Past Events 2012

April 2012
We had an additional meeting this month on the 12th, a week prior to our usual date.

Ably organised by Alan Griffiths as a fund raiser for the Singer Courier cycle fund, around 80 people gathered in the Starley room for a fascinating insight into the 'Godiva Awakes' project. This is the massive Lady Godiva and Cyclopedia animated public artwork which will journey to London and be part of the 2012 Olympics celebrations.

Jane Hytch from Imagineer Productions (far right) gave us the story of the thinking behind the project and how local craftsmen have contributed to the design and materials used. Roger Medwell from NP Aerospace (2nd from right) explained the Cyclopedia design and construction.

We were pleased to welcome the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Coun Kieran Mulhall (2nd from left), and also Pru Poretta (far left), Coventry's own Lady Godiva, who took great interest in the evening. After refreshments and questions a short video showing the first trials of the artwork in motion was shown.

Moving on to the 19th and our usual club night featured a presentation by Martin Fisher from the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum. Martin explained the collection at Aston Manor, and the negotiations with Birmingham Council over the years. This led eventually to the Museum re-locating to Aldridge, the trials and tribulations of which were then covered along with a slideshow of vehicles and artifacts in the collection. 

March 2012
Our AGM went quite smoothly and we continue with mostly the same committee members.
We welcome Peter Goult into his new role as Vice Chairman, and John Batchelor who joins the committee for the first time. Peter has been deeply involved in the Maudslay project for some time now, and John will no doubt put his knowledge of cycling to good use during the year.

February 2012
This months Club night featured a talk, supplemented by a short film and photos, about the history of Foleshill. Local historian John Payne took us through large area once covered by Foleshill with many recollections from the audience as the photos were shown.

During the Race Retro show at the NAC, Stoneleigh over the 24th to 26th, Friends helped out on the museum stand which proved quite popular. Visitors to this historic motorsports show were particularly intrigued by the four-wheel drive 1967 Techcraft-BRM racing car, which won the RAC Hill-climb Championship, at the hands of Peter Lawson in 1967-68.
This fascinating car is usually on display in the Motorsports Gallery at the Museum.

January 2012

Our first meeting this year featured a talk by Ashley Wakelin, owner of Midland Red Coaches and 'Wheels' the company that preserves and runs classic Midland Red buses.
A comprehensive talk gave us all an insight into the history of Midland Red, it's organisation and it's vehicles.
As well as the hire of classic buses 'Wheels' also run bus driver experience days where you can get behind the wheel of these classics. Visit http://www.wheels.co.uk/ for more information.
Photo show Ashley chatting to members during the refreshment break.

Past Events 2011

December 2011
Our final event this year was the ever excellent Wilcox Family Quiz on the 15th. 8 teams of 4 tackled two rounds prior to a break for wine and mince pies.

Many also took the opportunity to view the newly aquired Singer 'Courier' bicycle. Friends played a part in the purchase of this historically important cycle by loaning some funds from the Omega project, which then attracted a PRISM grant to allow the purchase to go ahead. A Singer fundraising effort is now underway which will repay the loan to the Omega fund.

Following all this the final round of questions was tackled and the usual raffle held.
So thats it for 2011. The committee wish you Merry Christmas and we hope to see you all again in 2012.

November 2011
Friends involvement with this years Classic Car Show was quite prolific. Held over 3 days from 11th to 13th it was spread over 7 large halls at the NEC.

The Museum had a prominent stand in the link between the car and bike show halls, appropriate as both cars and bikes were being shown. Pictured left on the stand are the Coventry Victor Venus, 1909 Rover, and Triumph Tiger 80. A couple of Victorian pedal cycles were also there, and Friends helped man the stand throughout the 3 days, along with Museum personnel.

As well as those members helping staff the museum stand, more Friends were to be found on various other displays, mostly with their own vehicles.

Pictured left is the Triumph Dolomite of Brian Bromwich on the Pre-1940 Triumph stand.

Brian Jackson had his 1961 Fairthorpe Electron Minor on the Fairthorpe Club stand.

While on the Midland Vehicle Preservation Society stand Dave Stansfield displayed his 1953 Lanchester Leda, and Graham Bosworth his 1958 BSA Bantam Super D5.






October 2011
Thursday 20th was to have been the annual Cyril Scott Lecture, but our guest presenter Quentin Willson found himself unable to join us at the last minute. As a consequence this event has been re-scheduled for March 2012.

Instead of Quentin we started the evening with a slide show presented by Peter Goult detailing the history of our Maudslay chassis and an update of how the restoration work is progressing.

A little later Friends adjourned to the workshop to view the chassis and see for themselves the current status.

A question and answer session followed Peter's presentation, then Dave Parry took over and updated us on the Omega motorcycle project.

After a break for tea / coffee and raffle we all headed for the workshop, pictured left viewing the trial build of the freshly primered frame and brackets.

The evening was not over yet however. That very day the Museum's latest exhibition, Wheels & Waves had opened to the public. So for a private viewing Friends headed to the front of the museum and spent some time checking out this excellent new exhibit which brings together the vehicles and surfboards used by British surfers from the 1950's onwards.



September 2011

Sat/Sun 10/11th was the Heritage Open Days weekend and Friends were on hand at the Museum stores to welcome visitors from the bus tour which was dropping off / picking up passengers from various sites around the City. It was very quiet during the mornings as most tourists seem to have dropped off at other heritage sites, ours being the last stop before the bus returned to the Museum. Numbers picked up in the afternoons and most visitors were amazed to see just how many vehicles and how much variety there was lurking in the stores.

A good crowd of Friends turned out on Thursday 15^th for our bus trip to the Black Boy pub at Knowle. 333 ran faultlessly and all on board seemed to enjoy the tour through the countryside. The pub coped well with the sudden rush of orders for food and drink, and everyone was finished and ready to re-board by 9pm for the return journey.

Pictured left, 333 waits patiently outside the Black Boy.

After the successful gathering of Friends and their classics at the museum stores for the 18th August club night, there was another chance for members to show off their vehicles on Sunday 18th September.

The event was the Atherstone Heritage Motorshow, held in the
town’s Market Square.
Turnout was rather disappointing after the 16 or so vehicles we saw arrive at the stores. This time only 2 members’ vehicles made it, others perhaps put off by unfavourable weather forecasts. As it turned out it remained fine and quite sunny all day, the only problem was getting caught on the edge of a heavy shower on the way back to Coventry.

This was the 9^th year this show has been organised, and Dave Stansfield who took along his 1953 Lanchester 14 Leda, had attended in previous years with his Model T Ford. Our second exhibitor was Brian Jackson who brought along his 1961 Fairthorpe Electron Minor, which has just returned to the road this year for the first time since 1972. During the day we were pleased to see Friends member Barry Heath who was visiting the show and dropped by to say hello.

At 10am the Lord Mayor officially opened the show, which was free, and the crowds seemed to flock to the area to enjoy the wide variety of cars, vans, and motorcycles on display. Also there to entertain were a hog roast, raffles, stalls, music, and a ‘how many people can you get in a Mini’ competition. Several pubs in the area seemed to be doing good trade with food and drink.

A good selection of mostly modern motorcycles were on

display. Elsewhere BSA’s & Triumph’s were dotted around,

and even a Clyno appeared.

Behind the bikes is a line-up of camper vans.

 

A GT6, TR4, & TR5

were just 3 of the

many Triumph’s to

be found on display.

Overall an excellent little show with a good selection of UK, European, and American classics in attendance. Let’s hope we can tempt a few more Friends to bring out their vehicles next year.

August 2011

We began the month on Sunday 7th when several Friends were in attendance at the BEN Fete, Easenhall. Three museum vehicles were on display after being driven there by members.

On Thursday 18th our usual Club night took on a different flavour as we responded to requests from members for an event where they could bring along their own classics.

Rather than meet at the Museum, we arranged to meet at the store in Sandy Lane, which would be open for members to examine the normally unseen collection of vehicles.

Everything was kept simple, just turn up with your classic and

enjoy the 'open house'. Food and refreshments were available from the chippy opposite the gate, but not to be consumed within the store please.

The evening proved very successful with 16 or so members arriving in their classics, plus many more via more modern transport. Had it not been thoroughly wet for most of the day it is likely even more members would have attended in their classics.

Only one motorcycle attended, the ever reliable Dave Mac on his Rudge Ulster.

Representing the earlier cars were a BSA 3 wheeler, plus Austin, Alvis, and Riley models.
In the middle ground a Jaguar XK150 and a Gentry were on display.
While later cars there were a Jaguar XJS, Bentley, Marina, Allegro, Mini Clubman, Triumph Stag, and the Chairmans Saab V4.




 
July 2011
On Saturday 9th Friends took the Daimler DS420, Gypsy fire engine, and Triumph Herald to the Bilton School and Community College Fete.

Our club night on Thursday 21st featured Neil Tuckett, registrar of vehicles, Model T Ford Register. A most interesting talk and slide show on the history of Ford and it's various models in the UK, and highlights of the trials and tribulations of driving a Model T to the top of Ben Nevis were enjoyed by the many members who attended.
Neil generously donated a bottle of Model T whisky to be auctioned in aid of club funds.

The photo shows Neil with a bust of Henry Ford, and the Model T Tartan

The following day saw Friends assisting museum staff in driving various vehicles to Silverstone circuit for that weekends Silverstone Classic. Included in the convoy were the AEC Mercury tanker, Daimler double-decker bus, Karrier minicoach, Austin Gypsy fire engine, Alvis Speed 25, and Lea Francis Hyper (which unfortunately suffered engine problems on the way and had to be returned to the museum).
A selection of motor and pedal cycles were also transported, and the stand set-up ready for the 3 day show.
Several Friends helped to man the stand over the 3 days, and assisted again to return all vehicles to the museum on the Monday.

If you didn't make it to Silverstone there was plenty of excitement at the Museum as a full size replica of the Bloodhound land speed record car took pride of place in Millenium Square. Past and present record holders Richard Noble and Andy Green were on hand, Andy is hoping Bloodhound will eventually take him past the 1000mph barrier.

June 2011
Braunston Fete on Saturday 4th was an opportunity for members to attend in their own classic vehicles. Dave Stansfield and Cliff Wakelin duly represented Friends at the event.
The following weekend was quite busy; On Saturday 11th several Friends were on hand at Sandy Lane to look after visitors on pre-booked store tours.

On Sunday 12th Friends took the 3-way van, Triumph Herald, and Daimler 420 Limo to Baginton Airbase for their 'Fly-in' day. Not much flying took place as the weather was dreadful all day, with rain and a strong wind putting a damper on procedings.

Many Jaguars braved the conditions to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 'E-Type'.

Rain threatened our bus trip to Cov & Warks Motor Club 'Wheels' evening on Wednesday 15th. Fortunately it held off and Friends enjoyed viewing several hundred classic cars, bikes, and commercials at the Blue Lias, Long Itchington.



May 2011
Friends were offered free tickets by the Museum to the talk by Peter Forwood on Thursday 12th. Those who took up the offer were entertained by his saga of riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle in every recognised country in the world.

Sunday 15th saw Friends taking the Karrier coach and 3-way van to the Snibston Discovery Museum. An enjoyable day out, with the museum being well worth a visit.

Our annual Bike Nite on Thursday 19th was as well attended as ever with 60 or so bikes on display.

An excellent buffet was provided, and the museum was open for guests to look around.

To end the month, Friends took the Singer and Alvis to the Ragley Hall Classic Show. The lawns of Ragley were a sea of cars, and all involved had an enjoyable day out.



April 2011

On Thursday 21st Friends were treated to a talk by Museum Curator Steve Bagley about the life of motoring pioneer Harry Lawson.

March 2011
The evening of Thursday 17th saw a good turn out of members for the AGM. The meeting went smoothly as the Chairman and treasurer gave their reports. As we now have to pay the Museum for postage of the Newsletter, it was proposed that annual membership be increased to £15 starting in 2012 and this was approved by the meeting.
The committee remains mostly unchanged, but Dave Stansfield takes on the post of Vice Chairman, and we welcome Peter Goult onto the committee.
After a break for refreshments, Steve Bagley presented three films from the archives to entertain us for the remainder of the evening. All from the Standard-Triumph film unit, the first took us back to 1948 and the visit of Princess Elizabeth to Coventry to open the then new Broadgate. The second film gave the history of Standard-Triumph up to the early sixties, culminating in the construction and opening of their new 3-story production building at Canley.
The final film recalled the Triumph TR's at Le Mans in 1955, the year Mercedes suffered their fatal crash which also killed many spectators.

On the Thursday of the AGM, and also for the following 3 days, several Friends were in attendance at the 'Antiques for Everyone' exhibition at the NEC where the Museum had a stand.
Just the one vehicle was on display this year, a 1978 Daimler D420 Limo. Friend were kept busy answering questions and encouraging visitors to visit the Museum.

February 2011

Peter & Paul set our their wares

At our clubnight on the 17th Peter and Paul from the Coventry Watch Museum Project gave us a fascinating talk and slide show on Coventry's watch making tradition, and their efforts to set up a museum. Paul, wearing typical watchmakers apron with Billycock hat and eyeglass guided us smoothly through historical and technical details.

In the short term, The Watch Museum Project tries to preserve
artefacts and buildings and to carry out historical research. The
group's long term aim is to see a working museum established where watches and tools are displayed together with photographs of people, buildings and maps of the areas in

Some face & movement details

which the work took place. There would also be the opportunity to see a watchmaker carrying out repairs and making replacement parts. An enormous leap forward was taken in December 2002 when the purchase of some cottages in Lower Spon Street was completed. The Museum is now open on a Tuesday and Saturday from 11.00am to 3.00 pm visitors will be able to see exhibitions of Coventry made Clocks, Watches, Tooling and other information on the Coventry Watch Industry.