NEW AFFILIATED MUSEUM
We’re delighted to welcome Britain’s newest Motor Museum to the evergrowing list of affiliates where our members can enjoy privileged entry concessions. The County Classics Motor Museum is a unique and brilliant concept with an excellent café and gift shop, and aims to reverse the decline of the town centre in Taunton, Somerset’s historic county town. The focus is on cars and motorcycles from our youth – from the 1950s to the 1990s – though exhibits range from 1915 to the early 21st century.
County Classics Motor Museum grew from the personal dream of a very ‘driven’ schoolboy: Pat Hawkins bought and sold his first car at the age of 11 and as he grew his businesses from nothing, built up a fine collection of cars and motorcycles alongside them.
When the historic County Stores – a department store owned and run by five generations of the same family since 1832 – closed in 2019 and failed to find any retail buyer, he saw a chance to bring his dream to reality.
The historic building was completely restored and repurposed, a disabled-access lift and vehicle lift were installed and through Covid lockdowns, a dedicated team battled on to create the wonderful, evocative Museum we can all enjoy today. The historic features of the building are enhanced by bespoke joinery and carefully selected motoring memorabilia; every one of the up to 100 cars and 80 motorcycles is individually captioned and explained. Dedicated volunteers are present to enhance the visitor experience with stories of the vehicles in their heyday. Full details of opening hours can be found on the museum’s excellent website: https://www.countyclassicsmotormuseum.co.uk
Front page photo: Brian Gould and Rob Carter, restorers from the TV show “Bangers & Cash” brought along a nice pair of DMWs to a recent event at the Sammy Miller Motor Museum. The DMW (Dawson’s Motor Works) factory at Valley Road Works, Sedgley produced a range of lightweight two-stroke road and competition bikes from 1955-1971. Founder Leslie Dawson had previously patented the first rear swinging arm motorcycle suspension system in October 1939.
County Classics Motor Museum is located at 52 North St, Taunton TA1 1ND
SAMMY MILLER’S NEW ITALIAN HALL –‘LA SALA ITALIANA’
Press release from the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum has marked another major milestone with the grand opening of its newest exhibition space the stunning Italian Hall, or La Sala Italiana, as named by special guest Alan Cathcart, internationally renowned motorcycle journalist and racer, who was asked by Sammy to perform the official opening.
At 11am on June 21st, Alan officially opened the new Italian Hall. Before cutting the ribbon, he paid tribute to Sammy Miller’s early and hugely successful road racing career on Italian bikes, finishing 3rd in the 1957 250cc World Championship on a Mondial Bialbero exactly like the one on display in the Museum. He was also a member of the Ducati factory race team the first time they raced in the Isle of Man, finishing 4th in the 1959 Ultra-Lightweight 125cc TT.
This set the tone for a day filled with appreciation for both past and present Italian motorcycling excellence. As visitors entered the newly transformed Hall once the original Bashley Manor Tearooms they were met with a breathtaking array of immaculate, mostly red, shiny Italian motorcycles. The walls are adorned with rare memorabilia, creating a feast for the eyes and a real sense of stepping into Italy’s historic two-wheeled legacy.
One of the most talked-about features was the Minarelli 125GP motorcycle propped against the wall. Alan was able to share how Sammy and Museum Manager Sharon Bumpsteed thought it would be a fun and interactive feature encouraging visitors to grip the handlebars and imagine themselves riding it through the air!
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) also has a prominent new presence in the Hall, having moved its collection to the entrance of the space. The improved display allows for more breathing room and better visibility. BMCT representatives, including special guest Andy Bufton, expressed their hope to bring additional motorcycles to the Museum in the near future.
Among other distinguished guests was Mike Jackson, a long-time supporter of the Museum and the classic motorcycle scene and Nick Jeffery, both of whom are Trustees of BMCT.
To complement the Hall’s transformation, the Museum’s tearoom has now relocated and reimagined itself as Sammy’s Pit Stop, a fresh, bright, and welcoming space now run by L’arte Coffee Shop. Visitors can enjoy delicious refreshments and tasty meals in a modern setting, just a stone’s throw from motorcycling history.
This exciting addition reinforces the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum’s commitment to preserving and sharing motorcycle heritage in ever-evolving ways. The new Italian Hall is now open to the public and included in the standard admission.
Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford, Somerset, is hosting its own signature classic car and motorcycle show, The John Haynes Classic, on Sunday 7th September 2025.
This event will pay tribute to John Haynes OBE, the visionary behind the iconic Haynes Manual and founder of the Museum, celebrating his legacy with a day filled with heritage, nostalgia, and motoring passion.
At the heart of the show will be the Haynes Manual Display, featuring a curated collection of cars and motorcycles immortalised
UPCOMING EVENT - THE JOHN HAYNES CLASSIC ON THE ROAD AGAIN - BMCT AT VMCC FOUNDERS DAY RALLY
in the world-famous Haynes workshop manuals, highlighting John Haynes’ unique ability to explain complex engineering clearly and accessibly.
The Live Show Paddock will host talks, debates, and a special vehicle parade that brings the Haynes Manuals to life.
Other highlights include the Car and Motorcycle Club Arena, showcasing hundreds of veteran, vintage, and classic vehicles.
The Discovery Zone will offer hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and interactive STEM activities, sparking curiosity in adults and children alike.
The Market will feature a curated selection of locally sourced food, drink and crafts from regional artisans, alongside automotive exhibitor stands with products and collectables for vintage, classic and modern vehicles.
As an Arts Council England accredited Museum and charity, the John Haynes Classic is a fundraising event. Proceeds will support the Museum’s charitable aims of delivering learning activities, inspiring future generations and preserving its motoring heritage collection.
As this is a Special Event the usual BMCT 50% discount is not available. However Haynes Motor Museum is offering our members an exclusive 10% discount on event entry fees for the day. Use code: BMCT10 when booking tickets online at johnhaynesclassic.co.uk. Tickets must be purchased by midnight on 6 September. Standard T&Cs apply.
We were pleased to be invited by the VMCC Taverners Section to attend the 2025 Founders Day Rally at Stanford Hall on 20th July. BMCT trustee Dennis Frost rode in on his Velocette LE (as featured in BMCT News 59) and long -standing BMCT member Richard Duffin kindly brought along his outstandingly original Vincent - HRD. More photos to follow in BMCT News 61.
ARCHBISHOP MEETS MOTORCYCLISTS
It was in late autumn 2024 that the motorcycle community in Hampshire’s rural Romsey area was made aware of a forthcoming Custom & Classic Show at Braishfield Village Hall – being hastily arranged in honour of the Archbishop of Canterbury who’d be presenting the prizes, no less. There was no prior mention, mind, in the local newspaper, presumably for security reasons but, as ever, the region’s bush-telegraph ensured an enthusiastic response. It should be explained that Tom Benson, a popular local vicar responsible for several parishes, is also a motorcycle activist, and had long been organising informal bike meets in the Romsey region. It also transpires that C of E headquarters were fully aware of this, and that they approved. So, here’s how it unfolded…Justin Welby, the incumbent prelate, was in Hampshire for the weekend. Following a Sunday morning sermon in Winchester cathedral he’d apparently suggested his delegates request Benson to arrange a 2-wheel gathering that same afternoon at which he’d be delighted to attend. The idea was born.
A clement climate on the day duly saw almost a 100-bike line-up on display for judging, eagerly viewed by 300 or so eager visitors. It was, quite simply, a delight to be there. Your reporter’s enjoyable somnolence, however, was swiftly shattered when Tom Benson unexpectedly introduced the archbishop himself, on a one-to-one basis . Gosh, but how does one respond on these occasions? Well, while opening the batting, I mentioned that I was a lapsed atheist, to which Welby smiled reassuringly. Gaining in confidence I then asked if I “…could suggest a new Commandment?” In modest mode the archbishop replied that “…such a decision is well above my pay grade, but what are you suggesting?” My suggestion was 100% heartfelt. “Thou shall not invade Ukraine!” “In fact,” he said, “this is already covered, if not specifically, under Thou Shall Not Kill!” A fine response, which he followed with a question concerning my time at Norton so he’d clearly done some research or had remembered Tom’s briefing. At this point, unfortunately, he was whisked away, but those few moments will remain in the memory.
Come the Prizegiving, and the archbishop – prompted by the winning machine – related a delightful tale against himself. The winning bike you see, and justifiably so, was a mid-1920s ABC. Welby began by reminding us that ABC was a long-standing acronym for Archbishop of Canterbury. Back during the Covid era, he continued, he’d been visiting an English-speaking nation where many of the country’s street billboards, and full-page newspaper ads, all bore an ABC overstamp. Assuming this to be some sort of well-timed welcome greeting, he profusely thanked his opposite number for such a thoughtful gesture. ”Oh dear”, frowned his host, “I’m afraid it stands for Avoid Bodily Contact”.
The above true tale, if nothing else, confirms that motorcycling is indeed a broad church, and that Dull Moments are a rarity
BRITISH SCOOTERS ON THE ISLE OF MAN
Robin Spalding, who originally built up the British Scooter Collection, recently made the journey to see his former collection, now owned by the BMCT and beautifully displayed in the Isle of Man Motor Museum. Robin kindly sent us this email:
Hello Andy,
Very pleased with the display of British scooters at the Isle of Man Motor Museum, now on high level, all the different colours of the scooters made it a very special display. Overall it’s a great museum collection from large American cars down to microcars and motorcycles.
We met with Steve (Glynn) and had a chat with Denis (Cunningham). We took a picture of me on the Triumph Tigress 175 next to the BSA Sunbeam 250 twin, with other scooters in the background.
We went by EasyJet and used other means of transport around the Island. Enjoyed our stay on the IoM (some days only 16 degrees!) and the first visit to the Museum, please pass our thanks to Denis. Hope you like the pictures, I've included the Dayton Albatross 250 twin as it's where my interest in British scooters started at 17 in 1960.
Thanks & best wishes,
Mike Jackson / June 2025 Image below courtesy Chris Atkinson
Dear Andy
I thought you would be interested to hear of our latest addition to the Norman collection. We have secured a Motobyk registered new on the 31st of July 1939 to Robert William Stride of Cuffley, Hertfordshire. It retains its original registration number and is still roadworthy. The paintwork is also original. The particular interest of the machine is that there is a possibility it was one of a small number of bikes which the Norman brothers gifted at the time to the RAF for use as runabouts. As yet we have been unable to verify that but have not given up hope of doing so.
This Motobyk is another nice addition to the earlier machines in the collection.
Brian Flood
Dover Transport Museum
1913 AC Sociable
1926 Walker Bullpup
Alan Cathcart on Sammy Miller’s 1930 Calthorpe Ivory
1927 BSA Model H
1930 OEC Duplex
Sammy Miller MBE on his Museum’s 1926 Grindlay Peerless shadowed by Allen Millyard on the v-twin Velocette
BMCT member Adrian Ducker 1921 Sunbeam
BOOK REVIEWS
The Panther Story
The Story of Phelon & Moore
Revised Edition
Author: Barry M. Jones
Published by Barry M. Jones, Unit 2, Rustic Crafts Workshop, Bixley Lane, Beckley, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6TH
(First published by Panther Publishing Ltd.)
E-mail: bjrustic@aol.com www.brenelltape.co.uk
Softback, 210 x 280mm (portrait) 331 pages with approx. 250 photographs and illustrations.
ISBN 978-0-9556595-6-0 £30 UK; $41 USD; $55 CAD; $62 AUD.
Born out of an association of Joah Phelon with Harry Rayner, the latter being unfortunately killed in a road accident in 1904, a new partnership with Richard Moore founded the long-standing company of Phelon and Moore. Incorporated in 1908, Phelon & Moore Ltd were one of the earliest and most successful of the pioneers of motorcycling, outlasting many more famous names, to finally close in 1966. From the beginning they produced solid, well constructed and reliable machines which performed well at home and throughout “the colonies” to where many early P&Ms were exported. They gained a reputation for being superb Six Days Trials machines and were always well represented in endurance events both at home and
Tommy Price & Bill Kitchen - British Speedway Legends
The latest soft-bound book from Speedway specialist London League Publications, is once again is centred on the once dominant Wembley Lions. Like its author Peter Lush, this was my home team before they finally closed for the second time in 1972, so I am a little biased, also because I knew one of the two top riders featured, Bill Kitchen.
Both he and Tommy Price were two of the key riders in the history of British speedway from the 1930s to the 1950s. Price, a former grass track rider, only ever rode for the Lions and of course was the first British rider to win the World Championship in 1949 having been British Champion in ’46.
Lancastrian Bill Kitchen rode a handful of speedway meetings before making a sensational debut for Belle Vue in 1933 and after the war in 1946, he joined Wembley and became team captain. He was an accomplished team rider, and was popular throughout the sport. He rode for the British Lions in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa before retiring in1953.
The book covers each rider individually and not as a comparison, with each getting equal billing in 160 well illustrated pages, but there are many similarities with each riding at the Isle of Man and having motorcycle careers outside of the obvious speedway connection.
This is the fourth book connected to the Wembley Lions that the author, Peter Lush, has written and maintains the same high standards and accuracy that LLP has become known for, with all its speedway titles and is complete with the usual full statistics and records section.
If you are interested in any of the great British riders who shaped motorcycle sport and were all-rounders in the last century, this is a must read and is not only for speedway fans but all motorcycle historians! Excellent quality all for £14.95
ISBN: 978-1-909885-40-0
Available from all the usual suppliers of books or direct from the publishers www.llpshop.co.uk. - Ian Kerr
abroad. The name “Panther” first appeared in the early 20s for their sporting models which were, and their successors still are, surprisingly quick, comfortable and reliable machines.
However, it is often overlooked that 18year-old P&M apprentice, Tommy Bullus, finished in an impressive fourth place in the 1925 Isle of Man Senior TT. Perhaps not so well known was their reputation as innovators. From their very first days Panthers were always at the forefront of the
technology of the period, beginning with their use of the engine as an integral part of the frame; their championing of all chain drive; the introduction of two- and then four-speed gears; the early introduction of overhead valves; twin dipping headlight and interconnected brakes.
There were a wide variety of Panthers made, from lightweight machines, using Villiers engines and the famous 250cc o.h.v. Red Panther (sold by the London dealer Pride & Clark for just £29.17s.6d), to the ahead-of-its-time Panthette transverse V-twin and late in the day, the Princess scooter. All are lovingly described in this book as well as the complete history of the company and the people that made, rode and sold Panther motorcycles from their earliest days until the final Panther left the Cleckheaton works in Yorkshire in 1966.
Author Barry M. Jones was previously the Librarian of the Panther Owners’ Club. In researching this book Barry has interviewed countless former employees and owners of Panther motorcycles and in researching archives, has established an immense library of original documentation. This excellent, high-quality book represents the culmination of over 20 years research – it is also a very good read and one that I highly recommend.
- Jonathan Hill
THE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE CHARITABLE TRUST
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered Charity No. 509420
Trustees:
Ian Walden OBE (Chair)
Peter Wellings
John Handley
Mike Jackson
Nick Jeffery
Mike Penn
Dennis Frost (Hon.Treasurer)
Secretariat:
Holly Cottage
Main Street
Bishampton Pershore
WR10 2NH
United Kingdom
Secretary & Editor
Andy Bufton Mob: 07754 880116 Email: editor@bmct.org
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) was originally formed in 1979 to facilitate the building of the National Motorcycle Museum at Bickenhill, near Solihull in the West Midlands. Since 1995, however, the BMCT has been an entirely separate organisation, a grant-making Charity dedicated to the promotion of British motor cycle engineering heritage through a network of affiliated transport and local interest museums in England, Wales, Scotland and Isle of Man
Associate Membership is open to all, and allows entry concessions at all 19 of the museums in our affiliation scheme (listed right). Our funding comes from membership subscriptions, bequests, donations, and income from our investments. Please direct any enquiries to the secretary at the Secretariat address on the left.
www.bmct.org
Our affiliated museums are:
Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Brooklands Museum, Weybridge County Classics Museum, Taunton Coventry Transport Museum
Dover Transport Museum
Gloucester Life Museum
Grampian Transport Museum, Aberdeen Haynes Motor Museum, Somerset Internal Fire Museum of Power, Tanygroes
Isle of Man Motor Museum, Jurby Jet Age Museum, Gloucester Manx Museum, Douglas, Isle of Man Museum in the Park, Stroud National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham, Kent Sammy Miller Museum, New Milton Silk Mill Museum of Making, Derby Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset
The Norton Collection Museum, Bromsgrove
FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT OUR AFFILIATED MUSEUMS
August 3 Triumph Day at Sammy Miller Museum
Bashley, New Milton BH25 5SZ www.sammymiller.co.uk
August 10 Graham Walker Memorial Run
National Motor Museum SO42 7ZN www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/graham-walker-memorial-run
August 31 British Bike & BMCT Day at Sammy Miller Museum
Bashley, New Milton BH25 5SZ www.sammymiller.co.uk
September 7 The John Haynes Classic
Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford BA22 7LH www.johnhaynesclassic.co.uk
September 20 Tiger Day Autumn
Tank Museum, Bovington BH20 6JG www.tankmuseum.org
September 21 Classic Motorcycle Show and Raffle Draw
Dover Transport Museum CT16 2HQ www.dovertransportmuseum.org.uk
October 11-12 End of Season Crank-Up
Internal Fire Museum, Ceredigion www.internalfire.com
October 12 Motorsport Day at Brooklands
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge KT13 0QN www.brooklandsmuseum.com
GoodNews!
The BMCT now has a Facebook Group that allows members to comment on and share posts. We hope lots of our members and their friends will join the group and contributetothediscussion.
