The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £57,527 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Varies significantly (£75,000 awarded to Beaulieu in 2014)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Affiliated Museums: 18 museums across the UK

Contact Details

Website: www.bmct.org

Email: info@bmct.org

Phone: 01386 462524

Address: Holly Cottage, Main Street, Bishampton, Pershore WR10 2NH

Overview

The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) was established in 1979 as a registered charity dedicated to preserving British motorcycles of historic and scientific importance and providing for their display to the public. Between 1979 and 1995, the Trust developed the National Motorcycle Museum at Solihull before transferring it to private management. As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, the BMCT operates with total annual expenditure of £57,527 (2024) and maintains a network of 18 affiliated museums across the UK. The Trust relies on bequests, donations, and membership subscriptions (approximately 1,394 associate members in 2024) to fund its preservation work. All trustees serve as unpaid volunteers, bringing expertise from various business backgrounds to support the Trust's mission of protecting British motorcycle heritage.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The BMCT provides grant funding to museums and institutions for projects related to British motorcycle preservation and public display. Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope:

• Museum Exhibition Grants: Major funding for permanent displays (e.g., £75,000 to National Motor Museum, Beaulieu in 2014)
• Collection Acquisition Grants: Joint funding arrangements with other sources like the Heritage Lottery Fund to acquire significant motorcycle collections
• Infrastructure Grants: Support for museum facilities such as replica exhibition spaces
• Research and Education Grants: Funding for historical research and educational materials about the British motorcycle industry

Applications appear to be considered on a rolling basis, though no formal application portal is publicly advertised.

Priority Areas

• Preservation: Identifying and securing rare British motorcycles of historic and scientific importance
• Public Access: Supporting museum exhibitions that make collections accessible to the general public
• Education: Funding research and educational work relating to the British motorcycle industry
• Heritage Conservation: Establishing and preserving a working record of British motorcycle manufacturing history
• Cultural Significance: Projects that document the industrial, engineering, sporting, and social aspects of British motorcycling

The Trust specifically focuses on British motorcycles and works through a network of affiliated museums including the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Coventry Transport Museum, Tank Museum, Black Country Living Museum, Haynes International Motor Museum, and Manx National Heritage Museum.

What They Don't Fund

Based on their charitable objectives:

• Non-British motorcycles or motorcycle heritage
• Individual collectors or private collections not accessible to the public
• Projects without a public exhibition or educational component
• Organizations outside the UK
• General operating costs unrelated to British motorcycle preservation

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Governance and Leadership

The BMCT is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising volunteer motorcycle enthusiasts with diverse business expertise:

Current Trustees (as of latest available information):

• Paul Barnes - Chairman, Independent Financial Advisor
• Ian Walden OBE - Retired former Chief Executive of the Black Country Living Museum
• Mike Jackson - Consultant and former owner of Andover Norton International
• Nick Jeffery - Retired Solicitor and Committee Member of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs
• Peter Wellings - Trustee
• John Handley - Trustee

Recent Board Changes: Dennis Frost, a lifelong motorcyclist and head judge at the Stafford County Showground shows, joined the Trustee board replacing the recently retired John Kidson.

All trustees serve without remuneration and bring specialized knowledge of British motorcycle heritage, museum management, and business operations to guide the Trust's grant-making decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The BMCT does not operate a public application process or online portal. Grant funding decisions appear to be made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, who identify worthwhile projects through their network of affiliated museums and heritage organizations.

Museums and institutions seeking funding should contact the Trust directly:

• Email: info@bmct.org
• Phone: 01386 462524

Organizations interested in funding should be prepared to demonstrate:

• How the project preserves British motorcycles of historic/scientific importance
• Plans for public access and exhibition
• Alignment with the Trust's affiliated museum network
• Partnership opportunities with other funding sources (the Trust has co-funded projects with the Heritage Lottery Fund)

Getting on Their Radar

The BMCT operates an Affiliation Scheme for museums, which appears to be the primary pathway for organizations to develop relationships with the Trust:

• The Trust maintains partnerships with 18 affiliated museums across the UK
• Recent additions to the affiliation scheme include Derby Museum of Making, Isle of Man Motor Museum, and Internal Fire Museum (the first Welsh affiliate)
• Trustees have direct connections to major motorcycle heritage institutions - for example, Ian Walden OBE is the former Chief Executive of the Black Country Living Museum, a past grant recipient
• Nick Jeffery's role with the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs suggests that active participation in the historic vehicle sector is valuable

Museums should consider:

• Joining or expressing interest in the BMCT affiliation scheme
• Demonstrating existing commitment to British motorcycle preservation
• Building relationships through the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs
• Attending major motorcycle heritage events where BMCT trustees may be present (such as the Stafford County Showground shows)

Decision Timeline

No public information is available regarding typical decision timeframes. Grant decisions appear to be made by the Board of Trustees on an ongoing basis rather than through fixed funding rounds.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Trust does not publish data on the number of applications received versus grants awarded.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies or restrictions on unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

While the BMCT does not publish formal application guidance, analysis of their past grants reveals key success factors:

Funded Projects Demonstrate:

• Historic Significance: Projects involving rare, important British motorcycles (e.g., the Marston Collection of Wolverhampton-built motorcycles, a unique WWI Matchless Vickers machine gun outfit)
• Public Benefit: Clear plans for public exhibition and access (all major grants have been for museum displays)
• Geographic Representation: Projects that preserve regional British motorcycle manufacturing heritage (e.g., Wolverhampton builds at Black Country Living Museum, Coventry industry history)
• Partnership Funding: Willingness to combine BMCT funding with other sources (e.g., joint BMCT/Heritage Lottery Fund grant in 2001)
• Professional Standards: Museum-quality exhibition and conservation standards

Strategic Priorities Based on Grant Patterns:

• Permanent exhibitions receive significant support (e.g., “Life on Two Wheels” at Haynes Motor Museum, £75,000 for Beaulieu revamp)
• Infrastructure that enhances public engagement (e.g., replica 1930s motorcycle shop at Black Country Living Museum)
• Research and documentation projects that contribute to historical understanding of the British motorcycle industry
• Projects that establish or enhance the public's access to rare machines

Trustee Expertise Suggests:

• Given Ian Walden OBE's museum management background, professionally planned and managed projects are likely valued
• Mike Jackson's connection to Andover Norton International indicates appreciation for authentic industry knowledge
• Nick Jeffery's work with the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs suggests alignment with broader heritage vehicle sector priorities matters

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: Contact the Trust directly to discuss potential projects; building relationships through the affiliation scheme appears to be the primary pathway
• Focus on British Heritage: Projects must specifically relate to British motorcycles of historic and scientific importance - this is the Trust's sole charitable purpose
• Public Access is Essential: All funded projects must include plans for public exhibition; private collections are not eligible
• Museum Network Matters: The Trust works primarily through its network of 18 affiliated museums - affiliation appears to significantly improve funding prospects
• Partnership Funding Works: The Trust has co-funded significant projects with bodies like the Heritage Lottery Fund - demonstrating matched funding may strengthen proposals
• Size and Scope Vary: Grants range from modest support for specific displays to major awards of £75,000+ for comprehensive museum projects
• Trustees Have Deep Sector Knowledge: With backgrounds in museum management, motorcycle manufacturing, and heritage vehicles, trustees will assess technical and historical credibility carefully
• Limited Resources: With annual expenditure around £57,000, the Trust cannot support many large projects simultaneously - timing and strategic fit are likely important

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Moto Foundation
• The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
• THE LENNOX HANNAY CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
• The Adint Charitable Trust
• The Sir John Fisher Foundation
• The Loppylugs and Barbara Morrison Charitable Trust
• D C R Allen Charitable Trust
• Thriplow Charitable Trust
• The Mary Kinross Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register: THE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE CHARITABLE TRUST (509420) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=509420
• British Motorcycle Charitable Trust official website: www.bmct.org
• Wikipedia: British Motorcycle Charitable Trust - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Motorcycle_Charitable_Trust
• BMCT News: “Stafford Show judge joins BMCT Board” - https://www.bmct.org/new-trustee
• BMCT News: “Internal Fire Museum joins BMCT affiliation scheme” - https://www.bmct.org/internal-fore-museum-joins-bmct-affiliation-scheme
• VintageBike.co.uk: “Feature – The British Motorcycle Charitable Trust” - http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/blog/feature-the-british-motorcycle-charitable-trust/