FIFTY-THREE years after the Royal Enfield factory closed it’s doors for the last time in Hewell Road, a group of local enthusiasts have started the development of a museum dedicated to the historic brand.
The aim is to display as much of the full range of the factory’s varied and collective output, predominantly focusing on the history of The Enfield Cycle Company, but also including production from the BSA factory, once sited in Studley Road.
Having formed a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to take the project forward, Barry Love, Brian Tomlinson MBE, John Budgen and Bob Harrison (all committee members of the Studley-based South Midlands branch of the Royal Enfield Owners Club) have teamed up with Karl Newman and others to begin the process of acquiring a site for their proposed museum.
“Ideally, we would love to be in a building in or near the old factory site on Hewell Road,” said Barry.
“However that will depend on fundraising and the goodwill of the landlords.
“If not there, then we will discuss other possibilities as any opportunities present themselves – perhaps a link-up with Forge Mill, or a retail unit in the town centre, if nothing more suitable becomes available for a while.
“We had intended to set up a full showcase in a shop for up to eight weeks to include motorcycles, cycles, generators and other items, and to staff it with volunteers to talk about the project.
“Unfortunately, due to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been forced to put that on hold as we do not have the budget, insurance or wherewithal to cope with social-distancing in such a small shop.
“However we are happy to bide our time.”
Meanwhile, thanks to Ken Williams, manager of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, the group has set up a ‘window-dressing’ display in the ex-Toni & Guy salon in Evesham Walk.
The aim to raise public awareness and to generate some fundraising via their Just giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/redditch-cycle-motorcycle-museum
For more information call Barry on 07768 728329, or e-mail [email protected].
They can also be found on Facebook.
