THIS week, I was looking back at our magazine issues of ten years ago, June and July 2004, to see what was happening in and around the industry. The parallels with 2014 were extraordinary.
“We are selling machines faster than we can re-stock,” said Derby dealer Ron Hind. “This is a season that refuses to slacken off,” he added. “And It is easier to turn people away if they demand an unreasonable deal when you are having a good season.”
Was it the economy? True GDP grew by 3.1%, but interest rates were at 4.75%. But once again it was the weather in the earlier part of 2004 that ‘drove’ the selling season. Mild winter, above average temperatures through Spring and early summer – and plenty of rain.
And what’s this? My editorial ten years ago takes UKIP to task - “a rag, tag and bobtail organisation who have somehow tapped into the public’s desire for a life that is far less controlled by central government.” That was picking up on a quote by UKIP’s Godfrey Bloom, “that no small businessman with a brain would ever employ a woman of child bearing age!”
Hang on, have we really moved on in a decade?
Elsewhere, Briggs & Stratton had made their first foray into the OPE sector by buying Simplicity (what has happened to that?), BAGMA had raised £60,000 (£50,000 of it from dealers) to fund an industry careers project (what has happened to that), and England stumbled out of Euro 2004 (history about to repeat itself?)
And Jim Green recounted the journalists worst nightmare when we sometimes caption a picture with either xxxx, xxxx, xxxx or put in (l to r) Ed Balls, Prince Andrew, Skippy and Robert Mugabe – whilst we search for the actual names. On this occasion, the editor of a Scottish local newspaper captioned a report about a local festival with the words “ . . .pious little bleeders who should get out more often” – and then forgotten to remove it before publication!
Something that has not changed are the glorious green fields, resplendent gardens and hedgerows in the height of this warm spell, with everything growing like fury – and the sight I am enjoying today of the best view on earth. Lords Cricket ground, packed to the rafters in brilliant sunshine – with England doing rather well for a change.
Chris Biddle
