FAREWELL DIANA TIGWELL
The voice of Land Rover shows retires
AFTER MORE than 30 years of commentating at Land Rover shows, Diana Tigwell has decided to lay down her microphone for good. If you’ve ever been to a Land Rover or a 4x4 show or if you’ve found yourself at the off-road section of the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed then you will know who we are talking about and also what her voice sounds like. But Diana is not only a commentator, she is an off-road enthusiast and competitor, too.
Diana’s off-road adventures began in the 1980s and her first car was a Series I 86 inch. She then joined the Scottish Land Rover Club and started taking part in various events including trials, her favourite being the Team Recovery. A few years later she moved to South Devon (a journey she’ll never forget – towing her competition S1 all the way from Scotland in a snowstorm).
Once there she founded the East Devon Off Road Club, before joining the All Wheel Drive Club and entering Comp Safaris driving a her Ford Pinto-engined Series I 80 inch .
It was at an AWDC event at West Harptree, where after realising that they were short of a club commentator, that Diana took hold of the microphone and started her career in commentating, something that continued for over three decades. Some joked on that first day of commentating that she could talk faster than she could drive.
Her commentating career also lead her into journalism, and she has written for all the Land Rover and 4x4 magazines in the UK. Diana was also part of the crew who launched Offroad Motorsport magazine in 2000.
She briefly retired from the world of journalism and commentating and took four years out before being persuaded to return to the mic at the Eastnor Land Rover show. Since then she has commentated and been arena master at all the major Land Rover shows, introducing the numerous clubs, individuals and Land Rovers.
Recently she was involved with the launch of the Mini Me Drivers Club for younger owners and enthusiasts of mini Land Rovers. The thinking behind this was to introduce the next generation into Land Rovering.
On behalf of all our readers and contributors, thank you Diana for your friendliness and enthusiasm at the various show and events over the many years. It’s not going to be the same without your voice as the soundtrack to all those fabulous Land Rovers.
Diane will not be completely lost to the world of Land Rovers, she plans on continuing her support of the Mini Me Drivers Club at the shows. Plus she might do some freelance commentating at the odd event or two. See you around Di!