Car firm fixes its Savile name link
AN Exeter firm is changing its name rather than be associated with the growing sex scandal surrounding the late Jimmy Savile.
Leading car interior specialists Trim'll Fix It, based at Cofton Road, Marsh Barton, is pulling down its signs and repainting its vans to disassociate itself from the shamed host of the BBC's Jim'll Fix It programme.
The long-established family business, run by Leigh Sercombe and his father David, is changing its name to TFI Motor Trimmers.
In the 1970s Savile started a 20-year run as host of Jim'll Fix It – making dreams come true for more than 1,500 children – and the Exeter firm used it as a play on words for their motor trim business.
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Leigh Sercombe said: "Basically we wanted to change the name to disassociate ourselves from the man and the scandal of what is going on.
"It seems to get worse every day. Changing the signage and the vans will probably cost around £2,000-plus – but it has to be done."
David Sercombe added: "We chose the original name because it went well with what we did. Funnily enough I met him when he visited the area once to have work done on his car at a garage we used. I thought he was crazy."
Savile's name has also been erased from the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre at Lympstone where he was a regular visitor.
He had a room named after him, The Savile Room, which was for junior ratings and their families. It has now been renamed The Families' Room.
Savile had a long association with the CTC. He was awarded an honorary commando green beret by the Marines in the 1970s after completing the commando speed march, 30 miles across Dartmoor carrying 30lb of kit. Royal Marines also acted as pall bearers at Savile's funeral two years ago. A spokesman for the Royal Marines said there was no need to remove the beret honour. "He was awarded the honorary beret in the 1970s, in a different time. The award of an honorary green beret died when he died. It does not carry on after that."
Savile also regularly helped raise money for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund.
Fresh claims of sex abuse have been made against Savile, following allegations that he preyed on children during hospital visits.
A string of police forces said members of the public have come forward to make complaints.
They have been referred to Scotland Yard which is leading the investigation.
Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and Tayside are the latest forces to say that allegations have been made.
Claims have also emerged that Savile groped young patients at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, where he worked as a volunteer fundraiser.
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