Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for The Cotswolds, today celebrated the 100th anniversary of Watsonian Squire, a company based in Moreton-in-Marsh, by taking part in national Ride to Work day and being driven to work in one of Watsonian Squire’s sidecars.

The company first as Watsonian, and then as Watsonian Squire following a merger in 1984, has been producing great British sidecars since 1912, surviving two world wars, economic boom and bust and a major factory fire in 1930. Now located in Moreton-in-Marsh, Watsonian Squire produces approximately 200 units per year, with 60% of these being exported all around the world with Japan being one of the company’s largest markets.

The sidecar in which Mr Clifton-Brown travelled, and driven by Sales Director Ben Matthews, was a Watsonian Wizard, powered by a Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle, based on the combinations supplied for the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Commenting afterwards Mr Clifton-Brown said: “I was delighted to be invited to help celebrate the centenary anniversary of Watsonian Squire by taking part in national Ride to Work Day”.

“I first visited Watsonian Squire a number of years ago and I was incredibly impressed by the organisation and the skill and dedication of their staff. I am, therefore, not surprised by the success they have had in selling their sidecars around the world and I am very keen to work together in future to help them export more of their wonderful products.”

“I am honoured to have such a fantastic business located in my constituency and I wish Watsonian Squire the best of luck for the next 100 years.”

www.watsonian-squire.com

Photo: (L-R): Ben Matthews, Sales Director at Watsonian Squire; and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP