Motorcycling legend Sammy Miller MBE becomes New Milton’s fourth honorary freeman
MOTORCYCLING legend Sammy Miller joked he was looking forward to driving his alpacas down the high street as he became New Milton’s fourth honorary freeman.
The accolade – the highest the town council can bestow – was presented to the 90-year-old in recognition of “distinguished and eminent service” to residents over the past 40 years.
He follows in the footsteps of late town councillors John Hutchins and Alan Rice, and former councillor and Royal British Legion New Milton branch vice-chair Goff Beck.
Mr Beck was among guests at the special presentation at the town hall, followed by a reception at Sammy’s renowned motorcycle museum in Bashley.
Others joining family and friends included New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne and his wife Lady Moira, and Christchurch mayor Cllr Paul Hilliard.
Town councillor and New Forest District Council chair Cllr David Hawkins was on hand to hand over the award.
Sammy said afterwards: “What a great honour! I’m pleased to have put New Milton on the world map as we’re now known for having one of best accepted motorcycle museums in the world.”
Born in Belfast in 1933, he moved to New Milton in 1964 and worked with the renowned Rickman Brothers on designing a new Bultaco trials bike.
It turned into one of the most successful trials bike of all time, changing the world trials scene and helping establish Spain’s dominance of the sport.
His museum marked its ruby anniversary last year, having first launched in 1983 as a relatively modest display of 50 bikes.
This was about 10 minutes down the road from its current site on Bashley Cross Road, which opened in 1996 hosting more than 500 bikes.
It won the collection category in the RAC Historic Awards 2022.
Drawing thousands of visitors from over 39 countries per year, the complex is now being expanded.
A new restaurant is being built, and the old tea rooms will be converted into extra museum space to add another 100 bikes.
Sammy’s racing achievements include 11 successive British Trials champion and twice winning the European Trials Championship.
In 2007, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycling Hall of Fame, one of the highest honours in the US.
Two years later, he was made an MBE in the New Year Honours List in recognition of his services to motorcycle heritage.
Sammy also hit the A&T’s headlines for his dogged campaigning for the repair of local road defects, including potholes on Bashley Cross Road.
A town council spokesperson said: “Cllr David Hawkins was delighted to bestow upon Sammy Miller the freedom of the town.
“It is an honorary title with few practical advantages save the purported right of an honorary freeman to drive his sheep – if he has them – along the high street, and the right to march at the head of the Remembrance Day parade.
“Whether we will see our latest freeman on his motorcycle driving his sheep before him on his way to the memorial hall at the Remembrance parade on 10th November remains to be seen.”
Sammy added: “Now that I’m a freeman of New Milton, I’m most looking forward to driving my alpacas down the high street and I’m hoping that a free parking permit will be dropping through my letter box any day now!”
A celebration cake marking the special occasion was made by Vera Russell, of Green Lady Bakes in New Milton.
