Trucks of the Trans Pennine Run, The: A Photographic History. Roy Dodsworth

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      THE TRUCKS OF THE

      TRANS PENNINE RUN

      A Photographic History

      THE TRUCKS OF THE

      TRANS PENNINE RUN

      A Photographic History

      Roy Dodsworth

      Contents

      Preface

      Programmes and plaques

      Trucks

      Preface

      In 1968 the first Trans Pennine Run took place, and as always the date was fixed for the first Sunday in August.

      It was organised by three enthusiasts who were members of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club, North Midlands (now Society – HCVS Yorkshire region).

      The club organises the annual London to Brighton Run for commercial vehicles, and it was thought that a run should be organised north of Watford Gap.

      The organisers – two lived in Lancashire, one in Yorkshire – decided to create an event that would link both sides of the Pennines and, as a bonus, travel through the beautiful scenery of the Pennines.

      A start at Manchester and a finish in Harrogate was decided and the mammoth task of putting everything in place was commenced.

      Following negotiations with Manchester City FC, permission was granted for the use of its car park at Maine Road, while at Harrogate the council enthusiastically agreed to allow the use of their car park adjacent to the Royal Hall/Exhibition Centre as the finishing point.

      It was felt that a refreshment stop was needed somewhere along the 64-mile route, and the world-famous Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip restaurant at Guiseley kindly agreed to the use of their car park for this purpose. This has now changed hands, and all entrants stop as and when necessary.

      In the late 1990s I used to sit there, eating fish and chips, and watch all the entrants pass by. I would then go to The Stray at Harrogate and take photographs, amassing a collection of over 3000.

      The success of the first run ensured that it has been repeated every year since. The main change at the Harrogate end is that the finishing point has moved to The Stray, although on occasion, due to weather, the location has moved to the grounds of a local college.

      The start has been moved several times, including to Salford University (1971), Belle Vue Manchester (1972 to 1978), GMT buses Hyde Road garage (1978 to 1988), ADT auction centre (1989 and 1990), Astley Green Colliery Museum (1991 to 1999), Popular Truck Stop at Lymm (2000 and 2001) and then Birch Motorway Services M62 from 2002 to present.

      The finish was held at Royal Hall Car Park and Exhibition Centre Harrogate from 1969 to 1972. In 1973 it was at The Stray, Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, moving to its current position in 1974.

      The run organisation starts a few weeks after the last event ended. A small committee exists, and the events are well attended by entrants and spectators. Every year each entrant receives a souvenir of that year’s event: sadly due to expense, plaques are no longer given, but a vehicle display notice, showing entry number, is issued for attaching to each vehicle. Prizes are given for winners in various categories. The once renowned colour programmes have given way to a less costly black and white run guide.

      Entry to the run has attracted additional features, and two of the most appreciated include the recovery service provided by Highway Recovery for any vehicle in distress. Their vehicle travels the route after the last entrant has left Birch Services. Thankfully most runs are trouble free.

      The other feature is the two packed lunches each entrant gets at lunchtime at Harrogate. These have kindly been prepared and distributed by Huntapac Produce. The owners, the Hunter family, also enter a number of vehicles from their classic truck collection.

      This event can only continue thanks to a dedicated team of enthusiasts who work hard all year to ensure a smooth-running event, the enthusiasts who enter their vehicles, and the spectators who attend.

      I hope you enjoy this book. It has been difficult selecting photographs of the vehicles that appear, although I think there is a good selection of trucks in the categories entered. Although the event is open to all types of vehicle, this book concentrates on trucks only.

      ROY DODSWORTH

      A map of the route.

      A selection of programmes from the event. Initially extremely well prepared and colourful, becoming collector’s items. Due to cost the programme now is reduced in size and in black and white; however, it still provides full information on vehicles present. Photograph courtesy of Peter Seaword.

      A selection of plaques issued in recent years. These were given to vehicle owners on arrival at the finish at Harrogate. It is not unusual to see vehicles displayed with a board containing numerous plaques collected over the years. Photograph courtesy of Peter Seaword.