NEW CHAIRMAN OF TRUSTEES
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Wellings as the new Chairman of the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) following the retirement of Ian Walden OBE at our recent AGM.
Peter (left) brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this role, having served a previous term as Chairman from 2008- 2012, and we are confident that his vision and expertise will greatly benefit the Charity in the years ahead. His distinguished career and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the values and aspirations of the BMCT.
The trustees welcomed Peter to his new position, and also paid tribute to Ian Walden’s long service to the Charity by awarding him Lifetime Honorary Membership.
NICK JEFFERY 1948 -2025
SMandeville hospital on 10th August his 77th birthday after a short illness. Universally popular within the two- and three-wheel community Nick was renowned for his presence at countless motorcycle events, most often astride one of his own machines. On arrival he'd immediately be asking perceptive questions or gently dispensing technical advice in equal measure. Nick’s employment began with a Morris Motors apprenticeship at Cowley in 1966 when he was awarded BMC's first ever Nuffield scholarship. Following a stint at Southampton University he started his motorcycle career at Suzuki and just two years later took a senior technical position at Kawasaki Motors UK. Eight years with Kawasaki were followed by an MBA at Cranfield University. He qualified as a solicitor and joined Renault Trucks, remaining with the French giants through to eventual retirement. His ability to speak
throughout an intensive career and lifelong links with motorcycles were never far away. A longtime VMCC member, he was a BMCT trustee for 15 years, and contributed to countless other motorcycle related groups. Rarely out of the saddle either in the UK or the rest of the world, he rode Vincents and Broughs on several trips to Tasmania. Back in the UK his next adventure, which tongue-in-cheek he immediately described as “breaking ranks”, was to drive a Model T Ford to the Orkneys and back, a 2,000-mile itinerary during which journey his declining health so tragically surfaced. An extensive crowd of friends and colleagues attended Aylesbury Vale's Natural Burial Meadow on the 2nd of September, where there was held a superbly choreographed celebration of life on behalf of this quite exceptional gentleman who never ceased helping those in need. - Mike Jackson
Nick (left) at his happiest, Broughing with like-minded friends.
Front page: Leaving Gaydon on the 2025 Banbury Run, this lovely HRD Super 90 was raced in the 1927 Amateur TT. Photo - Andy Bufton
IMPORTANTANNOUNCEMENT - YOUR BMCT MEMBERSHIP
The trustees wish to inform BMCT members that, after careful consideration and a review of our operating costs, from 1st January 2026 the annual membership fee will rise to £25 - the first increase since our unique membership scheme was introduced 22 years ago. In that time the cost of a first class stamp has risen 550%! All the benefits of BMCT membership remain in place, including concessionary entry to our ever increasing group of affiliated museums, and the revenue from membership subscriptions will continue to help these museums interpret the long and glorious heritage of British motorcycle engineering. Existing members will be notified in due course about how the change may affect renewal payment methods but we hope that for those of you with automatically renewing subscriptions there will be little or no disruption.
We greatly appreciate your ongoing support and understanding. If you have any questions or require further information regarding the fee increase, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@bmct.org.uk.
AJS RECORD ATTEMPT TRIBUTE JOINS SAMMY MILLER MUSEUM COLLECTION
Between the wars there was massive public interest in breaking the world land speed record. The motorcycle on which this replica was based was the one-off machine built by AJS in 1930 for this express purpose. The engine was a 990cc 50 degree V twin which is said to have generated 70bhp. Captain Oliver Baldwin, who had already broken the record in 1928 on a Zenith-JAP, was engaged to ride it. The bike was tested at Brooklands in July 1930 before the record attempt at Arpajon the following month. The record was then just under 135 mph which had been set by Ernst Henne riding a supercharged 743cc BMW. The AJS team believed that something close to 150 mph should be attainable, so it was a crushing disappointment when, after edging just past 130 mph, they suffered a piston seizure in the rear cylinder. The record attempt was abandoned as by this time AJS were in severe financial trouble.
This tribute to the record attempt bike was built by talented engineer Richard Johns. Many of the major components had to be built from scratch, most specifically the engine. To give a very small insight into the nature of the work, consider just the crankcases: two pieces of 10 inch diameter aluminium bar were purchased to make the patterns, then suitably machined and
with bits added for the crankcase webs and lugs, cylinder base mating surfaces etc. These were then cast in LM25 aluminium, heat treated for strength, and only then could the extremely complex machining begin. The top ends are based on Velocette ohc components, but the camshafts are chain driven in the style of the original machine, with that very distinctive three-legged timing cover which of course also had to be specially cast. The bore and stroke of this engine are 76mm x 86mm giving a swept volume of 780cc
The frame, along with some of the other components including the Sturmey Archer AJS type gearbox, forks, and front hub, are from a 1931 AJS 500cc SB8. This was one of the last models to come from the Wolverhampton factory, and because of its “sloper” type engine, there was just enough room between the downtube and the saddle tube to accommodate the new V twin engine and the gearbox.
This impressive homage to an iconic British motorcycle is now on display at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum.
Description and photo courtesy of Bonhams Motorcycle Department.
SAMMY MILLER MUSEUM
From the Sammy Miller Museum:
The British weather did little to dampen spirits at this year’s British Bike Day. While clouds loomed, the rain largely held off and the sun made a welcome appearance, allowing Sammy Miller to fire up some of the Museum’s iconic machines. The distinctive roar of British engineering soon drew a lively crowd who gathered to soak up the sights, sounds and atmosphere.
First off was the Triumph 500 Grand Prix, a model Ernie Lyons made famous with his win on one in the 1946 Manx Grand Prix. A genuine Triumph GP with the square barrel motor based on the wartime mobile generators. About 200 GPs were built in total and are now extremely rare. This machine competed in the Isle of Man 1980 Parade of Exotic Machines and completed the lap from a standing start at an average speed of 78 mph.
Next we were treated to the sound of the 1951 Earles 500cc BSA. The first light alloy frame bike made by Ernie Earles, designer of Earles forks. Note that this frame would have been gas welded – a ‘work of art’
And the piece de resistance - the 1939 AJS Supercharged and liquid cooled V4. Way ahead of its time, 45 years before the Japanese factories came up with something similar. This was the first bike to lap a circuit at over 100mph - at the Ulster GP in 1939
On static display was the latest addition to the Museum’s collection - a legendary Rob North‑framed BSA Rocket 3, a pivotal 750 cc race bike that helped to rewrite British motorcycle racing history in the early 1970s.
In late 1969 the
The
8
Award winners (l to r): Tom McEwen,
Sammy Miller MBE discussing the Earles BSA with museum visitors. Designed in 1951 by Ernie Earles of Elms Metals in Birmingham featuring a BSA 500cc A7 twin (possibly ex-works) using a light alloy frame and forks built by Ken Sprayson. These forks were used under licence on BMW motorcycles for many years, and also by MV Agusta. The design remains very much in favour with sidecar riders.
BSA Triumph group commissioned to build a batch of frames for a F750 race team Daytona 200. Initially
frames were built, followed
1971 bikes like this one were slightly lower were termed Lowboys, with the 1970 bikes being
BRITISH BIKE & BMCT DAY
A strong turnout of local riders and regular supporters helped create a jovial, friendly mood throughout the day.
The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) were also in attendance. Founded in 1979, the BMCT is dedicated to preserving Britain’s motorcycle engineering heritage and supporting museums nationwide. Their spokesperson Andy Bufton said: “We’re here to promote the Trust, which offers members concessionary entry to affiliated museums across the country. We always enjoy coming to Sammy Miller’s – he is a great supporter of our charity and does fantastic work for the motorcycling community.”
DocBike, another valued partner of the Museum, engaged with visitors about their vital work combining emergency roadside medical response with proactive road safety education.
The day also saw a series of awards presented:
Oldest Bike – Tom McEwen (BMCT member), 1921 Sunbeam Model 7
Sammy’s Choice – Dean Whitty, 1964 Greeves TES
BMCT Choice – Bernard Kuropka (BMCT member), 1967 Triumph
Thruxton Bonneville
DocBike Choice – Mick Sobalak, 1957 Norton Norvin
With classic bikes, charity partnerships, and a crowd full of enthusiasm, British Bike Day 2025 proved once again why the Sammy Miller Museum remains at the heart of the motorcycling community.
courtesy of Chris Mabey and the Sammy Miller Museum
Photos
Dean Whitty, Mick Sobalak and Bernard Kuropka
commissioned Rob North, a Coventry frame specialist, team being put together to compete in the 1970 followed by a further batch for the 1971 season. lower at the headstock than the 1970 bikes and so being retrospectively named Highboys
The BMCT’s new gazebo was used for the first time at British Bike Day. Parked in front is the BMCT’s 1955 500cc Wooler Flat Four which normally resides inside the Museum.
PATRICK HAWKINS 1957 - 2025
Patrick Hawkins, aged 68, founder of Taunton’s County Classics Motor Museum. died suddenly on Wednesday, August 6, after struggling with a heart defect for many years.
According to colleagues, Mr Hawkins scarcely missed a day at his Museum, cleaning it to exceptional standards and always smiling and greeting visitors new and regular, young and old. In an official statement issued by his team, they said, despite quietly overcoming many battles in his life and against all odds, he still managed to open the venue full of cars and motorcycles he started collecting from the age of 11.
Following his death, the museum closed from August 7 to August 12 to give staff time to come to terms with the loss of their leader and inspiration but it has now reopened and will continue as a tribute to its much-missed founder.
Following this, Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, who officially opened the museum in 2023 issued a statement, where he said Patrick was a "lovely man, brimming with enthusiasm and love. He'll be sadly missed”.
THE 2025 JOHN HAYNES CLASSIC
On Sunday 7th September, Haynes Motor Museum proudly hosted the inaugural John Haynes Classic, celebrating 40 years of the Museum and the life and legacy of its founder, John Haynes OBE.
More than 3,000 enthusiasts, families and visitors joined the celebration, with the Museum site transformed into 5 vibrant zones. The day offered something for everyone - from hundreds of classic cars and an action-packed live stage line -up to a classic car parade and family-friendly activities. The dedicated Motorcycle Zone generated extra excitement, with The Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, Riders Motorcycles of Bridgwater and Maeving Electric Motorcycles, creating an engaging display of two-wheeled history and innovation.
world. A memorable and heartwarming feature of the day was the Machines and their Manuals zone. Featuring over 40 vehicles paired with their Haynes Workshop manual, visitors could read nostalgic stories shared by proud vehicle owners.
The buzz continued in the Outdoor Market, which was packed with food stalls and traders offering everything from alloys to jewellery. Live music from the band Hopeville added to the lively atmosphere throughout the day.
Echoing this theme, the Live Stage featured notable speakers Edd China, Jon Bentley and Danny Hopkins, who shared stories and inspirational insights from the motoring
The Discovery Zones combined hands-on activities, educational displays and restored cars from the Haynes Heritage Engineering workshop. Organisations such as Automotive Youth and Ariel Motor Company played a key part, sharing knowledge and showcasing engineering innovation.
Chris Scudds, CEO of Haynes Motor Museum, said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day. We’ve celebrated a shared passion for the motorcar and motorbike, automotive history, John Haynes’ life and legacy, and the Museum’s anniversary in a brilliant way. It’s been relaxed and friendly and everyone has had a great day. We are grateful to all who braved the weather – it was wonderful to see so many people inspired by the event, and we are already looking forward to next year.”
The John Haynes Classic will return on Sunday 6th September 2026. Save the date.
Pat Hawkins looks on as Richard Hammond cuts the ribbon to open County Classics Motor Museum in 2023.
BOOK REVIEWS BY JONATHAN HILL
Brough Superior - The Complete Story”
Author: Peter Miller
Publisher: Crowood Press
The Stable Block, Crowood Lane, Marlborough SN8 2HR
Tel: 01672 520320 enquiries@crowood.com www.crowood.com
Hardback, 320 pages with over 350 colour and black and white photographs.
ISBN 978-1-4797-1128 £50.00
George Brough achieved considerable success whilst riding Brough motorcycles that were manufactured by his father. Whilst William Brough’s bikes were of high quality, they were rather staid and George believed that he could produce better machines. Designed jointly with Percy Mayo and built at the Montgomery works in Coventry, his new machine was called the Brough Superior to distinguish it from his father’s machines and to denote the highest levels of performance and quality of manufacture.
Announced to the public in September 1920, it proved a sensation. Designed as a sporting solo with a 980c.c. ohv V-twin JAP engine and handsome nickel plated saddle tank, the 80 m.p.h. machine set new standards for performance, quality of finish and styling. The SS80 side-valve model was
HStanley Woods – The World’s First Motorcycle Superstar”
Author: David Crawford
Foreword by Sammy Miller MBE
Published by Lily Publications
Ltd, PO Box 33, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM99 4LP
www.lilypublications.co.uk
Fax: +44 (0) 1624 898 446
Softback,192 pages with over 250 photographs and illustrations.
ISBN 978-1-907945-37-3
£16.00
ere is a book which someone had to write, as a richly deserved tribute to one who made a remarkable contribution to motorcycle sport between the wars. In the days when the word superstar was virtually unknown, here was a sportsman who could justify that description, especially for his performances in the Isle of Man. Between 1923 and 1939 he entered in 37 TTs, won ten, retired while leading three more and was beaten in three more by a total of 48 seconds. He retired 16 times, never finished lower than sixth and made 11 fastest laps. He also had an impressive continental grand prix record as well as being a great all-rounder.
announced in 1922, and in 1924 with a revised frame and overhead-valve JAP KTOR engine, the legendary SS100 was born. Guaranteed to exceed 100mph and of unsurpassed styling, it was the iconic design of the pre-war years – the world’s first superbike.
Other outstanding designs followed, including the JAPengined overhead and side-valve 680c.c. models and the 11-50 (1150c.c.) side-valve model. Brough Superior cars, based upon the Hudson Straight 8 chassis, were also produced from 1935. Prototypes, such as the transverse V-twin and the “Golden Dream” flat-four are also described.
Brough Superior enjoyed considerable sporting success in trials, racing and record-breaking. It held the world’s fastest title in the hands of Bert Le Vack and Eric Fernihough, and holds the all-time fastest Brooklands lap record set by Noel Pope in 1939 at 124.51 mph.
Detailed model-by-model histories of the various machines are presented. These include the specials, which were often featured on the Brough Superior stand at the motorcycle shows. Finally, profiles are presented of the two most famous riders of Brough Superior machines: T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), who lost his life riding an SS100 and George Brough himself - a successful sprinter, record-breaker and long-distance trials competitor.
Having obtained access to both George Brough’s personal details and original factory records, the late author, Peter Miller, deserves full credit for this excellently-researched, highquality tome that is the definitive history of the marque and highly recommended.
Peter Miller is also the author of “From Welbike to Corgi,” “Morgan Three-wheeler” and “Royal Enfield - The Early History: 1851 to 1930.”
Stanley Woods was born in 1903 on the south side of Dublin, and by the age of 13 he had learnt to ride an older friend’s 5/6hp Indian. In 1920, after joining his father as a travelling salesman, Woods Senior was persuaded to buy a Harley Davidson outfit for business use, which Stanley promptly used at weekends in trials, hill climbs and for his firstever road race.
After witnessing the 1921 Senior TT, the seeds were sown for his racing ambition and he somehow persuaded Cottons to loan him a machine for the 1922 Junior TT in which he finished fourth. The following year, also Cotton-mounted, saw him win the first of his 10 TT victories. Stanley Woods joined Nortons in 1926; winning the Senior TT and the Junior-Senior double in 1932. The 1935 Senior TT saw him mounted on his favourite machine, the works v-twin Moto Guzzi in what was arguably his finest race. Come the last lap Stanley was still out on the course, having started No 30, Guthrie started No 1 and was home having held a 26 seconds lead. Stanley the winner? Impossible! All over bar the shouting, so Norton thought. But by the time he crossed the finishing line he had indeed done the impossible, with a new record lap to win by just 4 seconds.
Now out of print, the avid reader and book collector’s efforts will be amply rewarded by the acquisition of this excellent book – perhaps by “Old Bike Mart” or TCM classifieds or by scouring auto-jumbles?
It is very difficult to do justice to this outstanding book that is truly a mirror of a bygone age, containing many of Stanley’s personal records and photographs, whose author, David Crawford, was a personal friend.
THE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE CHARITABLE TRUST
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered Charity No. 509420
Hon. Life Member
Ian Walden OBE
Trustees:
Peter Wellings (Chairman)
John Handley
Mike Jackson
Mike Penn
Dennis Frost
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 museumsinEngland,Wales,ScotlandandIsleofMan
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
DINO’S BIKES - PART III
Miller's museum, I met Andy Bufton, our Secretary and Editor of the BMCT Newsletter. In conversation the subject came up of Edward Turner which led me to the latest addition to my collection - an Ariel Square Four. In 1928 Turner had sketched out a design for the Square Four with overhead camshaft and
horizontally split crankcases. He approached Jack Sangster who owned Ariel and Triumph at that time and persuaded him to put it into production. In 1931 the first Square Four was introduced, known as the Ariel 4F5. My bike went to the Isle of Man in April 1931 and remained on the Island until I purchased it from the Stafford Bonhams auction in July 2021. I don't know for sure but it was possibly used as a marshal’s bike during the Isle of Man TT races. - Dino Paglia