Heritage

BRM

Photo

The Group was involved in the BRM project from its inception in 1949, acquiring a controlling interest in the early 50’s. Conceived as a British Team to compete with the Italians (Ferrari, Maserati) and the Germans, much was achieved between the Mid-50’s and Mid-70’s. Always pioneering and always innovative, the famous V16 car of the ‘50s was a technological ‘tour de force’, with the team finishing 3rd in the Constructors Championship in 1959. The early 60’s saw the team finish in the top 2 of the constructors championship no fewer than 5 times, the highlight being Graham Hill’s championship victory in 1962. We were one of the first to introduce Sponsorship to the sport in the early 70’s, and held the record for the highest average speed in a grand prix for over 35 years (Peter Gethin at Monza in 1971) – indeed, that race still holds the record for the closest ever finish in formula one, the first 5 cars crossing the line with just seconds between them. Over the years, many famous drivers plied their trade in BRMs, the Drivers Hall of Fame including Fangio, Hill, Stewart, Moss, Gonzalez, Brooks, Bonnier and Rodriguez to name but afew.

Photo
Rubery Owen still owns the company and all of the rights to the name, and though it has not traded for some time, we sponsor Richard Attwood’s Historic Team BRM which races Jackie Stewart’s 1965 P261 in the HGPCA series.

New Hall Mill

New Hall Mill, a grade 2 listed building, is one of just 2 surviving water mills in the Birmingham Area. Painstakingly restored to a working condition over a number of years, it is a fine local example of our industrial heritage. Surrounded by the New Hall Valley Country Park, the Mill is an ideal location for pupils to study aspects of history, local studies, technology, science and environmental education for sustainable development related to the National Curriculum. The Mill is open to visitors on a number of days throughout the year, and makes a fascinating day out for all the family.
For more information visit: www.newhallmill.org.uk

Severn Valley Railway

For four decades the Severn Valley Railway has graduated form relative obscurity to a prominent position in British Railway Preservation – the preservation fates form 1965, when a group of enthusiasts formed the Severn valley railway society, and Rubery Owen became involved in the early 70s when it ‘loaned’ £150,000 to the society to continue its good work. That original loan was converted into shares (at one stage we were the largest single shareholder with 49% of the shares) but the tremendous success of share issues and involvement of others in the SVR (very much in line with our wishes for the diversification of the shareholding) has seen our holding reduce to less than 5%. As a shareholder and active participant in the workings of the SVR, we are delighted to see it go from strength to strength. And very much hope that it will continue to develop and expand.
For further information visit: www.svr.co.uk

Black Country Museum

The Black Country Living Museum is an urban heritage park in the shadow of Dudley castle, and has been described as Britain’s friendliest open air museum. The Museum occupies a 26 acre open air site with recreated buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries brought to life by costumed demonstrators and trained educational guides. The museum forms a major tourist attraction welcoming over ¼ million visitors each year and over 80,000 school children in educational parties. Rubery Owen has been involved with the Museum since its inception as a member of the founding team in the Mid-70s, and still has an active involvement today.
For further information visit: www.bclm.co.uk

Rubery Owen Group Charitable Trust

The Rubery Owen Group Charitable Trust exists to make donations to good causes proposed and submitted by group companies for consideration. The Trust will in the main consider requests with regard to locality and proximity to operating companies and other company interests. The capital within the fund has been built up over a number of years, with each business contributing to the Trust on a regular basis.
For further information please contact: administrator@ruberyowen.com