Roy Workman went looking for a classic motorcycle collection at a family farm, and discovered a range veteran and vintage kit dating back to before the Great War...

I spotted this venue whilst looking in a guide to museums in Leicestershire and Rutland. What caught my eye in the pamphlet was the fact that there was a superb collection of vintage cars and motorcycles. I felt that this could well be worth a visit, especially as it was only fifty miles away. The museum is situated in Bond Lane, Mountsorrel.

We arrived around lunch time, and I paid my entrance fee in the farm shop and then I started to wander around. I had spotted a Jowett Javelin car in a barn; behind this was an old Rover and a Reliant three-wheeler box van, from about 1950. As I'm a sidecar rider, anything on three wheels is of interest.

I was just walking off to see what else I could find when I was approached by Greg Duffin. He and his family run this farm / museum and they have another farm in the next village. Greg had noticed my interest in the cars, and I explained that I am into motor cycles and three wheels. He said; 'Come over here; I don't usually let the public in here' and he slid the door sideways and I stepped into their garage. Greg invited me to have a look around, saying that he would be back in a minute, as he also had to watch the shop. I counted twenty motorcycles and a dozen Austin cars, including several 7s and a large one which is used for weddings.

'How are you getting on?' said Greg, poking his head around the corner.

'How old is this Wall auto-wheel?' I asked; 'They ride these in the Pioneer Run.'

'1910' came the reply. Greg said 'We are going to ride in the next Pioneer Run; this will be our first attempt.'

'We' in this instance turns out to be Greg and his son Tom. They will be riding two Ariels - a 1911 TT model and the other a 1913 model.

Greg disappeared again and I wandered around the garage some more. Greg and Tom restore the cars and motorbikes and soon I was in the area that the general public don't get into, where there were some spanners laying by the side of a couple of cars being worked on. There were also several belt-driven carbide lamp era motorcycles. The newest bike I spotted was an Ariel Arrow racer; apparently it started life as a Leader, but it had been stripped of the tinware. Greg knows the guys who raced it and has seen it racing on the track. Greg has ridden the machine himself and he confirmed that it is quick. He bought himself a new Arrow in the Sixties. I had ridden one as well and we both felt that the handling was good for that time.

There was a Royal Enfield Flying Flea outfit; it was fitted with a very small sidecar. The speed would not have been much - but you had your own set of wheels and you did not have to wait on the bus! There was also a BSA V-twin fitted with a tradesman's box that had been used by a local butcher

There were a couple of Francis Barnets, the newest being 1956-ish and the older one was a twin port girder forked model.

Something different was Leicestershire's first bus. This started life in London in 1905 and moved to Ansty four years later. This bus is a hybrid; somewhere along the way the body and chassis got separated, and the chassis was lost. Greg discovered a Commer car chassis that fitted the bus, and it is now back together. We are talking here of solid tyres, chain drive and brass oil lamps

There is also a nice collection of motoring memorabilia.

Greg regularly uses one of his Ariels on the road; whilst riding with carbide lights he also uses those small battery powered lights that cyclists use these days. This is a safety feature, which can easily be removed to maintain the correct period style. Greg and I were talking about the light given out by the gas lamps - his Sunbeam has a large front lamp, and riding around the lanes at night the light thrown out by the lamp moves slightly from side to side, unlike an electric bulb which is steady.

Talking to Greg again about the Pioneer Run, he has already organised a couple of days off for himself and son Tom and also one of the lads will drive the Land Rover from the farm as a back up vehicle. They are looking forward to it. I explained that taking part in the run would be great for them, but that it is also a terrific day for the spectators looking at all the classic vehicles that are on the road.

If you are at the Pioneer Run next year keep an eye on the programme for Greg and Tom Duffin doing their inaugural run.

The farm and the museum are well worth a visit. I originally just went to see the vehicles but the farm and yard are very good, the whole place is staffed by friendly helpful people. It is well worth a visit, either alone or with the family.

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Stonehurst Family Farm is off Loughborough Road at Mountsorrel in Leicestershire. The farm is normally open from 9:30am to 5pm every day. Adults admission £3.45. See www.farm18.fsnet.co.uk