Author: Amy Lancaster

Our very own Service Technician, Phil Darwen from Bowker BMW Blackburn, has been awarded BMW Master Technician status for the first time. He’s one of only 70 Master Technicians in the country.

Phil’s achievement is even more remarkable, because he completed his Senior and Master Technician accreditations in the same year – something that normally takes candidates years to complete.

Phil achieved his Masters qualification after successfully passing a rigorous day-long exam – which has to be retaken every five years.

Phil said: “The most challenging part is keeping up with the new technology. But we also see older cars with over a hundred thousand miles on the clock. We enjoy keeping them running as well as the day they rolled out of the dealership. Bowker BMW is a very supportive company. Hopefully payback for the dealership’s support. I’ve worked hard. But they have invested in me too.”

In the tests, Phil successfully completed the industry-recognised examinations featuring a range of online, practical, diagnostic and theoretical examinations. The test also includes a coaching exercise and customer handling situations.

Stewart Rose, Bowker Motor Group service manager, said: “Congratulations to Phil. It’s a wonderful achievement. He’s a very valuable member of the team here at Bowker, he works hard and inspires and helps colleagues with his knowledge and passion for the latest BMW models.”

Bowker BMW in Blackburn has of the most qualified service departments in the UK: 1 Master Technician; 3 Senior Technicians; 12 BMW Technicians and 3 BMW Service Technicians – all with Automotive Technician Accreditation.

At Bowker MINI it’s no secret we’re crazy about dogs. Which is why, yesterday, we hosted our first Howl-Oween dog walk for our MINI Owners at Black Bull Inn – Old Langho. The morning saw a gathering of menacing MINI’s, ghoulish grown-ups, little monsters and fang-tastic fury friends.

We were delighted to take part in the Electric Vehicles, Renewables and Energy Efficiency For Business at the AMRC North West facility in Salmesbury. The event was delivered by Electricity North West and its partners: AMRC (University of Sheffield), Chamber Low Carbon, East Lancashire Chamber, North and West Lancashire Chamber, Lancashire County Council, Boost and Let’s Experience Electric.

The event brought together industry leaders and businesses from across Lancashire and the North West to offer practical advice and guidance on switching to electric vehicles, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

This season, the under 10’s team at Springfields FC will wear brand new tops, training tops, shorts and socks thanks to a sponsorship by Bowker BMW in Preston; Paul’s employer for over 15 years.

Before his death in 2021, Paul ‘Crowey’ Crowhurst had worked at Bowker BMW for over 15 years and was also the Chairman of Springfields FC.

For Bowker BMW in Preston Jonathan Rogan, Head of Business, said: “Paul was a much-loved colleague and a selfless supporter of grassroots football. Never more so than when it came to Springfields F.C. He’d taken one of the teams at Springfields through all the age groups. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the U10’s team in Paul’s memory and wish them all the best for the season.”

Springfields under 10’s play in the Mid Lancashire Colts Junior Football League league.  Springfields FC is a community club in Preston offering football coaching starting at age 5, with teams competing from under 7’s through to adults.

For Springfields F.C., treasurer Danielle Gore said: “Thank you to Bowker BMW for sponsoring the under 10’s kit. These are young players at the start of their football adventure, just like the team that Crowey first coached. His legacy lives on in the lives of the young people who he inspired, and the hundreds of other players and parents who benefitted from his hard work on the committee and as our Chairman.”

Last month more than 20 Bowker Motor Group employees successfully completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in Crowey’s memory – a challenge he’d completed himself several years earlier. By completing the 24-mile 5200-feet climb in around 12 hours Bowker staff raised over £4,000 for St Catherine’s Hospice.

Three of our highly skilled apprentices at Bowker BMW on Trident Park in Blackburn, joined forces to enter this year’s Accrington Soapbox Challenge.

The Bowker BMW ‘soapbox car’ is being made from sourced recycled tables and chairs, plus BMX bike wheels and other repurposed items.

19 year-old Accrington College student Luke Comberbach and Blackburn College students 17 year-old Jack Orrell and 19 year-old Ciaran O’Boyle have worked together in between their other jobs to spearhead the Bowker challenge.

Ciaran said: “We’re very excited. It’s been great fun to build the cart. And we think we’ve got a good chance. We recycled old tables that we sourced from college. We used an old chair from a gaming steering wheel setup. We found the bmx tyres on the internet. Whatever we could lay our hands on really!

“The three of us have done most of the work. But other Bowker technicians have helped with advice and opinions.  One of them came up with the design. Then we put it together. We’ve learned so many new skills. I’d never welded before. I’ve learned how to weld. So, hopefully the pieces will stay together!”

This year’s Soapbox Challenge takes place in Accrington town centre on Saturday, 27th August 2022. The last event saw 26 contestants, over 9000 spectators, plus family fun stalls and activities.

‘Soapbox cars’ were historically made from wooden soap crates. More recently, materials have become more varied since the first publicly recorded Soapbox race in 1904.

Competitors have been challenged to create a four-wheeled non-motorised Soapbox vehicle, using only gravity for fuel and speed. The soapbox must have a form of steering, the ability to brake and competitor safety helmets must be worn.

Aside from that, there are no rules. It’s simply the first to reach the finishing line wins! Novelty prizes will also be awarded to competitors with the Best Soapbox Design and Best Team Costume.