DUKE OF GLOUCESTER OPENS BMF’S NEW LEICESTER HQ
14 October 2004 - BMF

Motorcycling received the royal treatment yesterday when his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester formally opened the British Motorcyclists Federation’s new offices at Enderby, Leicestershire.

A visitor to the BMF’s Peterborough Show on many occasions, the Duke was welcomed to the BMF offices by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton, JP and other Leicestershire civil dignitaries, amongst them the Chairman of Leicester City Council Mr P G Winkless, before being introduced to the BMF team headed up by new BMF chairman, Leon Mannings.

Investing over £550,000 in the new-build development, the BMF moved from its Leicester city offices in May this year and says it will now provide ample office space for its 15 HQ staff and allow for further expansion.

After a short tour of the offices, where the Duke took time to chat to all the team members including past chairmen and officials, the Duke was invited by BMF Chief Executive Simon Wilkinson to formally open the offices, named Jack Wiley House in honour of one of the BMF’s founders.

In performing the ceremony, the Duke spoke warmly of his recollections of “sunny BMF Shows where the mirrors on the rows of parked motorcycles reminded him of a wonderful crop of sunflowers!” He said how pleased he was to see the BMF with a permanent HQ and added: “The BMF has proved its validity over the years and these offices show a confidence in the BMF’s future. I wish the BMF well in continuing to provide a service to everyone who enjoys travelling by motorcycle.”

Speaking afterwards, BMF Chairman Leon Mannings said, “This has been a great day for the BMF. We are very pleased that His Royal Highness agreed to open this new chapter in our development. He is someone who has seen the BMF grow over the years and as Britain’s largest rider’s rights organisation and the biggest in Europe, it is something that everyone in the BMF should be justifiably proud.”

www.bmf.co.uk

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