bird's eye view by the hawk
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he Hawk is always
Uinterested when it comes to novel ways of raising money for charity. However, his gob was well and truly smacked when he learnt what was happening at Kilcock District Court outside Dublin. Thirty-three motorists charged with a range of offences, including speeding, careless driving and dangerous driving, had offered donations totalling over £20,000 to charities when disqualifications were imposed on them by Judge John Brophy. The Judge accepted the contributions and each case against the defendants was marked proven but they were allowed to stay on the road. The unwitting recipients of individual donations of between £500 and £2,000 included the Coolmine Drugs Treatment centre as well as leukaemia and liver research units. This seems to be a case of "if you don't want to do the time, pay for the crime".
0 t is no good lads, you can't hold him back. Nothing can slop his Royal Highness from breaking through the barrier celebrating the 50,000th Z5-tonne truck to he built at Leyland Trucks' Lancashire plant. Charles, once dubbed the Action Prince, is nwre cautious these days as he checks his mirror for signs of lurking paparazzi. He spent over an hour at the plant, during which time he presented quality awards to several employees The Hawk is unaware if like some of his horsebox-driving relatives, our future King has an HGV licence. If certain churchmen get their way, a life on the open road might seem just the ticket. ing in July with not a cloud in the sky as Foden the dog and I set out in tlw faithful Reliant Robin, Thermos and corned-beef sarnies at the ready, to motor down to Beaulieu in Hampshire for the 35th annual Austin Seven Owners Club rally. This year the club was celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Austin Seven going on the road. Ah yes, those were the days, when a traffic jam comprised five motor vehicles and a horse-drawn dray. As well as my good self, the event was attended by Shepton Mallet haulier Alan Valiance who was proudly showing a rare 1923 van which he discovered in bits in a South Wales house. He has lovingly restored this old Austin to all its original glory. Now if only he could do the same for yours truly.
Cream of the South-West
Im• he sun shone all weekend at this year's UTruckfest South West, held in Shepton Mallet earlier this month, as former Transport Minister Steven Norris climbed on board to take up his new position in the driving seat as the director-general of the Road Haulage Association. His gleaming chariot was this magnificent Kenworth belonging to John Scholey of Yorkshire. As always, all the major truck manufacturers were represented, and naturally there were plaudits to be handed out. Among the worthy recipients this year were FG Bond Transport, which picked up the best working truck award for its J-reg tipper, and Yorkshire haulier P Osborne Transport, which won best-kept fleet award. Congratulations to all the winners. A splendid day out was had by all. .1.61CIT • ;7,4 ir