Hiring a van is the perfect solution for all your transportation needs. It ensures you have the right vehicle for the job, as and when you need it, without the hefty upfront and ongoing costs that come with purchasing a van outright. By hiring from a reputable company you can be assured that you’ll receive a quality vehicle every time that is perfectly suited to your requirements.

© Kate Darkins

Flexibility

Realistically, not everyone needs a van all year round. If you know that you only need a larger vehicle for the occasional task, do you really want to permanently shoulder the responsibility of owning that vehicle? If you’re not using it often enough it will mean taking on the hassle of parking, maintenance, and insurance, for not a lot in return. Also, if you know that your needs will likely change each time you need a vehicle, you may not want to commit to a van of a particular size. A van hire company can provide you with the ideal vehicle for each specific task. Whether it’s moving house, transporting goods, or embarking on a road trip, you can choose from a diverse fleet of vans in various sizes and models to suit specific requirements. This flexibility allows you to select the most suitable van for each occasion without the commitment of long-term ownership. It is a wallet-friendly alternative that maximises your convenience. Simply pick up the van whenever you need it for as long as you need it and drop if off when you’re done. All the complex parts of vehicle ownership will be handled by the rental company.

Fewer obligations

By opting for van hire, you can avoid the financial burdens associated with purchasing and maintaining a vehicle. First and foremost, servicing costs can quickly add up when you own a van. Routine maintenance, such as oil changes, filter replacements, and brake inspections, can dent your wallet. Hiring a van means that these are all the responsibility of the rental company, saving you the effort and expense of undertaking them yourself. Additionally, the cost of an annual MOT can be saved. This is an obligatory process for every vehicle on British roads and can incur significant expenses if your vehicle doesn’t meet the required standards. Then there are repair costs from accidental damage or wear and tear. These all add up to make owning a van a significant financial obligation and potentially a major drain on your cashflow. By hiring a van you can avoid all these expenses and just pay for a vehicle as and when you need it.

Convenience

Having access to the vehicle you need, when you need it, opens doors that might otherwise have been closed. A hired vehicle is the ideal way to help you meet your professional and personal obligations. It is a great way to convey a professional image if you’re using it for your business purposes. It also allows you to complete jobs or move loads that might otherwise have been too large, or act as a replacement if your own vehicle has broken down. This ensures you don’t have any hold-ups, your reputation is maintained, and your customers are happy. Additionally, knowing that you have a top-quality van means you’ll have the right tool for new adventures in life. A hired vehicle is great for helping to move a student into the university room, moving house, or heading off on holiday. Never let vehicle space hold you back.

Whatever your needs, H&H Van Hire has the van for you. We are a well-established north London van hire company that provides a convenient and helpful service. Take a look at our range of vehicles or arrange your hire today by calling 020 7916 6616 or by emailing vans@hhvanhire.co.uk.

Loading up a vehicle with significant weight can massively affect its handling and this will need to be accounted for by the driver. Be sure to check the maximum payload of your van and do not exceed it when loading as this can be hazardous while on the road. Keeping within this limit and following our advice will help ensure that you are driving safely with your payload.

Pack the vehicle properly

Distributing the weight effectively across your vehicle is the first step to driving safely. This won’t be possible with every load, but wherever you can make sure that you pack everything in the right way. Place the heaviest items closest to the cab and make sure they are secured with packing straps. This will keep them shifting in transit which can alter the handling of your van. Lower the centre of gravity of the load as much as possible. You can do this by laying furniture flat on its side, or when loading sacks of gravel or compost placing them in a layer across the floor of the van rather than in a stack in the corner.

Drive carefully

While this might seem like obvious advice, there is a method to driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Many driving organisations use the IPSGA system of control. This stands for Information, Position, Speed, Gear, and Accelerate. When you encounter a hazard on the road, assess what is in front of you, get in the right position on the road, reduce your speed to pass the hazard, change gear, and then accelerate once you’re clear. An advanced driving course will go into more detail about this principle, but it is still worth keeping in mind when on the road.

Stopping distances

A fully loaded vehicle will likely have greater stopping distances than normal. A test conducted by Volkswagen found that that the stopping distance for a fully loaded van moving at 30 MPH rose by as much as five metres. That’s a 33% increase. If you will be driving and know that your van has a heavy load or is hauling its maximum payload, then you will need to account for this. To gain confidence, test the brakes in a quiet road first before embarking on your journey so you can get a feel for how long it takes to safely stop. Remember to obey the speed limit or drive below it if there is congestion. Also, take special care while descending hills as your speed can creep up with you realising. This will cause your vehicle to build significant momentum and make it more difficult to stop suddenly if you need to.

Steering

As a vehicle brakes, the weight shifts to the front wheels and the rear becomes lighter. If the weight is properly distributed, around 60/40 rear wheels to front wheels, you will be able to break later and harder into corners as the weight is shifting to being closer to a 50/50 distribution and all the tyres have equal grip on the road. If the weight in your vehicle is improperly distributed, you will find that you can lose traction in the back tyres and the rear of your vehicle can swerve. In this case, prevention is better than cure. Distribute the load across your van in a 60/40 ratio to reduce the risk of the weight shifting unexpectedly when you tur

Driving a heavy van comes with new rules and can take some getting used to. But the versatility and convenience of having a vehicle that meets your needs are always worth it. Get the van you need today by contacting H&H Van Hire. We are a well-established local van hire company renowned for the quality of both our fleet and our customer service. Get in touch by calling 020 7916 6616 or emailing vans@hhvanhire.co.uk.

For some driving in the rain is a stressful prospect, others don’t realise how different it is from normal conditions until they find themselves behind the wheel in a downpour. We’ve prepared some advice so that you can be safe when out on the roads.

Be prepared

Before you set off on your journey, check over your vehicle. These won’t take very long but will give you peace of mind that everything is working as it should. Make sure that your window wipers, brakes, and lights (including indicators) are all functioning correctly. You can also check the pressure of your tyres at most petrol stations and fill them up cheaply. This is always worth doing as traction will be essential in rainy conditions. You can check the tread depth of your tyres with a 20 pence piece. Place it into the main groove. If the tyre covers up the outer border of the coin, then the tread is deep enough and safe to drive. If the border is visible, then you may be approaching or have surpassed the legal minimum tread depth and your tyres will need to be replaced.

When on the road

It is vital when driving in the rain that you keep remain aware of everything around you. Drive slower than you normally would and remember to leave plenty of space between you and the car in front. Stopping distance doubles during rainy conditions so if you suddenly need hit the brakes, you’ll be grateful for the extra room. When you do need to slow down, avoid braking heavily. Rainy roads offer less traction so braking too suddenly may cause you to skid uncontrollably. Whenever you’re driving in the rain be aware of what is around you, especially larger vehicles like lorries as they throw up more spray from the road surface and their size makes them vulnerable to being moved by the wind. If you’re trying to overtake one on a motorway or dual carriageway, only do so if you have plenty of room and it is safe to do so. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel so that you can quickly adjust in case of sudden wind or slick patches in the road. This will keep you safe and stable on your journey.

Driving at night in the rain

Driving in the dark while it’s raining brings some added risks. The reduced visibility makes it harder to see what is around you so you can react accordingly. Dipped headlights are best to illuminate the road ahead, as full beam or fog lights can reflect off the rainy tarmac and dazzle other road users. If you are in an area with no streetlights, consider using your full beams to give you a better view of the road. However, this is best avoided if there are other drivers nearby especially if they are directly in front of you or approaching from the opposite direction.

What you need to know about aquaplaning

Aquaplaning is when there is a build-up of water between your car’s tyres and the road surface that causes them to lose friction and for you to lose control of the vehicle. When aquaplaning you will find that steering or braking will become a lot more difficult. The best way to prevent aquaplaning in the first place is to reduce your speed in wet conditions to prevent the build-up of water. If your car begins to aquaplane the most important thing to do is remain calm. Slowly ease off the accelerator to let the vehicle slow down gradually. Avoid braking unless there is an immediate hazard as this can cause chaotic skidding and put you and other road users at risk.

Drive safely in a rented van from H&H Van Hire. You can rely on a vehicle from our modern fleet to get you there, whatever the weather. To book your van hire, get in touch with our team on 020 7916 6616 or send an email to vans@hhvanhire.co.uk.

If you’re looking to hire a van, there are many questions you might need answering before you go ahead. Whether you’re transporting large items from one place to another, or planning to move house, there are several factors you should consider when it comes to van hire.

Read on to find out the most Googled questions – and the answers – for van hire…

 

How much is it to rent a van for a day?

The cost of hiring a van for one day can vary, depending on the type of vehicle. The size of the van is a major contributing factor. If you hire a bigger van, you will probably need to make fewer trips. A fixed price day rate is ideal for a job that requires making multiple drop-offs, such as when you’re moving house. It enables a more flexible timeline – an advantage when you’re making repeat trips back and forth.

 

Can you hire a van at 24?

Some van rental companies stipulate you must be 25 to hire a van, but it pays to shop around and do your research before you book. A good van hire company will let a driver hire a van from the age of 21, as long as they have held a full UK or EU licence for more than two years. You should also look for one that doesn’t charge extra for drivers under 25.

 

What is the largest van you can hire?

The Ford Transit Luton has a load space that is three times larger than a standard transit. With a load space of 2 metres wide, 4m deep and 2m high, if you’re planning a house move and have lots of large furniture items, this would be an ideal choice.

 

What size van can I drive on a normal licence?

You can drive all vans up to 3.5 tonnes, as long as you have a standard car driving licence. If you’re planning to drive certain larger vehicles, including 7.5 tonne vans, you may need to take extra tests if you passed your driving test after 1st January 1997.

 

What does B mean on a driving licence?

When you pass your driving test, you will see a category B on your new driving licence. A B1 licence category means you can drive motor vehicles no larger than 550kg. A C1 category driving licence allows you to drive a large goods vehicle, weighing between 3,500kg and 7,500kg.

 

Is driving a van hard?

The prospect of getting behind the wheel of a large van may seem daunting – but in reality, it’s no harder on the whole than driving a normal car. If you’re feeling nervous, practice some manoeuvres on a quiet road or in a car park before setting off on your journey, as it’s important you get used to the size of the van and feel confident driving it.

 

How much weight can a 3.5 tonne van carry?

Traditionally, a 3.5-tonne van will have a payload up to 1,500kg. For optimum safety, operators need to take into account the load positioning within the van when loading up.

 

What happens if my van is overweight?

Even a heavy-duty model can have problems with a load that’s too heavy. Apart from making driving more difficult and potentially hazardous, there are legal issues to consider. If you drive a van so overloaded that you’re creating a hazard for other motorists, you can be stopped by the police and charged with dangerous driving.

H&H Van Hire has a wide range of high-quality vans for hire at competitive rates. Give us a call on 020 7916 6616, or use our quick online contact form for further details of our van rental packages. Oh, and if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to let us know!

Many of us enjoy collecting nostalgic items that stir happy memories. At some point, most people have tried to hoard something. Whether it’s toys and dressing-up outfits, figurines, dolls, comics or newspapers, there’s nothing wrong with collecting mementos of our younger days.

However, for some people, this becomes a form of obsessive behaviour, known as hoarding. While there’s nothing wrong with collecting and storing treasured possessions, when it becomes hoarding, this can be dangerous!

For most of us, collecting items is a bit of fun. Research has shown that women tend to be secret clothes collectors, while men go for classic cars if they have the money, or old toys and comics.

© Charlie Goodall / Shutterstock.com

 

Clothes hoarders

A survey by Wilko of 2,000 adults revealed 68% of women admitted to being “hoarders”. They have bought clothes and shoes that have never been worn – a symptom of hoarding. Only 24% of men say they have kept unworn clothes.

Around a quarter of women say they hide some of their purchases from their partner, as they know there will be a confrontation about how much they have bought. Almost 50% of women surveyed said they had at least 100 items of clothing, while 10% admitted to having more than 250 items!

On average, the women surveyed owned 18 pairs of shoes. However, 80% of them confessed they wore only three or four pairs regularly, leaving at least 14 pairs of shoes crammed into the bottom of the wardrobe.

Experts advise that if you’re a self-confessed clothes hoarder, you should make yourself have regular clear-outs and give unwanted items to charity.

 

Car collections

Men who have enough money confess to hoarding cars! However, while the owners may start off with good intentions, buying a rusty old car and planning to do it up, in reality, this often doesn’t happen and they are left with a rotten old vehicle in their garage or garden.

In the United States, some vehicle traders try to track car hoarders, with the aim of picking up a bargain to renovate. There have been some shocking stories – there were reports of 80 Nash Healey sports cars hoarded in Maryland.

In Connecticut, a barn was unearthed, containing scores of old cars, some of them standing on their end, so more could be packed in! Hen houses in New Jersey were found to contain not fowl, but dozens of totally wrecked exotic cars.

Dealers who chase old cars report the owners are often “cantankerous recluses” who store the cars until the metal rusts away, the soft parts rot and the cars become completely useless and beyond repair! These are the true car hoarders.

 

Sports cars

Famous people aren’t immune to this expensive but ultimately futile pastime. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the wealthy sportsman and heir to Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, John Shakespeare, began collecting luxury Bugattis. None were in great condition and the majority were disassembled.

He stored some of his 30 cars in Florida and the rest in Illinois. Eventually, he sold them all, including a rare Type 41 Royale, to Fritz Schlumpf, the Swiss textile industrialist, for his collection at the Musée National de l’Automobile de Mulhouse.

Speculation was rife that Shakespeare was keen to show he wasn’t a hoarder and that Schlumpf was relentless in pursuit of his prize.

 

Man cave

Men also tend to collect comics and old childhood toys. Research shows comics are particularly popular – such as the old DC comics from the 1970s, or older Dandy and Beanos. Men also collect action figures such as Action Man or Star Wars memorabilia.

However, many items end up in the attic gathering dust once purchased and not a lot of the comics are actually read! Research shows a comic collector might not actually want to read the rare issues he finds of X-Men comics – he just wants to have the complete run of issues for his “man cave”.

Psychologist Dr Christian Jarrett suggests there may be a good reason for this behaviour, dating back to pre-historic times in evolution, when men traditionally accumulated resources.

One school of thought believes this kind of gathering and storing behaviour is ingrained subconsciously into male genetics. There’s some evidence that men with prestige items (such as luxury cars in good condition) use them to signal potential mates and show they’re a “good catch”.

However, other psychologists claim men are simply more into “things” and “gadgets” for no real reason, while women tend to value people and relationships more, although they accept there’s an overlap and it’s not as clear-cut as this.

 

Collecting v hoarding

Sadly, for some people, collecting becomes hoarding. As every room fills up with old items, it can reach the stage where the householder has difficulty getting around their property. Daily tasks such as cleaning, cooking, personal hygiene and sleeping become seriously impaired.

One infamous hoarder, senior citizen Arthur Watson, of Plymouth, hit the headlines when he finally decided to clean up his home, after more than 30 years’ hoarding.

His daughter’s imminent wedding spurred his decision to clear the clutter, which started to build up after his divorce in the 1980s. Eventually, he revealed he was hiring a van to take the rubbish to the tip, so his house could become a home again.

If things are starting to get out of hand at your home or office, and you think it’s time for a serious clear-out, hire a reliable van for a convenient and cost-effective means of getting to the tip – or the charity shop if you think someone else could make good use of anything. Contact H&H Van Hire for further details of our vehicles.

Fishing in France is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to the astounding number of well-stocked lakes. Anglers looking for something different can choose from a diverse selection of intimate pools, inland “seas”, easy lakes… and others that are best left to the experts!

Accommodation varies greatly too, from basic campsite quality to luxury villas. Between the port of Calais and the south of France, there are hundreds of lakes. As the most popular species, carp attracts anglers from England, Germany, Belgium and Holland, as well as from across France.

© rh2010 / Adobe Stock

Whether you’re an experienced angler looking for some thrills, or a beginner on their first fishing holiday, France is a beautiful destination, where you’ll enjoy the picturesque scenery as much as anything else!

 

1. Brocard

Brocard is located within the scenic woodlands of the Champagne region. Created for anglers by the famous fish farming Bachelier family, the complex consists of two lakes, known simply as Brocard Large and Brocard Small.

The larger lake measures a mighty 39 acres and has an abundance of wildlife. It boasts a great stock of carp up to more than 50 lbs and sizable catfish. If you’re looking for larger than average carp in natural surroundings, this is the ideal place.

Measuring around 29 acres, the smaller lake is long and thin. It also has a lot of incredible carp and catfish up to 110 lb.

The complex is a four-hour drive from Calais, passing through some of the most picturesque countryside in France – a reliable self-drive van is crucial. Take your camping gear if you’re going to Brocard, as there are only two communal cabins. One has table and chairs and the second has showers and toilets. There’s hot water 24/7 and charging points for mobile phones. Open all year round, Brocard often has special offers if you go out-of-season.

 

2. Salles

If you’re looking for a wild, natural lake, Salles is ideal. The 42-acre lake is lined with reeds and is a truly beautiful place. A four-hour drive from Calais, it boasts six double swims, well-spaced around the lake. If you’re taking a party of 12 anglers, you can book it exclusively.

It’s not good for people who are daunted by large stretches of open water, but it offers a great opportunity to fish in an authentic carp-fishing lake, where the fish are up to 57 lbs.

Although the lake is wild, thankfully the facilities aren’t! Accommodation includes a wooden cabin for two people or a mobile home that sleeps four. Cooked meals are available and there’s a modern sanitary block. It’s open all year round and boat hire is on offer too.

 

3. Jonchery

Jonchery is a very popular location for carp fishing, as it features a stunning 30-acre lake. Nestling deep in the Champagne region, around three hours and 40 minutes from Calais, the complex has a fantastic reputation. It has been a prime fishing venue for many years and is known for providing enjoyable carp-fishing holidays.

With six large double swims, the action is usually prolific, thanks to a stock of carp that weigh 40 lbs plus – including around 350 large, healthy mirrors and other common species. You can pre-book swims for up to 12 anglers.

Facilities include toilets, showers, a living area with benches and a table and a kitchen with appliances including a freezer, refrigerator, cooker, dishwasher and microwave oven. Breakfast and evening meals can be ordered. Jonchery is open all year round and out-of-season special offers are available – check online.

 

4. Barringtons

This family-friendly fishing complex in Montier-en-Der is a four-hour drive from Calais. An eight-acre lake, situated in a natural landscape within a rural setting, is a “get away from it all” kind of venue that is ideal for parties of four to six anglers to hire exclusively – it can be booked for smaller parties too.

Accommodation is a wooden cabin at the lakeside, with a twin bedroom and a sofa bed, so it can sleep up to four people and is suitable for a family. When you book the lodge, you can use the seventh swim to the side.

There are more than 120 fish in the lake including mirror, common and grass carp, some of which are mature and fairly large. Fishing here is a tranquil experience, thanks to the scenic setting.

Guests can order the optional food package in advance. Boat and tackle hire is available, including day chairs and bed chairs. The complex is open all year round and there are special offers available out of season – between November and March.

 

5. Beaurepaire

Known for having plenty of massive carp, Beaurepaire is two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Calais. Described as a “well-kept secret” by anglers who have fished there, it isn’t one of the busiest venues, which is surprising. The seven-acre lake is in a beautiful natural gravel pit, with a good stock of carp, many of which are more than 60 lbs.

Ideal for a party of up to six anglers, it’s possible to hire the lake exclusively, although individual bookings are accepted too. The water can vary in depth at different periods throughout the year, becoming up to three metres deeper if the nearby River Aisne floods during the winter. As a result, the landscape, including the banks, can look different, depending on the time of year.

The exciting thing about fishing here is that the number and size of the mirror and grass carp is largely unknown. There may be some huge individuals lurking in the lake, as some were reputedly supplied in 2003 by a company who added gravel to improve the fishing experience. Over the years, more fish have been added and there are thought to be upwards of 350. The Beaurepaire complex is open all year round.

You don’t have to be a fantastic angler to enjoy driving over to France and experiencing some of the best fishing in Europe. You don’t get many holidays each year, so if you enjoy fishing, why not try something different across the Channel? Contact H&H Van Hire for information on our reliable self-drive vans for hire.

While London is mostly known as a city with fabulous shopping locations and tourist attractions, you may be surprised to learn it’s also home to some great fishing spots. The city has some hidden gems! Many are established at traditional venues, which differ from the large commercial fisheries dotted up and down the UK.

Read on to find out more about London’s top five fishing destinations.

© pxl.store / Adobe Stock

 

5. Walthamstow Reservoirs, Tottenham

This anglers’ paradise is located in Tottenham, on the longest river in England, the River Thames, between Tottenham Hale and Blackhorse Road.

There are ten reservoirs in total, all of which are frequented by bird watchers looking for herons and cormorants. Anglers can fish for freshwater coarse fish in reservoirs one, two and three, where they can catch bream, chub, mirror and common carp, eel, pike and perch.

In reservoirs four and five, you can use a fly-fishing rod to catch (and release) brown and rainbow trout. Anglers can spend £15 per adult on one day’s fishing and there is a three-rod limit. An evening session costs £8 per person. Regular anglers can purchase a season’s pass.

Make sure you have the correct storage box for your angling gear and bait. In the cold weather, it’s important to make sure your gear remains dry.

 

4. Perch Pond, Wanstead

Although it’s known as Perch Pond, the lake contains more than just perch. You will also find a selection of coarse fish, including bream, dace, gudgeon and roach. Located on Warren Road, in the Grade II listed Wanstead Park, Perch Pond is one of the most historic ponds in London.

Constructed between the 1720s and 1740s, it first appeared on a map in 1735. It was established alongside several other ornamental bodies of water in the early 18th century and is known as a local beauty spot, as well as a top destination for anglers.

Perch Pond is home to carp of up to 30 lbs. Managed by Redbridge Council, as with all managed lakes, anglers must return the fish after catching them – only barbless hooks are permitted.

 

3. Shadwells Pool, Barnes

Located at Queen Elizabeth Walk, in southwest London, Shadwells Pool is a well-established lake with plenty of carp and a wide range of coarse species, including eel, roach, rudd and tench. The estate lake has good cover in the form of woodland and trees. It spans 1.5 acres and has a choice of 55 pegs, with several suitable for disabled anglers.

There are certain rules governing Shadwells Pool: anglers may use only two rods and night fishing isn’t allowed. Fishing can begin at dawn, but must finish at dusk. Anglers may use no more than 1.5 kilos of ground bait and 0.5 kilos of boilies. Only barbless hooks are allowed and all anglers must have a landing net and unhooking mat.

The water is owned and managed by Barnes and Mortlake Angling and Preservation Society and membership is required in order to fish there.

 

2. Tooting Common Pond, Wandsworth

Tooting Common Pond is a well-established and well-stocked lake that rewards anglers with a great day’s fishing. The venue is popular among local anglers, thanks to its diversity of species, including bream, carp, gudgeon, perch and roach.

Carp are plentiful and there are proper pegs in place – an unusual bonus at a park lake. The water is fairly shallow and the pond is easy to access, making it a popular destination for anglers of all abilities. The vegetation is well managed, providing plenty of overhangs as useful places for the fish to congregate.

Experts recommend floating baits including small pellets, sweetcorn and maggots in summer to attract the carp, and worm to attract the perch. In order to fish at Tooting Common, anglers will need to apply for a fishing permit from Wandsworth Council and will then need to purchase a day ticket.

Keep bait and smaller fishing tackle secure with a portable storage box that has handy compartments and trays to separate the different types of bait.

 

1. Burgess Park, Southwark

Burgess Park was created in the middle of a built-up area to provide recreational facilities for local residents. The fishing lake was redesigned during 2012 and 2013, creating a scenic environment for anglers, who can pass the time of day surrounded by the reed beds, bulrushes and water mint.

The most common species found here is carp, but there are also abundant supplies of tench, bream, rudd, roach, perch, catfish and dace. There are several different sub-species of carp, such as common, ghost, mirror and koi.

Anglers must have a rod licence in order to fish at Burgess Park. They also need to buy a day ticket from Southwark Council. You must have a landing net of 36 inches minimum and also an unhooking mat, as there’s the chance of catching large carp. There’s an area at the side to erect a shelter. All fish caught at the lake must be returned to the water.

Looking for a Christmas gift with a difference for the angler in your life? You could purchase a day pass for Burgess Park and a marine dry box to store their fishing gear – they’ll be blown away!

If you’re planning a fishing trip in London with friends, it pays to hire a van between you as a cost-effective and convenient way to travel. H&H Van Hire’s self-drive, six-seat crew van will comfortably carry passengers and equipment – you will reach your destination in comfort and safety. Give us a call on 020 7916 6616 for more details.

To honour the brave men and women who lost their lives in times of conflict, to preserve the freedom of future generations, the H&H Van Hire team will be observing the 2-minute silence – we will remember them.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the War Office during World War I was transporting thousands of troops and supplies from Britain to mainland Europe. The transport system was the key to determining the outcome of the 1914-18 war, as getting supplies from Blighty to the main conflict zones on the Western Front wasn’t easy.

While railways had the capacity to carry people, equipment, rations, munitions and medical supplies, it was a different matter getting them off our island to the troops in the trench warfare zones in France and Belgium. War supplies would arrive at the British ports on the south coast and were taken by ferry across the Channel.

© CC0 Public Domain

 

Dangerous transport run

After arriving at one of the Channel ports in France, supplies would be loaded on to trains and transported to the main supply areas behind the British lines. At this point, the new objective of taking them to the heart of the combat zones was a bigger challenge for the War Office.

There were around two million British soldiers serving on the Western Front, requiring some 1,000 tons of supplies daily, such as food, blankets, bullets, bandages and artillery batteries. The main problem was that the supplies must be taken across seven miles of rough and exposed ground to reach the front.

Anyone embarking on the transport run would be targeted by long-distance artillery shelling. While horse-drawn vehicles and pack mules were used for transporting some supplies (and even dogs would carry small items around the trenches), it was too hazardous for them to carry the main equipment and munitions on a 14-mile round trip.

 

Motorised vehicles

The items in the railway storage areas had to be transported to the troops in large, reliable, motorised vehicles. It was a dangerous job for both the mechanics, who kept the vehicles properly maintained, and the drivers who risked their lives to undertake the hazardous missions.

At the start of the war, the War Office had requisitioned more than 1,000 civilian lorries to bolster the military vehicles already lined up for transporting people and goods. The lorries were taken by ferry across the Channel.

In addition, London buses were also requisitioned and remained in service as transport vehicles until the war ended in 1919. Still more vehicles were needed, so the war office ordered thousands of HGVs from British and American manufacturers.

 

Somme campaign

When the Somme campaign began in July 2016, the weather and road conditions caused new challenges for the drivers. Poor road surfaces and torrential rain made the journey even more precarious for the over-laden HGVs, with their solid rubber, narrow tyres. They frequently got bogged down in the mud and it was hard to free them again.

The mechanics and drivers had to keep the transport links going, as they were supplying the British artillery with a total of 28 million shells for the Somme conflict. The drivers were carrying 20,000 tonnes of supplies daily along the 12-mile long front, so it was a continual challenge to keep the army up and running.

One of the most common heavy goods vehicles used during the Great War was the US-built FWD Model B truck. It was used by the Americans, the British and the Russians. Many of the trucks were of such a high quality that they were used again during the second world war.

Built by the Four-Wheel Drive Auto Company to military specifications, most of the 17,500 trucks were taken into military service. More than 14,000 were used by the American troops, 3,000 by the British and around 80 by the Imperial Russian forces.

 

Interviews with veterans

The research project, Voices of the First World War, compiled a series of historic interviews with veterans and posted them online. One such interview was with Walter Williams, who answered an advert in 1915 to join the Army Service Corps as a driver. He said in those days, the drivers were highly valued, as it was a rare skill.

He passed his medical examination at the recruiting office in Oxford Street, Weston-super-Mare, before being sent to Aldershot Barracks for basic training. This was followed by learning to drive three-ton lorries.

Walter recalled he had been used to driving a Ford car with two simple pedals. He thought to himself, “We’ll never get used to driving these lorries!”

However, he soon mastered the HGVs and was ready to be shipped out to France. Walter was luckier than some of the drivers, in that at least he received basic training and a crash course in lorry-driving. Other new recruits received no training whatsoever.

 

Driving test

Fellow veteran Tom Bromley enlisted in the ASC’s Motor Transport Section in London – and eight days later was in Rouen, France, where he had to sit a driving test, without any training. “It was a sort of test course,” he recalled, going up and down hills. He struggled with even the basics, such as changing gear and steering! After he failed the test, he remembered the officer in charge was annoyed with him and “said some rude things”.

London bus driver George Gwynn remembered when the government asked the drivers of London General Omnibus Company if they would take their buses to France to transport the troops in October 1914. “The next morning, 300 of us turned up at Westminster and said we’d do just that,” George responded.

 

Officers’ transport

While the troops travelled in the buses and lorries, it was a little different for the officers, who had the relative comfort of being transported by car. Private Alfred Stammers’ job was to drive officers round the Western Front: something he described as a “baptism of fire” for the new officers.

He picked them up at night, at Bray on the Somme, driving them towards the frontline. They stayed there all night to learn exactly what was going on. Alfred recalled how smart the officers looked when they first arrived, adding, “They didn’t come back spick and span.”

In 1917, the Allied Labour Corps (made up of new recruits from British Empire countries, including India) was launched. Its purpose was to keep the supply chain going for the rest of the war, until the conflict ended on 11th November 1918.

People across the world are preparing to commemorate the end of World War I, with special services at churches and cenotaphs on Remembrance Sunday, 10th November. Lest we forget.

Towering a lofty 525ft tall and offering spectacular views across the capital, Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden. The amazing giant glass dome of 20 Fenchurch Street is home to three storeys of beautifully landscaped public gardens.

As one of London’s most exclusive visitor attractions, it includes an open-air terrace and observation decks. The building is a commercial skyscraper, comprising 38 storeys. Offices occupy most of the floors, but the Sky Garden, bar and restaurants at the top of the building are open for public visits.

© offcaania / Adobe Stock

Unique design

With an unusual and distinctive design, getting wider towards the top, the skyscraper is a unique landmark in the City of London’s financial district.  It is known as the “Walkie Talkie” due to its shape. Celebrating the diversity of plants, the garden is said to be inspired by the gravity-defying forests found in some regions in the wild.

It offers 360-degree views across London, with the public garden space under the glass roof creating a number of micro-landscapes. The garden’s design is based on the “evolution of plants” and the space is divided into various zones, including the shade-tolerant forest, flowering plants and a transition zone.

Right at the top is a terrace of fig trees and tree ferns, providing a shady, cooler space, while beneath that is a display of ancient cycads. A colourful lower terrace is full of bright, flowering plants to delight visitors’ senses all year round.

Building’s history

The previous building at the site was 299ft tall and had 25 storeys. Dating from 1968, it was formerly occupied by Dresdner Kleinwort and was one of London’s first tall buildings. It was demolished in 2008, after planning permission for the new building was granted in 2006.

Designed by Uruguayan architect, Rafael Viñoly, the Sky Garden is London’s highest public park. Two express lifts access the gardens and the large viewing area, with 14 double-deck lifts serving the building’s main office floors.

To the south side, the building is ventilated to improve energy efficiency and reduce solar gain, whilst the west and east faces have built-in solar shading. There are two entrances – the main northern entrance and a southern entrance.

Construction

Contractors began the groundworks on the site in January 2009 and it was completed by June the same year. Building work began in January 2011. In December that year, the core of the tower began to rise. The concrete core and structural steelwork were completed by December 2012.

Fire protection was applied to the steelwork and was completed by March 2013. In April 2014, the construction of the shell and floors was complete and the first tenants began moving in the following month. The finishing touches were applied by August 2014 and the building and Sky Garden officially opened in January 2015.

The Sky Garden was the key to gaining planning approval for the building, which is located outside London’s main cluster of skyscrapers.

Booking a visit

Anyone wishing to visit the landscaped gardens, open-air terrace and observation decks will need to book in advance. Access to the Sky Garden is free, but due to limited space, the public must book through the website.

The Sky Garden not only creates a relaxing place of leisure, it also offers visitors a rare chance to see a different view of London. On the 43rd floor, the viewing gallery enables you to gaze out at Tower Bridge, The Shard, the iconic skyscraper known as The Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe, The Leadenhall Building and the River Thames.

With a capacity for 450 guests, the Sky Garden also offers a selection of large, flexible spaces to host corporate events and exhibitions. The leafy indoor garden is an ideal place to feel inspired indoors, which is great if it’s raining outside!

If you’re planning on visiting London’s spectacular Sky Garden, H&H Van Hire’s self-drive minibus hire is an ideal way for groups to travel. Please contact us for further information and to make your booking.

Princess Diana was one of the most popular and best-loved royals of all time, with her kind and caring personality and down-to-earth interactions with her fans changing the face of the royal family forever. It’s hardly surprising she was nicknamed the “People’s Princess”, as she endeared herself to everyone she met.

The former Lady Diana Spencer, who would have been 58 on 1st July, tragically lost her life in a car accident in Paris on 31st August 1997, when she was only 36.

Diana’s life and family

Having been in the media spotlight since her wedding to Prince Charles on 29th July 1981, she had always handled the attention graciously.

During her 15-year marriage to Charles, which sadly ended when the couple divorced in 1996, she gave birth to two sons, Prince William in June 1982 and Prince Harry in September 1984. She remained the Princess of Wales and threw herself into humanitarian work for the rest of her life.

After Diana’s divorce, she was often photographed in the company of Dodi Fayed, the dashing son of Egyptian billionaire, Mohamed Al-Fayed, who at the time was the owner of Harrods’ department store in London.

Harrods’ memorials

Dodi also lost his life alongside the princess in the devastating car accident, at the age of only 42. They had been driving along the Pont de l’Alma underpass when the accident occurred.

After having enjoyed a holiday together in the French and Italian Rivieras on Dodi’s family yacht, the Jonikal, they had stopped in Paris on their way to London.

Mr Al-Fayed, a wealthy business magnate, had bought Harrods from the retail group House of Fraser in 1985. After the fatal car accident, he erected a memorial to his son and Princess Diana in Harrods.

The monument was designed by the store’s architect, Bill Mitchell, who was a close friend of Mr Al-Fayed’s who had worked at Harrods for 40 years.

The first memorial is displayed on the lower ground floor of the Knightsbridge store, at the bottom of the Egyptian escalator. The tribute features portraits of Dodi and Diana, with an inscription.

A second memorial, called “Innocent Victims”, was unveiled in 2005, again created by Mitchell. This time, it featured a bronze statue of Dodi and Diana on the beach, sheltering underneath an albatross’s wings. The second statue was displayed on the top floor.

New memorial statue

In January 2018, it was revealed that the Innocent Victims statue was being returned to the Al-Fayed family, who sold Harrods to the Qatari royal family in 2010 for a reported £1.5 billion.

Harrods’ bosses said that because the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry were planning a new official statue to commemorate their late mother at Kensington Palace, the time was right to give the Egyptian tycoon his memorial statue back.

They said they were proud to have celebrated the lives of Diana and Dodi by welcoming people from all over the world to visit the memorial for the past two decades, but now the public were being invited to pay their respects at Kensington Palace, it was fitting that Mr Al-Fayed should be able to have his memorial returned for his own private tribute.

Anniversary approaches

After the fatal car accident, thousands of memorials and floral tributes were placed around Kensington Palace, while an estimated 2.5 billion people all over the world watched the television broadcast of the princess’s funeral on Saturday 6th September 1997.

Fans of the royal family will be preparing to remember the People’s Princess, as the 22nd anniversary of her death will be marked on 31st August.

Harrods, a Grade II Listed art-deco building, enjoyed a £20 million refurbishment in 2016, when a new entrance and 16 sets of eye-catching double escalators, were installed. The store also features a stunning large glass dome on the roof.

No trip to London would be complete without a visit to Harrods. Why not hire a modern minibus from H&H Van Hire for your convenience? It’s a popular and cost-effective option for groups of travellers so that everyone can arrive together and save on costs by clubbing together for the hire fee. Please contact us for details of our nine, 14 and 17-seater minibuses.