Our History

The Club was founded in late autumn 1966 by a group of enthusiasts including Jack Stamper, Celia and Sandy Temple, Barbara Stothert, George Bowman, Joe Wardropper, and Jack Collinson. Its original area covered a wide region, stretching from the Scottish Borders to Cheshire and Staffordshire.

Early activities included rallies run along British Driving Society lines, vehicle parades, educational visits, and social gatherings. However, the members’ competitive spirit soon emerged, and in 1969 the Club held its first of many shows, judged by Sallie Walrond.

By 1971, interest in Combined Driving was growing rapidly. A Northern Area Competition Day was held at Middleton, featuring dressage and obstacle driving for singles and pairs. That same year, the Club staged its first two-day show at Ribby Hall near Kirkham in Lancashire.

The Club’s logo, a vintage illustration of a spider phaeton, was suggested in 1973 by Fritz Spiegl, a first flautist with the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra who taught music to one of the Club’s members. Spiegl is perhaps best known for arranging Johnny Todd, the theme tune to Z Cars, which is still played at every Everton FC home match.

In 1973, several members competed at the first Lowther National Horse Driving Trials. Fred Todd became the Club’s first National Champion, driving his single horse Tom Kydd, while Jack Collinson was selected to represent Great Britain driving a four-in-hand at the European Driving Championships at Windsor. Since 1975, NWDC members have consistently featured among the champions of British Combined Driving.

The Club held its first sale of members’ harness, carriages, and miscellaneous items in 1977. For many years, this event marked the traditional opening of the driving season.

Driving weekends in Grizedale Forest offered miles of peaceful forest tracks and opportunities to spot wildlife such as deer — although, as one member humorously noted, “most of the wildlife appeared in the caravans on Saturday night.”

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Club focused heavily on Combined Driving, running one and two day events at venues including Holker Hall, Lyth Valley, Kendal, and Tebay. At various times, these events also hosted qualifying Novice classes for National competitions. In 1997, the Club stepped in at very short notice to host the National Championships at Holker Hall after the original event at Windsor was cancelled due to the funeral of Princess Diana.

North West Driving Club Committee