Category: British Motor Museum

1. Convoy for Heroes scoops the world record!

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 13th Oct 2011

   The Heritage Motor Centre is delighted to announce that CONVOY for HEROES 2011 has beaten the Guinness World Record for the longest Land Rover convoy.  The convoy took place at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 24 April featuring 348 Land Rovers and raising £15,000 for Help for Heroes.

   The previous world record was set at Towcester race-course in 2004 by a parade of 260 Land Rovers.  Next year’s event will be held at Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire over the Easter weekend (7 and 8 April) and the organisers are hoping to attract 1,000 Land Rovers and raise even more money for the charity.

   Organiser Patrick Stoner said:  “We are absolutely delighted with this result and quietly confident of smashing our own record next year.  The beauty of Convoy is that it attracted not only the dedicated Series and Defender enthusiasts but also drivers of high-end vehicles such as Discovery 4s and late-model Range Rovers.  Next year we are hoping to attract at least one Evoque – and in fact we are offering a modest prize to the driver of the first Evoque to sign up!”

   CONVOY FOR HEROES 2012 promises to be bigger and better than ever.  For the latest information on the event keep visiting the website, www.convoy4heroes.org.uk

   To find out more about the Heritage Motor Centre, visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

    

2. HMC shortlisted for prestigious national award!

   Posted on 12:00am Saturday 8th Oct 2011

   The Heritage Motor Centre, in conjunction with local design agency Box Clever Marketing, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for its conference brochure and e-brochure.

   The Centre is among the final four for the Best Brochure – Venues/Destinations category in the Meetings Industry Marketing Awards (MIMA) 2011. The HMC has been shortlisted alongside the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Jersey Conference Bureau and Victory Services Club in London. All the award winners will be announced at the Park Plaza Riverbank London on Monday 17 October.

   The HMC and Box Clever Marketing have successfully developed an integrated campaign with the tagline ‘an ideal blank canvas for conferences, meetings and events’. The campaign focuses on the Centre’s unique selling points including the expert and personable team, the large amount of conference space, the central location, positive quotes from clients and that delegates can look round the Museum for free. The project was so successful it even expanded into the reception area to improve communication, increase bookings and occupancy and maintain the day delegate rate during the economic downturn. The success of the campaign is reflected by occupancy rising by 7%, confirmed bookings from new customers increasing by 25% and the e-brochure on the website receiving 100's of views per month.  8% of confirmed bookings so far this year have come via online sources compared to 5% for the entire 2010.

   Penny Tyler, Marketing Officer at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for a national award. We hold conferences for blue-chip clients ranging from O2 and Hewlett Packard to Tesco and Virgin but we are still relatively unknown for the fantastic and diverse range of conference facilities that we have. We are competing against key global destinations for this award but the fact we have been shortlisted proves the calibre of the creative talent that there is here in Warwickshire”.

   Justin Woodman, Managing Director of Box Clever Marketing, said he was proud to have been involved in a campaign which has received national recognition. “Our ethos is to dig deeper than any other agency to deliver commercial return on investment to our clients. We carried out significant research before we developed the creative concepts and ideas to hit the conference targets and grow the conference business”

   The HMC is a dedicated conference and exhibition centre conveniently located off junction 12 of the M40 in Warwickshire. The Centre offers over 20 stylish meeting rooms for 6 - 600 delegates with internal and external exhibition space and outdoor event space licensed for 5000 people. Set in 65 acres, the Centre also boasts a meadow for team building, two 4x4 off-road tracks, 2000 free car parking spaces, and external hard standing (9700sqm), ideal for marquees and outdoor events.

   www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

3. HMC hosts free National Bike Safe Show!

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 1st Aug 2011

   The Heritage Motor Centre is delighted to host the National Bike Safe Show, a fantastic free outdoor family event dedicated to motorbike safety on Sunday 4th September from 10am – 4pm.  

   Exciting highlights of the show include stunt rider Mattie Griffin performing some exhilarating motorcycle stunts plus displays of Manufacturers & Dealer bikes, Motorcycle Clothing & Accessories, Motorcycle Clubs, Mini Motos and a ‘Try before you buy’ scooter arena.

   Visitors will also have the opportunity of riding for free on demo bikes including top names such as Ducati, Yamaha, Royal Enfield, BMW, Honda, Triumph and Suzuki (please bring both parts of your license). In addition visitors can enjoy refreshments and live music from three talented local bands. Younger members of the family can also enjoy entertainment such as a funfair and face-painting!

   Emma Rawlinson, Event Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re delighted to be hosting the National Bike Safe Show at the HMC, the perfect venue for an event of this nature. If you ride a motorbike or scooter then this is the ideal show for you but even if you don't there is plenty for everyone to enjoy!”

   ‘BikeSafe’ is a nationwide police-led motorcyclist casualty reduction initiative that is run by the majority of forces throughout the UK. The Show is being organised in association with the Heritage Motor Centre, Sands Photography, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, The Motor Cycle Industry Association and Institute of Advanced Motorists, Highways Traffic Management.

   National Bike Safe is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at the Heritage Motor Centre in 2011. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

4. Celebrities descend on the HMC this weekend!

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 6th Jul 2011

   A number of celebrities will descend on the Heritage Motor Centre when it hosts its special Sci-Fi weekend based around Doctor Who, Star Wars and Harry Potter this weekend. On the Saturday, stars including Mark Silk, the voice actor in Star Wars for Aks Moe will be attending. On the Sunday, stars including Mike Edmunds who played an EWOK will be there to meet visitors.

   Visitors will also have the chance to meet some of their favourite Sci-Fi and Superhero characters and explore the exciting “Sci-Fi at the Movies” Exhibition, featuring original weapons, artefacts and costumes from some of the most famous Science Fiction films. All the items are on loan from the private collection of ‘Skywalkers Promotions’ and would not normally be available for the public to view.

   On the Sunday there will be an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the largest Light Sabre battle. So if you have a Light Sabre bring it along, or  make one on the day  and be part of this awesome attempt.

   In addition, there will be special exhibits, tours, quizzes, story-telling, fancy dress competitions and craft activities. Visitors are encouraged to come in fancy dress and have their photo taken with the characters and celebrities. They can also watch a selection of Sci-Fi movies in the cinema and buy official Sci-Fi merchandise.

   Sophie Marsh, Event Assistant at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “This is going to be a fantastic family Sci-Fi weekend and a great opportunity to meet so many celebrities at the same time!  There will be so much going on that it really is a must for everyone, not just die hard science-fiction fans!”

   The Sci-Fi theme continues with a Summer Holiday of Sci-Fi Fun from 23 July – 4 September, with visitors able to enjoy the 'Sci-Fi at the Movies' Exhibition plus daily quizzes and activities including special family craft activity days every Thursday throughout the summer holidays.

   In addition to the Museum, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars, visitors can also enjoy outdoor activities including the children's Miniature Roadway and the Land Rover 4x4 Experience. Stop Start - learner driving experiences for 15+ years in dual controlled vehicles are a great way for teenagers to get behind the wheel.

   There is no extra charge for the Sci-Fi Events as it is all included in the standard Museum entry fees. Museum entry fees are: Adults priced at £11, Children priced at £8 (5-16 years) under 5’s are free, Concessions are priced at £9 and a Family ticket is priced at £34. Tesco Clubcard vouchers and Gift Aid Season tickets are welcome.

   Sci-Fi at the Movies is just one of many exciting and unique events to take place at the Heritage Motor Centre in 2011. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

5. Over 600 vintage bikes gather for nostalgic Banbury Run!

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 15th Jun 2011

   On Sunday 19 June, motorcles will descend on the Heritage Motor Centre for the nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run. The event, which starts at 10am, is the 63rd Banbury Run and the largest gathering of pre-1931 Motorcycles & 3 Wheelers in the World!

   The Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. Visitors can see the machines in all their glory as they set off for their annual ride around the nearby countryside. Visitors can also enjoy wandering around Club and Trade Stands as well as the famous autojumble, one of the best sources of Veteran & Vintage motorcycle spares.

   Emma Rawlinson, Event Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “The Banbury Run is a fantastic event and we’re delighted to be hosting it for a fourth year in conjunction with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. Watching hundreds of vintage motorcycles cruise the roads is a spectacular sight to see!”

   Advance tickets costs £5 or £7 on the day. FREE museum entry is offered to entrants and spectators. Camping is available from Friday 17 - Monday 20 June. Prices for the three nights are £20 in advance for tents or £25 for caravans. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the ticket hotline on 01926 645029 Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm. 

   The VMCC Banbury Run is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at the Heritage Motor Centre in 2011. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk