Update from the FBHVC

​National Drive It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005. It is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention, the motor vehicle. It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping transport heritage on UK roads. 

This year’s Drive It Day celebration is scheduled for Sunday, 25th April and many enthusiasts have been asking for the latest information on what can and cannot proceed to mark this National Awareness Day.

​The FBHVC is pleased to announce that the latest news, is good news. David Whale, Chairman of the FBHVC said, “National Drive it Day has its place as a symbolic season opener, a chance to get historic vehicles of all shapes, sizes and types out in use, seen by the public and enjoyed by their custodians. It’s a statement of national importance because, not only does it ensure that our transport heritage continues as a moving, working, living experience, but also raises awareness of the size, importance and contribution that the historic vehicle movement makes to the world.” This year, that contribution is even larger because the FBHVC have teamed up with the NSPCC’s Childline® to raise money as an integrated part of Drive it Day in order to use our movement to contribute to a section of society that has needed huge help and support during the pandemic – vulnerable children.

Lockdown has magnified all sorts of societal problems and the long days and weeks trapped in broken homes or abusive environments have put vulnerable children even more at risk. Furthermore, the restrictions on social contact and the movement of people have seriously curtailed fundraising efforts for charities across the board and charities have found themselves underfunded, just at the moment when they need the resource the most.

​All profits from our official Drive it Day rally plate go towards the NSPCC’s Childline®, so get yours now via www.driveitday.co.uk. Sir Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC said “We are delighted with the support of classic and historic vehicle enthusiasts in contributing to the work of Childline® in our first year of partnership. This support is especially important at the moment, Childline® is a crucial service on which young people can rely - day or night - whatever problems or dangers they are facing.”

​As we know, each devolved nation has provided bespoke guidance throughout the pandemic and this is the current position:

​ENGLAND
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport through the Tourism Alliance has confirmed that at Step 2 of the road map for exit from lockdown applicable from 12th April, an event such as the Federation’s Drive It Day may go ahead providing that: - The event takes place outdoors - Attendees will arrive and leave the event in a staggered manner throughout the day - It does not involve attendees converging on and congregating at a site for a specific discrete activity, such as a theatre or music performance - Rule of 6 or two households mixing outdoors applies
​
NORTHERN IRELAND
We are in contact with the Honorary Secretary of the Association of Old Vehicle Clubs and he tells us no decision has been made by the NI Assembly regarding opening things up but the Association will continue to monitor the situation and post new information as soon as it is announced on https://www.aovc.co.uk/

SCOTLAND
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has accelerated lockdown easing in Scotland, with some travel restrictions lifted and more people able to meet outside from Friday, 16th April:

• People will be able to leave their local authority area for the purposes of socialising, recreation or exercise, though travel between the mainland and some islands will not be permitted.  Overnight stays are not permitted.
• Rules on gatherings will also be relaxed, with six adults from up to six households able to meet outside.

WALES Travel restrictions within the UK will be lifted from 12th April.

​We hope this information is helpful but in all cases government guidance applicable on Sunday 25th April must be followed. Rally plates can be purchased via www.driveitday.co.uk , where enthusiasts may also make an additional donation to the Just Giving page. All profits from the Drive it Day rally plates will go to NSPCC’s Childline®. For media enquiries, please contact: • Wayne Scott at Classic Heritage PR, 07759 260899. wayne@classicheritagepr.co.uk

Raising funds for the NSPCC Childline, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) invites you to take part in Drive-It Day. The FBHVC says, "We can't let children become the long-term victims of this pandemic. We need your support."

​Click the button below to buy your rally plates direct from the Federation and post photos in the group showing what you do for Drive It Day!

First introduced in 2005, the format for Drive It Day is a tried and tested formula. The Federation sets the date each year (as close as possible to the anniversary of the 1000 Mile Trial) and publicises the event nationally.

​The many clubs that comprise the Federation's membership then plan and schedule regional and local events throughout the country. ​The events are as varied as the vehicles taking part and include Drive Outs, Rallies, and meetings at local beauty spots or historic sites.

​Important venues such as The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Brooklands, Lakelands Motor Museum, The British Motor Museum, Gaydon and Bicester heritage are a few of the major locations that usually participate but there will be scores of events the length and breadth of the country.

The British Motor Museum is delighted to announce it has been awarded an additional £261,500 from the second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The Museum is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards.  This is in addition to the £707,000 which was awarded to the Museum last October as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure it has a sustainable future.  

​This second award has a slightly different emphasis over round one in that it is to be used between April and June for the core activities of re-starting operations and re-opening the Museum to the public. 

The British Motor Museum plans to re-open on Monday 17 May 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm with a full programme of family friendly activities for the May half term week. From 7 June to 23 July the Museum will revert to 4 days, opening on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday then open daily again for the summer holidays from 23 July to 6 September.

​Admission prices have been frozen and are: Adults £14.50, Children £9 (5-16 years), under 5’s free, Concessions £12.50 and a Family ticket £40 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Tickets will be for sale online shortly at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/plan-your-visit/book-tickets. All visitors are reminded that in line with the Museum’s new policy, everyone, including those with annual passes, must pre-book their visit so they can be contacted if there are any changes to the Museum’s opening.

The Museum is also gearing up for a summer of motoring shows and events, all in line with Government advice. At least 14 are being planned to include the return of several popular events such as the Gaydon Land Rover Show and the National Metro and Mini Show. Tickets are now on sale and more information can be found at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on 
​
The British Motor Museum would like to take this opportunity to thank both the Arts Council for its funding and also its loyal staff and visitors for all their support. The Museum is greatly looking forward to welcoming everyone back. 

Transport Museum Wythall is pleased to announce the award of £42,500 from the Arts Council Culture Recovery Fund - Round Two. This grant is sponsored by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and is designed to help art and culture organisations with recovery from Covid-19 and in consequence, support the future sustainability of such organisations.

TMW will use the funding to recover the effects of income loss from its extended closure period in 2020 and 2021 and enable the restart of its ambitious future plans for the museum (including an exhibition hall extension) and the all-important visitor experience.
TMW Chairman Dave Taylor said, ‘2020 was an extremely challenging year in which our income virtually ground to a halt. Our normal revenue flow will not re-commence until we reopen on May 22nd so this funding is hugely important to us and with its receipt, we applaud the Arts Council and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for raising public awareness of the importance of supporting art and culture’.

​Transport Museum Wythall very much looks forward to welcoming visitors old and new from May 22nd.

TMW and Covid-19 schedule
From August 2020 TMW provided the socially distanced safety of online booking at scheduled times, a one-way system around the halls and shop, a convenient ‘outdoor’ café and sanitised free bus rides for all. This theme will continue for the season start as a form of social distancing is expected to be retained into the spring. As the rules change, TMW will amend its schedule as appropriate – watch the website.
​
The season commences on 27 March with opening times of 11.00-16.30 on Saturdays, bank holiday Sundays and Mondays, Wednesdays during school holidays and half terms until 31 October. Event days will be open from 10.30–17.00.

New vehicles on the road in 2021
An autumn reshuffle and rework programme has released a number of new vehicles for 2021, all of which will be available for rides during the year. Out of hibernation come:
1937 Trent AEC Regal/Willowbrook RC 4615 
1953 Walsall Corporation Leyland Royal Tiger PDH 808 
1960 BMMO D10 prototype 943 KHA 
1965 BMMO CM6T BHA 656C 
Birmingham City Transport standards, 1948 Leyland Titan PD2/1 HOV 685 and 1953 Guy Arab IV 2976. These two vehicles have received front end rebuilds to renovate structural corrosion issues along with partial repaints.

​Private owner vehicles welcome
Private owners are very welcome to attend with their vehicles on any running day but particularly on the special event days. Please contact bookings@wythall.org.uk or download the form from the website.