FRIENDS

The winner of the Annual Grand Draw, this year for a 1957 Morris Minor 1000 car, was Sue Maton from Compton Bassett. More details can be found here. Next year’s prize is a 1979 Triumph Dolomite 1500SE, called Dolly. Tickets will be available soon.

There is a very active club attached to the Museum, known as “The Friends”.

The Friends of the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum was founded in 1997 as the fundraising arm of the then newly formed Museum Trust. Its aim is to enable enthusiasts to help preserve some of our motoring heritage through fundraising activities and by voluntarily contributing time and skills to help maintain the Museum and its collection in good order.

Our members are mainly classic and vintage vehicle enthusiasts, with a love of all things motoring related and who enjoy being a part of the success of the Museum. Some photos of the friends and their cars can be seen here.

Regular monthly meetings are held on the third Friday of every month, from 8.00pm, usually at the Museum, to discuss the latest fundraising schemes or future events. These are often rounded off by a quiz or raffle and are supplemented by social events, such as skittles matches against other local clubs.

Members attend many local shows and events, promoting the Museum, selling raffle tickets or running tombola stalls. We also organise the Museum’s Annual Classic and Vintage Motor Show in July each year in the Museum grounds and other events, such as a Mulled Wine Evening and Classic Car Road Runs. Regular working parties organised by the Museum also give members a chance to get involved with the behind the scenes work on site.

You don’t have to own a classic or vintage vehicle to join, but most do. It’s a fantastic place to meet other enthusiasts and get advice on mechanical problems etc (if a member can’t sort it, they will probably know someone who can).

Funds raised by the Friends are donated to the Museum for specific projects and not the day to day running costs. Recently, we have funded a new car lift in the workshop and printed backdrops for many of the display areas.

Membership is typically only £7 per person per year or £15.00 for a family membership, which also entitles you to free entry to the Museum for a full year!

For further information, contact friends@friendsofawmm.co.uk or our Chairman, Tim Knight t.knight@friendsofawmm.co.uk.