In December 2006, Keltruck donated £15,000 towards the purchase and upkeep of the new vehicle, which provides the Orchestra with the means to transport their instruments safely to the 120 concerts they perform each year.

Chris Kelly, Chairman and Managing Director of Keltruck, said: "Whilst it is always good to support local organisations the CBSO goes a little further than this in promoting the image of Birmingham, and the West Midlands generally, to a much wider audience. This is something that I personally feel very passionate about and I'm delighted that our association with the CBSO has helped to spread this message with the provision of the new Scania vehicle. I'm sure the truck will give many years of loyal service and it carries with it the quality Scania image and back up from Keltruck. The CBSO has an image of perfection, which is something we also strive for in the service we provide to all our customers. I'd also like to wish the CBSO every success with the tour."

Although the CBSO's old instrument van – an adapted coach, fondly nicknamed 'Big Bertha' – had provided 16 years of loyal service, Keltruck funding has enabled the purchase of a purpose-built Scania truck, equipped with living quarters for the drivers and a high-tech interior to carry instruments. There are special rails that allow the instruments to be held securely in place, and humidity control so that the instruments can be kept at a constant temperature, whether they are being driven through snow in Russia or the fierce heat of the Spanish sun.

ENDS

For further information please contact:



Rachel Blackman, Media Relations Manager, CBSO E-mail: rblackman@cbso.co.uk Tel: 0121 616 6511 Mobile: 07813 162 334
Chris D. Kelly, Marketing Director, Keltruck Ltd. E-mail: info@keltruck.com Mobile: 07711 638 807

About Keltruck



Chris Kelly formed Keltruck Limited in 1983 at which time the company was awarded the Scania franchise. Nine years later he was instrumental in the formation of East Midland Commercials Limited, Scania Distributor for the East Midlands, which was acquired by Keltruck in November 2004. He is Chairman & Managing Director of Keltruck employing approximately 500 people.

About CBSO



The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is the resident orchestra of Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and is one of the world’s leading symphonic ensembles. The Orchestra has worked with many leading international conductors since Elgar conducted its inaugural concert in 1920. The CBSO established itself as a major force during its 18-year association with Sir Simon Rattle and has continued to flourish under the Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo, who was appointed Principal Conductor in 1998 and Music Director in 1999.

The CBSO plays to over 300,000 people each year, in the UK and overseas. Programming initiatives include Friday night concerts, schools, matinée and family concerts. A chamber music series also takes place at CBSO Centre, a medium-scale performance venue in Birmingham, which doubles as the Orchestra's rehearsal and administrative home. In addition, the CBSO runs four choruses and is involved in school and community work reaching out to over 36,000 people per annum. The CBSO Youth Orchestra, formed in 2004, has already established a reputation for recruiting the Midlands' best young musicians.

The CBSO's mission is to share its passion of music through world-class music performed by a world-class orchestra in a world-class city. To find out more visit the CBSO website: cbso.co.uk