Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

Please note that the content within our News section (text and images), follows the same copyright laws/notice as all other content on the website - ie not to be reproduced (including slightly amending) without prior consent. 

 RSS Feed

Category: British Motor Museum

  1. British Motor Museum launches a new Young Artists Competition and teases details of The Gallery 2025!

    Posted on

    The British Motor Museum is to launch a new Young Artists Competition to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, The Gallery 2025. This exclusive contest with the theme ‘The car and the environment’ gives young artists with a passion for automotive art, the rare chance to display their work at the Museum.

    There are three age categories for entry: under 11s, 12-16 years, and 17-20 years with one winner per category. Entries open on Thursday 6 February and close on Monday 28 April, giving interested applicants February Half-Term and the Easter holidays to perfect their masterpieces. The winning artwork will go on display in the Museum from Thursday 29 May - Friday 27 June as part of The Gallery 2025 exhibition. The winning artists will each receive a half day workshop with an esteemed artist featured in the exhibition, getting tips on everything from how to set the scene for their next artwork to how to succeed with art as a career. The generous sponsor of the prize is Peter Mitchell, Patron of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. The winner of each age category will also receive £50 worth of art vouchers, thanks to a generous donation from LifewithArt.

    The Gallery 2025 exhibition will open on Friday 4 April featuring a combination of paintings and sculptural pieces. The Gallery 2025 is a continuing collaboration with Historic Car Art and will showcase some of the UK’s most talented automotive artists including John Ketchell, Keith Woodcock, Emma Capener, Jonny Ambrose, Oliver Ray and Steve Goodwin. There will be ‘live art’ taking place where the artists continue their artwork at the Museum for visitors to see. The artists work with a variety of media, including acrylics, oil, watercolour, pen, and pastels.

    Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum, said, "It's going to be an exciting few months for artists of all ages. The Young Artists Competition is a wonderful way to encourage artists of the future and help them begin to fulfil their creative potential. Displaying their artwork alongside established artists is an enormous opportunity and the winning artworks will add to an already stunning range in the upcoming exhibition, The Gallery 2025."

    Rupert Whyte, Historic Car Art owner, said “We are pleased to be working alongside the British Motor Museum for a third year to curate an exhibition of motoring art celebrating the depth of talent amongst British automotive artists. Each year we introduce new artists to the exhibition and 2025 will be no exception”. 

    The Young Artists Competition will be judged by a returning panel, including Rupert Whyte, owner of Historic Car Art, and Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum. 

    Access to the exhibition is included with standard Museum admission tickets. Museum entry is just £46 for a family of 4 in advance or £52 on the day, £17 per adult in advance or £20 on the day, £15 for concessions in advance or £18 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. You can choose to donate your entry fee and get an Annual Pass in return at no extra cost and there is also the option to Gift Aid your donation. Being a Gift Aid visitor makes a big difference to the British Motor Museum. To find out more information about the exhibition and the Young Artists Competition, please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/explore/the-gallery

     

     

  2. British Motor Museum to host two more exciting Museum Lates!

    Posted on

    The British Motor Museum has announced two more evening Museum Late events. From Sketch to Street takes place on 11 February and Backstage Tours takes place on 11 March.

    On 11 February visitors will have the chance to see the Collections Team showcase the fascinating work they do to keep the Museum running. This exciting opportunity will enable visitors to immerse themselves in the world of car design, based around the Museum’s ground-breaking exhibition From Sketch to Street’. This insightful event will include exclusive after-hours access to the Museum and 'From Sketch to Street' exhibition as well as a brand new talk: Ciao Inghilterra! How British cars got Italian style. Visitors will be able to unpick the processes and people behind the cars and see how their own ideas meet those of other enthusiasts. 

    On 11 March visitors will have the rare opportunity to access behind-the-scenes collections areas through guided tours and supported experiences. The Archive team will be on hand to take visitors on a specialist tour of the extensive collection of historical documents, images and films, and enable visitors to learn about how Heritage Certificates are made. Visitors will also be able to explore the Museum and chat to the Curatorial team in their extensive artefact stores.

    Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting these two events. On 11 February, visitors will have the chance to gain a unique insight into the process of car design, and listen to a fascinating talk on the evolution of British automotive style and on 11 March visitors will have the rare and exclusive opportunity to explore the host of treasures within the Archive and artefact stores, from historical documents to toys of the past. Both Late events are not to be missed!”

    Tickets for ‘From Sketch to Street’ cost £20 per person and tickets for ‘Backstage Tours’ cost £25 per person. Both ticket prices include drinks and a two course meal. Discounted tickets are available for Members. As this event is outside regular Museum opening hours, Annual Passes are not valid. Limited places are available, so early booking is advised.

    For more information, please visit the website 

    and https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/museum-late-backstage-tours 

    or call 01926 895300.

     

  3. Coding & creativity lead a world of techtastic fun at the British Motor Museum this Half-Term!

    Posted on

    This Half-Term from 15 – 23 February, the British Motor Museum is inviting families to dive into the world of car design and technology with a jam-packed week of fun activities. With so much to explore and discover, younger visitors can learn how design and technology shape the world around us whilst having fun at the same time!

    Brand new this February is a collaboration with ‘FUZE’, exploring the basics of coding using a Nintendo Switch® to create a car-themed game from 17 -21 February. The activity will involve ‘loading’ a race track level, selecting different vehicle 3D models and then controlling it. Children will be encouraged to change the vehicle and its attributes to affect it. The vehicle can be changed into any 3D object - a chicken, dinosaur, or a piece of cake, anything! Suitable for children aged 6 years and above, visitors can sign up for the 30 minute sessions on arrival.

    Families can also embark on a fun spotter trail as part of the Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels Trail, organised by Kids in Museums and Little Tiger. The national trail for families is inspired by Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels by Ruth Lauren – a fun, feminist adventure series for children aged 9 – 12. Pick up a free activity sheet to join in and search for Tourmaline, her friends and an assortment of magical objects hiding in the museum. Complete the spotter trail and get a free Tourmaline sticker! Families can also enter a national competition to win a signed Tourmaline book bundle and a National Art Pass by designing their very own Museum of Marvels!

    On top of these two exciting new collaborations, families  can also enjoy the ever popular Professor Pickle & Dr. Pumpkin performing some mind-blowing experiments in their ‘Double Trouble’ Science Show which runs from 17 - 21 February. And at the weekends there’s the  ‘Techie’ Family Tour when families can join the resident Designers for an interactive family tour, delving deeper into the collection and answering the question ‘What is Tech?’

    The craft activity for half-term is all about design and colour - children can build an ingenious ‘ArtBot’, using a cup, tape, paper and pens, weights, and a battery motor. They can they watch the completed ArtBot weave a unique and colourful artwork as it moves!

    Emma Rawlinson, Lifelong Learning Officer at the British Motor Museum, said, “Design and technology have always driven the incredible cars that make up Britain’s motoring history. We have so much on offer this Half-Term for children to learn all about car design and technology in a fun and engaging way. All our activities are included in the Museum entry costs, plus under 5s go free.”

    Museum entry is just £43 for a family in advance or £49 on the day, £16 for adults in advance or £19 on the day, £14 for concessions in advance or £17 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. Visitors can convert their ticket to an Annual Pass at no extra cost so they can come back again and again over the year. With activities every school holiday this makes it a great value choice for families this Half-Term.

    To find out more information about Half Term activities, please visit the website at  www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/february-half-term

     

  4. The British Motor Museum has Christmas all wrapped up!

    Posted on

    Looking for that spark of inspiration for the perfect Christmas gift? The British Motor Museum has plenty to choose from – and every purchase supports the charity! Home to over 400 iconic classic and vintage cars, the Museum offers an extraordinary day out for petrolheads, culture seekers and lovers of all things British so why not give the gift of a visit to the Museum! Gift vouchers are available to purchase online and are valid for 12 months.

    Museum Membership gives Members free entry to the Museum including all special weekend show days. Members are also offered exclusive opportunities to preview great new exhibitions, take a private Museum tour and attend Members only events. Membership is available from just £42 per year. Gift vouchers for Membership are available.

    For the enthusiast who has everything, why not adopt a car? There are hundreds in the collection to choose from, so you’re bound to find something they’ll love. Adoptions start from £25 and the scheme supports the overall work of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. Take a look at the Museum’s Online Collections and choose any car from the ‘adoptable’ filter. Adopters get a digital adoption certificate and their name added to the car’s listing in the Online Collections. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who worked in the British motor industry or has always loved a particular British classic.

    For anyone who owns a cherished classic car ‘Heritage Certificates’ are an ideal gift and are available for just £48 plus P&P. The Certificate is an official ‘Certified Copy of a Factory Record’ showing the car’s specification as it left the production line. Details are taken from the original production records created by many of the leading British motor manufacturers. Elevate the gift by adding a document wallet which gives the owner a colour copy of the original sales brochure relevant to their car.

    Archive prints also make an unforgettable gift for a special car fan. Choose from a  selection of unique images from the British Motor Museum Archive with everything from iconic British models to industrial streetscapes and milestone motorsport memories. Prices range from £25 for a small art print to £200 for a large solid wood framed print.

    Other fantastic items available from the online shop include a Replica Tax Disc perfect to add some authenticity to a prized classic, number plate signs such as ‘Dad’s Garage’, a bespoke 1,000 piece ‘British Cars of the 70’s’ Jigsaw or a cute & cuddly Mini ‘AOK’ plush toy based on the 1959 first production Morris Mini Minor, designed and manufactured specially for the Museum by the London Toy Company.  If it’s stocking fillers you’re after, there’s a petrol can hip flask, a BMC keyring, a colourful Pop art tea towel covered in retro car adverts, and a British Motor Museum colouring book for the little ones.

    Fancy a trip to the shop to choose something yourself? Wrap up your Christmas shopping with a Festive lunch in the fabulous Sky Suite. Christmas lunches are available from 12pm – 2pm on 4, 10, 12, and 17 December. Visitors can enjoy a seasonal two-course or three-course lunch with all the trimmings, glass of wine or soft drink and crackers for £29.95 for 2 courses or £34.95 for 3 courses. (Member discounts apply). Entry to the Museum is included for all diners on that day, and lunches must be pre-booked. To find out more about the festive lunches visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/festive-lunches

    To see the full range of gift ideas, please visit https://shop.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/

    All shop purchases and visits help support the Museum as a registered educational charity No 286575. Deadline for UK orders is 17 December.

     

  5. British Motor Museum launches Brick Bank scheme to support local communities

    Posted on

    The British Motor Museum has launched their exciting new ‘Brick Bank’ scheme, encouraging visitors to donate their unwanted or unused LEGO®  bricks for a fantastic cause! Museum Volunteers will collate the bricks into build kits, which will be donated to children in the area through local Community Pantries. With kids receiving many exciting toys at Christmas, donating old toys like LEGO® bricks not only leaves room for new toys and encourages giving back, but also provides the joy of owning LEGO® bricks to children who haven't yet been fortunate enough to experience it themselves.

    Building with bricks develops a child's creativity, motor skills and well-being, all important for their future development. Recycling bricks in this way, rather than throwing them away, is a great environmentally friendly choice. LEGO® bricks are so hard-wearing they can be taken apart and put back together 37,112 times, meaning the kits donated can be played with again and again!

    All donations, big or small, will be appreciated to help the Brick Bank create as many build kits as possible. The Museum volunteers will put together kits with a photo of a suggested build for children to try and replicate, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to what they can create.

    Claire Broader from the Museum's Learning and Engagement Team said, “We’re delighted to launch our new Brick Bank at the British Motor Museum.  If you'd like to donate your bricks, please drop them off at the donation box in the Welcome Gallery, or give us a call and we can collect them. It's a brilliant opportunity to help children from local communities, and have a clear out before the new Christmas toys take over! Additionally, if you're an expert builder who would like to help us create the kits, please do get in touch!”

    For more information visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/learning/the-brick-bank