Spring 2025 Community News Update

Spring has finally sprung and it’s a perfect time to share an update on our community plans which are in bloom following seeds which were sown last year. It’s certainly a busy time but one we hope will create meaningful connections for our museum and community.

Caravan for the Community

We are delighted that with thanks to the generous support of Suzuki UK, the National Motor Museum Trust team have taken delivery of a Suzuki S-Cross loan car. The car will be essential to for towing our 1971 Sprite 400 caravan out and about in the community. The car was kindly delivered from Suzuki UK by Alan Honour and Paul Quartermaine in early March.

With a recent light branding from Thurston print company in Holbury, the car’s bright, new design further helps to raise awareness of our National Lottery Heritage Fund project @chatty_caravan project and our museum.

Our team will have use of the vehicle until the end of September 2025 which will enable our caravan to be transported to various community events in the coming months. These include a 75th Sprite Anniversary Rally event at Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble, ‘BROCKFEST’ community event, a summer tour of Hampshire libraries and other community outreach projects in development. Our outreach work offers opportunities for us to share conversations, stories and connections to our museum for those who may face barriers to engaging more directly.

Follow @chatty_caravan as more details are revealed and follow for updates of the caravan restoration work to bring back the Sprite’s style and shine. Happily, the sun was shining recently when our Learning Team, and Caravan and Motorhome Club curator took to the wheel of the Suzuki for some towing training. Instructed by one of our skilled volunteers, it was essential training to ensure we can take the caravan out and about safely.

Motoring Memories and Shared Stories

Engaging with our local community is key to our outreach work. In March our pilot reminiscence project ‘Motoring Memories and Shared Stories’ was warmly welcomed by group members and staff at the Totton and Calmore Dementia Care Hub. Our Community Learning Officer spent a joyful time delivering the first reminiscence session ‘All About Cars’, engaging local adults living with dementia.

Using photos and images from our collection of cars from the 1950s – 1990s, alongside a treasure box of car related objects and memorabilia, everyone at the session enjoyed a sensory trip down memory lane. From travel sweets to tree shaped air fresheners, car polish to car mops, there were many smiles and stories of times gone by.

One group member also shared his photo album of beautiful luxury vintage vehicles he had worked on in the past. It was ‘all about cars’ but also so much more. Further sessions are being planned with other local care and wellbeing settings this year.

Brockenhurst College students at the National Motor Museum

Youth Views and Voices

Also bursting into life is our ‘Youth Views and Voices’ project in collaboration with sixty, Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Practice students from Brockenhurst College and their superb teaching team. The students will be producing and creating short documentaries and animations, reflecting their responses and interpretations to ‘Ages of Motoring’, motoring culture and related personal connections. This extensive project offers them a live brief as part of assessed modules for their course. Following their education visits and production days at the museum in February and March, the students will continue to work hard over the coming months to meet their production deadline. A showcase of their work is planned for early June and their creations will then be shared on our National Motor Museum YouTube channel, website and social media. Hosting the students has been a pleasure and they have truly appreciated the support, knowledge and experience from a range of museum staff, volunteers, Beaulieu colleagues (and a few visitors too). Sincere thanks to all who have engaged so positively with our young collaborators so far!

Minstead Minibus Stories

With momentum in full swing, another of our collaborative projects starting in April is with the Minstead Trust. This inspiring organisation supports local adults with learning disabilities to engage with a diverse programme of inspiring and empowering activities. Our project ‘Minstead Minibus Stories’ (...and other transport tales) will be an opportunity to hear the stories, experiences and voices from those who attend Minstead Trust day opportunities. Our collaborative project will raise awareness of the importance that access to the minibus and transport plays in making life opportunities accessible and inclusive for all. The intrinsic personal, social and skills development of this are invaluable. It’s a project that will evolve through shared sessions, conversations, anecdotes and smiles. Informed very much by the Minstead members, we plan to create a community exhibition from our work together and will share updates as things progress.