We have a fantastic book out at the moment that all those gathered at the TUC meeting this week would do well to study...
Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond.
A book described by Tony Benn as "one of the most important and relevant histories of British industry that I have ever read...and I strongly recommend anyone interested in the future of Britain to read it carefully."
In his address to the TUC yesterday
Gordon Brown was keen to praise the work of Jack Jones – who sadly died in April this year - and Jack Jones played a key role in setting up the Meriden Co-op, a role which is recognised accordingly throughout this book.
In 1973 Britain was the biggest and best motorbike manufacturing nation in the world, but motorbike manufacture became a political football. This is the inside story. The autobiography of a 25 year-old welder who became a national celebrity overnight.
The story has great relevance today after the sit-in at Britain's only major wind turbine factory this summer - the Vestas Wind Systems - failed to save the factory from closure with the loss of more than 600 jobs. And the TUC warned on Tuesday that the jobless total could reach four million. (click image to read full story)
In October 1973 the Triumph workers staged a sit-in that lasted for 18 months. And they eventually won. In the interim period the governing Conservative party lost power and the incoming Labour party eventually loaned the Triumph workers millions of pounds to get the factory running again.
Written by the ex-chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...
There is no more famous motorcycle than the Triumph Bonneville, the Bonnie, "the best motorcycle in the world," and the Meriden factory producing this icon was a personal Mecca to fans of the marque. Film stars such as Steve McQueen visited Meriden for their Triumphs. But on the brink of what should have been its biggest ever sales season, the BSA parent company dramatically collapsed. The Conservative government reacted, and Norton-Villiers-Triumph was created. The new owners decided to close down Meriden ... so the workers locked them out.
There followed protracted political negotiations, affected all the while by national government changes, ministers’ attitudes, national and international economic conditions and, throughout all this, the world's continuing desire for the Triumph.
As much a study of changing sociopolitical attitudes as of an economically traumatic time for both Triumph and the country, socialist John Rosamond's unique position within the workers’ co-operative makes this work a fascinating account of a story never before told from the inside. The reversal of his role from worker to chairman brought with it new responsibilities, bringing home to him the passion that employees, customers and dealers had for Triumph, and how that could keep Meriden from closing and the Bonneville in production. During all these desperate struggles, the Triumph Bonneville became the best-selling motorcycle of its class, winning the coveted Motor Cycle News Motorcycle of The Year award at the end of the seventies. Yet within just a few years of this, Meriden and the Bonnie were finally gone.
All the rescue attempts, the lifesaving international orders, and the negotiations for a reprieve with the new Thatcher government are covered here in unique detail, as is the introduction of new models that Meriden hoped would attract a 'white knight'. Illustrated with never-before-seen photographs from the personal collections of the factory's workers, this inside-story of Triumph's last years at Meriden is the definitive history of the most famous of the Tony Benn worker's co-operatives and should definitely be studied by all TUC members.
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here for more info about the book.
The Peterborough TOMCC Branch Meriden Co-op Forum and Save the Triumph Bonneville book signing by John Rosamond took place at The Talbot Inn - Shilton - Peterborough. Nigel Strong organised the event and Mick Barratt chaired the Forum. The pre-publicity in the magazine Nacelle ensured that many TOMCC members taking part were from other branches. The above photograph (courtesy of Mick Barratt) shows John Rosamond sat next to visiting TOMCC member Roy Shilling during the packed Forum.
The Ducati Roadshow continues in 2010 bringing its event truck and demonstration fleet to even more events and bike meetings throughout the UK than last year.
September 18th 2010 is one date that Triumph fans and all motorcycle enthusiasts need to put in their diaries, as the British manufacturer will be putting on an unmissable festival to celebrate 20 years since the successful re-launch of this iconic brand. 
Off-track, visitors will be able to view the latest range of Triumph motorcycles, together with a selection of some of the UK’s best customised Triumphs. Key bikes from Triumph’s history will also be on display, as part of a unique exhibition exploring 20 years of Hinckley. 
Triumph’s state-of-the-art factory, situated eight miles from Mallory Park, will be open for event visitors to take a tour of the fascinating facility where Triumph’s motorcycles are made. 
The Café Racer Phenomenon by Alastair Walker.
Check out the Veloce book Off-Road Giants! – Heroes of 1960s Motorcycle Sport by Andrew Westlake which contains profiles of 17 famous riders of the 1960s (including Dave Curtis and Mike Jackson). 
Thanks to Steve Wilson for a fantastic SIX-PAGE book review of Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op in the December edition of Real Classic Magazine. 
The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the '50s. This new book is a look back at the glory days of the Café Racer, from Friday night dices on London's North Circular road, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival.
Written by the ex-Chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...
Edward Turner - the man behind the motorcycles 
We have a fantastic book out at the moment that all those gathered at the TUC meeting this week would do well to study... Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond.
There followed protracted political negotiations, affected all the while by national government changes, ministers’ attitudes, national and international economic conditions and, throughout all this, the world's continuing desire for the Triumph.