Anyone visiting the museum during the last 3 years will undoubtedly have met and heard the blacksmith and the wheelwright chatting about “… these new -fangled motor cars …. “. Well, if you have visited recently, you will know that they have been joined in the blacksmith’s shop by three chatty newcomers who are moving the discussion on to the merits of the internal combustion engine, the ease of refuelling from a pump (albeit a hand-operated pump) and the exciting prospect of a trip in a motorcycle sidecar.

The other day, there was a group of visitors standing in between the three characters, swivelling around in unison to look at the one who was ‘speaking’ and watching them move. And, by the way, on the day that fuel duty in the UK was reduced by 5p per litre (around 23p per gallon) have you seen the price per gallon of BP in the blacksmith’s shop? Unbelievable at 7½p per gallon including tax – a bargain, even if you have to pump it yourself. As I heard one of the men in the flat cap say, “ … it is better than buying it in 2 gallon cans from the chemist”.

Changing topic, this year marks 100 years since the Austin Seven first went on sale in the UK. From Easter this year, each of the museum’s Austin Sevens – there are a couple shown here – will be highlighted to show how they are linked to that original Austin Seven.

Keep an eye on the blog for the latest news: better still please call in, we would be delighted to see you.