2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the North West Driving Club – six decades of driving, competition, friendship and a shared passion for horses and carriages. From its beginnings as a small group of enthusiastic drivers in 1966, the Club has grown into a thriving organisation with a proud history and an important place in British carriage driving.
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.
The Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 brought the Club’s activities to a halt, and the challenging economic conditions that followed led to reduced attendance, membership, and the number of events held. Despite this, the Spring Fun event at Dalemain and the Summer Show continued.
With the revival of the Lowther National Event in 2013, largely thanks to the efforts of the Bowman family, the Club’s spirit was renewed. As the Club reached its 60th anniversary in 2026, it looked forward with confidence to a renewed and flourishing membership.
Celebrating 60 Years – Looking to the Future
As we celebrate the remarkable history of the North West Driving Club, we also look forward to marking this special milestone together. To bring our 60th anniversary year to a memorable close, we are delighted to announce our 60th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday 14th November 2026 at The Gavel, Penrith Auction Mart.
This special evening will be an opportunity to bring together the people who have helped make the Club what it is today – past and present members, volunteers, family and friends, and fellow carriage driving enthusiasts. Whether you have been part of the Club for 60 years, joined more recently, volunteered behind the scenes, or simply have an interest in carriage driving, we would love you to join us.
There will be good food, great company, memories and friendship as we look back over six wonderful decades.
Keep an eye out on the club’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057278806963) and website (www.northwestdrivingclub.co.uk)
Photos by kind permission of Wild Fell Photography (wildfellphotography.zenfoliosite.com)