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Category: British Motor Museum
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The popular and informal 'Gaydon Gathering' events return to the British Motor Museum on Tuesday 8 April from 5pm – 8:30pm. The events, which are free to attend, are aimed at motoring enthusiasts, and take place outside on the arenas on the second Tuesday of each month. Over 500 vehicles regularly participated at the Gatherings in 2024 with an impressive mix of vehicle types, makes, and models.
Pre-booking is essential, and tickets will be released online a few weeks before each event and announced on social media. The dates for the rest of the Gatherings are 13 May, 10 June, 8 July, 12 August, 9 September and 14 October.
In addition to providing an opportunity for like-minded motoring enthusiasts to display their vehicles, each Gathering features the 'Collection Spotlight' at 6:30pm when one of the many unique vehicles from the collections will be brought out and driven around the grounds for everyone to see and hear. News as to which car will be in the spotlight are posted on the social media channels in the run-up to the events. Previous spotlights have been the Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, the trio of Monte Carlo Rally winning Minis and an Ariel Atom V8.
Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum, stated, “After a winter of Museum Late events, we are so looking forward to hosting our ‘Gaydon Gatherings’ outside again! Each month until October, we will be running this regular meet-up where petrolheads can indulge their passion, hopefully in the sunshine!”
Display vehicles will be parked in front of the Museum, and there will be separate free parking for those visitors who aren’t displaying. Visitors can enjoy refreshments with a special theme for each month, the first theme is Jamaican. There will also be burgers, teas, coffees and cold drinks as well as a bar courtesy of local Windmill Hill Brewing Company.
Dogs are welcome on leads.
Please note that the Museum itself will not be open for the evening gatherings.
For more information and to book your FREE tickets for Aprils’ Gaydon Gathering, visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/gaydon-gathering-april
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As a third generation automotive Engineer, Jeff Coope’s enthusiasm and affection for the motor industry is clear. He started his career in 1976 as an engineering apprentice with first tier automotive supplier Lockheed and he went on to work for British Aerospace, Honda, BMW and Ford. In 1997 he moved from engine development to estate management, managing Jaguar Land Rover’s 900-acre Gaydon research site, before joining the British Motor Museum in 2002 as Director of Operations.
In his role as Director of Operations, Jeff planned and implemented many projects that are now part of the DNA of the Museum - from the creation of the Collections Centre and redesign of the Museum in 2016 to the design and construction of a driver training track in the Museum grounds. Appointed Managing Director in March 2020, his five years leading the organisation have navigated some turbulent times and yet, despite this, the Museum and Conference Centre that helps to support it, have gone from strength to strength.
Jeff had a very clear vision - for the Museum to become the global focal point of Britain’s automotive history and culture, sharing our heritage with future generations and truly being a place for everyone. During his tenure he has seen the development of the Museum into an award winning, highly regarded organisation, recognised as a benchmark both by its peers and industry bodies such as Arts Council England.
Jeff said “I am delighted to have served as Director of Operations and Managing Director and have enjoyed taking the Trust and the Museum to a new level. We looked to new horizons and are well on the way to becoming a Museum truly representative of all British manufacturers. During my time, we have increased our appeal to visitors, enthusiasts and institutions with new products, events and facilities and I am pleased to leave the Museum with a very bright future ahead of it.”
Joel Kordan, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said “On behalf of the Trust, I would like to thank Jeff for his exemplary 23 years of service at the Museum. What a legacy - he’ll be a hard act to follow! We wish Jeff all the very best in his retirement which will no doubt include a great deal more time spent with his passions of sports cars, motorbikes and sailing!” 
The recruitment of a new CEO is already underway and, in the interim, the organisation is in the capable hands of Finance Director, Adrian Managhan.
To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
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Sophia Myles, who starred as Lady Penelope in the 2004 film Thunderbirds, paid a visit to the British Motor Museum on 10 March to be reunited with her iconic car. The famous pink car has been on display at the Museum since 2005 and this was the first time Sophia had seen it since the release of the film. She signed the dashboard of the FAB 1 car, making it extra special for Museum visitors who come to see it. Sophia also signed photos for fans and face-timed Ron Cook who played Lady Penelope's faithful butler and chauffeur, Parker, in the film. Afterwards she enjoyed a private tour of the Museum to view the extensive collections. 
Sophia Myles, said "I had the honour of being invited to the British Motor Museum to be reunited with my FAB 1 pink car. I never thought I could get emotional about a car, but seeing it again after over 20 years, made me well up! The entire visit was a joy from start to finish. There are so many amazing vehicles to see. We were given a guided tour by Robin, which was utterly fascinating. Thank you to the entire team for giving me such a treat of a day! I cannot recommend a visit to the British Motor Museum highly enough. I will be returning for sure."
Ford of Europe’s design team brought FAB 1, the larger-than-life limousine, into the 21st century – lower, sleeker and even more grand. FAB 1 has a central part in the 2004 film Thunderbirds with International Rescue, the fictional organisation that saves the world where other forces fail. In the hands of Parker, FAB 1 can travel on land, air or sea. Inside, Lady Penelope travels in style and luxury. Sitting in her throne-like seat, she is surrounded by wood, leather, sheepskin and chrome.
Visitors to the Museum can now come and see the newly autographed famous six-wheeler for themselves. For more information about the Museum and to book tickets, please visit the website at: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/
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The British Motor Museum has announced two more exclusive ‘Evening With’ series, one with Peter Stevens, a name synonymous with British car design on 14 April and the other with Mike Brewer, car dealer turned presenter, on 12 May.
Peter's distinguished design career spans a broad range of iconic vehicles, from road car design to F1 projects, with prominent brands such as Ford, Lotus, Jaguar, McLaren, Subaru, and MG Rover Group. Two-time nominee for The Prince Phillip Prize for Designer of the Year, Autocar magazine’s Designer of the Year 2002, and recipient of the British Design Council Award for the Lotus Elan SE, Peter will be bringing his knowledge and unique perspective on car design and the automotive industry to the Museum. Joining Peter to talk all things cars will be Paul Cowland - Presenter of Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars Writer, Producer, self-described car hoarder, “decidedly average” Racing Driver and friend of the Museum, who returns following his appearance at the hugely successful evening with Ian Callum, held at the Museum in January.
On 12 May, also sharing the stage with Paul Cowland, will be Mike Brewer, providing the audience with an in-depth view into his career, and the cars he’s seen along the way. One of Britain's most prolific motoring presenters, Mike has been gracing our TV screens for over 25 years, with a wealth of TV credits including: Driven, Deals on Wheels, Pulling Power, Wrecks to Riches, Auto Trader, Wheeler Dealers, Wheeler Dealers Trading Up, Revved Up, presenting coverage of the British Rally Championship on Sky Sports, Remote Madness, Frontline Battle Machines and Wheeler Dealers World Tour - with a second series just announced! Mike will be talking about his life as a wheeler dealer, sharing behind the scenes stories about moments that didn't make it to the final cut, and enthusing about some of the amazing cars that did.
Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting these two exclusive events in the coming months which are both sure to be lively, entertaining and amusing evenings in the company of two true motoring icons! Each event will include an audience Q&A as well a signing session. Not only that, guests can explore the Museum's collections, browse our latest feature exhibition 'The Gallery' and enjoy a hot buffet supper”.
Tickets cost £50 each, with a discounted price of £45 per person for Premium 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 https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/an-evening-with-peter-stevens
and https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/an-evening-with-mike-brewer
or call 01926 895300.
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The British Motor Museum has got a cracking line up of egg-cellent Easter Holiday activities to get stuck into from 5 – 27 April! Children and families can crack the code in the puzzling Family Trail, get creative with an egg-ceptional craft activity, and test their car dealing skills on a fascinating tour around the Museum. Over the Easter weekend from 18-21 April, there will also be a traditional Easter egg hunt amongst the car collection! Plus, the Museum will host their first Mellow Monday on Monday 7 April and the first Access Day of 2025 on Thursday 24 April.
Crack the code - Family Trail is available every day and gives children a chance to put their puzzle solving skills to the test and crack the hidden code. There are codes all around us in everyday life, running everything from navigation to smart fridges, making working with codes a great skill to have! Use your skills to reveal the answer, and collect a reward sticker for your achievement!
Hatch your own Car is a super fun craft and design-based activity in which children can “hatch” their very own car. The hatching process starts with an egg shape made from card strips, and with some more crafty materials and a sprinkling of imagination, a unique car is hatched… all from a simple egg shape!
Finally, children can join the Egg-straordinary Tour with resident car experts Maggie Dwyer the Car Buyer or Barry Wheeler the Car Dealer, as they hatch a plan to buy or sell a car. Children will embark on a fascinating journey through the cars in the Museum, trying their hand at being a top car seller, and picking out which cars they’d love to buy the most!
Emma Rawlinson, Lifelong Learning Officer at the British Motor Museum, said, “Join us this Easter for some cracking fun activities with our hat-trick of egg-cellent family fun. We have a basket brimming with activities for our younger visitors to enjoy all through the holidays, along with our classic Easter egg hunt around the Museum over the Easter weekend!”
Visit between 3pm and 5pm on Monday 7 April to enjoy the Museum’s first Mellow Monday! Brand-new for 2025, these days will feature afternoon “Relaxed Hours”, helping to provide a great Museum experience to those who require a quieter atmosphere.
Discover the Museum’s latest Access Day on Thursday 24 April, too. As always, the day will showcase a wide range of accessible activities and initiatives, from extended opening hours and touch and access tours, to specially-adapted crafts and SEND & sensory bags, highlighting all of the Museum’s accessible and inclusive features and activities that help make it as welcoming and inclusive as possible.
Museum entry is just £46 for a family in advance or £52 on the day, £17 for adults 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. 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 Easter. For more information, please visit the website at:
www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/easter-holiday-activities
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