DROITWICH Means Business, a group of company owners in the town, led by Matt Nicol from Nicol and Co recently teamed up with Droitwich Spa High School so features could be written about events or people.
This first piece below, written by Katie Bowen, head girl at the High School, centres on Rod Spollon, the man behind the Chateau Impney Hill Climb.
OVER the past four years, Rod Spollon and his family have revived the Chateau Impney Hill Climb in style.
With the event growing year on year, the 2019 occasion saw more than 500 vehicles descend on the grounds of the grade II listed building for the weekend, which brought over 18,000 visitors to the local area.
Mr Spollon, a member of Droitwich Means Business, a local business leaders’ forum, has been quick to acknowledge recent developments and improvements to the transport infrastructure in Worcestershire, which will undoubtedly support his plans for the future.
“The increased footfall from the Hill Climb and similar events will be good for Droitwich Spa and we have more ideas in the pipeline to improve connectivity.
“The new Worcester Parkway station, currently being built, will bring a significant boost to the county and the town of Droitwich Spa is very well placed to take advantage of.
“There’s also a lot of businesses in Droitwich who are truly passionate about what they do and where they operate.”
After bringing the Hill Climb back in 2015, Mr Spollon not only wants to ensure that the action can inspire the next generation of motor-sport competitors, but also provide an exciting family day out to be enjoyed by all ages.
This year, the Nicol and Co Family Area was full of attractions, varying from a mini Jaguar Land Rover experience to the free vintage funfair.
Spectators were also able to see a steam engine from the Severn Valley Railway, and a Lancaster Bomber graced the skies for a special flyover above the Chateau.
When asked where the Chateau Impney plans to go from the success of the Hill Climb events, Mr Spollon said expanding the use of the hotel for business conferences and other such events was a key part of what’s coming next.
The Co-operative is holding its AGM at the venue, alongside the National Trust who have their bi-annual meetings in the hotel, attracting these national organisations to Droitwich Spa can only be of benefit.
The success of the Chateau Impney Hill Climb is clear, from the number of visitors it attracts, yet it can also be seen, through the variety of people that flock there each year to experience a whole host of different activities.
What is perhaps most crucial to its triumph is Rod Spollon’s passion for the local community, in creating an event which widely benefits Droitwich’s economy.
