TRUCKFEST SUCCESS FOR COUNTRYSTYLE
Countrystyle drivers were out in force this weekend (31st - 1st June) at the South East’s Truckfest show at the Kent Showground. This was the South East round of a collective of countrywide shows in the South East. Truckfest was started 25 years ago with the original and biggest show taking place in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Over the years the show has expanded to include Truckfest South West, Truckfest Scotland, Truckfest North West and Truckfest Yorkshire and in the last two years Truckfest South East.
Truckfest sees the Kent Showground taken over by trucks of all shapes and sizes for the two day event. In addition to custom trucks and show trucks, lorry drivers from a whole host of companies parade their vehicles for the weekend. The drivers congregate en mass with their trucks and park in the showground in groups of fleets and individuals for the weekend and the visiting public are able to walk around and look at them. As well as the trucks on display there are a whole host of stalls and trade stands selling every conceivable item imaginable for the average truck driver and enthusiast. There are also arena displays, static recovery truck displays, live music, bars and food stands and all things truck!
Proud Countrystyle drivers were keen to take part in the event and Paul Creasey, Pluckley Driver Foreman, was able to recommend a list of drivers who wanted to enter. Nine lorries were then entered by Richard Lloyd, Operations Manager, into the best fleet competition. The drivers who attended washed and polished their trucks in the week leading up to Truckfest and proudly took them to the showground early on the Saturday morning. Upon arrival the vehicles were placed together in a line up and looked fantastic. The judges later looked over the vehicles and were particularly impressed with one of the vehicles, C 18 CSG, an eight wheeled tipper driven by Barrie Helstrip. This is a testimony to Barrie’s dedication to his work and his pride in the condition of his lorry. The vehicle is 5 years old and is engaged in arduous tipper operations 6 days a week yet it remains immaculate. The judges were extremely taken by Barrie’s lorry and how well turned out it was and he was awarded ‘highly commended’ for his efforts.
The trucks were all clean and tidy and the judges were impressed by the number that Countrystyle entered and the differing types of lorry represented. We had hook lifts, tractor units, and a skip lorry which the judges felt was an excellent mixture of vehicles. The event was a great success for Countrystyle and the company will be in attendance again for Truckfest South East 2009.
The drivers who attended were:
Barrie Helstrip
Gary Benn
Anthony Benn
Tony Glazier
Graeme Shilling
Paul Holt
Keith Butcher
Rob Henderson
Dave Woodgate
Mark Davis
