Witches legend sells Evergreen Suffolk garage after 40 years

Evergreen Garage at Crowfield has been owned and run by Witches legend Tony 'Shrimp' Davey and his brother Jim since 1981 - and has developed a great reputation across east Suffolk.

Jim said: "I started here with another partner 45 years ago - but he pulled out after a few years and when Tony retired from speedway he joined me and we've been here together ever since."

There's been a lot of changes over the years - cars and other vehicles have become a lot more complex, but also more reliable.

Tony and Jim Davey have been running Evergreen Garage since 1981. (Image: Paul Geater)

Jim, 75, said: "We have to learn a lot of new things with the electronics in cars these days - the younger staff are often better at getting to grips with that than the older ones like us!"

The garage has customers from a wide area - many of its customers come from Ipswich - and the technicians tackle any kind of vehicle.

Many people take their 4x4s there - but there was also a Porsche sports car waiting to go into the workshop on the day of my visit.

After a lifetime of work, they said it will seem strange not going down to the garage.

Tony, 72, said: "I think it will be most difficult in the winter - it will be difficult to get going in the morning if you don't have to drag yourself to the garage every day."

But Jim is ready to hang up his spanners: "I'm looking forward to having a few weeks chilling and just relaxing before seeing what else to to do!"

Tony Davey was a speedway legend of the 1970s. (Image: Dave Kindred)

Tony was a key member of the Witches team that was one of the dominant forces in the world of speedway during the the 1970s riding alongside John Louis and Bill Sanders.

He also won 11 caps for England and was a finalist in the British Speedway Championships in 1973, 1975, and 1978.

Shrimp Davey as fans remember him - leading the way in a heat against the Belle Vue Aces in the 1970s. (Image: Dave Kindred)

The brothers are Suffolk through and through - and Evergreen garage remains very traditional.

As well as maintaining vehicles and being an MoT testing station it also sells fuel - and is one of the few places left where customers can still be served.

The new owners are expected to take over at the beginning of September once the legal paperwork has been completed.

Evergreen Garage will continue under new management - but with many of the existing staff. (Image: Paul Geater)

It won't be all change - four technicians and other staff will be staying on under the new management looking after customers who have used the garage for years.

Jim said: "We have loads of people bringing their cars here - and they tend to come here because of word of mouth which is very pleasing for us!"

An indication of how well they are known is that a celebration to mark their retirement is booked for Gosbeck Village Hall in September.

Jim and Tony were surprised by the reaction. Tony said: "We'd hoped about 50 people would come - but we've been told about 200 have accepted which is very nice!"