Graham Hart (Committee Member)

My working career began by obtaining and completing a motor vehicle technician apprenticeship leading to a spell working for a main car dealer.  I joined the AA as a Patrolman serving both in London Central and Devon with occasionally acting as a Patrol Force Inspector. A serious road accident forced a change in career direction and I left the AA just short of 30 years’ service and returned to the Garage Sector as a Service Advisor. I quickly worked my way up and became an Aftersales Manager for two garage franchises and of SEAT and SsangYong cars and then retired 2021.   

As a young boy I accompanied founder Group members to rallies and shows on their fire appliances, I soon got bitten by the ‘bug’ and joined the Auxiliary and National Fire Service Preservation Group (later to be renamed FSPG) almost right at its beginning. I continued to ‘ride’ other people’s appliances until I reached the age of 18 and I then purchased my own appliance. Progressing on I have restored, owned and run many appliances from pre-war Leylands to examples of more modern Dennis’s, Austin’s and an ERF over the last 53 years +. I currently own a 1953 Dennis F8, wartime Dennis no 2 Trailer Pump and two 1980’s Range Rover TACR2A RIV’s. I have served on the Group Executive Committee for many years in the past and at one point serving as Vice President, I then decided to take a back seat and concentrate on my appliances and career at the time.  

More recently I became concerned last year in the direction that the FSPG was heading and accepted the invitation to rejoin the EC, as a co-opted member this February. My intention is (as with others currently serving on the EC) if re elected at the AGM to ensure the survival and progression of the FSPG heading into the future and to help restore the friendly, social fun element of our hobby. This unfortunately seems to have dwindled recently to an animosity/apathy atmosphere within the membership ranks, some of the reasons for this have been identified and have been dealt with whereas others will be visited in due course.  

With you the members’ assistance and backing we will achieve !!!!!