Rickman Day at Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum raises £1,400 for Oakhaven Hospice

A CELEBRATION of a former New Milton motorbike manufacturer roared in with £1,400 for Oakhaven Hospice.

Held at the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum in Bashley, the annual Rickman Enthusiasts Day is thought to be the largest gathering of Rickman motorbikes in the world.

The company, set up by Derek and Don Rickman, had a factory in Stem Lane where it is estimated they produced around 16,000 bikes.

At the event, a minute's silence was held in memory of Derek, who had been cared for at Oakhaven before he died last year.

Activities celebrating the brand included a parade circuit, with Sammy interviewing riders before they showed their bikes to the crowds.

Visitors got a preview of the bikes Sammy will be taking to Goodwood Festival of Speed as they also took to the track.

The museum workshop was open for tours, which included a 1949 AJS Porcupine – the first bike to win a world championship ridden by Les Graham.

A museum spokesperson told the A&T the event had "a bumper numbers of visitors", including Don Rickman and many former Rickman factory workers.

She added: "Once again we have enjoyed a fantastic day, with the biggest turnout of Rickman bikes ever seen before.

"Presentations took place in the afternoon with Sammy awarding 'best in show' to a Norton Métisse which travelled all the way from the Netherlands just to be here on the day.

"We also had visitors from as far afield as Germany, the USA and Australia."