Following the successful scoping of the historic Moulton archive at The Hall last year, the Alex Moulton Charitable Trust have supported the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in their application for an ‘Archives Revealed’ grant from the National Archives to catalogue what is thought to be one of the most complete and historically significant set of company archives in the country. In July we were delighted to learn that this application has been successful and the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre will be recruiting a new member of staff to help catalogue this nationally important archive. We would like to thank all of those who wrote letters of support; we are certain that they helped the application succeed.

Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Heritage said "We are pleased that the National Archives and the Moulton Trustees are helping us to open up this important archive to the public. This project highlights Wiltshire's industrial heritage and will change its perception as a rural, agricultural county. The west of Wiltshire was the birthplace of the modern British rubber industry, which made significant contributions to industrialisation and engineering. I am especially pleased that the public will also be able learn about the life of Dr Alex Moulton, whose work highlights the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that has emerged from Wiltshire, a legacy that continues today."

The Archives Revealed programme, which is supported by The National Archives, The Pilgrim Trust and the Wolfson Foundation, transforms access to archives for a wide range of users. The programme's cataloguing grants open up collections that matter to researchers and communities, increasing public engagement with the UK's rich documentary heritage.

You can read more about the award below and on the BBC website (link).

‘Breaking the Mould: The Spencer Moulton and Dr Alex Moulton Archives’ 

The Moulton Archive contains the important business archives of early pioneering rubber manufacturers, Spencer Moulton, dating from 1848-1956, and the business, estate and personal archives of inventor and entrepreneur, Dr Alex Moulton of The Hall, Bradford-on-Avon, dating from the 19th century to the start of the 21st century.

Stephen Moulton was a friend and agent of Charles Goodyear. His work led to the growth of the rubber industry and had a far-reaching impact upon the industrial economy of the UK. Later, Dr Alex Moulton (1920-2012), inherited his family’s inventive spirit. His award-winning inventions include the revolutionary small-wheeled Moulton bicycle and suspension system for the iconic Mini car. The archives reflect his professional career, personal life and the evolution of the Grade 1 listed estate, The Hall, in Bradford-on-Avon. The archive is deposited with the Wiltshire and Swindon Archive Service, based at the Wiltshire And Swindon History Centre, who have worked in partnership with the Moulton  Trustees to preserve the archive for everyone.