Pompey pioneer
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PETER PRIVETT, who is now a company director in a substantial way of business, entered the first Portsmouth (now Hampshire) heat of the Lorry Driver of the Year contest in 1954. It was held in the Naval barracks and was a highly organised and ambitious shambles.
Bernard Hale, who was the unfortunate organising secretary and is still one of the most valued members of the National Council of the competition, chuckles when we revive those memories. In the words of a radio comedian of yesteryear "If ever a man suffered. . ." The Portsmouth contest included a first-rate vehicle maintenance test which was undertaken before the road route. I remember its revealing a crack in the drop arm of an 18month-old petrol tanker which the operator's own examiners had failed to find, and the entry was disqualified.
Manoeuvring tests were held on the barrack parade ground but this was not available until almost midday. Then the course had to be laid out, marshals had to be instructed and so on. The titled clerk of the course paid a brief social visit, had a drink and departed. Bernard was left with everything to do. His police training in patience, discipline and good temper was never seen to finer advantage.
By the time the awards were distributed on the parade ground, it was dark and I had to strike matches to read the results. The orange street lights outside the barracks had the effect of making the point-duty constable almost invisible and he hastily abandoned his post before he was run over in the rush of competitors and others eager to get home before daybreak.