Museum makes mark with motorbike (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Museum makes mark with motorbike

A NEW addition to Tetbury's famous Police Museum is set to get visitors' motors running.

The has recently acquired a restored 1957 Police Velocette LE Mk II lightweight motorcycle, kindly donated to the museum by Mrs K. Bobs.

Mrs Bobs and her late husband were stationed at Tetbury and lived in the Police Sergeant's quarters, apparently the coldest building they have ever lived in.

Mike Knowles of Cheltenham spent many hours restoring the Velocette to its present condition but unfortunately the engine could not be restored completely due to the lack of spare parts.

The Velocette LE (which stands for Light Engine), known fondly as the "Noddy Bike" was a favourite with the Police and similar models were in use in Gloucestershire so the police in places like Tetbury could get to the smaller villages.

The Velocette had a completely new type of engine that had a centre gearshift and a water-cooled engine that was a lot quieter than normal motorcycles.

During the production of the Velocette MK II police orders started to come in, though special fleet discounts meant that the price paid to the company was less than the retail one.

The Tetbury Police Museum is currently looking for volunteers to help with research, setting up exhibitions, maintaining current exhibits, developing the courtroom exhibition and helping with open days and some group visits.

No previous experience is required and volunteers can set their own schedule.

If you would like to find out any more information please contact museum curator Gwen Bruist on 016666 504 670.