Page 13 - Countesthorpe Herald August 2023

NICK FAVELL
It was with great sadness that we had to announce on 16th June that our lovely husband and Dad, Nick Favell, had passed away following a short but serious illness. A Thanksgiving Service for his life was held on 10th July at Living Rock Church Stoney Stanton, where we are all members. It was heartening to see many of our neighbours and customers there to honour Nick and support us as a family. We would like to extend our thanks to all who attended,or who have sent us cards and messages over recent weeks. We also greatly appreciate your sensitivity to us and our staff over this time as you have continued to bring us your business . Your kindness and appreciation of Nick has been a great encouragement.
Nick grew up in Blaby and was a Leysland and Countesthorpe College Student. He trained as a motor vehicle technician at Blaby Garage, then worked as an AA patrol, then as a partner with John Hughes running the “Mr Clutch” franchise in Leicester for a time, followed by short periods at a number of garages in Leicester (including 6 months at Griffs) before eventually starting his own business as a mobile mechanic. It wasn’t long before he needed his own premises and in 2004, Nick and Ruth bought the Griffs business and premises which became “Favells Garage.” In 2006, son Adam joined and trained as a motor vehicle technician, and has gradually taken over the running of the Garage as Nick started to ease his foot off the accelerator! Ruth continues to live in Countesthorpe and work as Company Director, while son in law Stefan is our
Service Receptionist and also lives in the Village.
It continues to be business as usual at Favells Garage, although we will all miss Nick more than words can say.
1980s
The Renault Dealership began. The shop (No 1 Leicester Rd) which was where Lords Electrical had started out, became the showroom (see photo). “Griffs of Countesthorpe” became widely known beyond the village. By the time the dealership ended the car sales were no longer making any profit.
1990s
The petrol sales were discontinued. The shop was closed and the pumps removed. Nick Favell, worked here for a few months in this decade. Nick had been an AA patrol and worked for other small garages locally before developing his own mobile motor repairs business. He did not remain mobile for long as the need for more space resulted in him renting a space in the workshop on Station Road.
2000s
Nick and Ruth Favell brought “Griffs of Countesthorpe” business and premises in 2004 from Jim Griffiths junior. The empty shop and showroom on either side were no longer needed and rented out. However, the increasing volume of work has meant that the forecourt is almost always fully taken up by cars in for MOT or repair.
Nick’s son Adam joined him here as a technician in 2006. Son-in-Law Stefan now also works at the garage, so it is still a local family business, just as it has been over the last hundred years!
THE HISTORY OF THE
VILLAGE GARAGE
Herbert and Bertha Hunt lived and ran their business from their terraced houses here. Herbert owned and ran lorries for haulage, which he then altered to use as buses to carry passengers. He used his landeau for weddings. Few people owned their own cars in those days. He installed Countesthorpe’s first two petrol pumps at the front and had large lock up garages at the back (see photo). Following Bertha’s death in 1956 and Herbert’s in 1965, their daughters Eileen and Dorothy ran the business for a couple of years before selling it to Jim Griffiths Senior.
1960s
Jim Griffiths senior, having moved from Wales, bought the garage from the Hunts. The garages at the back were extended (the original is still there – you can see the roof line above the left side of the workshop). The frontage was cleared to form a forecourt (Numbers 3 and 5 Leicester Road no longer exist – they are part of the garage address), and more petrol pumps were installed. A petrol sales kiosk was set up in the front of the remaining terraced house. Many of us can remember buying sweets from there too! As time went on, his son, also called Jim, took on the mechanical workshop on this site and his other son Richard took on the petrol sales and car sales. His daughter Julie took on the Bodyshop he had established on Station Road (now Griffs Lettings).
Kev started working here! Kev is still working here!
1920s
Ruth Favell
THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD 13
Andy Bodsworth
07518443220 mrplumbingandbathrooms@yahoo.com