TOMCC MEMBERS DISCUSS BONNEVILLE 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.

JOHN ROSAMOND MEETS HIS READERS

John Rosamond (author of Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op) has been out and about answering questions raised by the book at specially organised forums around the UK.

The first of these forums took place at the Manchester Branch of the TOMCC. Well organised by the Hon Secretary David Porter at the club's regular meeting place "The Arden Arms" in Stockport; over 30 enthusiastic branch members attended, taking part in a very lively "Q and A" session lasting over 2 hours. Sales of signed copies of the book took place at the end of the forum.

John, with two TOMCC members who bought the book.
John recently received a letter from Patrick McAndrew (an airline pilot) a very satisfied customer. He had read the book twice and wished to have it signed. He and his friend Mike, also an airline pilot asked John if he would meet them at the National Motorcycle Museum for the book signing.

John and Patrick standing behind a Co-op 750cc Bonneville Special.
The next Meriden Co-op Forum is at the TOMCC Peterborough Branch in May.

BMCT REVIEW OF SAVE THE TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE!

Thanks to British Motorcycle Charitable Trust News for this review of Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op.

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TRIUMPH CELEBRATES 20 YEARS WITH A FESTIVAL AT MALLORY PARK

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.

Riders of all marques are invited to enjoy a packed day of entertainment at the Mallory Park race circuit in Leicestershire, with additional activities scheduled to take place at Triumph’s state of the art manufacturing facility nearby in Hinckley.

A full programme of on and off track activities will be laid on, with on track activities including a round of the ‘Triumph Triple Challenge’, special invitation races featuring Triumph’s class-leading Street Triple and Daytona 675 motorcycles, plus mind blowing shows from Triumph’s professional stunt riders.

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.
On top of this, there will be a host of opportunities for visitors to ride the latest line up of bikes from Triumph’s demonstration fleet, both on and off track, along with many other riding activities for visitors to enjoy.

Those looking to kit themselves out with top quality riding apparel will be in for a treat at the Triumph Clothing and Accessories Megastore, where there will be a host of bargains waiting to be snapped up, plus a first chance to purchase items from the 2010 Autumn/Winter clothing collection.

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 company has also promised a few exclusive surprises for fans making the trip to this special event and the party will carry on late into the night, with a full programme of live music planned.
More info: www.triumph.co.uk

TRIUMPH STAG BUYER'S GUIDE REVIEW

Thanks to Peter Robinson for this review which appeared in The Stag Owners Club Magazine, Feb 2010.

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Triumph Stag – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Norm Mort and Tony Fox.
• Comprehensive guide reveals the Stag's strongest and weakest points
• Details of all model changes made throughout production listed
• Unique and rare options
• Features 100 previously unpublished colour photographs
• Models produced for European and North American markets
• Engine and detail photos
• Production data and original road test info
• Common problem areas
More info.

BMCT REVIEW OF SAVE THE TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE!

Thanks to The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust for the review.

Click here for more info about the book.

STOP, DON'T BUY A STAG UNTIL YOU'VE READ THIS BOOK!

Triumph Stag – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
by Norm Mort and Tony Fox

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Triumph’s Stag combined the smoothness and performance of a V8 engine in stylish Italian coachwork designed by Giovanni Michelotti, which allowed for both closed and open grand touring. This Essential Buyer’s Guide examines the model’s evolution, features, fittings, performance and typical problem areas through detailed text and colour photographs of both restored and original examples.

This carefully researched 64-page paperback, pocket-sized volume is available now from bookshops or from www.velocebooks.com. Like Veloce’s other Essential Buyer’s Guides this book features chapters such as “Is it the right car for you?”, a very detailed checklist/scoring system for rating a potential Stag purchase, advice on deciding whether or not to restore a Stag, paint problems, issues that can arise through under use, and lists of clubs, specialists and parts suppliers.

REAL CLASSIC REVIEW OF JOHN ROSAMOND'S BOOK

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 Meriden story takes up a substantial part of this special 'Bonnie at 50' edition of Real Classic, which is only available by subscription not for sale in the shops.

EDWARD TURNER BLUE PLAQUE UNVEILING VIDEO

Speeches by Tony Benn and John Rosamond.
Thanks to Falak Waheed for sending us the video clips.

A LITERARY TRIUMPH IN LONDON

Photo by James Crosby
Another successful book signing for John Rosamond on 1st November at London Motorcycle Museum's "military" day, pictured here with Bill Crosby.

The London Motorcycle Museum situated at Ravenor Farm, Greenford, London is the home of the Crosby collection and loaned exhibits totalling more than 120 British motorcycles, many of which are Meriden Triumphs.

Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond. Available now!

VELOCE BOOK IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY

Today we have received the news that the Veloce book Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond has been granted a place in the House of Commons Library courtesy of Hilary Benn MP.
The great man himself Tony Benn pictured here at home reading his own personal copy, supplied the foreword for the book. He describes the book 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."

Photo by Erum Waheed.

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 ...

"THE reference book about the Meriden Co-op and one which will be referred to by future historians." – Nacelle
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"A lively glimpse of the Midlands of the 70s. ****" – Coventry Telegraph
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"Any devotee of the British industry must read this book published by Veloce, which is a landmark publication that will no doubt be studied by scholars and students for many years to come." – inter-bike.co.uk
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"As a case study of how political idealism and industrial realism cannot work together, this is a must for any student. As a book of interest to a classic motorcycle enthusiast, John Rosamond is to be commended." – Classic Bike Guide
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"A densely packed narrative reproducing detailed reports, letter and minutes of meetings from the era that portray an unremitting and unequal struggle against under-funding, economic depression and a collapse in the motorcycle market. It rewards the effort though, and is sure to bring a lump to the throat of all but the most hard-hearted of readers. " – Triumph World

EDWARD TURNER BLUE PLAQUE EVENT

The weather was fine encouraging mass support on Sunday afternoon and London ITV news covered the event on their 6pm news programme that evening. Veloce author John Rosamond and Tony Benn were among the guest speakers at the event which marked the unveiling of the Edward Turner plaque by Edward Turner Junior at 8 Philip Walk, Peckham, London SE15.





John Rosamond and Edward Turner Junior.

The Plaque top left

Erum Waheed, whose two year campaign helped bring about the blue plaque event. John Rosamond & Mayor of Southwark – Cllr Jeff Hook.



Tony Benn (courtesy Pierre Drown)

John Rosamond, Erum Waheed and Duncan Saunders who also made a speech as the Daimler representative. (courtesy Pierre Drown).



John Rosamond's speech



Edward Turner - the man behind the motorcycles

By Jeff Clew.

The deeply researched biography of the man who was probably the most important individual in the history of the British motorcycle industry.

In the words of Triumph's famous sales slogan, Edward Turner designed "The Best Motorcycle in the World". Records details of all the world famous motorcycles designed by Edward Turner. More info.

TWO TRIUMPH TOMES

A couple of great reviews from Triumph World for the two new Veloce books Triumph TR2, 3, 3A, 4 & 4A - Enthusiast's Restoration Manual and How to Improve Triumph TR2-4A (Updated & revised edition!).

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BONNEVILLE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH FOUR WORLD SPEED RECORDS

Press release & image source: Triumph





The 50th anniversary of the iconic Triumph Bonneville was marked in spectacular style when four officially-recognized FIM world land speed records were set. The quadruple records were recorded at the 2009 edition of the event that gives the bike its name: the Bonneville speed trials.



The original Bonneville, introduced in 1959, was named after the record breaking streamlined Triumph that set numerous records at the Utah Salt Flats venue during the 1950s. To pay tribute, the internationally syndicated journalist Alan Cathcart took two highly-tuned examples of the latest Bonneville back to its spiritual birthplace at this year’s event, held between August 30 and September 3.



Riding a street-legal Thruxton Bonneville prepared by Matt Capri, owner of South Bay Triumph in California, Cathcart broke the 150mph barrier to set a new two-way FIM World Record for the flying mile at 152.678mph, and another for the flying kilometre at 152.770mph, with a best one-way speed of 153.150mph. These speeds set new marks for the FIM’s 1000cc Normally-Aspirated Twin-Cylinder Unstreamlined category.



In addition, Cathcart established two more new FIM world records for the 1000cc Forced Induction Twin-Cylinder Unstreamlined class, riding a turbocharged South Bay Triumph Bonneville with a two-way speed for the flying mile of 165.405mph, 165.672mph for the flying kilometre and a best one-way speed of 171.624 mph. The mile speed qualifies as a new AMA record too, with all records set by the air/oil-cooled parallel-twin British bikes subject to ratification by the relevant authorities.



Cathcart commented: “We’ve been coming to Bonneville since 2007 in preparation for this, the model’s 50th birthday year. Breaking the 150mph barrier with the standard bike was always our main objective, and when the FIM established the new twin-cylinder category for speed records, it was great that we could claim official world records by doing so. Maybe we’ll be back next year to try to join the 200mph club with it!”



The South Bay Triumphs were shod with Pirelli rain tyres supplied by the Italian tyre manufacturer’s road racing division, giving the riders the great traction which was key to achieving such record breaking speeds.



The best in Bonneville books from Veloce!

Click covers for more info.

TWO MOTORCYCLE GEM'S REVIEWED IN CLASSIC BIKE GUIDE

Great reviews of Veloce motorcycle books appear in the October issue of Classic Bike Guide. While we thank the magazine for their excellent review of Save The Triumph Bonneville! the author would like to point out that the council involved was West Midlands County Council and not Coventry Council as the review states ...

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Click here for more info about Save the Triumph Bonneville!
Click here for more info about Motorcycle Apprentice.

A GOOD GUIDE FOR TUC MEMBERS

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.
Click here for more info about the book.

BONNIE WINNER

Congratulations to Chris Webber of North Square, Chickerel, who won the recent competition in the Dorset Echo to win copies of Tales of Triumph Motorcycles and the Meriden Factory worth £19.99, Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op, worth £24.99, and Triumph Bonneville – The Essential Buyer's Guide worth £9.99.

He correctly identified that Veloce Publishing was named after a variant of the Alfa Romeo marque of cars - the Alfa Romeo Veloce. Chris popped down to our office in Dorchester to pick up his books, before heading back home on his Honda motorbike!

Chris said: "I've entered loads of Dorset Echo competitions, but I've never won anything before. And I'd actually forgotten I'd entered this one, but I was over the moon when Veloce Publishing called me and invited me into their Dorchester office last Friday to receive these books."

4-STAR TRIUMPH!

A 4-star review for Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op cropped up in the Coventry Telegraph last week. Have a read!

"A lively glimpse of the Midlands of the 70s." – Coventry Telegraph

IT'S A TRIUMPH!

Reviewed in Classic Cars this month, How to restore Triumph TR2, 3, 3A, 4 & 4A was previously available as two separate volumes. This new manual brings together all of author Roger Williams' TR 2, 3, 3A, 4 & 4A expertise in one easy to use, completely updated and revised edition.

"The text is thorough, clear and well-informed, with photographs and captions that are also essential viewing/reading." – Classic Cars

Click image to read the full review.

THE BONNEVILLE CELEBRATION MONTAGE VIDEO

John Rosamond (Author of Save the Triumph Bonneville! The inside story of the Meriden Workers Co-op) Book Launch & Signing.

Also includes the Sunday morning ride out to Meriden and the Sunday afternoon - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster flyover. Click here for more info about the book.