Watford Gap 50th Birthday Party…
From start to finish the 2nd November 2009 was a memorable and historic day for Britain’s most famous and iconic Motorway Service Area, Watford Gap.
As the TV crews arrived from dawn, Roadchef Chief Executive, Simon Turl and teenage music heartthrob Dave Berry were on hand to give interviews and chat with the producers of both BBC Breakfast and GMTV, both of which featured reviews of 50 years of the M1 motorway and Watford Gap Services and in particular its reputation for being a Mecca for famous bands touring during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Further coverage of the party was also featured on national and regional news and current affairs programmes throughout the day, including the One Show, demonstrating what a truly newsworthy event we were witnessing.
And whilst all this activity was taking place, a procession of vintage motor vehicles was gathering in the car park to replicate an old black and white photograph of Watford Gap, which forms part of the memorabilia it has retained over the years. Around 50 vehicles and an incredible mix of Vauxhalls, Minis, Jaguars, as well as a vintage AA recovery vehicle form around the time of Watford Gap’s opening, certainly added some real colour and nostalgia to the day and left many commenting that ‘they certainly don’t make ‘em like they used to in my day’.
By lunch time our VIP guest, Chris Mole MP, ‘Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport’ had been welcomed at the site by Roadchef Chief Executive, Simon Turl and the official part of the day’s proceedings duly commenced. Speeches and an official plaque unveiling to commemorate 50 years of Watford Gap services, were then followed by a lunch for all invited guests in the Costa business lounge and of course the cutting of a special 50th Anniversary cake by current and ex employees spanning the entire 50 years.
Then, just when we thought the camera crews would be leaving us, guests began arriving for the screening premier of ‘Watford Gap the Musical’* a tongue in cheek tribute to 50 years of the service area, commissioned by the BBC, composed by local Northamptonshire resident Benjamin Till and starring current and ex employees of the site over many years. And with this, the cameras just went on rolling, with features on the BBC 6 O’Clock News and BBC Look East.
So finally, as our guests began to disappear, we could reflect on what a day it had been and what an undoubted success!
And in the days which proceeded and followed our birthday celebrations, many National and Regional Press publications covered the story.
* To find about more about the making of ‘Watford Gap the Musical’ and to view it in its entirety, follow the links on this site through to a special BBC ‘Watford Gap the Musical’ web site.
