Moultonbuzz

Storms Cause Culvert Collapse (from Wiltshire Times)

BICYLCE manufacturers Alex Moulton Bicycles have been left with a hole the size of a Mini at their site after a culvert burst during Monday's storms.
The incident happened at the company's base in Holt Road, Bradford on Avon, at about 4pm following a spell of torrential rain.

An overflow of water caused a drain, which runs underneath the Moulton site and into the river Avon, to burst, causing a wave of sewage and debris to surge towards the firm's offices and workshops.

Shaun Moulton, 40, is general manager of Moulton and the great nephew of Dr Alex Moulton, 88, who formed the company in 1962 and designed the suspension for the Mini car in the 1950s.

He said: "It just all piled out of the hole like a mini-tidal wave. I was in a meeting with our accountant at the time and I tried to shut the doors but the water just came hurtling through and straight into the office. It was about four inches deep at one stage.

"It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't sewage but I've been told that the pumping station hasn't got a filter system. The town is built on a drainage system that is so old it cannot cope."

Mr Moulton said even his great uncle helped to mop out the flood, which also affected their home.

He added: "Wessex Water came down and they basically stood around the hole and said it wasn't their responsibility, but West Wiltshire District Council said they were going to investigate the situation."

Ian Drury, a spokesman for Wessex Water, said: "When there is extreme rainfall Wessex Water is able to discharge wastewater into the water course, a process which is strictly monitored by the Environment Agency.

"However, following the intense rainfall on Monday the underground watercourse, which carries surface water and highway drainage for a large area of Bradford on Avon, struggled to cope with the flow and became defective. This resulted in some flooding around a property.

"Work will need to take place to identify who is responsible for the water course to ensure it is maintained and repaired to prevent future flooding.

Bath Chronicle: Jobs Boost In Pipeline For Bradford On Avon

New jobs could soon be coming to Bradford on Avon after a deal was signed between two of the UK's most established bicycle manufacturers. Alex Moulton Bicycles, which was launched in...

New jobs could soon be coming to Bradford on Avon after a deal was signed between two of the UK's most established bicycle manufacturers.

Alex Moulton Bicycles, which was launched in the town 50 years ago, has joined forces with Stratford on Avon bike builder Pashley Cycles to form The Moulton Bicycle Company.

The new firm will produce and market the ranges of both its founding partners with a combined staff of more than 50 people.

Moulton and Pashley have collaborated for the past 12 years with Pashley building and marketing the Pashley-Moulton TSR range.

Dr Alex Moulton, who founded the Bradford-based business in 1958, said the new venture would establish a solid base for the future growth of the Moulton bicycle business.

"This new initiative will allow us to increase our market penetration and reduce our supply times," he said.

"This will enable us to develop new marketing programmes, strengthen the enviable reputation of the Moulton brand and ensure our bicycles remain at the forefront of the small-wheel bicycle revolution."

More than half of Moulton's output is exported to Japan and the Far East from its base at Holt Road in Bradford.

Manufacturing will remain in the town, and the company hopes to generate more jobs. However, no figure has been put on the number of posts that could be created.

Pashley Cycles managing director Adrian Williams said the new company had already developed a substantial order book with a waiting list of 15 months for its most popular models.

Mr Williams said: "The task will be to increase production output and at the same time open up new markets which should not be difficult as these superbly engineered cycles are much-admired worldwide."

Betcher!

I found this video, from 1971, quite by accident. It's a film made for the Department of the Environment, to promote the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme. There are a few Moultons to be seen, with children from both groups riding them.

Experts will be able to identify the exact Moulton models, and spot a few Moulton suspended cars, apart from the obvious Mini Moke!

My observations:

Pity the Moultons weren't more central to the plot, but it was nice to see the Chopper (or at least its rider) being taught a lesson or two.
It was nice to see the "prize" was a sporty, but also functional bike. It had mudguards, mudflap, lights, bell, etc.
I was struck by how calm the streets were. The traffic was relatively light and moderate in speed, very few parked cars, and no inappropriately over-sized vehicles.

If that's got you in the mood for some nostalgia, have another look at these old CTC videos

Britain's Most Beautiful Canal Scenery

The route to Bradford-on-Avon, home of the Moulton Bicycle, from Bath, along the Kennet & Avon Canal, is featured in a new book entitled 50 Quirky Bike Rides.

The route is described as "Britain's most beautiful canal scenery and architecture".

A huge amount of detail on the route, including the photos here, is available on Paul's Cycle Route Photo Tours website

If you're making the annual Moulton Bicycle Club pilgrimage to Bradford-On-Avon in September, this route begs to be featured on your itinerary.

Other quirky rides include biking on Roman Roads, canals, aqueducts, bridges, and the London Underground. And lots, lots more.

50 Quirky Bike Rides can be bought from Eye Books' Website

Via: The Bike Show

Moulton and Pashley join forces to grow Moulton business.

Pashley have just posted this Press Release on the MoultonBicycle Yahoo Group, confirming the news previously reported by this blog. The release also appears on the Alex Moulton Bicycles Website

Moulton and Pashley join forces to grow Moulton business.

Alex Moulton Bicycles and Pashley Cycles are to combine their respective
strengths to manufacture, market and distribute the Moulton range of
small wheeled bicycles under a new Company, appropriately called...The
Moulton Bicycle Company.

Dr Moulton will be President of the new company and Shaun Moulton will
be the General Manager with responsibility for worldwide sales and
marketing.

Dr Moulton says:
" I have been seeking a route by which we can increase the manufacturing
and distribution of our bicycles and establish a solid base for the
future growth of the Moulton bicycle business.

This new initiative will allow us to increase our market penetration and
reduce our supply times whilst consolidating our model range. This will
enable us to develop new marketing programmes, strengthen the enviable
reputation of the Moulton brand and ensure our bicycles remain at the
forefront of the small wheel bicycle revolution.

The Moulton Bicycle Company will continue to manufacture and sell
bicycles from its specialist workshops in Bradford-upon-Avon and Pashley
- with whom Moulton's have worked closely for over 15 years - will
provide added manufacturing capability, ongoing operational support, and
be part of a cohesive marketing strategy which focuses totally on the
Moulton brand as a seamless and structured product range. The full range
of Moulton bicycles will be available to order from Pashley's dealers,
in addition to those currently appointed to handle the Marque.

Dr Moulton remains very active in design and innovation, so as to
maintain and foster the Moulton ethos and ensure that Moulton bicycles
remain at the forefront of the small wheel bicycle revolution.

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Release date: 20th June 2008