The IVR invites the industry to celebrate its 30th anniversary
On Saturday 9 March 2013 the IVR will hold its 30th Annual General Meeting and Gala Dinner at the Daventry Court Hotel, just off Junction 18 of the M1. In the evening members, colleagues, business partners and associates will join current and past Council members at a Gala Dinner to celebrate this landmark anniversary.
Many within the industry are confused about how the IVR developed and its relationship with AVRO, hopefully a bit of history will clarify its origins and how it has developed.
In 1979 the late Bob Clarke FCIS FBIM MIMI had the idea of a professional Institute for ‘individual’ members of the recovery industry, which would allow them to gain qualifications that would enable them to be recognised alongside other professions, similar to the engineer’s Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
A training and qualifications sub-committee was formed, within AVRO, consisting of Bob Clarke and Brian Drury, and they were later joined by Lt Col Andy Morton of REME Recovery School, Bordon.
The training of newcomers to the industry was seen as paramount and it quickly became clear that a professional Institute would require a two-way flow of knowledge, with experienced members becoming the ‘core’ of the membership and passing on their knowledge to industry newcomers.
Initially the Institute decided on four grades of membership, Student, Associate, Member and Fellow plus ‘Grandfather Rights’ as full membership would be granted to the ‘old men’ of the recovery industry whose experience was invaluable.
A training package was discussed and designed in conjunction with the Engineers Registration Board, City & Guilds, the RSA, RTITB, other training bodies and the AVRO National Council.
In 1983 AVRO was invited to join the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for their annual conference in Harrogate and while there the announcement was made, by John Wells, of the formation of the Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR). A steering committee was formed on the same day which consisted of Colin Parlett, Geoff Gatward, Brian Drury, Dave Thorley, John Rogers and Dave Marks, with John Wells as mentor and manager.
The inaugural meeting appointed a Council of Management with Colin Parlett as Chairman and Geoff Gatward as Secretary, a post Geoff holds to this day.
As we enter the 30th year of the Institute the IVR Group consists of the IVR, IVR (UK) Limited and IVR Training Services – who knows what additions will be made in the coming years.
To attend the AGM you must be a member of the Institute but everyone from within, and associated with, the industry are welcome to the Gala Dinner.
To book your AGM Gala Dinner and accommodation packages please contact Sandra at the IVR office on 01895 436426 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
After negotiations with the hotel the IVR has secured the same room rates 2012.
Friday 8th/Saturday 9th Double or Twin room with breakfast £270 inc VAT
Single room with breakfast £180 inc VAT
Saturday 9th only Double or Twin room with breakfast £185 inc VAT
Single room with breakfast £115 inc VAT
Please note rates do not include Dinner on Friday 8th or Lunch on Saturday 9th.
Rooms are limited and the closing date for booking is 25 February 2013.
For general information and sponsorship opportunities please contact Jane Reay 07720 841648 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What were we driving in 1983?
1983 was a busy year with the Austin Allegro finally ending production after 10 years following the launch of its successor the Maestro. The Maestro was built in Cowley and although not thought of as being the best looking of vehicles it did have many ‘extras’ including a bonded laminated windscreen, body-coloured plastic bumpers and a standard five speed gearbox.
At Vauxhall the big news was the introduction of the ‘new’ mini-car the Nova, which replaced the Chevette. Built in Spain it was sold on the Continent as the Opel Corsa.
With the help of two changes to the model line-up Ford remained Britain’s most popular brand of car. The seven year old Fiesta received a major restyle, with the addition of the stylish and fast XR2. The company also expanded its range with the launch of a brand new 4 door saloon the expensive top of the range Granada. This was Ford’s only saloon following the demise of the Cortina and the Orion. The upmarket image was helped by the inclusion of the ‘GL’ and ‘Ghia’ trim.
