In June, The Hollies, The Stop in Cannock hosted a Heritage Day to celebrate the history of the UK's oldest truckstop. With more than a century of history behind the site, the event promised visitors the chance to explore its heritage while learning more about its future under Certas Energy and their plans other similar sites.
Despite the exceptionally warm weather, the event was well organised on arrival. Visitor parking was clearly signposted, ensuring the truckstop continued to operate smoothly for the truck drivers using the site throughout the day.
A stage area had been set up outside to host a talk by Mike Heaton from Certas Energy covering both the site's history and future development plans across recently acquired sites. Unfortunately, I arrived after the presentation had finished, having not realised it was taking place.
Around the site were a handful of stalls offering simple activities such as tombolas and spin-the-wheel games, with small prizes available for participants. Visitors were also encouraged to complete a Heritage Day checklist, with each activity contributing towards entry into a prize draw. A complimentary ice cream from the on-site van was one of the stops on the trail and, given the temperatures, proved to be a welcome addition to the day.
Inside the truckstop, several newly commissioned mural-style artworks had been unveiled to commemorate the occasion. Bright, colourful and professionally produced, they highlight key moments from the site's history and provide an attractive feature within the dining area. They also formed part of the visitor trail, encouraging people to spend time exploring the truckstop's past.
Historic photographs displayed outside were intended to add further historical context. However, breezy weather meant many of the displays quickly became dislodged, making them difficult to view for much of the event. While the weather was beyond anyone's control, the presentation of these displays perhaps could have been better suited to an indoor setting.
One of the highlights was the display of several historic Certas fuel tankers, transported to the site by RS Recovery. Seeing these alongside today's modern fuel delivery vehicles provided a reminder of how the industry has evolved over the decades and offered genuine historical interest.
While the event was enjoyable, it felt as though it only scratched the surface of what could have been achieved. During my visit, most attendees appeared to be Certas employees, truckstop staff and a small number of transport enthusiasts, rather than members of the wider public and industry visitors. For a site with such an important place in Britain's road transport history, there seemed to be relatively little historical material on display beyond the murals, little photographs and vehicles.
Given The Hollies' significance, there was an opportunity to tell a much bigger story. More archive photographs, historic artefacts, stories from former staff and drivers, or displays charting the evolution of the truckstop and the haulage industry could have created a far more engaging experience. The event celebrated the site's heritage, but it didn't fully immerse visitors in it.
The timing may also have influenced attendance. Holding the event on a weekday inevitably limited the number of people able to visit, particularly working drivers and transport enthusiasts travelling from further afield. A weekend event may have attracted a broader audience and created a livelier atmosphere.
Heritage Day was a positive initiative and it was encouraging to see Certas Energy recognising the importance of The Hollies' history while continuing to invest in its future. Considering the unique status of the site, it would have been nice to have seen a little more 'history'.
