pm In the Church a slide show about the Morgan family in Stoke Lacy by Martyn Webb the author of the newly published “Morgan, Malvern and Motoring” .

Tuesday to Friday, 28 to 31 July the Plough Inn, Stoke Lacy will provide an Edwardian style meal.

Thursday, 30 July at 6.30 pm an original and very special church service celebrating the Morgan car and the Morgan family will be held.

Saturday, 1 August at 7.30 pm a Variety Extravaganza, will be held in the evening in Stoke Lacy village hall.

Cars on show all week.