Restoration of IMCA's Hub in Buckingham

IMCA commenced its qualification programmes in 1982 from Hill House on Castle Street, Buckingham, which perforce underwent very serious reconstruction before it was habitable. Once completed by Barber and Dawkins, it afforded excellent facilities indoors and the garden was ideal for all manner of events. It hosted the 1st IMCA Congregation when Reg Revans was admitted as IMCA’s first member of its Court I the rank of Doctor of Letters honoris causa. 1983 was also Hill House’s Restoration Centenary Year as revealed by lead engraving on the roof, and that was certainly another party occasion. Dr Sherril Kennedy cut the cake that day.

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Hill House remained as IMCA’s central hub until 1987 when a major collection of juxtaposed buildings known collectively as Marriotts Bicycle Shop and RP Petrol station was offered for sale. IMCA made a sealed tender bid that won the day after some local chicanery! It sits at the corner of Castle and Elm Street east of Hill House but also included The Coach House to the north of Hill House.

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Behind the Marriotts façade was old Workshops, and Old Dairy, a Courtyard and car parking spaces through an arched entrance. It was to become an admired and truly ideal home for the IMCA hub. A three year rolling restoration process began that saved these heritage buildings (following on from the earlier Hill House work) for the town ands won the respect of old Mr Marriott and his many friends in Buckingham. ( Never was that respect greater than when Barber and Dawkins found Mr Marriott’s long lost wedding ring in the foundations of the Workshop during restoration. ) The KG Plugs 1940s clock was restored and the IMCA Arms hung outside. ( The picture gallery of how it was before work began is linked here – well worth a moment’s search! )

( THE LINK PIX ARE AWAITED FOR YOU FROM SYL/ PICS ON WALL AT BUCKERS TO EXCTRACT )

The second phase of restoration was Marriotts’ front shop on Castle Street where the petrol had been dispensed. George Walden, MP for Buckingham and fortuitously Minister of Sate for Higher Education at that date, opened them officially on a rainy day and reminisced with Mr Marriott about his younger days buying spares at the store for his own cycle.

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The formal invitation brought myriad friends together including the Mayor and neighbours and the interior was a restoration triumph. It went back to the glory Edwardian days when it has been a ladies’ millinery and the interior dome was restored with a small local preservation grant. IMCA’s latin motto Prospice Interroga Disce was enshrined above the antique mirror.

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