Kennet Valley TR Group enjoy some Tootling at their October Club Night

Kennet Valley TR Groups October club night, received a superb talk and coach horn demonstration from Colin Pawson. His presentation on Coaches & Coach horns, the Story of Coaching from the Golden Age to the Present Day. Known as the Tootler, Colin gave the talk dressed in the uniform of a 19th Century Road Coach Guard.

He has been driving ponies and horses for over 30 years; initially as a hobby and then commercially with horse-drawn funerals, weddings and some film work. He is a qualified Light Harness Horse Instructor and also works extensively with the driving section of the Riding for the Disabled Association. Here is part of Colin's interesting presentation:

The KVG venue, The Angel was in fact a key coaching stop along the London to Bath Road so had it's part to play in transportation throughout the ages, see picture below.

From the early Royal Mail coaches at the end of the 18th Century, The Tootler traced the history of this Romantic but uncomfortable means of transport through the 1800s - including the colourful public coaches and the elaborate private coaches of the well-to-do - past its ending with the coming of the Railways and then its revival as a sporting activity at the end of the Century and to its unexpected popularity today.

The talk, including the coach-horn demonstration the following video gives you the flavour.

There were many pictures, both historical and from present day coaching adventures. The Tootler provides his own computer and projector and of course, he was delighted to answer KVG questions about the coaching scene.

Phil Horsley thank Colin for his very interesting and capturing presentation, and then presented the News & Events for KVG members, down load it here: 10.-Club-night-News-Events-02-10-2019.pdf