It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in May in the historic town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, when the removals industry took to the streets in force with over 120 years worth of history in the form of its vintage vehicle parade.
The removals industry has a long-established history, with records of some companies trading as far back as 400 years. In a year when the BAR decided to hold their annual conference in such a historic town, it seemed fitting that they should give back to the town, with a show of its own history. What better way to do this than with a parade of vintage removal vehicles.
Beginning with horse-drawn carriages of Fox & Co, White & Co and Michael Gerson, the ‘tunnel vans’ were being pulled by large Shire horses measuring in excess of 18 hands in height, the procession took a circular route from the Crowne Plaza through, Waterside, Southern Lane, Old Town, Church Street and Bridge Street.
Then came the newly elected BAR President Ian Palmer of White & Company Plc on his vintage BSA followed closely by Specialised Movers and McCarthy’s in their pre-second world war vehicles.
The procession continued with a further 19 vehicles spanning the time frame of post-world war two to the present day modern ULEZ compliant vehicles.
Residents and members of the industry alike lined the streets of Startford-Upon-Avon to witness this historic parade. A collection was also carried out along the procession route in aid of the RBA. Both prior to and after the event, the complete fleet was available on display in the leisure centre car park next to the Crown Plaza hotel.
The procession was a great display of the industry working together to show off its history
A 1890 Horse Drawn Pantechnicon Tunnel Van. This vehicle was able to carry the capacity of 600 cube ft in volume. 
A 2013 7.5 Truck containerised body. This truck allows up to 250 cubic ft furniture containers to be moved. 
A 1957 Ford Thames Fordson. This vehicle was found under ton of rubble and rebuilt in 2 years. 
A 1938 Guy Vixen. This Lorry was restored in 2011. 
A 1969 Ford Transit. 
A 1963 Albion Claymore Sparshatt ‘integral’ plyma 
This 2016 Purgoet Maxi Mover has delivered into European counties which include Amsterdam and France. 
This 1902 Horse Frawn Pantechnicon Tunnel Van is equipped to work with one to three horses. 
A 2018 Mercedes Benz 18 Ton Rigid body. G A Lomer & Sons are celebrating their 40 years of trading in 2019 
A 2019 18 Tone rigid body MAN 5 Door. 
A 2005 18 tonne 5 door Scania – P230 Model which has completed removals in the UK, Ireland and in Europe. 
A 1938 Bedford WLG vehicle has been owned by the McCarthy family since the early 1970’s . 
A 1946 Albion Lorry Model FT3L was rebuilt between 2010 and 2012. 
A 1890 Horse Drawn Pantechnicon Tunnel Van which was often later drawn by steam traction engines. 
2019 Peugeot Boxer 3.5T is a purpose built low weight vehicle. 
A 1963 Edwin Richard Froden ERF is a vintage restored vehicle. 
A 2019 4 Container DAF lorry which is the maximum sized vehicle that Barnes are able to deploy. 
1971 Truck Leyland gf Luton Removal Vehicle which has now gone into retirement as a removals vehicle. 
A 2008 Daf LF360 Road Train which underwent a full refurbishment to restore it to its new condition which allows the vehicle to ensure maximum load efficiencies.
