Sammy Miller was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 11 1933. He first raced at the age of 16 in 1951. Since that time he has accumulated umpteen accolades, including:-
11 times British Trials Champion
Twice European Champion
Over 1482 Trials Events Winner
9 Gold Medals
3rd in 1957 250cc Grand Pric Championship
Sammy raced mainly for Ariel Motorcycles including trials and Isle of Man TT Races.
He is best known for the 500cc Ariel HT5 which he lightened considerably from ex-factory condition and had the famous UK Registeration plate of GOV 132.
In 2007 Sammy was Inducted into the AMA Motorcylce Hall of Fame.
In 2008, aged 74, he took part in the Isle of Mann Senior Race Day. During the Ducati parade lap, Sammy crashed and went over the Waterworks wall, NOT letting go of the bike, he got up and walked away unscathed!!
In 2009 Sammy was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List.
The Sammy Miller Museum is located in New Milton, Hampshire. Now I know nothing about bikes, apart from what I like the look of and what I don’t, and even I was impressed by the collections held here.
Bikes of every persuasion, whatever your preference, you will find something here to make you go WOW!!!
I personally liked the Velocettes, I then had the opportunity to sit on one at Poole Bike Night, which was an old Police bike, the lovely old gentleman that owned it was happy to tell us all about it, and told us it was fondly known as a ‘Noddy Bike’.
The museum has a Racing Bike Hall, Road Bike Hall, Sports Bike Hall, and Norton Collection. As well as lots of quirky paraphanelia, old advertisements, oil cans and fuel pumps, helmets and goggles. There is also a Penny Farthing and Bone Shaker bicycle.
The kids are kept entertained with a teddy bear hunt, just as well as you could quite comfortably spend a good couple of hours reusing all the artefacts.
The courtyard is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the the delicious offerings of the Teashop…..breakfast is a must !
The Car park is surrounded by animals Alpacas, donkeys and goats to name a few, there are two American Turkeys here called Salt and Pepper.
If you are in the area, take a detour to the museum, you won’t be disappointed.
