The Norman Proudlove Trophy to be presented on Sunday

A new feature of the Audlem Festival of Transport on Sunday will be an award for the best vehicle in the show. The Norman Proudlove Trophy will be presented by his family after they have chosen the winner from the hundreds of vehicles at the Festival.

Norman Proudlove, who died this year, was formerly the owner of Hankelow Garage. Norman did his apprenticeship at Palmer Mann & Co of Sandbach, a company famous as the makers of Sifta salt, starting at the age of 14. It was then he met Sheila, also then 14, who was to become his wife. He did his National Service in REME and then went on to have his own garage in Sandbach. This was one of the first establishments, possibly even the first, in Cheshire to carry out MOTs.

After a few years, he sold that business and bought Hankelow Garage which he ran successfully for 22 years, earning respect all round. At the weekends he would be found singing at the White Lion, singing mostly Jim Reeves songs. He was also captain of the darts team.

In 1986, he decided to sell the garage and moved to Burleydam, still in the motor trade until his retirement in 1995, after 51 years in the trade. The new trophy is in fondest memory of Norman Proudlove of Hankelow (1930 – 2007).

There will be many fine vehicles for Norman's family to judge. They include commercials, motor cars – the oldest dating back to 1911, tractors, steam rollers and motorcycles. The vehicles will parade from Hankelow from 12.30pm then through Audlem to arrive on the playing field from 1.00pm. It promises to be a great day and even the weather forecast for the weekend seems to be brighter. We keep our fingers crossed.

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