Dr Alex Moulton Honoured at West Barn BoA 25th-28th April

Dr Alex Moulton, inventor of the Moulton bicycle and designer of the suspension for the original Mini, will be 90 on April 9, while on April 15 Jem Marsh, co-founder of sports car manufacturer Marcos, will turn 80.

Bradford on Avon Town Council, the preservation trust and the town’s museum have joined forces to put on an exhibition celebrating Dr Moulton’s engineering career at the West Barn from April 25-28.

Dr Moulton said: “I am deeply honoured and delighted. I feel very privileged that they have taken the trouble to do this.

“I have contributed a number of old photographs and items from my personal collection. There will be some components and some bikes on display, both early and current designs.”

On April 24 Bradford on Avon museum will launch a two-week exhibition on the life of former racing driver and engineer Mr Marsh, with up to 100 Marcos cars from two owners clubs descending on the town the following day.

Mr Marsh said: “It is going to be a very exciting day. I have got pictures and all sorts for the exhibition, bits of cars and what have you.

“There is still a lot of work to do finding interesting bits and pieces, but it will be good fun.”

Museum trustee Roy Canham said: “There will be a little celebration for Dr Moulton at the West Barn on April 25. It is difficult to fit many people in there but we will do our best.

“The exhibition will only be in there for about four days so we are hoping to be able to move it somewhere else, as it would be a shame to get it all together for such a short time.”

Mr Canham said the museum was originally investigating the possibility of an exhibition looking at transport in the town generally when Mr Marsh’s birthday was brought to their attention.

He said: “It was too good an opportunity to miss really. We are planning to use the library car park for all the cars, and possibly Victory Field if necessary. It should be a very colourful day.”

Dr Moulton has recently produced a detailed account of his working life, Alex Moulton, From Bristol to Bradford on Avon, A Lifetime in Engineering, which is available via www.alexmoultonbooks.co.uk.