Sammy Miller Museum expansion plans revealed

HAMPSHIRE’S favourite motorcycle museum (sorry Beaulieu) has revealed expansion plans in order to grow its already impressive motorcycle collection.

Bosses at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum on Bashley Cross Road, New Milton have submitted a planning application to the New Forest District Council, asking for permission to build a two-storey extension.

They say the proposed development, the cost of which is as yet unknown, is needed to house the growing number of machines, and display them more imaginatively.

A spokesperson for the museum, which is affiliated to the British Motorcycling Charitable Trust, told the Bournemouth Echo: “The building houses one of the finest collections of fully-restored motorcycles in the world, including factory racers and exotic prototypes, with the collection constantly evolving as new bikes are acquired.

“This is a living museum with almost every motorcycle in full running order.”

A statement accompanying the application adds: “The museum has become one of the leading facilities in the motoring world detailing the history and development of transport and the development of various machines through the ages.

“It provides an encyclopedic and educational attraction for enthusiasts from around the world. Additional floorspace is needed to accommodate the ever-expanding story of motoring and provide better spaces for more imaginative illustrations.”

Miller, who is now 84, fell in love with motorcycling at the age of 12, when his father began taking him to competitions. He began racing three years later on a £10 1929 197cc Francis-Barnett. During his career he won more than 1,400 motorcycle races and was British trials champion 11 times. Following his retirement from racing, he set up a parts business, which later became the museum, with a collection of his old racing bikes growing into today’s collection of about 300 motorcycles.