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THE SD ENTHUSIAST'S CLUB |
When I launched the Unofficial Shelvoke & Drewry Website in the Spring of 2002 it was a very happy coincidence that in January 2003 Channel 4 TV's Salvage Squad programme featured the ex-Isles of Scilly PN Revopak. By their linking to the Website names of former employees were soon being forwarded to me, and it seemed
appropriate to launch a Club for anyone with an interest in Shelvoke & Drewry.
MAGAZINE.
It
soon became apparent that a means of communication was needed other
than the Internet as many former employees weren't on the Internet. In March 2003 an A5 size quarterly magazine was
launched and continued until the end of 2010 with 32 issues being
produced. At its peak 160 copies were printed and posted per issue.
Until the later years printing, stapling, and posting was all done at home.
By 2010 this was felt to be too onerous and the magazine was replaced by an easily printable Newsletter on the webpage, and this practice continues with 37 issues having been produced to date. [April 2020]. Unfortunately this change inevitably meant that contact with some enthusiasts has been lost.
By 2010 this was felt to be too onerous and the magazine was replaced by an easily printable Newsletter on the webpage, and this practice continues with 37 issues having been produced to date. [April 2020]. Unfortunately this change inevitably meant that contact with some enthusiasts has been lost.
EVENTS
On September 12th
2004 the first event
organised by the SD Enthusiasts' Club was held at Letchworth
Hall
Hotel's Arlington Suite, under the title 'SD Remembered'. This
accommodates 200 people and all the
tickets were sold with unfortunately a
waiting list. A buffet supper was provided, memorabilia was displayed
and seven preserved vehicles were on display.
In 2005 the Club were invited to attend the Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre at Old Warden (near Bigglewade) on 17th & 18th September. A display tent was provided and eight preserved vehicles were displayed and driven into the parade ring each day. The event was titled: 'SD Celebrated' and is shown above.
The 2006 event was more low key and was held at the Grange Community Centre, Letchworth Garden City, on 24th June. Just sixty people attended this event which consisted of
a buffet meal and display of memorabilia.Steve Jones brought his 1982 PN Revopak over from the Isle of Wight for the event.
In 2009 the Club provided a stand at The Letchworth Garden City Industry Festival on 1st and 2and August. Relatives of James Drewry also provided a display. The "1922" Freighter
was on display.
In 2009 & 2010 preserved vehicles were displayed at the Southern Counties Historic Vehicles Preservation Trust's rallies at Edenbridge, Kent, in June.
In 2005 the Club were invited to attend the Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre at Old Warden (near Bigglewade) on 17th & 18th September. A display tent was provided and eight preserved vehicles were displayed and driven into the parade ring each day. The event was titled: 'SD Celebrated' and is shown above.
The 2006 event was more low key and was held at the Grange Community Centre, Letchworth Garden City, on 24th June. Just sixty people attended this event which consisted of
a buffet meal and display of memorabilia.Steve Jones brought his 1982 PN Revopak over from the Isle of Wight for the event.
In 2009 the Club provided a stand at The Letchworth Garden City Industry Festival on 1st and 2and August. Relatives of James Drewry also provided a display. The "1922" Freighter
was on display.
In 2009 & 2010 preserved vehicles were displayed at the Southern Counties Historic Vehicles Preservation Trust's rallies at Edenbridge, Kent, in June.
In
November 2011 in conjunction
with the Enthusiasts' Club, former SD apprentice, Bob
Bowker, organised a reunion lunch [shown above] for former apprentices at the Letchworth
Garden City Golf House. Former
Managing Director, and an ex-SD apprentice, Stan Quin, addressed the
gathering of over thirty former apprentices.
In 2022 Three events were organised to celebrate the Centenary of the founding of Shelvoke & Drewry Ltd.in 1922.
On 11th and 12th June at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire's Annual Classic and Vintage Commercial Vehicle Gathering, three SD's and an SD built Latil were on display. Their attendance was organised by Malcolm Bates and Peter Johnston.
On Saturday 3rd September the Ulster Commercial Vehicle Club held a meeting at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. This was followed by a twenty mile road run to Donaghadee, County Down. Five SD vehicles from Peter Johnston's collection took part in the run.
On Sunday 25th September an event was held sat the Broadway Hotel, Letchworth Garden City, with displays, memorabilia, refreshments and a "good old chat" attended by 75 people. This was organised by a small committee from the Enthusiasts' Club. Two preserved vehicles were in attendance.
No further gatherings have been arranged to date.
In 2022 Three events were organised to celebrate the Centenary of the founding of Shelvoke & Drewry Ltd.in 1922.
On 11th and 12th June at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire's Annual Classic and Vintage Commercial Vehicle Gathering, three SD's and an SD built Latil were on display. Their attendance was organised by Malcolm Bates and Peter Johnston.
On Saturday 3rd September the Ulster Commercial Vehicle Club held a meeting at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. This was followed by a twenty mile road run to Donaghadee, County Down. Five SD vehicles from Peter Johnston's collection took part in the run.
On Sunday 25th September an event was held sat the Broadway Hotel, Letchworth Garden City, with displays, memorabilia, refreshments and a "good old chat" attended by 75 people. This was organised by a small committee from the Enthusiasts' Club. Two preserved vehicles were in attendance.
No further gatherings have been arranged to date.
FACEBOOKIn January 2016 a Facebook Group was created as a further means of communication between SD enthusiasts. This has proved to be a successful way of keeping in touch. The Group numbers over 950 members.
Over the years many people have been generous in sharing their memories of Shelvoke & Drewry and I believe that the Enthusiasts' Club has fulfilled its purpose of keeping memories of the Company alive.
To me it has provided many hours of interesting work which is continuing.
Brian Carpenter. November 2023.
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