The BAR is delighted to announce the publication of ‘Pantechnicon – a history of removals and storage through the evolution of its vehicles’.

The BAR has published a hardback, coffee-table publication comprehensively outlining the development of the removals and storage trade in Great Britain over the course of two centuries.

We are hugely indebted to Paul Fox of Fox Moving and Storage for his significant contribution  in researching and writing much of the content and for sourcing many of the images used. We are also very grateful to those other BAR Member companies and individuals who have given freely of their time in assisting with the research and for the supply of images and information. Finally, congratulations must go to the BAR Board of Directors, Fox Moving and Storage, White & Company, The AGM Group and Pickfords for their generous sponsorship of this project. By way of a thank you to our Members for their continuing support of our Association we will, upon confirmation of renewing their membership subscriptions, send a complimentary copy of the recently published ‘Pantechnicon – A history of removals and storage through the evolution of its vehicles’.

 

Titled Pantechnicon: A History of Removals and Storage through the Evolution of Its Vehicles, the book is illustrated throughout with captivating photography from across the ages and shines a light on an industry which has made a unique contribution to the unfolding of British social history.

The book is available to purchase at £20 per copy including P&P within the UK, with proceeds going to support the Removers Benevolent Association (RBA). Payment can be made by credit/debit card or BACS transfer. To place an order please contact membershipservices@bar.co.uk

 

In reviewing the book David Trenchard, Past President and Honorary Life Member of the Association commented;

Most of us were brought up to appreciate the early settlers populating the Wild West of the USA with films of wagon trains, brave pioneering individuals finding the way to move into virgin territory and now the same sort of bravery today as we start to investigate Space and the bottom of our Oceans using modern technology.

 We are inclined to forget that it was not until our grandfathers/great grandfathers returned from the appalling conditions of the first World War that any form of mechanised transport was available to our populace.  Earlier their forefathers had transported customers goods by various forms of horse drawn transport, using the introduction of Trains to move goods over long distances and then used the steam engines to supplement their horses to move goods by Road.  These people were Pioneers in their own right, communications were difficult, telegrams the norm yet today we can just pick up a phone and speak face to face with anyone around the world dependant on only Time Zones.

 ‘The Pantechnicon’ is well researched and with superb photographs that have survived time tell the true story of how our Removals Industry has developed to provide cost effective solutions to our customers needing to move their possessions. The professionalism and skill throughout this time of probably 150 years has been well described and we are reminded of the many individuals and their various businesses that have served the public, worked with their colleagues over the period to deliver the modern Industry of today.

 Removals has always been hard work for the people doing the work, the pioneering did not stop with the advent of the motor vehicle,  modernising deep sea transport methods, standardising packaging, improving storage, opening up motor transport routes through the various countries in Europe have all been done by the pioneers in our Industry and we are reminded of many of these people through the pages of this book. We can only thank Paul Fox and the British Association of Removers for collating the information and photographs from the many willing contributors and congratulate them all for producing such an interesting story of developments through history to today for us to appreciate and enjoy.

 

The publication is also available for purchase on the open market with proceeds going to support the activities of the Removers Benevolent Association (RBA), and is priced at £20 per copy to include p&p within the UK and payment can be made by credit/debit card or BACS transfer. To place an order for your copy please contact membershipservices@bar.co.uk

You can click here to see a picture of the publication.