The Midget and Sprite Club is delighted to announce that the winner of its 2025 Most Improved Apprentice award is Rosie Fraser of EJ Ward Ltd, based at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire – specialists in Triumph Stag restoration. The award – comprising a trophy, £300 cash prize, and one-year membership of the Midget and Sprite Club – was presented to Rosie by representatives from the Midget and Sprite Club at the Brooklands Museum Heritage Skills Academy site.
Developed jointly by the Federation Skills Trust, the Heritage Skills Academy (HSA), and the Midget and Sprite Club, the Most Improved Apprentice award recognises perseverance, progress, and personal growth throughout the Heritage Engineering apprenticeship programme. It celebrates those who demonstrate resilience and commitment to mastering traditional restoration and engineering skills, regardless of their starting point.
Rosie joined the Heritage Skills Academy’s coachbuilding cohort in June 2024 after initially training with The Splined Hub. Despite setbacks when two of her employers were unable to retain her due to workload pressures, Rosie’s determination never faltered. In June 2025 she secured a new placement with EJ Ward Ltd, allowing her to continue her apprenticeship and develop her skills further.
According to the Heritage Skills Academy, Rosie has consistently achieved high assessment grades – typically in the high 90s – and has shown exceptional commitment to her craft. Her early passion for mechanical heritage was sparked by attending steam rallies, later fuelled by work on WWII commercial vehicles and volunteering at a water mill museum. Living for several years on a narrowboat also gave her hands-on experience in restoration, electrics, and mechanics.
John Pitchforth, Founder of the Heritage Skills Academy, said:
“Rosie’s story is one of true perseverance. She has faced a series of challenges but remained focused on her goal to build a career in heritage vehicle restoration. Her academic performance and enthusiasm have been exemplary, and her resilience is an inspiration to other apprentices across the programme.”
