Big contribution to Abingdon

Brian Moylan
Brian Moylan died recently. He worked at MG cars and was very active in the MG car club.

A week ago, Tom Larman, who ran Abingdon Town FC and social club, had a funeral service at Trinity Church.
Alan Bryden
Near the end of 2016, Alan Bryden died. He was a County Councillor and Town Councillor. You may also recognise him from leading walks round Abingdon.

All three made a big contribution to community life in Abingdon.

5 thoughts on “Big contribution to Abingdon

  1. Captainkaos2

    How fickle we are? We post on trivial stuff like the name of a storm, old post cards, even dog pooh, yet when Abingdon loose 3 people who’ve given up countless hours and cared enough to try and make a difference we can’t find it to say as much as “he was a good old boy” !

    Reply
  2. Houdini

    Oh I am so sorry to hear the sad news of Brian. I worked with him for some time, dedicating a lot of his free time to the MG and did a lot of work at the museum too I remember.

    He was such a gentleman.

    Reply
  3. Hester

    Yes, Capt – it Iis often easier to comment on controversial issues than on ones where we probably all agree! Now that you have laid down the challenge I have thought some more and realised how these three gentlemen represent the wide range of ways in which people can make Abingdon a better place:
    MG was a major part of Abingdon people’s lives until the late 1970s and Bryan played a major part in ensuring that its heritage is kept alive – particularly in his work for the (now permanent) exhibition in the Museum.
    Abingdon Town FC and its social club were another important focal point for the town and it, like other sports and social clubs, were entirely dependent on the efforts of people like Tom Larman.
    Alan Bryden chose to make his contribution through the local councils where he was widely recognised as a sensible, hard-working figure – making practical differences rather than political grandstanding.
    Our thanks should go to all three – let’s hope they have inspired others to do likewise in their own spheres of interest.

    Reply
  4. Badger

    I am saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Moylan, I met him and his red MGA when I was first a member of the MG Car Club in the mid-80’s, a genuinely nice chap, I think I last spoke to him at the summer MG car show in 2014, I looked for him at the last Boxing Day meet in the Market Place but didn’t see him wondering where he was. I cherish the books I have by him, they document a time when Abingdon was an altogether different place and things made here were exported to all four corners of the globe. RIP Brian.

    Reply
  5. Richard Martin

    Brian had not been well, but was able to make the former MG Factory workers reunion at the MG Car Club in December. I think the following posted on the Facebook page of Abingdon Works Centre of the MG Car Club by a former Chairman of the AWC sums Brian’s contributions pretty well.

    I had the privilege to work with Brian on several projects, from organizing major events to writing booklets for the museum. His determination to see things through was quite remarkable, when you pause for a moment and think of what he achieved on the original museum project…. His enthusiasm was infectious, and many people found themselves committed to a project without being quite sure how they had got involved, but when others were not able to help, Brian just did it himself if he had to. At the same time there was no better way to guarantee a good time at an MG event than to sit next to Brian and poor a glass of wine. R.I.P Brian, the world today is a poorer place without you, but Motorsport, Abingdon, the MG and Mini Classic car worlds are, and will remain for many many years, much richer places because of all the things you achieved.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.