Legacy of Austin pedal cars factory honoured with blue plaque
The plaque was unveiled by Mike Sheehan, the first trainee manager at the site, and David Hook, the longest serving and last employee at the factory.
They were joined by Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Caerphilly County Borough Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for prosperity, regeneration and transformation, the Mayor of Bargoed, Howard Llewellyn, Jamie Burnett, of Austin Pedal Cars, and David Whyley, Austin J40 expert, Austin Pedal Cars historian and author of the company's award-winning book, The Austin Pedal Car Story.
Other guests included Tony Osbourne, the last factory key holder, Margaret Fuller, office secretary, Gwyn Palmer, the factory nurse, Tudor Owen, the press shop foreman and Alan Esau, the factory tool repairer.
Two very special Austin pedal cars were also displayed. One was a Pathfinder driven to the entrance of the new Austin factory in 1949 by five-year-old Paul Matthews, who then handed the scissors to the chairman of Gelligaer Urban Council for the official opening.
The other was the last J40 to be pedalled off the production line in 1971, a sad moment in the factory's history, and the end of a magnificent era of British car manufacturing.
Originally called the Austin Junior Car Factory, the company was initially created to provide employment for disabled ex-miners from the region who had developed respiratory illness from working in the coal mines.
Following the demolition of the factory in the early 2000s there was nothing in place to mark where this innovative factory had once stood.
The plaque was funded by Austin Pedal Cars.
Cllr Pritchard said: "The unveiling of this blue plaque is a fitting tribute to the incredible heritage of the Austin pedal cars factory and its lasting impact on the local community.
"For decades, this factory was not just a place of innovative manufacturing, but a source of pride and opportunity for local families."
Austin's pedal car started off as a 'little idea' in the mind of then Austin chairman, Leonard Lord.
When production came to an end in 1971, the factory at Bargoed had produced 32,098 Austin J40 and Pathfinder pedal cars.
King Charles received one as a present on his fourth birthday in 1952, a specially produced J40 Junior Roadster Special that remains in the Royal Collection.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
14 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Major car manufacturer issues ANOTHER huge recall weeks after thousands of Brits warned to ‘stop driving' Citroen models
It's believed some 250,000 vehicles worldwide may be affected RECALL REPEAT Major car manufacturer issues ANOTHER huge recall weeks after thousands of Brits warned to 'stop driving' Citroen models Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR car manufacturer has issued another significant vehicle recall - just weeks after a previous recall involving Citroen and DS models. Stellantis recently sent out a 'stop driving' alert to British motorists. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Stellantis faces criticism for handling of multiple recalls impacting motorists Credit: Alamy 4 Peugeot dealers are under pressure as new recalls add to ongoing Citroen issues for Stellantis Credit: Alamy 4 Peugeot 308 models have been recalled over seat belt faults affecting thousands globally Credit: Alamy 4 Owners of models built between specific dates in 2015 and 2019 have been urged to fix a seat belt issue posing crash safety risks Credit: Alamy Their urgent airbag recall involved cars by both Citroen and DS, both under the Stellantis umbrella, specifically the Citroen C3 (2009-2019), DS3 (2009-2019), Citroen C4 (2010-2011), DS4 (2010-2011) and DS5 (2010-2013), which all require repairs and will impact some 130,000 vehicles. The recall was prompted by concerns over airbags supplied by the now-defunct Japanese manufacturer Takata, whose components have been linked to fatal accidents. In one recent incident, a driver in France was killed after a minor collision resulted in metal shrapnel from a faulty airbag hitting them - prompting an immediate reaction from the company. But things are now even worse for the multinational corporation, as a fault has since been discovered in motors from another one of their famous brands, Peugeot. Specifically, Peugeot 308 models, manufactured between 12 October 2015 and 1 December 2019, are the subject of a recall over concerns were raised regarding the seat belt anchorage on the second row of seats. It is believed there's a potential risk of rupture in the event of a crash - which is serious enough for Stellantis to deem the repair work "essential". 'The rear seat belt anchors may not be able to withstand the force of the impact sufficiently', according to official recall site RappelConso. 'This could limit the belt's ability to restrain a passenger in the event of an accident resulting in injuries.' Customers who believe they own a Peugeot 308 model from this production period have been advised to contact their service centre to arrange a free repair. Car Dealer Mag believe approximately 250,000 vehicles worldwide may be affected - although the exact number of UK drivers impacted remains unclear. WHO ARE STELLANTIS? 'UNACCEPTABLE' Consumer protection organisation, Which?, recently slammed Stellantis for their "chaotic" handling of their Citroen/DS recall - calling on them to make urgent improvements. Thousands of customers across the country have been left unable to drive their cars, with many having no alternative modes of transport. No incidents are yet to be reported in the UK, but the consumer group has expressed its concern for the lack of clarity around available compensation for customers. They outlined how "major upheaval" had been caused for customers who were reliant on their cars. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also expressed "serious concerns" over Stellantis and their handling of the airbag recall. She said their customer support has been inadequate, with a lack of transparency and disruption to motorists. In a message to the firm, she wrote: 'I am writing to you to express serious concerns about the customer impact of the stop-drive recall currently affecting Citroen and DS Automobiles cars in the United Kingdom. 'While I acknowledge and commend the pace at which Stellantis has initiated and progressed the recall programme, I must make clear that the level of disruption experienced by UK motorists - particularly the most vulnerable - is unacceptable. 'I have received numerous reports from Members of Parliament and their constituents detailing distressing experiences, lack of clear guidance and inadequate support for alternative transport arrangements.' Stellantis is ranked as the world's fifth-largest automaker by global sales volume. Including Citreon, DS and Peugeot, Stellantis is responsible for 14 brands in total, such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati and Vauxhall.
Press and Journal
11 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Gallery: 60 years of thrills and spills at Fintray Hillclimb motorsport event in 24 photos
Twice a year, the quiet idyll of a working farm in secluded woodland near the River Don is shattered by speeding cars as the Fintray Hillclimb roars into action. 2025 marks an incredible 60 years of the motorsport event, which has attracted generations of petrolheads to the former Fintray House estate near Hatton of Fintray. Hillclimbs are one of the oldest forms of motorsport, where drivers tackle uphill courses one by one against the clock with the winner being the quickest. Many of motorsport's finest like Sir Jackie Stewart started their competitive racing days at sprints and hillclimbs. The 1960s was an exciting era in British motor racing when Jim Clark and Graham Hill et al were scooping up trophies and titles galore. But back in Aberdeenshire, a new motorsport event was gearing up to launch. The Aberdeen and District Motor Club got recognition of their course on the old Fintray House policies as an authorised speed circuit. The relatively short 620-yard (567m) hill was only the third RAC-recognised hillclimb in Scotland. But it wasn't about the length. The track lead into a long right-hander where the climb began, followed by a left-hander which almost without warning turned into a 180 hairpin bend. With no camber, the track then followed a short straight before terminating in a hairpin right and sprint to the finish. The first official event was held on August 1 1965 in glorious sunshine and was opened by Scottish hillclimb champion Rae Fielding. A total of 68 competitors from motor clubs across Scotland took part in front of a crowd of more than 2000 spectators. Notable entrants that weekend included Aberdeen racing driver Willie Forbes who drove his Elva BMW, setting the fastest time of the day at 30.6 secs. He pipped Rae Fielding to victory when the latter had transmission trouble while competing. But hillclimbs weren't just the preserve of men, they attracted women too – and even husband and wife teams. At the inaugural Fintray Hillclimb, Fraserburgh entrants Jimmy Adams and Margaret Jack both competed in a 1275cc Cooper S. Jimmy was only six-tenths of a second behind winner of his class with a time of 38.2 secs, while Margaret took fourth place with 41.4 secs. The hillclimb's debut was so successful that the second event on September 26 1965 attracted 78 competitors across nine classes. Drivers came from across Scotland for the second round, which counted towards the Scottish speed championships. Competitors included super husband and wife duo Agnes and Gray Mickel. Both were well-known hillclimb enthusiasts and competed in many single-seater races throughout the 1960s and '70s in their 2.5l Cooper racer. Talented Agnes, from Glasgow, routinely raced (and won) against men in sprints, hillclimbs and rallies. Miss G Stewart of Paisley, a regular at Crimond sprint, also competed in the saloon class in her red Sunbeam Alpine. The hillclimb has continued to run at Fintray since the 1960s and remains the sort of event that lets spectators get close to the action. Grampian Automobile Club (GAC) established in the 1990s to keep the Fintray Hillclimb going, being the only event of its kind left in the north-east of Scotland. GAC hosted their first hillclimb May 1995 and has continued to run four events a year over two weekends ever since. When the cars aren't on the track, they're accessible in the pits for enthusiasts to admire and photograph. Safety features and the types of cars competing may have changed over the years, but the spirit of the original hillclimb is still very much alive and thriving in Aberdeenshire.
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's ‘fairytale village' is ‘frozen in time' with no cars allowed
In Clovelly in North Devon, life moves at a slower pace, with goods hauled on wooden sledges and donkeys still making occasional appearances on the cobbled streets Cars are banned in a UK village where locals have decided to do things the old-fashioned way. Perched on the cliffs of North Devon lies Clovelly, a village where it can feel as if time simply stopped. Here, cars aren't just discouraged — they're completely banned. Instead, life moves at a slower pace, with goods hauled on wooden sledges and donkeys still making occasional appearances on the cobbled streets. Visitors to Clovelly quickly discover that modern transport is left firmly at the top of the hill. The only way into the village is on foot, down steep cobbled lanes that wind between whitewashed cottages and burst open into a postcard-worthy harbour. It comes after a British man claimed 'I moved from UK to Benidorm – price of a pint and Full English left me floored'. The absence of cars isn't the result of modern environmental policies but centuries of practicality — the roads are too steep and narrow for vehicles. Deliveries are made on sledges dragged by hand, inching goods down the cobbles to shops and homes. Rubbish is hauled back up in the same way, keeping the village running as it has for generations. For hundreds of years, donkeys were the workhorses of Clovelly. They carried fish from the harbour, hauled building supplies, and transported luggage for visitors. Today, they've retired from hard labour, but you can still meet them in the stables at the top of the village. Meanwhile, the wooden sledge has taken over most of the donkey's workload. Each one is handmade by locals, often adapted to carry everything from crates of food to furniture. Clovell was once owned by the Queen of England, the estate having originally been owned by William the Conqueror, King of England, and then gifted to his had many royal associations until 1242 when first acquired by the Giffard family. Until the middle of the 19th century Clovelly was all-but-unknown to the outside world, such was the private way in which the village was run. Motoring experts at Show Plates World say Clovelly is a fascinating contrast to the UK's car-obsessed culture. 'Britain has always been a nation on the move, but Clovelly shows us what happens when the car is taken out of the picture. The village thrives on tradition and community, proving that life without traffic isn't just possible — it can be beautiful. While cars dominate almost every aspect of modern life, Clovelly's charm comes from rejecting them altogether," a representative of the company said in a statement. 'It's also a reminder of how much cars shape our environment. Walking through Clovelly, you notice the peace, the clean air, and the sounds of people and nature instead of engines. That's an experience you don't forget.' Clovelly's history stretches back to the Domesday Book. For centuries, it's been privately owned and carefully maintained, ensuring its streets, cottages, and harbour retain their unique character. Visitors pay a small entrance fee of around £9.50 for adults and £5.50 for children, which helps maintain the village, its museums and gardens — keeping the cobbles and cottages in pristine condition. Throughout the year, Clovelly also hosts festivals celebrating its maritime roots, including herring, lobster and crab fairs. These events fill the car-free streets with music, food and laughter, reinforcing its strong ties to the sea and its heritage. With its cobbled lanes, flower-draped cottages and sweeping sea views, Clovelly is often described as one of the most beautiful villages in Britain. What sets it apart is not just its looks, but its atmosphere — a sense of stepping out of the modern world into something slower, calmer and more magical.
