Where were you 30 years ago?
This year sees the 30th anniversary of the Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR) but where were you in 1983? Take a look at some of the events that took place in that year, they might help to jog your memory:-
January – Seatbelt use for drivers and front seat passengers became mandatory
February – Unemployment was over 3 million
March – Austin Maestro launched to replace the Allegro
April – The £1 coin was introduced in England and Wales
May – Wheel clamps were first used to combat illegal parking in London
June – Margaret Thatcher won a landslide victory in the General Election
July – Production of Ford Orion compact saloon began
August – ITV launched Blockbusters, hosted by Bob Holness
September – NHS privatised cleaning, catering and laundering services as it was ‘predicted’ it would save £90m to £180m per annum
October – Richard Noble took the land speed record – 634.051 mph over 1 km
November – M54 motorway opened
December – First heart and lung transplant was carried out at Harefield Hospital
In the same year AVRO were invited to join the Institute of Mechanical Engineers for their annual conference in Harrogate and, following several years of planning, the announcement was made of the formation of the Institute of Vehicle Recovery. On the same day as the announcement, things moved quicker in those days!, a steering committee was formed consisting 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.
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 to celebrate this landmark anniversary.
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.
