On the site of the famous banked racing circuit built in 1907, Brooklands Museum is one of my favourite haunts. Readers will be familiar with the circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, from many earlier articles on Macfilos. The collection of cars, motorcycles, aeroplanes and buses is a magnet for anyone interested in the history of transport but, thanks to Covid, the museum has been out of bounds for much of the past year.
A leisurely 17-mile drive from home, Brooklands is normally on my visiting list several times a month. There is always something new to see and photograph. And without a doubt, I’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms for many months.
The next best thing to a visit is a television programme, and that’s where the new series, “Secrets of the Transport Museum” comes in. It started this week on the Yesterday channel, viewable on UKTV Play, and there will be ten episodes broadcast at 8 pm on Tuesdays. More detail is available on the Brooklands Museum site.
The UKTV Play app is available from the Apple, Android, and Amazon stores. The series is also broadcast on Sky, Virgin, Virgin Ireland, BT, TalkTalk, Yourview, FreeviewPlay, Freesat and via applications on Samsung and Sony Bravia televisions.
Brooklands is reopening for outdoor activities on Fridays and Saturdays from April 16 and will begin normal opening from May 19.
Read more Brooklands stories on Macfilos
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whoops – can’t spell education
I thought you were reinforcing your point.😊
Quite depressing to read that the quality of eduction is so poor today that a teacher does not even know what the Battle of Britain was!
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
The Napier-Railton. Great lines. A design classic.
Both Form and Function in one package.
How often do they fire up the 12cylinder aeroplane engine hiding under the bonnet?
It seems to get frequent outings, Wayne. I have been able to photograph it on numerous occasions. They seem to get it out for most big events but it is often out during the week for filming. There is always something going on.
When I think of Brooklands, 2 names come to mind. The first is Sir Henry ‘Tim ‘ Birkin who raced there with his red 4.5 litre Blower Bentley. There are photos of him with all 4 wheels of that car off the track on the banking at Brooklands. Tim was the daredevil of all daredevils, but he died not in a car crash, but after getting a burn on his arm from a hot exhaust when leaned out to pick up a cigarette . The other one is Freddie Dixon who raced on 2 wheels and 4. He famously raced in Rileys, but I’m not sure if he used a Brooklands Riley or one of his own Riley Specials. Both men also raced on my side of the Irish Sea. Dixon won the RAC TT in Ards in Northern Ireland in 1935 and Birkin eventually won the Irish International Grand Prix in Dublin in 1931, in an Alfa Romeo, after several unsuccessful attempts in Bentleys.
When men were men etc.
William
It is exciting to be opening stuff up again – I am very cautious about the risk, and we are not as low in terms of infection rates as everyone would like. Trust me compare current data to last year, they are different. But, in comparison to where we have been it is low. And the vaccine effect looks like it is starting to show up, as it did in Israel.
If we get the majority vaccinated, and start doing boosters for the people who are of greatest risk for next winter – then who knows, perhaps we will start to emerge and stay out of this pickle.
I look forward to seeing the next Brooklands outing. and who cares what camera you use.
I think their new aircraft hangar is also worth a mention. Replacing the (allegedly) temporary structure on the old start-finish straight, it of coure has some wonderful exhibits, including the Loch Ness Wellington. But what really impressed me is the way it caters for school parties (not something that normally interests me, I must confess). They’re encouraged to take on the role of apprentices in an old aircraft factory, from clocking on when they arrive to trying their hand at various metal-woring and woodworking skills, as well as a brief course in practical aerodynamics. Whisper it quietly but I suspect the teachers will also learn a lot – I remember one of the regular team working on the Hurricane telling me about a school visit to its previous hangar. When they approached, he launched into his standard chat about the Hurricane being the unsung hero of the Battle of Britain, with more victories than the glamorous Spitfire, very rugged, easy to repair, etc, etc. The school party listened attentively and at the end of his chat, the TEACHER asked, “Excuse me, what was the Battle of Britain?” Well worth a visit, with or without juniors in tow.
You are blessed to have that museum so nearby. The napier-railton is gorgeous – the Leica of cars?
I certainly am. It’s a nice place to go for a morning out, with a cafe and, for members, a bar/restaurant which is open on certain days of the week. A good place for Sunday lunch… And, as I say in the article, there is always something new. Owners of vintage cars are encouraged to drive in and park in front of the clubhouse for all to see. A great asset, allround.