News
Last Updated 19/05/2010

This page is updated regularly with news about the Scammell Register.

Mike Thomas - 1953 - 2010

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Mike Thomas, after a long battle with cancer, on April 14th. A full appreciation is here>>.

Website updates

Mike, a former chairman of The Scammell Register, also maintained the website and during the latter stages of his illness found it more difficult to carry out and we now have to fill this void. We hope you appreciate why pages have not been updated as often as Mike would have liked and, hopefully, we can get back to normal quite soon.

Membership - December 2009

We are consolidating the posts of Membership Secretary and Treasurer to streamline the administration of applications and renewals.  Dave Spain has kindly taken on the combined role.  Therefore, if you have any outstanding membership queries, please contact Dave Spain

Harrison's Rigid 8 - December 2009

It appears that Harrisons have restored one of their Scammell Rigid 8s. It is XS5125. A photo has been published on Flickr. To see it follow this link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fryske/4171344767/in/pool-1105081@N22

Scammell Register Christmas Cards

The Register has expanded its range of merchandising and produced Christmas cards in packs of 6 for
£5.50 inc P&P. See Scammell Mart

Newsletters to Download

We have added the April 2008 Newsletter to those available for download.

New DVD

This new DVD, "Twenty Years On - Scammells at the Great Dorset," is a 60 minute film by Jonathan Eckardt, continuing the story from the 1986 “Scammells at the GDSF” DVD, also by Jonathan Eckardt. Commentary by Member John Collins. Includes coverage of the Register's 25th anniversary celebration at the GDSF in 2008.
It is available from the Register, see Scammell Mart.

Website and Latest News

Frequent visitors to the website will be aware that it has not been updated for a few months, for which apologies! We are now in the process of bringing it up to date. There are some new reports.

We have now completed all the events for 2009 but will list those for 2010 as they become available.

The last event was the AGM and Christmas lunch held in Tring on November 1st. As required by the constitution, Officers stood for re-election and there are a number of changes. The current contact list is in the process of being updated.

Events Diary 2009

We have now completed and posted an events diary for 2009.
The year started with our Spring meeting and lunch in Swindon. For details, go to the events page.
Please note that the 2009 Commercial Motor Show at the NEC has now been cancelled.

Swindon 2009

We opened the year with a most enjoyable meeting in Swindon on Sunday 8 March when 55 Members and their guests enjoyed an excellent meal. This was followed by an auction of Scammell memorabilia, kindly donated by members and a raffle. We then watched a promotional video on military Scammells and one on the Explorer cross country trials before retiring to the bar for lots of Scammell chat and the chance to visit our sales stand where Carol Cooper had the full range of merchandising available.

For many, the highlight was to see the excellent Meccano Explorer model featured in the last Newsletter in the flesh. There was much interest as it drove round the hotel foyer!

The builder, Neil Bedford (kneeling) came with his daughter, Forest (standing behind) who also builds Meccano models. Graham Germany (to her right) looks fascinated and is perhaps wondering if this scale is just slightly more manageable than the 1:1 "scale" Explorer he and partner Tina (second left) run! Perhaps Brian Carter (on Tina's right) is thinking similar thoughts in relation to he and his wife Chris' pair of "his and hers" Pioneers!

John Fadelle, an ex-Scammell engineer who is serialising a superb Scammell history in the Newsletter, commented on how impressed he was by the accuracy of the movements especially in the chassis and axles, which articulate just like the real thing. A superb model and a delight to see. He says he often used Meccano to mock up engineering prototypes, but not to the detail of this superb model which is fully functional, including winch, jib and spare wheel carrier, and which has opening doors and lockers and working lights.

To read the whole story, originally published in our quarterly Newsletter, go to the reports page.

AGM and Christmas lunch - November 2008

Just over 50 Members and their guests met last Sunday for the AGM which followed an excellent lunch. After the AGM there was an auction of Scammell memorabilia, kindly donated by Members. The resultant enthusiastic bidding resulted in the sale of items as diverse as Scammell ashtrays, Parker pen, clip boards, tie and racing team jacket. The day was rounded off by the showing the Register's new DVD which is available for sale (see below) and a preview of the Scammell section of the 2008 Great Dorset Show DVD. Everyone then headed home having spent a great day ensuring the Scammell legend lives on!
Please see the events page for details of the Spring meeting to be held in March in Swindon.

1/9th Scale Explorer in Meccano

Website visitor, Neil Bedford has sent in photos of a Scammell Explorer which he has recently completed in Meccano!

As you can see from the photo, it looks superb. Vital statistics include a length of 31 inches, height of 15 inches and a staggering weight of 4 stone!

Register Members will be able to read the full story in the January 2009 Newsletter. Other pictures of the model during construction can be found on the website of the South West Meccano Club.

We arranged to have the model on display at our Spring meeting in Swindon - see above .

New Register DVD

The Register has now produced a DVD!  It contains two original Scammell films, both copied from 16mm - a Scammell promotional film from mid to late 70s and a film on the Commander, kindly lent to us by John Fadelle.

The promotional film runs for ten minutes and features five models as follows.
Nubian Major 6x4 airport crash tender. Begins with a simulated crash landing at an RAF station, where three Nubians turn out, and demonstrate the vehicles’ fire fighting capabilities. 
Contractor. Seen in drawbar tractor, including Sunters, and articulated versions including, military tank transporter and civilian quarry work with a tipper trailer.
Crusader 6x4. Featuring both military and civilian versions, including Hills of Blackwell.
Super Constructor. Seen as a rigid on oilfield duties and in articulated form with off road scenes.
LD55 We finish with the LD55 in dumper and articulated format on forestry duties.

The Commander film only runs for five minutes but covers construction scenes in the factory, loading tanks by driving and winching and some nice footage on the test track.

Verdict?  Short but superb and certainly very good value at £7 plus £1.50 P&P. Contact Carol Cooper to place your order.

Now an appeal - does anyone have any other films or videos which we can borrow and copy onto DVD for the benefit of everyone?  If so, please contact Carol Cooper.

Scammell Register at Croxley Green - 2008

Over the weekend of the 20th and 21st September, Scammell Register Members again joined forces with Carters Steam Fair and the Watford Classic Vehicle Club to stage a Scammell show.

This year we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Register as well as marking 20 years since the closure of the Scammell works with a roadrun to Tolpits Lane in nearby Watford. A full report will appear in the January 2009 issue of the Register Newsletter and subsequently in the Reports page of the website, where a report on last years event can be found.

In the meantime, a brief article has appeared in the November issue of Vintage Spirit magazine. Included is a reference to a very special Scammell model, constructed by Cassie McIntyre who was there with her parents. It is pictured here on the wing of Member Graham Germany's Explorer on which the model was based. Cassie used the scale ramp to demonstrate the articulation of the front axle - true to the prototype!

Website Update - October 2008

The website Report page has been updated with four new reports - the return of Scammells to the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC; the Gaydon 2008 rally and the celebrations at Pickering and the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Classic Commercial Motor Vehicles Website, October 2008

As previously mentioned, this site is well worth a visit if you haven't seen it - go to our links page for the link and details.

The "Latest Photos" page (15th October) includes several photos from the Chatham road run last weekend. Many members have photos in the Scammell pages, with Gyles' photos feature heavily amongst the 677 photos currently on the site.

Member, Gyles Carpenter still has a photo on the home page - a Crusader labeled "Ol' Smokey". It is Kevin Millar's lorry which featured in the colour section of April's Register Newsletter.
The site is frequently changed with new photos being added, so it's always worth another look!

Scammell Register 25th Anniversary Celebrations

As was listed in the Events page, we planned a number of celebrations to mark our 25th Anniversary, as well as to commemorate the fact that it is 20 years since the closure of Scammell. Hugely successful celebrations took place in a pub one evening during the Pickering Traction Engine rally, in a marquee at the Great Dorset Steam Fair, who were celebrating their 40th anniversary, and most recently at Croxley Green near Watford. Here, we had 16 Scammells located next to Carters' Steam Fair who had 7 Scammells in service this year. We repeated last year's road run to Tolpits Lane. Full reports on all these events will be in the October Newsletter, due out during the first week in October and will be posted in the Reports page later in October.

Gallery Updated

After a long gap, for which I apologise, the photographic gallery now has some additional images, so please have a look. More images will be added at the end of this month. If anyone wishes to submit images for inclusion please contact Mike Thomas and, if possible, email the images to me.

Classic Vehicle Rally - Scammells Wanted!

Colin Langmead is looking for anyone who would like to bring a Scammell to a small rally they organise at a nursery.  Last year they had 60 vehicles.  To date, 40 are booked in for this year.  They get a wide range of cars, tractors etc, but are very keen to attract some Scammells. 
The rally is open from 11 till 3, but you are welcome to turn up anytime from 09.00.  The date is Saturday 9th August. The venue is Coolings Nursery, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7NN

If you fancy going, please contact them on 01959 532269, they'd be delighted. If you know of anyone local who may be interested, please can you put the word around.

Local Scammell Outing in Essex

Three Scammell Register Members took their lorries to a small classic vehicle show organised by Maldon District Council. It was the first outing for John Meyer's showman's Explorer, named "The Beast", which featured in the Register's January 2008 Newsletter. Next in line was Paul Brown's ex Union Cartage ballast tractor, UYL 921, now in Paul's own livery. At the far end of the line up was Mike Thomas with his ex-military Crusader on it's first outing since Croxley Green last year. Later in the day we were joined by Member John Jones who left his R6 at home in favour of his Vulcan (shame on him!). This completed the commercial line up which was much admired by the large number of visitors on a beautifully sunny day.

Scammell Supplement Published Free with "Vintage Roadscene", July 2008

The July issue of "Vintage Roadscene" includes a free Scammell 8 page Supplement, the 7th in the Classic Commercial Collection. Written by Mike Thomas, and published in association with the Scammell Register, the eight pages provide a brief history of Scammell and the Register. Many photographs from the Register archive are used to illustrate the article.

One photograph shows Members' lorries in Tolpits Lane last year, as described in the article "Scammells Return to Watford" in the Reports page.

We plan to repeat this event in September 2008, see Events page for details.

Register Members will receive a free copy of the Supplement with their July Newsletter, due out in the next week or so.

Members can also take advantage of a reduced price subscription to Vintage Roadscene, full details of which are in the Newsletter.

Publicity for the Register - "Heritage Commercials", July 2008

The Register and its Members feature on the front cover of "Heritage Commercials", with a lovely photo of Dan Simmonds' Handyman with the caption "The Simmonds Scammell". This links to a five page article by Alan Barnes on the history and restoration of the lorry. Mention is also made of Dan's son, Freddy, with the comment "I arranged to meet with Freddy Simmonds, who was at the time the youngest member of the Scammell Register" and pointing out that Freddy is only five! The article goes on to note that Freddy holds Membership Number 13, which was originally allocated to his great grandfather and has now been reissued to Freddy.

Also in this issue, the contents page features Gyles Carpenter's photo of Register Member Paul Hammond's Junior Constructor, in Yeoman livery, pulling the Crane two-line bogies, as featured in the Register's April Newsletter.

Register Website Down Over Bank Holiday Weekend, 27/5/2008

Please accept our apologies if you have been trying to access the website over the past few days. The problem was with the host organisation who had a failure on a server. We hope this was not too inconvenient and that you will enjoy visiting the site now and in the future.

More Publicity for the Register - "Vintage Roadscene ", Issue 103, June 2008

Following on quickly from the publicity in June's C&VC (see below) the latest issue of Vintage Roadscene has lots of Register publicity. Member Margaret Mortimore's Shell-Mex & BP liveried Highwayman is featured on the front cover with a supporting five page article "Highwayman Accolade". Alan Barnes opens with a reminder that this is the Register's 25th anniversary as well as being the 20th anniversary of the closure of the works. He previews the Scammell Supplement to be published with Issue 104, then covers the history of Scammell with the main emphasis on the Highwayman range, and using lots of photos.

The next article reports on the 2008 Commercial Motor Show and contains photos of Tony Jordan's Scarab and Parry Davis' Highwayman, which was on our stand, as reported below.

Finally, there is a superb four page collection of Pickfords heavy haulage photos under the title "Scammell Supreme" and the header "Roadscene has teamed up with the Scammell Register to provide a pictorial introduction."

All in all a great issue for all Scammell enthusiasts and lots of great publicity for the Register.

Classic Commercial Motor Vehicles Website, May 2008

This site is well worth a visit if you haven't seen it - go to our links page for the link and details. Currently, Register Member Jim Wells has the honour of having the main picture on the home page. It is described as a "glorious line up of Scammell Showtracs" and features the seven which appeared at Dingles in September last year, as reported in our Reports page. Well done Jim!

Another Member, Gyles Carpenter also has a photo on the home page - this time a Crusader labelled "Ol' Smokey". It is Kevin Millar's lorry which featured in the colour section of April's Register Newsletter. Gyles' photos feature heavily amongst the 583 photos currently on the Scammell pages. The site is frequently changed with new photos being added, so it's always worth another look!

Publicity for the Register - "Classic & Vintage Commercials", June 2008

As we progress through our 25th Anniversary year, we are achieving really good publicity for the Register. The latest is in the June issue of "Classic & Vintage Commercials" the front cover of which says

Scammell Special
Club's 25th anniversary

Inside is a five page article on the Register which is crammed with photos from our archives. They look splendid all bar one being black and white.

Towards the end of the brief article surrounding the photos they mention the planned joint celebration with the Mechanical Horse Club at the Great Dorset Steam Fair and go on to say "a definite highlight of the year will take place when the two clubs join with Carters Steam Fair for a rally at Croxley Green, near Watford, when as many different types of Scammell as possible will be represented and a road run to the site of the former Scammell Lorries works at Tolpits Lane, Watford."

See Events page for details of both events.
If you can bring a Scammell to Croxley, please contact Mike Thomas and book your lorry in.

Later in the magazine the Register display lorry is photographed at Truckfest this year and there is a seven page article on a very smart looking Handyman which has been restored in the colours of Barton.

Scammell at the Commercial Vehicle Show, April 15 - 17 April, 2008

For the first time in over 20 years, Scammells appeared at the Commercial Vehicle Show which was held at the NEC from the 15th to the 17th of April, 2008.

The two lorries arrived on the Saturday before the show for a photo shoot outside the Halls.

Once the show opened, Member Tony Jordan displayed his newly repainted Scarab, registration 6533 UK in the Atrium outside the halls. This vehicle was especially relevant as, back in 1948, the Scarab was launched at the Show. The one which appeared there can be seen clearly on the left of the Scammell stand in this nice photograph of the combined car and commercial show. The photo featured on one of a series of postcards printed by Vintage Roadscene Magazine and handed out at the 2008 show. It is reproduced with the kind permission of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Sixty years on, Tony's was displayed in the livery of MA Jordan Car Transportation Services and, like the one which appeared in 1948, has a white bonnet.

Inside Hall 17, Committee Member, Parry Davis displayed his Highwayman, registration 210 GYR, also fresh from the paint shop. This vehicle is very special to Parry, son of one of the Davis Brothers, as it worked for them. Originally owned by Shell as an MU, it was rebuilt by Davis Brothers in 1963. They replaced the original Meadows engine with a Leyland 680 and fitted the Highwayman cab. Beautifully restored, it is once again owned by the Davis family and appears in their livery.

Alongside the Highwayman was our photographic display. The stand was very popular, with many commenting on how nice it was to see historic vehicles back at the show and how it brought back happy memories of their early careers or in some cases their childhood when they had been taken out with their father during school holidays!

We are indebted to Vintage Roadscene Magazine for the invitation to attend and to the Managing Editor, Alan Earnshaw, for all his help before and during the show.

Members' Meeting 16/3/2008

49 Members and guests met today at the Madison Hotel on the outskirts of Swindon for a most enjoyable get together. The venue was superb and everyone enjoyed an excellent lunch, with a choice of two items per course. After the usual raffle, everyone enjoyed two films, a Scammell publicity film from the late 70s and a film of a transformer being moved by Pickfords Constructors. Many viewed, and bought, the latest merchandising, including embroidered boiler suits and 25th Anniversary polo shirts and baseball caps. More details from Carol Cooper. After lots of cheerful Scammell chat, everyone went on their way having had a great time. Many thanks to Brian Carter for sourcing the venue.

New Scammell Register website goes live, 7/3/2008

The revised Scammell Register website went live today. if you find any problems, or have any comments or suggestions, please contact Mike Thomas.

Scammell Register Featured in "Heritage Commercials" Magazine, April 2008

The April 2008 issue of "Heritage Commercials" magazine contains an eight page article by Alan Barnes, entitled "A Double Scammell Celebration." Alan is, of course, referring to the 25th Anniversary of The Scammell Register coupled with the fact that it is now 20 years since the Scammell Works closed. The article covers the history of both Scammell and the Scammell Register and is well illustrated with 22 black and white photographs, many from our archives.

Scammell Register Featured in "Old Glory" Magazine, February 2008

The February 2008 issue of "Old Glory" contains a six page article by Alan Barnes, entitled "Scammell: The Legend Lives On." Alan traces the history of the Register from the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 1983, to the present day. The article is well illustrated with 9 black and white photographs, many from our archives, and 7 colour photographs, including ones of our meeting at the Highwayman pub, and the 2007 road run to Tolpits Lane, covered in our reports page, where you will also find a copy of Alan's superb article.

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