Watsonian Centenary Rally

Watsonian sidecars celebrate their centenary this year and to mark the occasion the British manufacturer is throwing a party at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on 18-19th Aug 2012. 

Founded by TF Watson in 1912, Watsonian has survived two world wars, the Great Depression of 1929 and a devastating factory fire in 1930. Today the company still makes Great British sidecars in the Heart of England, exporting across the globe.

Attractions at the Centenary Rally will be displayed in two exhibition halls and historic sidecars like Eric Oliver's world championship winning Norton, the Brough outfit that starred in hit 1970's sitcoms George and Mildred and Dad's army and a one-off Watsonian 1000cc v-twin motorcycle combination from 1950. Star guests include multiple TT champions Dave Molyneux and Mick Boddice, 1953 world sidecar champion Stan Dibben and sidecar speed record holder Norman Hyde (on Sunday). 

Among the many other attractions are the company archives, driving skills test, prizes for Best in Show (whatever the make), trade stands and an opportunity to test ride Royal Enfield motorcycles, which have been distributed by Watsonian since 1999.

Camping and self catering accommodation is available on site, as is the Stoneleigh Park Lodge guest house. On Saturday evening there will be entertainment with a live band and bar selling a special celebration ale.

Tickets for the weekend cost £10 per person in advance; day tickets will only be available on the Sunday and can be purchased at the gate for £5.  Children under 16 go free and parking is also free  For more information on the Centenary Rally call 01386 700907 or visit watsonian-squire.com. 

MP joins Ride to Work Day to promote British exports

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for The Cotswolds, travelled to work at the House of Commons in a sidecar on Monday 18th June as part of the Ride to Work Day celebrations.  Ride To Work Day is an international opportunity for motorcycle and scooter riders around the world to share the enjoyment of their daily commute and Geoffrey was invited to participate by Watsonian sidecars, Britain's only remaining major manufacturer of sidecars, who are located in the MP's constituency in the Heart of England.

“Not only is Geoffrey Clifton-Brown our MP, he's also a champion of British manufacturers like us, who export their products, so this is a great opportunity to raise the profile of Great British sidecars” explains Watsonian sales director Ben Matthews, who drove the outfit.

“Watsonian celebrates its centenary this year and not many companies in the British motorcycle industry can make that claim” he continues.  “We've survived two world wars, the Great Depression of 1929  and a devastating fire that destroyed our factory in 1930.  Today exports account for half of our production, with strong sales to Japan, Germany and France, so it's vital that the Government does all it can to support British manufacturing.”

The sidecar in which Geoffrey rode is a Watsonian Wizard, powered by a Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle, based on the combinations that the factory supplied for the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which appeared in the spectacular chase sequence in which Harry Potter flees from the Death Eaters in a sidecar outfit driven by Hagrid. 

“Ever since I first visited Watsonian Squire a number of years ago and discovered what an effective exporting company they were I have been a great supporter of theirs” says Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. 

“We had about a 3/4 of an hour trip in from Putney” explains Geoffrey. “It's been a wonderful experience.  You see things that you wouldn't normally see in a car.  I think this is a great way to travel.”

Watsonian will be hosting a centenary celebration rally at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on 18th-19th August 2012.  For more information on this and Watsonian's current range of sidecars and details of the centenary rally call 01386 700907 or visit watsonian-squire.com. 

Sidecar Saturday at the Ace Cafe

Watsonian sidecars will be at London's famous Ace Cafe on Sidecar Saturday (31st March 2012) as part of the British manufacturer's centenary celebrations.

Founded by TF Watson in 1912, Watsonian has survived two world wars, the Great Depression  of 1929 (and numerous economic recessions that followed) and a devastating factory fire in 1930.  Today the company still makes Great British sidecars in the Heart of England, exporting across the globe.

Visitors to the Ace Cafe's Sidecar Saturday will have an opportunity to see the Watsonian Wizard outfit, based on the combinations that the factory supplied for the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Watsonian supplied several sidecar Royal Enfield Bullet/GP Manx combinations to the film-makers for use in the spectacular chase sequence in which Harry Potter flees from the Death Eaters in a sidecar outfit driven by Hagrid.

Watsonian will also be promoting their centenary rally, which they are hostnig at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on 18-19th Aug 2012.  Attractions include a display of historic sidecars along with the company archives, driving skills test, prizes for Best in Show, celebrity guests, trade stands and an opportunity to test ride Royal Enfield motorcycles, which have been distributed by Watsonian since 1999.      

For more information on Watsonian's current range of sidecars and details of the centenary rally call 01386 700907 or visit www.watsonian-squire.com.

Watsonian sidecars centenary rally

Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, 18-19th Aug 2012

Watsonian sidecars celebrate their centenary this year and to mark the occasion the British manufacturer is throwing a party at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on 18-19th Aug 2012.

Founded by TF Watson in 1912, Watsonian has survived two world wars, the Great Depression of 1929 (and numerous economic recessions that followed) and a devastating factory fire in 1930. Today the company still makes Great British sidecars in the Heart of England, exporting across the globe. Visitors from around the world are expected - Watsonian's Japanese distributor, Corofi, will be riding a couple of outfits to the rally.

Attractions at the Centenary Rally include a display of historic sidecars along with the company archives, driving skills test, prizes for Best in Show, celebrity guests, trade stands and an opportunity to test ride Royal Enfield motorcycles, which have been distributed by Watsonian since 1999. Watsonian is keen to hear from owners of interesting or unusual outfits and three-wheelers, whether Watsonian or other makes, who would like to show their vehicles at the event.

Camping and self catering accommodation is available on site, as is the Stoneleigh Park Lodge guest house. On Saturday evening there will be entertainment with a live band and bar.

Tickets for the weekend cost £10 per person in advance; day tickets will only be available on the Sunday and can be purchased at the gate for £5.

For more information on the Centenary Rally and the full range of sidecars, trailers and motorcycles available from Watsonian-Squire call 01386 700907 or visit watsonian-squire.com.

Watsonian centenary rally August 2012

Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, 18-19th Aug 2012

Join Watsonian sidecars at Stoneleigh Park (formerly the National Agricultural Centre) for a rally to celebrate their 100th birthday.

Founded by TF Watson in 1912, Watsonian has survived two world wars, economic boom and bust and a devastating factory fire.  Today the company still makes Great British sidecars in the Heart of England, exporting across the globe.  Ironically, Japan is their biggest overseas market and Corofi, Watsonian's Japanese distributor, will be riding a couple of outfits to the rally.

Attractions at the Centenary Rally include a display of historic sidecars along with the company archives, driving skills test, prizes for Best in Show, celebrity guests, trade stands and an opportunity to test ride Royal Enfield motorcycles, which have been distributed by Watsonian since 1999.  (Please bring your license & riding gear).

On Saturday evening there will be entertainment with a live band and bar.

Tickets for the weekend cost £10 per person in advance.  Camping and self catering accommodation is available on site, as is the Stoneleigh Park Lodge guest house. Book your accommodation direct with Stoneleigh Park on 02476 690123 quoting event number 10348. 

Wizard Wheels exhibition 10Jan-11 March

"Wizard Wheels: the Watsonian sidecar" is an exhibition at the Court Barn museum in Chipping Campden,one of the most pictureque villages in the Cotswoldsand just a couple of miles from the Watsonian factory.

The museum celebrates the talented artists, designers and craftspeople who worked in and around Chipping Campden and the north Cotswolds since the time of the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 20th century.

“This is slightly different to our usual displays, but as the museum celebrates craft and design in the north Cotswold we thought it was an opportunity not to miss; celebrating something which is built only a few miles from the Museum" explains curator Sarah McCormick Healy. "There is also a connection with Michael Cardew, who founded Winchcombe potteries and is one of the nine lives we celebrate at the Museum. In the 1920s the potter Bernard Leach brought Michael Cardew to Broadway to meet Gordon Russell, the furniture designer. This visit led Michael Cardew to restart the potteries at Winchcombe. They travelled up from St Ives on a motorbike and sidecar”.

The exhibition runs from Tues 10 January – Sun 11 March 2012; For information on admission charges, Group Visits, location, parking and contact details go to  http://www.courtbarn.org.uk/visitors

Watsonian's historic support for rugged ladies

Seventy five years ago two British women rode a Panther/Watsonian sidecar outfit (pulling a Watsonian trailer) across the Sahara, through equatorial Africa and South to the Cape, a feat that no man had dared to even attempt.  Here’s the AMA’s account of their story, and the incredible account of Theresa Wallach’s lifetime on two wheels.  No wonder she was inducted into their Motorcycle Hall of Fame.  There's some brilliant archive movie to watch too ...