February 2009
Wheelbase is proving very popular with royalty. The Princess Royal said "Wheelbase has already established its credentials". In June the Duke of Kent opened our new premises in Newark Street, Sneinton. Last month, the Princess Royal opened our new tyre fitting bay.
The machinery has been paid for by the Wooden Spoon Society, of which the Princess is a patron.
"Wooden Spoon seems to find very good links locally," she said.
"Wheelbase has already established its credentials, but my goodness, so many people forget the importance of wheels.
"And no doubt communities suffer if they don't get the workforce.
"There is much more scope here than people realise."
Education
The project provides the youngsters with an alternative education system, teaching them subjects including English, maths and IT, but also gives them tuition in manufacturing.
With Support from Wooden Spoon
Wooden Spoon is the charity of British and Irish Rugby, supporting mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children. Two youngsters then showed her how the tyre fitting machinery worked.
Youth People convert Beach Buggy
The Princess looked around the workshop at our display boards as well as admiring a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle that had been converted to a beach buggy by the young people.
1000th Client
She took time to talk to each of the young people present, including 24-year-old Matt Hickling from Basford, who now works for the Environment Agency after completing a course at Wheelbase, and Dale Hanks, 23, from Radford, who was the project's 1,000th client.
Off-road racing
A new off-road racing car donated by Wooden Spoon was also unveiled for the Princess before she signed Wheelbase's visitors' book.
Life changing Stuff
Speaking afterwards Mick Clifford, who was awarded an MBE in this year's New Year's Honours, said: "We do life changing stuff for the kids here and it's a great honour she has visited. For the youngsters it's an opportunity they are not normally offered and it's a great experience for them."
Who is Wheelbase?
Launched in 1991 in Denman Street East, Radford, Wheelbase Motor Project is an innovative project based in Nottingham working with young people aged 14-25 years old who are at risk of crime and social exclusion perhaps due to domestic problems, non-school attendance or similar issues. We offer an alternative curriculum of accredited qualifications in Motor Vehicle and Key skills alongside a Life and Social Skills Programme. We also take part in Grass Track Mini Racing and various other motor sports.
