SAFETY FIRST!
I enjoy flicking through the pages of nostalgic publications , looking at the charming adverts and relishing the times gone by. It was in one of these such booklets that I came across some sound advice on "the art of reading the road". The publication was an Advanced Driving Handbook produced in the 60s by The Safety Council. It provided advice to motorists on anything from parking to overtaking.
"it is not enough to expect a pedestrian to walk from behind a bus unless you know that at the speed you are travelling you can bring him to life with a toot on the horn , or failing that, swerve to avoid him or brake with complete safety"
with such sound advice every driver was armed with the knowledge which enabled them to stay safe whilst driving !
One thing that did catch my eye was a full page advert for a filling station and café called "The Spinningwheel " The cafe was a truck stop on the A61 which was the old Chesterfield to Sheffield road and was well known to the lorry drivers . When we purchased the site in 1973 as a petrol station and forecourt it had been altered some what but the name had stayed ! Today, even after developments over the years we are still able to recognise the footprint of the old site , I bet there are people out there who can remember enjoying a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich during a well earnt tea brake at the Spinningwheel Café.
I enjoy flicking through the pages of nostalgic publications , looking at the charming adverts and relishing the times gone by. It was in one of these such booklets that I came across some sound advice on "the art of reading the road". The publication was an Advanced Driving Handbook produced in the 60s by The Safety Council. It provided advice to motorists on anything from parking to overtaking.
"it is not enough to expect a pedestrian to walk from behind a bus unless you know that at the speed you are travelling you can bring him to life with a toot on the horn , or failing that, swerve to avoid him or brake with complete safety"
with such sound advice every driver was armed with the knowledge which enabled them to stay safe whilst driving !
One thing that did catch my eye was a full page advert for a filling station and café called "The Spinningwheel " The cafe was a truck stop on the A61 which was the old Chesterfield to Sheffield road and was well known to the lorry drivers . When we purchased the site in 1973 as a petrol station and forecourt it had been altered some what but the name had stayed ! Today, even after developments over the years we are still able to recognise the footprint of the old site , I bet there are people out there who can remember enjoying a cup of tea and a bacon sandwich during a well earnt tea brake at the Spinningwheel Café.
Fairground attraction!
100 years ago the glimpse of a ladies ankle made a young man giddy and the thought of peeping at something more "risqué" would have him reaching for his pennies !! "What the Butler saw " machines were placed on sea fronts and in amusement arcades to tempt and tease . As they proved so popular the style evolved with the times, giving rise to some designs which were very much of their era. We are pleased to bring you such a machine ! Fully working and with pictures to delight your friends !! If you would like a glimpse into the past let us know !
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Changing Times
We have had a presence on the internet for at least 20 of our 30 years in business. From the first large computer which was heaved onto the kitchen table and powered up causing much excitement (and drain to the national grid! ), to today where business can be done from most locations via a hand held device. During all these advancements in technology our website has provided a platform for us to present our stock to potential customers from far flung corners of the world, ( Hello to our good friends in Australia, Belgium, France, Italy and Mapperley!). However the time has come for change, and, from October the 1st 2019, our old and much followed web site will close. We hope you will find our clearer and brighter website easy to navigate and follow us as before, add us to your favourites and continue to "ping" us pictures of your classic motoring memories which we would like to share on this page. We will miss the familiar "dashboard" header but changing times require us to keep up. As we speed towards the 2020s I wonder if I am the only one who would secretly like it to be the 1920s again, well, even if just for a day....
Glorious Goodwood !!
I can sometimes become blasé about this industry so to enjoy it from the other side of the track, as it were, has injected a rush of enthusiasm. Hoorah for those who dare, so bravely, to race their (very expensive) beautiful cars around the track so we can experience the thrill and sounds of the past. Many thanks to those who polish, preen, and petrol up their treasured possessions to proudly display in the eclectic car park collection. The joy of sharing in the excitement and theatre of it all has re ignited my passion for the job, I have always been a great believer in using the vehicles I own and have taken the rough with the smooth (weather, breakdowns, huge queues of traffic willing me up an incline etc) its heartening to see so many doing the same. So it just remains to say "Three Cheers to Goodwood !!" thank you for a glorious day of glamour and elegance, racing and parading and most of all for reminding me why I (and many others) love our classics!
