At the National Motorcycle Museum, we’re fortunate to have a dedicated team of around 20 volunteers who give their time every Thursday to help care for our world-famous collection. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on one of those volunteers, Geoff Ansell, who has been supporting the Museum since 2020.
Tell us a little about yourself and your connection to the Museum.
I’ve been volunteering at the National Motorcycle Museum since the end of the first lockdown in 2020. After the Museum had been closed for such a long period, the collection was covered in dust and needed a lot of attention. Volunteering was my way of saying thank you to the Museum for all the support it has given to the VMCC over the years.
What is the VMCC?
I’m the Midland Section Chairman of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC). Our Midland Section has around 120 members who enjoy riding classic motorcycles, attending events and meeting up regularly. We hold our monthly meetings at the National Motorcycle Museum on the third Wednesday of every month, which makes it a very important venue for us.
How long have you been riding motorcycles?
I’ve been riding since I was 15 years old. My first bike was a 1955 Norton Model 50, and I’ve never really looked back!
Do you have a favourite motorcycle?
Yes, definitely Panthers. I’ve owned several over the years and still have a number of them today. The photograph accompanying this feature shows me standing next to a 1952 Panther in the Museum’s collection. It’s very similar to my own favourite bike, a 1953 Panther that I still ride regularly.
What sort of work do you do as a volunteer?
No two Thursdays are ever quite the same. I help with all kinds of projects around the Museum, including fettling and maintaining bikes, preparing machines for events, cleaning up newly donated motorcycles, and even collecting and delivering donated bikes. It’s incredibly rewarding to play a small part in preserving these wonderful machines for future generations to enjoy.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
It’s great to spend time around such an incredible collection of motorcycles and work alongside a fantastic group of volunteers who share the same passion. Every bike has a story, and it’s satisfying to help keep them looking their best for visitors.
Our volunteers play a vital role in helping us care for the National Motorcycle Museum’s collection, and we’re incredibly grateful for their time, expertise and enthusiasm. Thank you, Geoff, for everything you do.
Coventry Road
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