Double win at Herefordshire Ludlow & North Shropshire College Awards

Thursday 21st November 2024

We are celebrating once again after our very own Owen Lloyd, was named Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College Apprenticeship Awards held on 19th November 2024.

In addition to Owen’s success, Oldfields Garage itself was honoured with the Apprentice Employer of the Year Award, recognising our commitment to developing young talent in the automotive industry.

The awards ceremony, held at the college’s Hereford Campus, saw Owen’s hard work and dedication to his apprenticeship recognised by his assessor and tutors. As part of the Oldfields team, Owen has proven himself to be an asset, impressing both colleagues and customers alike with his skills and enthusiasm.

“Owen is a shining example of the future of the automotive industry,” said Tim Benson, Managing Director at Oldfields Garage. “We are incredibly proud of him for receiving this well-deserved recognition. He has shown tremendous promise, and his achievements reflect his commitment to excellence in his trade.”

Earlier this year, Owen made headlines by becoming the youngest vehicle technician in the UK to achieve an Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Level 3 qualification in hybrid and electric vehicles at just 19 years of age.

“I’ve learned so much and had so many opportunities to develop my skills, especially in electric vehicles, which I’m really passionate about,” said Owen. “I’m grateful to everyone at Oldfields for their support, and it’s great to see my hard work paying off. I’m excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to keep learning and growing.”

Phil Dallow, Motor Vehicle Apprentice Assessor at Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College, said: “Owen has shown exceptional dedication and aptitude throughout his apprenticeship, consistently going above and beyond to develop his skills.

“Oldfields Garage has provided him with an excellent foundation to grow and thrive, offering outstanding support and opportunities for their apprentices. Their commitment to nurturing young talent makes them truly deserving of the Apprentice Employer of the Year award.”

This latest award follows three major accolades for Oldfields Garage in the last year alone, including being named Garage of the Year at the 2024 British Independent Garage of the Year Awards.

“At Oldfields Garage, we believe in nurturing and developing the next generation of skilled technicians,” said Tim. “It’s been a pleasure watching Owen grow, and we’re committed to continuing to offer top-quality apprenticeships to help young people succeed in this rewarding industry.”

Claire Lloyd, Owen’s mum, said she was immensely proud of her son’s achievements after attending the awards ceremony with Owen’s father and his employer, Tim Benson.

“Seeing Owen named Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year was such a proud moment for our family,” she said. “He’s worked so hard to get here, and it was wonderful to celebrate his success with Tim, who has been so supportive.”

Well done Owen!

Helping to ease cost of vehicle maintenance with #ClubOldfields

Friday 8th November 2024

We recently introduced a new initiative to support our customers with managing vehicle servicing and maintenance costs.

It comes as drivers prepare for increases in vehicle excise duty (VED) following changes announced in last week’s Autumn Budget.

From April 2025, car tax for petrol cars, diesels and most hybrids that emit between 1-50g/km of CO2 will soar ten times over for the first year of ownership, reaching £110.

At the same time, new cars emitting between 51-75g/km of CO2 will see rates rise from £20 or £30 to £135, with all other rates set to double.

Standard VED rates after the first year will go on rising as well and will continue to follow the Retail Price Index.

“Higher VED costs for drivers will be felt across the board,” said Tim Benson, managing director at Oldfields Garage. “With household budgets under strain in recent years due to high inflation, increased mortgage costs and spiralling energy bills, drivers will be looking to maximise the value they get from their garages.”

#ClubOldfields allows existing customers to spread the cost of servicing and repairs while enjoying a range of exclusive benefits.

Sue Heelis, a long-time customer of ours, said: “I have used Oldfields Garage for many years now and I’m always delighted with their attitude, professionalism and honesty.

“I joined #ClubOldfields as it is perfect fit for me. I now pay monthly towards my annual service costs which is a very helpful budgeting aid and the package also includes roadside and home start assistance through Evolution Assistance, a great additional bonus.”

The flexible payment offering is based on a 12-month plan with fixed monthly payments, allowing customers to lock in today’s prices for the entire year.

Mr Davies, another customer of ours said: “We’ve been using Oldfields for over 10 years now, and as someone who’s semi-retired, I really appreciate being able to budget for car servicing.

“I only go to Oldfields for servicing and repairs because I trust them to offer honest advice. As a local family business, they understand my needs and are familiar with my car. Supporting local businesses is important to me.”

Lucy Bryan said: “I use the service plan because it’s easy and convenient. With small monthly payments, you avoid the big yearly bill since you’ve already saved up throughout the year.”

Members also benefit from exclusive promotions including discount on Castrol oil, and priority bookings with early reminders for upcoming MOTs and routine servicing, allowing them to plan and avoid last-minute rushes.

Tim added: “Customers can now spread the cost of upkeep over a 12-month plan with a fixed monthly budget at today’s prices, ensuring financial predictability, by joining #ClubOldfields.

“Unlike traditional service plans, with #ClubOldfields you can use your balance not only for regular servicing but also for any emergency repairs for your car or van should they arise unexpectedly.

“We understand the challenges of vehicle maintenance and want to provide a solution that makes it more manageable and rewarding. It’s our way of saying thank you to our loyal customers.”