denny crane
Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Location: Off road
Posts: 81
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| new book: Born in Lode Lane |
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LAND ROVER RECOLLECTIONS
29 Apr 2008
New book launched to celebrate Land Rover's 60th anniversary year.
As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Land Rover has launched 'Born in Lode Lane' – a book written by one of Britain's best known motoring journalists, Gavin Green – which brings together 'behind-the-scenes' recollections of Land Rover's history and anecdotes from long-serving employee, Roger Crathorne.
Roger Crathorne, a Land Rover employee of over 45 years was born in April 1947 in Solihull Hospital, one mile away from what was to become Land Rover's historic manufacturing plant on Lode Lane – the same month that the Wilks Brothers conceived the first ever Land Rover vehicle. Having served as an engineer for 15 years, he is now widely regarded as one of the best off-road Land Rover drivers and instructors and is expert in demonstrating the vehicles' all-terrain capabilities.
He has trained Royalty, was integrally involved in the development of the original Range Rover, turned off-road driving into a science and travelled all four corners of the globe – from the muddy tracks of Eastnor Castle, to central American volcanoes and the Sahara sand hills. Some of his amazing stories have been brought to life in 'Born in Lode Lane'.
"Although never in senior management, Roger is known to many – Royalty, senior military officers, explorers, customers, journalists and myself – as 'Mr Land Rover'. It therefore seemed fitting that his memories of life with Land Rover be documented to mark the Company's anniversary year," said Phil Popham, Managing Director, Land Rover.
To mark its publication, Roger Crathorne and Phil Popham took part in a tree planting ceremony of 60 oak trees in the grounds of Eastnor Castle – the spiritual home of Land Rover.
The occasion also saw the line-up of some historic Land Rovers, including military conversions and the oldest surviving Land Rover, affectionately known as Huey because of its HUE 166 registration. Journalist invited to the book launch had the rare privilege of being able to drive some of these iconic vehicles.
The book is interspersed with interviews undertaken by Roger with the likes of Phil Popham, Spen King, the Father of the Range Rover, and renowned explorer and adventurer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes – all of which provide a unique insight into Land Rover's past 60 years and into its future.
'Born in Lode Lane' is available to buy from Monday, April 28 from Land Rover Gear – www.landrovergearshop.com – priced at £12.50. Proceeds will go to the British Red Cross.
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