Secretary’s Page
Welcome
to the Mechanical Horse Club Web Site The establishment of this facility
represents a logical development of the services provided by the club to
members, commercial vehicle enthusiasts and the public since it’s
establishment in 1983. Whether you
are a member, an enthusiast, or a just a surfer, we are pleased to present you
with an insight into the club and the comprehensive activities in which it
engages. This site is
dedicated to the pursuit of our interest in
“Mechanical Horses”
and
other similar and now historic commercial vehicles, which once inhabited the
streets of our towns and cities.
Our members enjoy a number of "specialist services"
provided by both the
club and individual members, who by virtue of their "professions and experience" are
able to contribute a wealth of historical and technical knowledge. In the UK the
growing interest in Commercial Vehicle Preservation has been well nurtured by a
small number of general interest clubs and other umbrella organizations. However, unlike the specialist car
clubs which have increased over the years, the Commercial Vehicle Preservation
movement has been constrained by a more limited number of vehicle manufacturers
producing a smaller range of models.
To the public, these are perhaps less eye catching and more mundane, as
they pursue the tasks for which they were built and operated, in many cases by
large anonymous operators.
Ownership of such vehicles was associated with work rather than the
pleasure industry
of today.
Commercial vehicle enthusiasts usually reverence most types of historic vehicles
but inevitably individuals have their personal preferences, hence the increasing
need for specialist clubs such as ours, catering for individual vehicle
requirements, offering specialist expertise and meeting the ever increasing
demand for replacement parts to keep these now treasured possessions operational
and in good condition. Our club services include an illustrated bi-monthly
magazine called "The
Newsletter", providing
news, technical and historical articles, classified ads, spare parts,
forthcoming events, and members views and opinions on the historic commercial
vehicle movement.
The clubs “Photographical Exhibition and Sales Stand” accompanied
by a variety of members vehicles, travels the country attending exhibitions and
shows. The club published its own book “The Mechanical Horse” by
Bill Aldridge and is associated with other specialist
publications- list available on request.
There is a DVLA recognized “Vehicle Authentication Service”
by
which vehicles in appropriate circumstances can regain their original
registration plates or receive appropriate age related plates. This service is
available to both members and non-members in respect of vehicles for which we
have "knowledge and expertise"; it is operated strictly in
accordance with the requirements of the DVLA. All applications for this service
must be addressed to the Club Secretary.
The club was instrumental in preserving one of the two "Scammell Scarab Special Recovery Vehicles" built for the opening of the Dartford Tunnel in the 1960’s which is at present undergoing restoration and when completed will be accompany the club’s exhibition to rallies and other events. If you have similar interests to ourselves and would like to join the club please contact the secretary:
John Giles, The Lodge, Station Road, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1BT
Email Address: jgilesbewdley@talktalk.net