PRESS RELEASE
Sammy Miller MBE awarded Freedom of the Town
On 25 September 2024, at a Special Meeting of the Town Council, New Milton welcomed its 4th Honorary Freeman – Sammy Miller MBE.
The award was then celebrated with a reception at Sammy’s Motorcycle Museum in Bashley.
The event was attended by local dignitaries and VIP guests including local MP Sir Desmond Swayne and his Lady wife Moira, Town Councillors, as well as Sammy’s family and friends.
Sammy has received more than 1,400 trophies, awards and prizes over the course of his long and illustrious career, as a champion trials rider. He was made an MBE in 2009.
This latest honour recognises the service Sammy has provided to the town and his unstinting work in setting up world-famous Motorcycle Museum of over 500 exhibits which opened in 1996.
The museum attracts over 20,000 visitors per year, from all over the world and continues to expand. It was the winner of the RAC Historic Awards Collection in 2022.
New Milton Town Councillors were delighted to support the proposal by Cllr Steve Clarke to honour Sammy at a meeting of the Full Town Council on 24th June this year. His appointment follows that of former Town Councillor Goff Beck in April this year.
The Freedom honour is the highest that the Town Council can bestow and has previously been awarded to former Cllrs Alan Rice, John Hutchins and Goff Beck. It is awarded to residents who have rendered eminent service to 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.
Further details available from:
Graham Flexman
Town Clerk
info@newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
Dated: 26th September 2024