News
You're the one that we want!
The Museum has a new exhibition celebrating 1978, the year the museum first opened.
The exhibition features a car from this period along with an array of memorabilia such as film posters, pop charts, television shows, clothing, sport and technology.
Michael Tambini, General Manager of the Museum, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating our 30th birthday at the museum, and thought what better way to do this than take a trip down memory lane. Young and old will be able to step back in time and experience the year of 1978 first hand! I can guarantee 'You're the one that we want' will ignite many memories for many people, good and bad!"
The exhibition is open now until December.
Posted: 1st April 2008
Heritage Volunteers opportunities open evening
Gloucestershire's heritage is rich and varied. We are blessed with both large and small museums, beautiful buildings, intriguing sites, surprising galleries and fascinating artefacts.
Have you ever fancied working in the heritage industry? Perhaps you're looking to return to work and want to get some new experience and update your skills? You may be searching out new friends and a social network? Or you could be looking for a worthwhile organisation that can benefit from your lifetime of experience and skills?
We are looking for a wide variety of people, at different stages of their lives, with no, some or lots of experience. If you have a few hours or a few days to spare and an interest in heritage we will be interested in talking to you. Just one of the positions on offer for example: Volunteer Apprentice Vine-Keeper!
Here are just some of the jobs currently being done by volunteers in Gloucestershire heritage; museum curators, exhibition officers, education officers, historic house gardeners, accountants, secretaries, tour guides, historical re-enactors, archivists, shop managers and visitor service staff. Our volunteers have access to a wide range of FREE or subsidised professional training courses throughout the year.
If you want to find out more, join us at one of the two open evenings we have organised.
- Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum on the 13th February 2008
- The Edward Jenner Museum, Berkeley on the 28th February 2008
The evenings will be kick started with refreshments and introductions. We are offering special behind the scenes tours and presentations by the museum curators and current volunteers, highlighting some interesting projects they have been working on and the benefits of volunteering. Staff from a range of other museums will also be there to talk to you about their site and work.
There will be no obligation to sign up for work, but if you would like to pursue your interest after the open evening we would like to take your contact details and areas of interest/experience so we can help you find the position you are looking for in the best suited institution.
To book your place at one of the open evenings call:
01242 775708 (Helen Brown) or 01242 775707 (Anna Stanway)
for 13th February 2008 6.30-8.30pm at Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum
Or
01453 810631 for 28th February 2008 6.30-8.30pm
at The Edward Jenner Museum, Berkeley
Posted: 30th January 2008
Guinness World Record Update
To all Scooter Participants who took part in the Guinness World Record at The Cotswold Motoring Museum on the 20th May 2007.
I am sorry to tell you that after all these weeks of waiting the Cheltenham & Gloucester Scooter Club and The Cotswold Motoring Museum have found out that the World record has been refused us due to the fact the evidence we provided did not satisfy the Guinness Administrators that we had an uninterrupted two mile parade of Scooters. There is unfortunately no way to contact or appeal about the decision once the Administrators have emailed you with their decision.
We thank you for your help and participation on the day, we thought it was a great fun anyhow and look forward to seeing you at the museum soon.
Posted: 26th October 2007
World Record Attempt - Update
A big thanks to all those scooters who took part in the GuinnessTM World Record attempt on the 20th May 2007 for the longest 2 mile parade at the Rissingtons and then paraded to Bourton on the Water. Live music and a few words from the author of the film 'Quadrophenia' along with perfect weather made the day very successful.
The scooters that completed from start to finish are numbered at 475. We had to get over 449 to beat the Italian record last year. However, The GuinnessTM Record people do have to look at all the evidence and decide if it properly qualifies before we are able to claim it as a record, please watch this space and we will continue to update you about the outcome of this event...
Posted: 1st October 2007
'People, who we are'...
To celebrate Museums and Galleries Month 2007 the Cotswold Motoring Museum is planning a series of fun events around the national theme 'People, who we are'...
People with a Passion
Welcome Weekend, Friday 4 May to Monday 7 May. Meet the passionate experts (11am - 4pm)
To launch the celebrations we are having our own very special Welcome Weekend where staff and Friends of the Museum will be on hand to talk about, and maybe even operate, their favourite objects. Ever wondered what it would be like to own a classic car, or start your own toy collection, we will tell how this collection was originally put together. You might leave inspired to start your own collection.
Never two-tyred for Passion
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 May (11am - 4pm)
The vintage cyclists from Northleach will be here to demonstrate and show their pre-1930s bicycles.
People with a Minor passion
Sunday 13 May it's Morris Minor Madness (12am - 2pm)
In partnership with the Morris Minor Club we are welcoming 120 Morris Minors who are celebrating their 21st anniversary. It will be a fun, if not slightly weird, day to have so many moggies in the village. Don't forget your camera.
Local passion
19 May is Museums at Night - Nuit des Musees - International Museums Day.
On Saturday 19 May our special late night opening will give local residents an opportunity to visit the Museum and see the new galleries and displays.
Italian passion (12am - 2pm)
On Sunday the 20 May to coincide with our extended Quadrophenia Exhibition over 400 Lambretta and Vespa scooters are expected to make their way to Bourton on the Water.
Is this a world record? We will ask the Guinness World of Records and find out. So slip on your Parka and your desert boots and make your way to Bourton for what is going to be the coolest event of the year.
Passionate Friends (11am - 2pm)
On Monday 28 May the Friends of the Museum are running a table top sale. These are people with a passion for the museum. Meet them, support them, join them and become passionate about our Museum.
Posted: 4th April 2007
Quadrophenia Exhibition
Due to popular demand the museum will be extending its Quadrophenia display until the end of May. The exhibition, around the film, consists of at least 2 original scooters from the film, clothes, original photos, memorabilia and contributions from the film Director Franc Roddam.
In the early sixties groups of young people in Britain began to rebel against the American Rock n Roll music that was around at the time. These people listened to modern jazz & soul and called themselves MODS
The mods wore Italian tailored style suits and rode Lambretta and Vespa scooters. As the movement grew in 1963 and 1964 British bands emerged to champion the movement, one of these bands was THE WHO.
The mods would ride down to the local seaside resorts to meet up over the Bank Holiday Weekends, Hastings, Clacton and Brighton, and occasionally the Rockers would turn up!
This was immortalized in The Who Film Quadrophenia. A book and DVD are set to be released after the exhibition by the organiser Dave Wyburn.
The Guest Car Showroom takes a sideways look at some of the 20th century's motoring icons so come and see the sights and sounds of the roaring 1960s and Quadraphenia - some visitors will be reliving their youth, whilst younger visitors will marvel in the multi-coloured, often flamboyant scooters.
Posted: 11th July 2006
Official Opening of 3 New Exciting Galleries
The Cotswold Motoring Museum will be in full swing this Easter when it officially opens its exciting new galleries. Check out the Guest Car Showroom currently featuring a Model T Ford on its revolving platform and over Easter a life-size replica of Wallace & Gromit's Anti-pesto Van from Curse of the Wererabbit, as used by Aardman Animations. Also new to the Museum is Windrush Alley and an exhibition area dedicated to the 60s & 70s. Read on for further information.
For the past seven years the Cotswold Motoring Museum in Bourton on the Water has gone from strength to strength, and this year promises to be our best ever. Work on our three new galleries has reached its final stages and, although we will not officially launch them until Easter, they are now ready for you to see.
Each gallery has its own unique character. The Mill Gallery is bulging with classic cars, quaint caravans, motoring curiosities, and enamel signs. There are showcases packed with memorabilia, so you will need to look high and low, every corner is filled. There are quizzes and activities for younger visitors which makes their visit tremendous fun.
In the Blacksmith's Workshop the realistic sounds and smells bring to life a world that, 100 years ago, was rapidly moving away from horses and towards the horseless carriage.
The Windrush Alley, with its atmospheric lighting, takes enchanting look at motoring from street level. The Boneshaker, Penny-Farthing, Safety bicycle and Victorian tricycle all share the road with a horse drawn carriage. A replica shopfront is filled with products that would have delighted the Edwardian shopper. Just around the corner, Motorsport makes a muddy splash with a 1964 MG 1100 and a Levis motorcycle from the days of motorcycle football.
Then into the Country Garage. These garages opened up and down the land to serve the needs of the early motorist. This captivating story is told through Jack Lake, Bourton's very own pioneer mechanic.
Our brand new Guest Car Showroom takes a sideways look at some of the 20th century's motoring icons. In a radical change of atmosphere, we use the colours, shapes and textures of the 1960s and 70s to evoke nostalgia for this post war baby boomer era.
The Toy Collection is a child's paradise. Packed into showcases and hanging from the ceiling are some of the toys we once longed for, and some we may have owned. This year there is a specially designed slot-car track on display in our Collectors Room.
For further information contact us on 01451 821 255Posted: 14th February 2006
