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Awards and Loans

The Trust offers financial assistance to individuals or groups to carry through restoration or improvement projects to completion. The Trust also invites enquiries about sponsoring one or more Awards.

Josh Smith:

When our young preservationist was aged 9, a family friend suggested that the two of them rebuild a Mini together.  Unfortunately that did not happen because of the friend’s illness, and so it was not until he had reached the age of 15 that a Mini was purchased for restoration.

Josh set about teaching himself the skills necessary to restore the car, particularly welding in a new floor and sills, subsequently painting the car, plus mechanical work on engine and brakes.

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WIPThe restoration was recorded and broadcast on Facebook and Instagram, reaching almost 2000 followers.

When we received the nomination (which incidentally seemed to be endorsed by most of the population of Sleaford where Josh lives) we were rather surprised by the idea of a potential Young Preservationist being firstly quite so young and secondly quite so ambitious, so we asked an engineer and professional car restorer based not far from Sleaford to meet Josh, give us his opinion of Josh’s work, and to confirm that it was indeed all his own work.  The result was a very positive report, emphasising the self-taught nature of the skills involved in the restoration and praising the quality of the work given the limited resources and experience available.MOT

Our final picture here shows the car at the MOT testing station after passing its test.  Bear in mind that Josh is not yet old enough to drive it!  Josh has been accepted for an electrical apprenticeship to start after he leaves school, which is a more secure line of work than car restoration, but he can always return to that in the future.  He has certainly made a very strong start.

 

The National Transport Trust makes loans to groups, associations and individuals at advantageous rates for the restoration of artefacts - whether mobile or part of the infrastructure.  Applications must be supported by a simple business plan which demonstrates the financial viability of the project. A sample business plan is available on request from the Treasurer.

 

The Trust does occasionaly make Awards for schemes which further the preservation movement. Again if you wish further information please contact the Treasurer.

 

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National Transport Trust, Old Bank House, 26 Station Approach, Hinchley Wood, Esher, Surrey KT10 0SR