Middlemore saddles, made in Coventry

I have a Middlemores saddle so I find these interesting. All the types that Brooks made, Middlemore did similar versions. They started off in Little Park Street in the late 1800s as Middlemore And Lamplugh and became Middlemores in 1919, around 1953 they moved to Torrington Avenue and existed to maybe 1990.
Does anyone know exactly where in Torrington Avenue and if the building still exists?

I know exactly where Torrington is, but the building has probably gone as it's flats and warehouses there now.

Yes, it's mostly changed but a few originals are there but I know there's most likely something built on where it was.

The one in Little Park Street was roughly opposite the middle of the telephone exchange building.

I have a middlemore. Great saddle!!!

I used to work for the company that bought Torrington, which is what Torrington Avenue was named for. The old Torrington factory burned down in the 90s.

The one in Little Park Street was roughly opposite the middle of the telephone exchange building.

Either the cop shop car park, or the court now then.

Contact Coventry Transport Museum - they should have info on the history & exact locations.

Good idea, i'll do that when possible.

Adscan, which type? Mine is like a Brooks B73.

Zouo, that's cool, I didn't know about that.

Here is the Little Park Street factory http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4133/4990707256_cce1727f91_z.jpg

Iirc, the police station car park would be about right. But as rhb says, the Transport Museum may be of help!

This all wraps in nicely with the Starley ride idea. Coventry was at the forefront of the bicycle industry at one time. Something we should try and celebrate :)

I would not ride down stoney stanton road! It's bad enough driving down it lol. Could ride on the canal? Would bring us out by Galagher retail park?

This all wraps in nicely with the Starley ride idea. Coventry was at the forefront of the bicycle industry at one time. Something we should try and celebrate :)

Or a Middlemores Ride - from the Little Park Street site to the Torrington Avenue site, if it can be located.
I went to see the cycle curator and she asked me to email her some questions on Middlemores which she will research.

Interesting! Anyone know what happened to the marque? I think Brooks ended up owning the rights to make Wrights and Lycett at some point in time.

Brooks bought Lycett in the 20s and Leatheries in the 30s, they were merged with Wrights in 1962 by T.I. who owned both by that time.

A co-incidence: Wrights were originally from Selly Oak, Sir John Middlemore was baronet of Selly Oak!

I know middlemore made bars too... theres a stack of middlemore drops in the rafters of cov cycle centre! nice gun metal colour iirc.

Vintage NOS! Worth getting for anyone into drop bars. I'm not myself.

I've also got a Middlemores Seatanstic, one of them country sticks where the handle opens into a seat, it's leather coated metal.

was the middlemore logo a small three spires by any chance ?

Yes, one of their's over the years, i've seen pictures of the bars with it. My stick has it on also.

I had a reply from the museum, not much info, mainly a timeline of some Middlemore family members and Lamplugh family members and what they did.
I still don't the answer to most basic question: where the Torrington Avenue site was!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIDDLEMORE-SADDLE-/180829611784?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2a1a48e708#ht_500wt_949

is this one ?

Yes, i've got that on my watch list already! But i've got one of them, mine has no rear badge so I would guess it to be later than that.

Or this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251006087734?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAXI:IT&_TRKSID=p3984.m1423.l2649

ahh yes, i wouldny mind buying some coventry cycleing history !

Yes, they aren't around to make any more, so things can only get rarer.

This one also?

Yes, I used to have a Middlemore matress saddle but sold it as it was not too comfortable, but mine didn't have the two rear springs