Glew's Garage, Goole: George Alan Glew
Goole History > Goole People & Families > George Alan Glew
GEORGE ALAN GLEW (1926 - 2006)
The following obituary appeared in the Goole Times:
'George Alan Glew, the last eponymous owner of Glew’s Garage
died peacefully, after a short illness, in Boston, Lincolnshire
on April 26.
George Alan Glew – known as Alan to his friends - was born
in Goole on 9 April 1926, the only son of John Glew of Goole and
Alice Smith, a classical singer, from Glossop, Lancashire.
It was his great grand-father, George Glew, originally a farmer
in Glew’s Hollow, Lincolnshire, who set the family on the
road to supplying townsfolk with a means of transport by establishing
a blacksmith’s in North Street, Goole in 1856; a few years
after the formation of the town.
From ensuring horses were well shod to making early bicycles and
Penny Farthings, the business developed into a general blacksmiths
called G.R. Glew & Sons, run by George’s son, George
Richard Glew, which began to deal in early motorised two, three
and four wheeled vehicles. He was the first person to import Model
T Fords into Goole, retaining the wooden packing cases as these
formed the floorboards of the vehicle.
Between the wars, the business relocated into a new landmark building
(noted for its lettering on the roof) at its present position
on the Rawcliffe Road between Airmyn and Goole. During the Second
World War Glew's Garage was requisitioned by the government for
the construction of 110 foot wings for the Hamilcar, which saw
service during the D-Day landings. This was the largest wooden
glider the RAF ever operated and was the forerunner of the Blackburn
Beverley transport aircraft.
Alan Glew attended Drax School and Goole Grammar School, and as
a teenager, he would periodically help his father on this war
work prior to serving his apprenticeship at an engineering works
in Thorne; re-joining the family business in 1948. Like many men
of his generation, he was called up for National Service. Following
his stint in the RAF, Alan Glew returned to Glew’s Garage,
taking over the running of the business in 1960.
From a couple of petrol pumps close to the main garage building,
Alan Glew developed the forecourt and surrounding site for the
Regent and then Texaco petrol franchises, took on more staff for
car repairs, servicing and breakdown work, and increased car sales
through exclusive dealerships first with Rootes, then with Chrysler
and finally with Talbot.
Alan Glew was one of the first people to import go-karts into
this country and established one of the first recovery clubs for
members (400 at its peak), which was later bought by the National
Breakdown Recovery Club (NBRC) now known as Green Flag. Alan Glew
always had a passion for breakdown recovery trucks, inspired no
doubt by his father who converted a Rolls Royce hearse into a
recovery vehicle just after the First World War.
In 1975, Alan Glew became an Associate Member of the Institute
of the Motor Industry (AMIMI Tech. Eng.) and had begun to play
a more active part in the Lions Club - a body devoted to raising
money for charity - becoming its President in 1973-74. As a pastime,
Alan Glew enjoyed restoring vintage cars, particularly Austin
7s, taking the family on car rallies around the country. This
was also an opportunity to take the family on visits to stately
homes and museums (usually with a car theme!). Trade fairs, bonfire
night parties for staff and friends, and Christmas decorations
for the showroom were annual events for the garage business.
Glew's Garage was in an ideal spot when the M62 arrived with no
services either side of the business for many miles. The junction
to Goole and surrounding areas soon became known by the garage’s
name. Further developments were made enabling Alan Glew to sell
the garage in 1978 to another local family firm, Jos Richardson
& Son. Alan and his wife, Elizabeth (known as Betty or Beth
to close friends) later moved to Beverley where they successfully
ran The Woolpack public house; building up the clientele much
as they had done at Glew's Garage.
Alan Glew enjoyed his retirement in Lincolnshire, often meeting
up with friends from Goole and surrounding areas. He was proud
that his eldest son, Graeme and his grandson Philip continued
the family tradition by working in motor sport.
He is survived by his wife, Beth and two sons, Graeme and Adrian
and one daugher, Elizabeth.'