The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu now has a new display all about the Guild of Motoring Writers, including its long history and what it does today…
Chris Adamson reports.
The Guild of Motoring Writers’, the world’s oldest and largest organisation for automotive journalists has a new expanded and updated permanent exhibition at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.
The display, in its own dedicated area within the famous New Forest museum, tells the story of the Guild which was started by a group of motoring writers in October 1944. In a series of story boards it covers aspects of the Guild’s works such as its annual awards, its training for journalists and its links with Beaulieu.
At the heart of the mini-exhibiton is a new display unit (below) showcasing some of the Guild’s trophies and memorabilia including racing helmets worn by Sir Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill, a bronze prancing horse first presented to Mike Hawthorn by Enzo Ferrari, a piston from John Cobb’s record breaking Napier Railton and the original 1,000 Mile Trial cup.
Kim adds…
The display (especially its historical aspects and artefacts) will be of interest to all motoring enthusiasts visiting the National Motor Museum (which is always worth a visit, especially if you haven’t been there lately!).
Despite huge changes over the last 74 years in vehicles and the way people live, the very active and highly-respected Guild of Motoring Writers continues to uphold its aims established in 1944, and today is just as relevant in helping/representing its members.
On a personal level… It was through the Guild, and its Sir William Lyons Award for would-be motoring writers, that I was able to start out on my ‘dream’ career of writing about motor cars, in the 1970s. I am still proud to be a member of this organisation today (…and in fact if it hadn’t been for the Guild, you wouldn’t be reading this as ‘Wheels-Alive’ would not have existed!).
