John Parker And The Royal Mail Coach
The Society acknowledges with thanks the Sponsorship of John Parker and the Royal Mail Coach by
ROYAL MAIL GROUP PLC
Literally a piece of living history, the London-Norwich Royal Mail Coach is probably the most famous coach in the country. Approximately 150 years old, it was originally built to carry the Royal Mail and passengers. When mail coaches were superceded by the railways its original purpose ceased, but in 1969 it was re-registered enabling it to once again carry the Royal Mail and remains the only coach on the road able to do this.
This coach was once the property of James Selby, a legend in the coaching fraternity. Selby had two entries in the Record Books; for the longest distance ever driven by one coachman and the fastest time a team of horses could be changed for another.
Coachman John Parker and the coach have now broken both these records; his grooms changed the horses in an incredible 21.2 seconds and in 1996 John broke the long distance record when he drove 139 miles non-stop from London to Norwich in 21½ hours.
Chairman of the British Driving Society, John Parker’s long and varied career includes film stunt driving, representing Great Britain at horse driving trials as well as the numerous displays he and his horses have given across Europe. He and his coach have visited most of the towns and showgrounds in the country, but John still counts the Royal Welsh Show as one of his favourite events.
To learn more about John Parker and the London-Norwich Royal Mail Coach visit www.swingletree.co.uk
