The Three Kings – Hanley Castle

As we walked across the cricket ground heading into the village of Hanley Castle, I couldn’t help but look out for Geraldine Granger out for a stroll and enjoying the evening sun like ourselves.

Unfortunately, Granger was not to be seen, but I did meet one character; an unusual mix of Frank Pickle and David Horton. We got talking and he reminisced about his wife who he lost 16 years ago – and told, with a glint in his eye, how he’d built an extension to his 14^th century black and white cottage back in the 1980s, and shocked the planning authorities by actually building it to a standard that met building regulations, despite his appearance as a mad scientist.

After listening to his numerous anecdotes about life in the village, we wandered into the pub. Well, attempted to anyway, the main door was not in use, discouraging tourists like ourselves from visiting. Doctor Phillip (as I discovered was the real name of Frank Horton) didn’t join us – he’d rather spend the evening reading under his favourite tree. Besides, he had to be up at 5am delivering the parish newsletter.

Walking through the side door of the Three Kings (not named because of three kings according to Doctor Phil, but because of three brothers with the surname King who established the pub), it was like going back several centuries.

Inside it was crowded, full of local landowners, most of whom Doctor Phil had greeted personally whilst we were chatting outside. Part of the crowd consisted of two “lads” in their 50s, who Doctor Phil told tales of running amok in their teenage years, poaching across the local land and generally winding everyone up. Now they owned half of Worcestershire.

We crept through to the bar, past a notice advertising an upcoming ferret race, and ordered two pints of local ale from Sue the landlady (not a problem, she had gallons of good ale, although she couldn’t guarantee exactly what it was). But then, a female member of our party dared order a pint of lager. I would not be exaggerating if I said the bustling bar went silent. Sue looked at us as if we’d just asked for the blood of her firstborn.

“I’ll see what I can do”, came the reply.

Finding a pump that looked like it had been disused for at least 50 years, Sue poured a pint of lager. I got the feeling that we pesky tourists had just brought shame on this establishment.

Kick up a fuss (Published in Total Off Road June 2010)

Published as Star Letter in response to “what’s the best way for the off-road community to react to anti 4×4 media coverage?”

The best way to react to anti 4×4 media coverage is to kick up a fuss
 and prove that we’re not all out there to tear up the countryside.

If we do something good, such as maintenance work on green lanes, we 
need to shout about it. Get in touch with local (or even national) 
papers giving details about what we’ve done and a few pictures. No, I
 don’t agree with the bad press we get, but if the papers don’t hear 
about what we give back they won’t report on it.

This winter the 4×4 community got a rare bit of good publicity when we 
went to the rescue of so many people stranded in the few inches of 
snow that covered the UK. We need more of this – if you do something
 to help someone, don’t let it go unnoticed!

We should all do this, and then hopefully the view of the media (and
 therefore the general public), that we’re all “people who go into the 
countryside, dress up as murderers and then go into a field and see 
who can get the muddiest” (as Jeremy Clarkson put it) will change. 
It’s all a matter of education – we should educate people through the 
media so that when they see a 4×4 vehicle on a right of way, they 
think of all the good things we do and hopefully return our cheery
 wave rather than give us an evil stare as if we’ve just murdered their
 nan.

Is it going too far to suggest that we might be able to change the 
view of the public so that they realise that ramblers who descend on 
the countryside with their woolly hats and wrong opinion that they 
have the right to go wherever they feel like, do more damage than us?

If you see some negative publicity – react to it! Don’t give the
journalist an easy time. Write to them, and offer to take them out in
 your 4×4 and show them what it’s really all about. Don’t accept no for
 an answer – a squeaky gate gets oiled! At the very least, they’ll 
think twice about being anti 4×4 in the future.

British Indoor 4×4 Show Report (Published on LandyTown.com 23/03/10)

Sunday 21st March saw off road enthusiasts from across the UK flock to Bingley Hall in Staffordshire for Total Off Road’s indoor 4×4 show.

Drivers of all makes of 4×4 were welcome, but as one would expect, fans of the green oval were extremely well catered for.

The Modified Vehicles Competition was a huge success, with the general public voting for their favourite vehicle of each category (pick-ups, hardcore, big stuff, cool trucks and grass roots). The best in show, chosen by TOR editor Alan Kidd, went to a rear engined Land Rover special owned by a 16-year-old who is planning on using it as a challenge vehicle.

Traders jumped at the opportunity to exhibit in the comfort of the indoor showground, with Land Rovers well represented by well known specialists such as Nene Overland and MM 4×4. Macsport 4×4 took on the challenge of modifying a Range Rover Classic which had been sitting unloved in a hedge for the last six years.

The balcony was set aside for clubs, which unfortunately seemed to be lacking. A lot of the bigger clubs regularly seen at shows weren’t there, possibly due to the restrictions on club stands (no vehicles allowed), or the lack of camping which usually turns shows into a social events for clubs such as LandyTown. This was very definitely a trade show, and lacked the atmosphere of a lot of the bigger shows.

Having said that, a number of worthwhile organisations such as 4×4 Response and Treadlightly had stands on the balcony. There was also an area set aside for a mini off road course with remote controlled 4×4 vehicles for the kids. Something that my 18-year-old mate found great fun, after deciding he had to show his little brother how to do it properly.

Hopefully, after the success of the show at the new venue this year, next year will see more exhibitors, more clubs, and more off roaders wanting to spend their money.

Article copyright Andy Brady

Freelander 2: Great for pulling (published LROi magazine Dec 07)

Caravans owners should be joining the rush to buy a Freelander 2. It’s just been awarded ‘Best Towcar over £32,000′ at the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2008 ceremony in London. The Freelander 2 passed a variety of critical tests before winning the top prize, including it’s ability to complete challenging hill starts. The vehicle is capable of towing up to 2 tonnes, the weight of a typical six berth, twin axle caravan. The diesel manual has a combined economy of 37.7mpg and automatic 33.2mpg which makes it the most economical Land Rover for towing your caravan.

Low box and Top gear (Published LROi magazine Dec 07)

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will share the stage with Land Rover at this years MPH Show, a show described as ‘car heaven’. The team will be performing jaw-dropping stunts as seen on the popular BBC show. Land Rover will be giving visitors the chance to have a ride on the ‘Terrapod’, an indoor off road course that takes the vehicles to extreme levels and show how capable they are. For the more adventurous visitors, there will also be a chance to win one of 40 Icelandic Adventures. The show is on November 1 – 4 in Earls Courts, London, and November 8 – 11 at the NEC, Birmingham. Tickets for the show are on sale now, and cost between £23 and £89. To book call 0871 230 0333 or visit www.mphshow.co.uk.

Land Rovers are icy cool (Published on LRO.com, Oct 07)

Land Rover makes its snowboarding debut at this year’s Metro Ski and Snowboard Show in the Grand Hall, Olympia. Some of Europe’s top snowboarders will be leaping over a shiny new Range Rover Sport in a stunning display of agility and skill. Land Rovers are perfectly suited to the wintry conditions and it’ll be a fantastic opportunity to show just how good they are. Visitors to the show will get the chance to off road at a Land Rover Experience Centre. The show’s on from October 24 – 28. To find out more visit www.metrosnow.co.uk or phone 0871 230 1100.