Truck show season is almost upon us, and no show is complete without Trucks Galore. Founded in 2004, it has gone on to be a leading truck photography outfit to events all across the UK.
Twelve months ago (TN April 2024), Kevin Swallow spoke to Pete Beecher about show season, how Trucks Galore started, and unearthing classic images as he develops and scans a colossal pile of old camera film.
For two decades Trucks Galore has been a central part of the UK’s truck show events. “We started in 2004, with our first show being at the Yorkshire Truckfest event at Driffield that same year,” Pete explained.
“Here we are, 20 years later, continuing to provide top quality photographic services and products, which are now more popular than ever.”
Trucks Galore has since become a media partner with Transport News, and helps to cover three of the main Truckfest events; Scotland, North East and North West of England.
He added: “I would just like to take the opportunity to thank each and every customer past and present who has supported us over the last 20 years, a big thank you, from the heart.”
THE HISTORY
Although Trucks Galore started in 2004, the actual history goes back further, all the way back to around 1975. Pete’s father Roy was a member of a local camera club, who had a competition on a different subject amongst themselves each week and one particular week it was ‘transport’.
To capture ‘transport’, Roy headed off to the M6 at Leyland to take some shots of passing traffic. Pete picked up the story: “He won the competition with his chosen picture and decided to forward it to the company who owned the vehicle.
“The response and feedback was so fantastic that this inspired him to continue with the truck photography as a hobby.”
It quickly developed into a business, and Roy could be seen regularly on both the M6 as well as various locations on the A1(M).
“We have thousands of pictures on our system that were taken from the 1970s onwards that we have scanned and converted to digital format. A large update of older pictures has just been uploaded to our website’,” he revealed.
“The work is not complete just yet though, as we still have a big box full of negatives that haven’t even been scanned yet. Who knows what gems could be hiding in there.
“With a big website update having taken place just recently, there are thousands of images now available to view on our trucksgalore.co.uk website. Once there go to ‘Golden Oldies’. Trucks are listed alphabetically by company name and registration, so they are easy to find, and there are various print sizes and options, which can all be ordered online.”
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Fast forward back to today, and with a glance into the year ahead, Trucks Galore is booked in for around 17 shows throughout the country for 2024. “We are certainly looking forward to the main Truckfest event at Lincoln over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend. This is set to be a massive event, and the grounds available are actually larger than Peterborough,” he said.
There is also Truckfest (North East) at Wolsingham on 1-2 June, which Pete acknowledged has grown year-on-year and has a fantastic attendance.
“Truckfest Scotland which had the highest number of entries ever in 2023 and Truckfest North West (14-15 September) is towards the end of the season but has evolved into a fantastic show with great attendance of trucks,” he added.
Pete has developed a reputation for being the first camera a truck will see when arriving at the trucking events, as he is always positioned ready on the arrival route into the showground to capture the images. This, he said, is the ’official’ photo, which is then available at the Trucks Galore stand at the show.
“We produce photos onsite while you wait, with mounted photos, glass framed photos, photo mugs, keyrings & coasters etc all available,” he said.
Trucks Galore also supply promotional products, which incorporate photos together with company logo and contact details. Pete added: “Mugs have become very popular, and we even have coloured mugs to suit the colours of your company for the perfect finishing touch.
“We offer free design with no obligation and can also work from your own pictures.”
As well as taking images, Trucks Galore is a supporter of the Derian House Charity, which is a Childrens Hospice providing respite and end-of-life care for more than 400 babies and young people with life-limiting conditions.
Pete explained: “Trucks Galore not only made a financial donation to them recently, but also provided the children with a batch of mounted pictures of selected trucks for the children to enjoy.
“It’s our way of giving something back, and the smiles on the kids faces make it all the more worthwhile. Take a look at what they do at derianhouse.co.uk and if you can spare a few pounds, make a donation, it is a fantastic cause.”
