Coachmakers present Carriage Driving award 2021

Pictured above: The Master Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey presents the Carriage Driving Award to John Richards OBE with the Immediate Past Master, Richard Charlesworth

On a bright sunny day in July, 13 Coachmakers and numerous friends gathered at Smith’s Lawn for the British Driving Society’s Annual Show, writes Past Master Michael Kimber. Having been cancelled last year due to “you know what”, it was a delight for the Coachmakers to again meet in person in the beautiful setting of Smith’s Lawn on the Windsor Estate. Tables were set-up overlooking the re-named Prince Philip Ring, bottles were opened, and tempting food laid out.

However, before luncheon was taken, it was time for the presentation of the coveted Coachmakers’ Carriage Driving Award. This award was first presented in 1979 and has continued ever since.

As last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic, the Master Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey presented the trophy, and Immediate Past Master Richard Charlesworth presented the Coachmakers’ certificate to John Richards OBE.

John Richards OBE served on the Coachmakers Driving Award committee for many years. He is Vice President of the British Driving Society and a past President of the Coaching Club. John has represented Great Britain at the Four-in-Hand World Coaching Championships on three occasions and at two European Championships and is acknowledged as an excellent whip, driving coaches four-in-hand. He is Deputy Lieutenant and a past High Sheriff of Cheshire and was awarded the Order of the British Empire.

After the presentation, Coachmakers and their guests mingled, put the world to rights and watched a game of polo on the adjoining field. All in all, a good day was had by all.

You can see a video from the event at this link.

From left: Assistant Mark Broadbent, Chairman of the Carriage Driving awards committee, the Master, Immediate Past Master, The Clerk and Past Master David Shalit