The Norman Cycles Club is based at the Willesborough Windmill in Ashford Kent, home town to the Norman factory. The motorcycles are rare and we are the only club dedicated to keeping them on the road. The National Autocycle & Cyclemotor Club (NACC) do a splendid job for the small motorised Normans, their web site is well worth checking out (www.buzzing.org).
Many of the former factory buildings still stand in Beaver Road, the new road outside of the former factory site has been named Norman Road.
A museum is located in the windmills barn, this features a collection of cycles and mopeds, and a large wall display.
The mill is open 14.00 to 17.00 hours on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays from late March to late September.
The club was formed early in 2001, by the end of 2001 had sixty two members including Charles Norman's widow and son. Mrs Marks (Mrs Norman) has accepted the role of Honorary President. We have a number of very active members these include three in Derbyshire and one in Sweden.
The membership is diverse with members of the Norman family, former employees, cycle enthusiasts, tricycle owners, moped owners, trials competition people and motorcycle owners.
We hold our annual Norman Day at the Willesborough Windmill in Ashford.
The club was launched at the Ashford Classic bike show on 16 April 2001 and was awarded the Best Club Stand. The Ashford Show attracted a very large crowd (organisers estimate 2000), we had a large number of enquiries.
The Norman Day held at the windmill on 7 May 2001 was blessed with fine weather, attracting a good attendance of 121 people.
A large number of cycles were displayed, along with two tricycles, four mopeds and ten motorcycles, these can be seen on our web site: www.casey88.fsnet.co.uk.
A number of our members display their machines up and down the country which helps to publicise the Norman name. Notable successes in 2001 include Geoff Gilbert winning the best post 1960 award at the Chiltern 100 in August 2001 (not the first time this has happened). Colin Mitchell (B4 Roadster), Cyril Osborn and Ray Yaxley (both B4 Sports) motorcycles have all won numerous awards. Sandra Faulkner has a very rare Norman tricycle, this is displayed at various shows and rallies in the South West.
Membership is £5 per annum; the club produces a quarterly newsletter and access to numerous handbooks and spares lists. We aim to improve the spares availability of these rare machines by making patterns and drawings available where possible. A batch of B4 motorcycle centre stands will be produced in 2002.
This is backed up with the wanted & for sale columns in the newsletter.
To launch our club we have had a small batch of Norman cloth badges made these are available for £7 each. We have had a batch of "wing" tank transfers made for the B2 & B3 motorcycles; these are available at £15 a pair. We are able to order polo shirts and sweatshirts with the clubs motive for £15 each.
Plans are well advanced for the next Norman Day, See the Events link on the left side menu to see the plans and attractions.
