Coachlines - September 2025
26.09.25 The Clerk Lt Col Craig Hallatt
Clerk’s notes – September 2025
As we begin the new livery year I wanted to bring you a more connected, yet relevant article in this month’s Coachlines. I thought there must be something that has influenced my life – as I have earlier discussed music etc. – and still be connected to the Coachmakers (whilst trying to avoid tenuous links… I am not sure I have achieved that!)
So here we go. Having been born and raised in Yorkshire, the Peoples Republic (!) of South Yorkshire to be specific, I lived close to the great artery to the north, the Great North Road. Travelling this leviathan of history on nearly a daily basis, heading to music lessons, band practices, solo competitions and ultimately, to meet a potential love interest – sadly, with not much luck I hasten to add – I suddenly realised how this road of my childhood was now inextricably linked to my life. How so you may ask? Well, to be brief and not bore you too much, the Great North Road began linking London, York, and Edinburgh as a major route from medieval times, evolving from even older Roman roads such as Ermine Street and Dere Street.
These places are now firmly part of my life story, indeed, they are the major locations of my life: I now work in London for this wonderful Company, as mentioned above I was born and bred in Yorkshire and lastly, but certainly not least, my wife Deborah hails from Edinburgh and we met at he Edinburgh Tattoo in 2001 – tenuous enough? Here is the story of that great thoroughfare, I hope you enjoy it.
The Great North Road: The main highway of coach travel and the shop-window of coachmaking
Before the age of motorways and motorway services, Britain’s Great North Road was the backbone of long-distance travel – a dusty, rutted lifeline stretching from London to York to Edinburgh, pulsing with the rhythm of coach wheels, clattering hooves, and the occasional expletive from a disgruntled passenger. It was more than a road – it was a stage for drama, a thread of union, and a proving ground for the craftsmanship of coachmakers.
The Great North Road traces its lineage to Roman times, but it truly came into its own during the 17th-19th centuries, when stagecoaches became the lifeblood of travel and communication. It was the superhighway of its day – minus the asphalt, signage, and reliable suspension.
• London, the southern anchor, was the launchpad for countless coaches, many departing from the Angel Inn in Islington or the Swan with Two Necks in Lad Lane. These weren’t just transport hubs – they were social melting pots where merchants, messengers, and mischief-makers rubbed shoulders.
• York, with its Roman walls and medieval charm, served as a vital staging post. By the mid-1600s, coaches to York were advertised as “flying machines,” though the only thing flying was the mud off the wheels.
• Edinburgh, the northern terminus, joined the route in 1658. The journey could take up to 10 days, assuming no broken axles, highwaymen, or ale-induced diversions.
The route connected the political heart of England with the cultural and economic centres of the north, and ultimately with Scotland. It was a symbol of unity, commerce, and – on occasion – chaos.
Coaching inns: The beating heart of the road
Every seven to 10 miles, weary travellers and even wearier horses would stop at coaching inns – the original roadside motels. These establishments offered food, drink, fresh horses, and occasionally, a ghost or two.
The Bell Inn in Stilton became famous not for its beds, but for its cheese. A clever innkeeper began selling a local blue-veined delicacy to passing travellers, launching Stilton cheese into national fame. Whether it was a comfort or a challenge after a bumpy ride remains a matter of taste.
Then there’s the Angel Inn, now a curry house, which once hosted travellers with tales of daring escapes and scandalous rendezvous. One particularly cheeky tale involves Dick Turpin, the infamous highwayman, who allegedly hid out at the Angel for six weeks. Clearly photo-fit wanted posters were not up to much in those days!
Flying machines and genteel glass coaches
By the mid-18th century, coach travel had evolved from bone-rattling endurance tests to something resembling luxury. Advertisements boasted of “genteel glass coaches” and “flying machines” that could reach York in just three days – a miracle, if you ignored the pain, discomfort and bruises (nothing like the luxury of riding in one of the Senior Warden’s collection).
One 1734 announcement proudly declared a coach would reach London in nine days, “three days sooner than any other coach,” thanks to eight stout horses stationed at proper intervals. One wonders if the horses were stout from ale or simply built like barrels; they were known to enjoy a beer or two (a true fact that I can vouch for having witnessed many a Household Cavalry horse enjoy a Guinness before a long parade!)
Passengers were advised to bring their own food, blankets, and patience. A gentleman from Durham once wrote that his coach companion “snored like a bagpipe and smelled like Stilton,” which, given the route, may have been literal.
Coachmaking: Craft on the move
The Great North Road wasn’t just a route – it was a showroom on wheels. Every coach that thundered along its length was a testament to the skill of Coachmakers, whose craftsmanship ensured passengers arrived with their limbs intact and their dignity mostly preserved.
Coachmaking in this era was a blend of engineering, artistry, and endurance. The road’s punishing conditions demanded robust construction: steel springs, reinforced axles, and weatherproof upholstery. Innovations such as the ‘glass coach’ and the ‘flying machine’ weren’t just marketing gimmicks – they were milestones in design.
The coachmaker’s role extended beyond the workshop. They were often involved in testing, refining, and even branding the vehicles that bore their name. A well-made coach was a mobile advertisement, and the Great North Road was the ultimate catwalk.
A thread of union and cultural exchange
The Great North Road helped unite England and Scotland, facilitated postal services, and allowed ideas (and gossip) to travel faster than ever before. It was a conduit for commerce, correspondence, and cultural exchange.
It also served as a stage for drama. In 1816, a coach near Grantham was held up by a man wielding a blunderbuss and wearing a wig made of straw. He demanded money, then apologized profusely for the inconvenience. The passengers, moved by his manners, gave him a shilling for his trouble.
Another tale tells of a coach overturning near Doncaster because the driver mistook a goose for a ghost! The passengers spent the night in a nearby barn, serenaded by the very goose that caused their misfortune.
Literary footprints and nostalgia
The road inspired countless writers, from Charles Dickens to Daniel Defoe, who described it as “a road of great commerce and conversation.” As mentioned, it was also a shop window for coachmakers, whose legacy lives on in the names of pubs, streets, and even songs.
One could imagine a coachmaker of old penning a sonnet to the rhythm of hooves and the scent of Stilton, or composing a ballad about the time a coach was delayed by a sheep rebellion near Biggleswade.
From hooves to horsepower
Today, the A1 motorway shadows the old route, but the spirit of the Great North Road lives on – in the coaching inns that still stand, the stories that still circulate, and the occasional traveller who prefers a slower pace and a good tale.
The road may no longer echo with the sound of hooves, but its legacy endures – in the craftsmanship of coachmakers, the resilience of travellers, and the enduring charm of a journey that was never just about the destination.
So next time you’re zipping past Baldock or Biggleswade, spare a thought for the coachmen, the innkeepers, and the passengers who braved the Great North Road with grit, grace, and a flask of brandy. And if you ever find yourself at a pub claiming Dick Turpin once stayed there – check the cellar, just in case.
Coachmakers’ events
Join the Master for an evening of fellowship and friendship at the Aerospace Industry Dinner 2025 at the impressive surroundings of Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, well known as a hall of secluded luxury in the heart of the City. The hall has an amazing array of art and antiques dating back to Tudor times, including a painting commissioned by Henry VIII by Hans Holbein. It also stands next to remains of the Roman Wall, an amazing piece of London history.
The Master will present awards to a group of talented young people hoping to forge their careers in the aerospace industry.
We are delighted to have Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director of the air sector of BAE Systems as our guest speaker. Simon has held senior appointments in the UK’s largest defence supplier for 26 years and now leads the BAES division responsible for the multi-billion pound Global Combat Aircraft Programme and hugely successful Typhoon fighter, as well as chairing MBDA, Europe’s largest complex weapons manufacturer. He will give us a unique insight into the opportunities and challenges facing an industry at the cutting edge of aerospace technology. Simon is also an enthusiastic follower of Formula 1, so has much in common with many Coachmakers.
We will also be entertained by Corinne Hart who is a professionally trained classical soprano with a diverse range of vocal abilities. She trained at the Royal Academy of Music and has sung many roles across the UK and Europe. Her professional profile includes her work as a reporter for the Forces radio station in Gibraltar and her performances in various operas and musicals.
Reception: 6.30pm for 7.30pm
Carriages: 10.45pm
Dress: Black tie or service dress with decorations
Congratulations
We are proud to announce that Liveryman Paul Livingston was appointed an Ordinary Commander in the Most Honourable Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to the defence industry. Paul is CEO of Lockheed Martin which has been one of the generous sponsors of the Coachmakers’ Aerospace Awards. In his thank you speech, he recognised his team and emphasised the privilege of serving the UK Ministry of Defence, Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy, British Army and NATO every day.
We are also delighted to share that Past Master Andrew Love has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) He is widely respected across the hotel industry and has supported The Ritz with his steady leadership. Andrew also serves as Chairman of the St James’s Conservation Trust and Deputy Chairman of the Heart of London Business Alliance. He remains committed to the local area and continues to play an active role in preserving the heritage and character of St James’s. We are proud to see his contributions acknowledged in this way and offer our warmest congratulations.