BMCT News Newsletter of The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust Trustees Peter Wellings (Chairman) Steve Bagley Paul Barnes John Handley Mike Jackson Nick Jeffery John Kidson Ian Walden OBE
Autumn 2010
BAUGHAN PRESENTED TO MUSEUM
Registered in England No. 01445196 Registered Charity No. 509420 Registered Office and Administration Andy Bufton MMS Holly Cottage Main Street Bishampton Pershore WR10 2NH Tel: 01386 462524 Mob: 07754 880116 E-mail: info@bmct.org
www.bmct.org (L to R) Graham Stagg, John Kidson and David Mullin at the handover of the Baughan to The Museum in the Park, Stroud
Inside this issue:
Baughan
1
Replica 1930s Dealer Opens
2
Velocette LE
2
Festival of 1,000 Bikes
3
National Motorcycle Museum
3
AGM
3
New Trustee
3
Bonhams
4
Diary Dates
4
Joan Seeley Trust
4
Members Page
5
Classic Bike Show
6
In the middle of what was a very busy month of July for the BMCT, the presentation of our ex-works 1929 Baughan trials outfit to Stroud‟s Museum in the Park took place. On a thankfully fine summer morning John Kidson rode the machine down through the grounds of Stratford Park, accompanied by in the chair by Edwin Hayward, son of Bill Hayward who enjoyed so much success on the bike in the thirties and forties. Edwin‟s son and grandson were also looking on, making three generations of the Hayward family there to witness the spectacle. Also there was Graham Stagg who restored the bike and has kindly donated it to the BMCT. Adding
Three generations of the Hayward family were present at the handover ceremony
to the flavour of the event was the presence of the sole surviving Baughan Light Car, fresh from competing at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb the previous weekend, thus allowing a unique photo opportunity. To
to Annie Newell of the Midlands Air Ambulance, before John
No dabs for John Kidson as he rides into the museum, observed by David Mullin
Peter Wellings hands over the Baughan to David Mullin with the Baughan Light Car in the background
make the day even more significant, Stroud author Ken Chandler was there to launch his new book “Harry Baughan – a Life in Motorcycling”, published by Walls Quarry Press. BMCT trustees and representatives of local press and radio watched BMCT Chairman Peter Wellings formally present the Baughan to David Mullins of the Museum, and also hand over a donation
Kidson fired up the bike and rode it up to the doors of the museum. Once inside the foyer the bike was manoeuvred into a specially prepared display area, the construction of which was funded by a grant from the BMCT.
The Baughan in its new home.
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BMCT News
REPLICA 1930s MOTORCYCLE SHOP OPENS
The
b u i l d in g s
we r e
dismantled brick by brick from Birmingham Street in Oldbury
and
carefully
reassembled in the village by
the
dedicated craftsmen...
museum ’ s team
of
The Black Country Living Museum has unveiled one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in its 34 year history - The Oldbury Buildings. Professor Carl Chinn M.B.E. performed the official opening in a ceremony at the Dudley Museum on the 16th July 2010. The final phase of the Museum‟s “Streets Ahead” development programme has created four more shops and five domestic interiors in its new 1930s High Street – Old Birmingham Road. Built with the help of a substantial grant from the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust and other organisations, as well as a significant contribution from the Museum‟s own funds, the row of BMCT Chairman Peter Wellings (l) and trustee John Kidson pose outside the new shops brings to life a builders shop. John looks like he may be about to do his “Singing in the Rain” party piece! and plumbers merchant, a motorcycle dealers, a tobacco- with everything dating from the nist and a radio store. 1930s. Taking pride of place in The motorcycle shop is modelled the window is the BMCT‟s own upon the premises of an actual fully restored 1931 AJS 500cc Black Country dealers with living S3 V Twin alongside other accommodation upstairs, and examples of celebrated Black inside it‟s like a trip back in time Country marques.
Seagull outboard, anyone?
The opening ceremony was well attended
A corner of the shop interior
SPECIAL VELO IS DONATED TO BMCT Early in July we were delighted to be offered this very unusual machine by the Velocette LE Owners Club. It is a 1949 Mark 1 that has been built up from second-hand spares by John Rose of Lichfield. John was asked to build the machine using parts from the Club‟s own stock, and the result was an exhibit that was the centre of attraction on the Club‟s stand at Stafford in the spring. As you can see, John has sectioned the front fork, engine and final drive, whilst also lifting the one-piece bodywork up to allow the oily bits to be seen. Pulling the hand starter cranks the engine over so the moving parts of the engine can be observed in motion. Needless to say this was a very popular exhibit with the kids who saw it on our stand at Mallory Park, and it will continue to enthral enthusiasts young and old when it goes on long term loan to the London Motorcycle Museum.
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Autumn 2010
FESTIVAL OF 1,000 BIKES The VMCC Festival of 1,000 Bikes at Mallory Park is fast becoming one of the premier events in Europe for classic and vintage motor cycle enthusiasts. The format of track time for road bikes on Saturday followed by sessions for racing machinery on Sunday has proved popular with riders and spectators alike, and when you add sprint demonstrations, a grass track and a pre-65 trial into the mix, then there‟s almost too much to take in in the two days. Guest of honour this year was American ex-GP rider Freddie Spencer, the only man ever to have won 250 and 500 World Championships in the same year. Sharing track time with Freddie on Sunday was former World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, and also out for a gallop were the National Motorcycle Museum‟s crowd-pleasing team of ex-works Norton Rotary ridden by aces like Steve Spray and wheelie king Trevor Nation. BMCT members were out in force too, with Sammy Miller, Ivan Rhodes and John Kidson taking to the circuit in the Past Masters Parade. Our stand on the Avenue of Clubs attracted many visitors over the weekend, all interested to examine the Triumph Bandit, Coventry Challenge and Velocette LE we had brought along.
Enthusiasts admire the Triumph Bandit from Coventry Transport Museum
This Rickman Enfield rider was enjoying himself
Richard Duffin’s wonderful Burney graced the BMCT stand on Sunday
THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM It has come to the trustees‟ attention that BMCT members have been unable to use their Affiliated Museum entry cards at the National Motorcycle Museum since June this year. We have been in touch with the museum who have explained this was an administrative error and that our arrangement with them continues unchanged, so there should be no further problems for our members. Please note that entry to this museum is free to BMCT members only and any others in your party will be asked to pay the normal admission price. As always, if you experience any problems at any of the venues, contact Andy Bufton at the number on the back of your card.
AGM AT HAYNES MOTOR MUSEUM
Among those attending the AGM were (l to r above) Nick Jeffery, Paul Barnes, Mike Jackson, Peter Wellings, Ian Walden, John Kidson and John Handley
The members of the BMCT met at the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford on September 7th for the Annual General meeting of the Charity. The Report and Accounts of the trustees were approved, and the trustees were authorised to settle the account of the auditors, Williams, Anderson & Dudley. Peter Wellings and Mike Jackson (trustees retiring by rotation) were reelected unanimously, and Nick Jeffery was elected as an additional trustee (see right). Following the meeting the members toured the museum
NEW TRUSTEE The board of the BMCT are pleased to announce that Nick Jeffery has been elected as a trustee of the Charity. Nick, (below) from Princes Risborough, is a keen motorcyclist, owning and using amongst other things a Brough Superior and a BSA Gold Star. The trustees feel that Nick‟s enthusiasm for motorcycling and his extensive experience in the motorcycle industry and the legal field will be of great benefit to the future work of the Trust.
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BMCT News
BONHAMS BANBURY RUN SALE
The ex-Roy Peplow 1966 ISDT T100
Bonhams' second annual sale of collectors' motorcycles at their Midlands base in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, on 19th June held in conjunction with the VMCC's Banbury Run was another resounding success achieving £458,442 and selling 87% by lot. Brough Superior, the Rolls Royce of the motorcycle world, never fails to attract interest. The top lot, a 1929 Overhead 680 example, fetched £98,300 against a pre-sale estimate of £55,000-65,000. Another keenly contested motorcycle was lot 140, a 1962 BSA 650cc Rocket Gold Star which had been in single family ownership since new. After lengthy bidding from several clients, the BSA finally sold for £15,525 (estimate £10,000-12,000). A 'barn find'
c.1916 Sunbeam 3½hp also from single family ownership and offered for careful restoration and preservation, sold for £12,075 (estimate £4,0006,000). The Thruxton is one of the most sought after post-war Velocettes and lot 141, a 1966 499cc Venom Thruxton, was a very fine example. It was two owners from new and on the day the original owner bought it back for £12,650. The ex-Roy Peplow 1966 ISDT works Triumph Tiger 100 fetched £20,125 (estimate £10,000-15,000). A works rider for the Triumph factory, Roy Peplow was a member of Britain's Trophy team in the 1966 International Six Days Trial, held that year in Sweden. Peplow won a Gold Medal, helping the British team to finish
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 02 October - Vintage & Classic Motorcycle Auction, H J Pugh & Co, Ledbury, Herefordshire 08 October - Classic Motorcycle Track Day, Cadwell Park, Lincs.
Get discounted tickets for the Classic Motor and Classic Motorbike Shows - see back page for details….
09 October - DVCA Auction of Collectors Motorcycles, Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
second overall Germans.
to
the
East
Ben Walker, Head of Bonhams Collectors' Motorcycle Department, commented: "There is clearly a strong demand for historic machines with iron cast provenance as well as those motorcycles that remain in largely untouched and original condition. A number of records were also set for the mid-range machines – a 1953 Ariel 998cc Square Four MkII sold for £12,075 for example. We're now accepting entries for our forthcoming sales at The Beaulieu Autojumble and The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show so stay tuned for details of future exciting machines we'll be offering!" As we went to press with the newsletter the results of Bonhams Beaulieu sale were coming in. Top selling British bike was - predictably- a Vincent Comet which made £12,880 (est £7,000-£9,000), but more surprising were the high prices commanded by some of the ex-
09 October - THB Events Motorcycle Only Jumble, Cheltenham Racecourse 16-17 October - 17th Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Stafford Show 24 October - South of England „RealClassic‟ Show and Auitojumble, Ardingly, West Sussex 12-14 November - Classic Motorbike Show, NEC, Birmingham 17 November - Bonhams Sale of Collectors Motor Cars, Motor Cycles and Automobilia, Harrogate
Military machines, the Matchless G3/L above making £6,440 including buyer‟s premium and VAT.
THE JOAN SEELEY PAIN RELIEF TRUST The Joan Seeley Pain Relief Memorial Trust, run by BMCT member Colin Seeley, and now in its 31st year, has recently helped purchase a major piece of pain relief equipment costing in excess of £23,000 for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Selly Oak, Birmingham. The equipment will be used for both civilian and military patients, many returning from the war zone in Afghanistan. Joan was Colin‟s first wife and
died at the young age of only thirty-nine from bone cancer. She had been a secretary in the sales office at the Plumstead AJS and Matchless factory, working with such well known personalities as Jock west, OBE. The next project for the Trust is to raise funds to support the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice with a range of pain relief equipment in the memory of Peter Firth, the popular late Chairman of the VMCC West
Kent Section. Any donations to the cause are welcomed, and Colin can be contacted at 3 Whiteoak Gardens, The Hollies, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 8WE
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Autumn 2010
MEMBERS’ PAGE
NEW MEMBERS
Send us details of your own bikes, restoration projects or articles and share them with our members
Richard’s unique Burney Now this is a rare machine! BMCT member Richard Duffin is the proud owner of a 1926 Burney v twin, the only one left in existence. Only two examples were built, and the other one was destroyed by a German bomb in World War II.
Richard Duffin (left) chats about his Burney to an enthusiast at Mallory Park
Richard‟s bike was the personal property of Mr Burney himself, founder of Blackburne, and features a 680cc sv JAP engine in a rigid frame with Brampton forks, Enfield hubs, electric lights and a galvanized saddle tank. Richard recently completed the Banbury Run on the bike, and reports it‟s a joy to ride.
SAMMY MILLER - THE ROAD MACHINES A new book by Roy Poynting is dedicated to some of the superb road bikes in the astounding Sammy Miller Museum. A follow up to Roy‟s earlier volume on the rac in g m achi nes of th e collection, this new work keeps the same, two page to a bike, format combining lovely photos with informative text. The BMCT‟s own 1904 Kerry is featured (right) as are our Wooler, Whippet and Zenith Gradua. The foreword is by Alan Cathcart, and copies of the book are available priced at £19.95 + p&p from the museum shop on 01425 620777.
We welcome the following new members and supporters of our cause David Chell, Norwich Simon Hall, Southampton Fiona Blackburn, Bramley Steve Rowe, Lymington Ros Essex, Bournemouth Scott Tucker, Hythe Owen Hansford, Totton John Moore, Littleborough Scott Street, Ringwood Clare Mavin, Totton Dean Hollyoake, New Milton Colin Love, Steeple Bumpstead Kevin Davis, Stroud Peter Hinks, Kirton in Lindsey C Bellars, Pietermaritzburg SA Gerald Davison, Castle Cary Colin Masters, Calne Christopher Woolley, Sydney Aus. David Valsler, Reading Paul Mansbridge, Christchurch Harold Cook, Swindon Z Staskiw, Reading Leon Skidmore, New Milton Dave Peeke, Yeovil David Marchanyt, Reading David Brown, Sydney, Aus. David Holmyard, Westbury Terry Howard, Freshwater IoW Roy Hutchings, Emsworth Ian Taylor, Bexleyheath Paul Roper, Ascot Ivan Haskell, Christchurch Trevor Spinks, Watton Rory Sheehan, Calne Paul Doel, Chippenham Patricia Sparks, Puddletown Chris Corby, Long Itchington D A Impett, East Molesey Ian Bruckshaw, Frankley George Jeffcock, New Milton
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA! Apologies for mentioning the C-word this early, but why not buy a motorcycle mad friend or relative a BMCT Gift Membership for Christmas? Their membership card even comes in its own personalised presentation pack. Just contact Andy Bufton for details on 07754 880116,at the address on p1 or email info@bmct.org
Member Terry Liversidge has produced what could be the most informative account yet of the history of Excelsior Motorcycles. His book “Excelsior - the Lost Pioneer” is now on sale, priced at £7.99, but Terry has a small number available to BMCT members for the special price of £6.50 inc. p&p. Terry can be contacted at 22 Pounds Park, Bere Alston, Devon PL20 7AY or on 01822 840133.
Who are we‌? The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust was originally founded in 1979 as a means of raising funds to establish what was to become the National Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, near Birmingham. By 1995 the museum was well established as a successful commercial venture, and it and the charity became separate organisations. A new board of trustees was appointed to manage the assets of the BMCT as it pursues its objective to preserve and promote British motorcycle engineering heritage. Our funding comes from bequests, donations, membership fees and interest on our reserves. We have an expanding network of affiliated museums that we assist with projects to improve their motorcycle exhibitions and we also own a growing collection of rare and unusual British machines which can be seen on display at various locations throughout the country. Our members enjoy free entry to all our affiliated museums for the very reasonable sum of £20 a year. To enquire about membership or to find out about how you can help the trust through a donation or bequest, please contact Andy Bufton at the address on page 1. Visit our website at:
www.bmct.org
Visit us on Stand 200 in Hall 8 at the NEC...
Edited and published by Matchless Management Services, Holly Cottage, Bishampton, Pershore, WR10 2NH