keith 2:
you have a good holiday jack,glad you are ok,going myself this weekend,but only to the lakes for a week,better than nowt,look of the weather most of the time will be in the pub keith
Thanks Grumpy old man & Keith, finally I have dates etc including extra insurance to cover up to 44 days, the extra days came to £189-11 and the flight came out at £385-90 which wasn’t too bad, came to under £600, I leave on 7th Dec and return on 19th Jan so have a full 6 weeks in the sunshine, instead of sitting in the cold at home over Christmas & new year.
So thanks for all the wishes from you all, and I wish you all a very happy fun filled Christmas and a better new year to you all.
Kind Regards Jack Graham.
grumpy old man:
Bloody travel insurance for old folk is a total rip off. Even if you’re reasonably fit if you’re over 75 they view you as though you’ve got the plague. I tried to renew our annual multi journey travel insurance Hell, I nearly died from shock when they said what the premium would be… Bar stewards.
Your so right it is a rip off, “grumpy old man”, I have been going to the same place for over 20 years 1 /2 /3 /4 times a year, never had a claim on insurance once, but turn 65 years old and they treat you like your a burden to the whole world of insurance, costing them £ millions even if your fit and well, but turn 70 and you whole world drops out from under your feet, no-one wants to know you, they treat you as if your going to drop dead any time, my guess is when your young getting drunk in Spain in your teens with your friends spending time in hospital on your holidays costing a fortune in medical bills and having to be flown home which cost’s a fortune, then that’s OK because your young, but god help you if your a pensioner, because they just are not interested, that is unless your a millionaire who can afford the high premiums for your travel insurance. :- Jack.
Hello, sorry to hear about your accident Jack but happy to hear you are recovering. It would be nice to meet up and have a few beers when you get over here. Linda sends her regards and yes I got your email. Do any of the ex A-one drivers have any pictures of JMR or even a video of the wake/funeral. I only found one of Robin/James and Jack at a renunion on this site and would very much like to see a few more. I used to work in Bradford at a bottle warehouse near the depot there under the guidance of Brian Wilky back in my late teens as a forklift driver. I remember Billy Taylor used to hang out up in the parts area at tea breaks with Harold Robinson who i stayed with for a while after leaving school, made it hard to get to know Robin as they didnt get on and I didnt know how to handle that situation so I just kept quiet sadly.I used to hang out with Woody, i think that was his name, an apprentice at that time. John Robinson.
robinson7131@msn.com:
Hello, sorry to hear about your accident Jack but happy to hear you are recovering. It would be nice to meet up and have a few beers when you get over here. Linda sends her regards and yes I got your email. Do any of the ex A-one drivers have any pictures of JMR or even a video of the wake/funeral. I only found one of Robin/James and Jack at a renunion on this site and would very much like to see a few more. I used to work in Bradford at a bottle warehouse near the depot there under the guidance of Brian Wilky back in my late teens as a forklift driver. I remember Billy Taylor used to hang out up in the parts area at tea breaks with Harold Robinson who i stayed with for a while after leaving school, made it hard to get to know Robin as they didnt get on and I didnt know how to handle that situation so I just kept quiet sadly.I used to hang out with Woody, i think that was his name, an apprentice at that time. John Robinson.
Nice to see you received my email John, and also nice to see your still looking on this page, and yes I am recovering quite well thanks from my fall, I can only ask if any other drivers have pictures of JMR at work or even at the wake/funeral, but regarding me the last thing on my mind was taking my camera to the funeral so all I can do is ask some of the others.
Some of the names you quoted remind me of some of them, Billy Taylor, Harold, and Woody, Brian Wilky, bring back memories may-be they others will have some info on them, but as I will be in your part of the world for 6 weeks it will be a pleasure to see you again and meet up with you and Linda and have a chat about what ever comes along, you can use my email address to contact me if you like, but in the meantime I will try to find any pictures and news of JMR so I can pass it on to you.
Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you both again. Kind Regards :- Jack.
So everyone!, having just had a message from John Robinson “from JMR’s family” I contacted in Florida 3 years ago, do any of you have any pictures of JMR anywhere at a reunion or even pictures of the funeral/wake, since I didn’t take any pictures I don’t have any myself, but if any of you have some it would be nice if you could forward them to me or even put them on this site, because he doe’s look into this site every now and again to see how things are going on on this side of the pond, I met him and his wife Linda and had a good chat about A1 and what’s been happening over the past 20 or so years, and since he is related to JMR it looks like we are the only contact he has, so please send any info to me asap, because I fly out on the 7th December and will be making arrangements to meet up with him again with-in the next 6/7 weeks time, so dig deep guy’s and see what you can find. Regards :-Jack Graham.
Jack Graham:
So everyone!, having just had a message from John Robinson “from JMR’s family” I contacted in Florida 3 years ago, do any of you have any pictures of JMR anywhere at a reunion or even pictures of the funeral/wake, since I didn’t take any pictures I don’t have any myself, but if any of you have some it would be nice if you could forward them to me or even put them on this site, because he doe’s look into this site every now and again to see how things are going on on this side of the pond, I met him and his wife Linda and had a good chat about A1 and what’s been happening over the past 20 or so years, and since he is related to JMR it looks like we are the only contact he has, so please send any info to me asap, because I fly out on the 7th December and will be making arrangements to meet up with him again with-in the next 6/7 weeks time, so dig deep guy’s and see what you can find. Regards :-Jack Graham.
Hi jack,john,sorry I have none of him,when we cleared out gildersome there was I lot of photes of him and other stuff but did not skip them I took them round to jacks house but no one was in,so left them on his back step,and never saw him after that,keith
Jack Graham:
So everyone!, having just had a message from John Robinson “from JMR’s family” I contacted in Florida 3 years ago, do any of you have any pictures of JMR anywhere at a reunion or even pictures of the funeral/wake, since I didn’t take any pictures I don’t have any myself, but if any of you have some it would be nice if you could forward them to me or even put them on this site, because he doe’s look into this site every now and again to see how things are going on on this side of the pond, I met him and his wife Linda and had a good chat about A1 and what’s been happening over the past 20 or so years, and since he is related to JMR it looks like we are the only contact he has, so please send any info to me asap, because I fly out on the 7th December and will be making arrangements to meet up with him again with-in the next 6/7 weeks time, so dig deep guy’s and see what you can find. Regards :-Jack Graham.
Hi jack,john,sorry I have none of him,when we cleared out Gildersome there was I lot of photo’s of him and other stuff but did not skip them I took them round to jacks house but no one was in,so left them on his back step,and never saw him after that,keith
Well at least thanks for trying Keith, the last I heard was that the house was up for sale, I know Robin was looking after the place but lost contact with him a couple of years ago so apart from using this site I’m at a loss, I know John looks on this site from time to time, because this is how we came into contact and it would be nice if there were some more info and pictures to show, but thanks for trying, but have a great Christmas for you and your family, and an even better New Year. :- Jack
Hi fellas hope you are all well? Regarding your last post jack about JMR’s house,i passed this evening and it has been demolished! Looks like they are developing the land and i believe robin has moved out to garforth.regards paul.
collycoltas:
Hi fellas hope you are all well? Regarding your last post jack about JMR’s house,i passed this evening and it has been demolished! Looks like they are developing the land and i believe robin has moved out to garforth.regards paul.
What a sad end to an ear’a, What a complete mess Magee made of one of the best haulage companies in the UK, It’s hard to believe it’s all gone and now his house gone too, not only JMR but everyone who worked there put a lot of hard work into that company to make it so successful and to see it all gone including his house is a crying shame.
But at least we still have our memories, so with luck we can have another reunion to cry into our beer about August 2016. Regards :- Jack.
It’s the same with a lot of good companies Jack, a happy, content workforce, decent management, decent conditions, and then a whizz kid comes in and everything goes ■■■■ up. It happened to use just down the road at Liversedge (Hargreaves Fuel), we all, (drivers and management) built that company up from scratch, most of us had 25+ years in and we were happy, then one day new management took over, they actually lied to our faces, and it all came crashing down. So sad.
grumpy old man:
It’s the same with a lot of good companies Jack, a happy, content workforce, decent management, decent conditions, and then a whizz kid comes in and everything goes ■■■■ up. It happened to use just down the road at Liversedge (Hargreaves Fuel), we all, (drivers and management) built that company up from scratch, most of us had 25+ years in and we were happy, then one day new management took over, they actually lied to our faces, and it all came crashing down. So sad.
There’s an old saying " grumpy old man", it takes one generation to make a success of a good solid business, and the next to ruin all the good work there for-father’s did, like the UK after WW2, look at the state of the country now with all the boy-wonders going into politics and only interested in how much they can make for themselves. :_ J Graham.
Hi anyone who’s looking in,
it looks like the A1 page has gone to the dogs, my last comment was the 20th Jan 2016, am I alone or are there still a few of us still looking in but saying nothing, I was still thinking of trying to set up another reunion but unless anyone shows any interest it will be a waste of time, I do see Dave Smith and Billy Parky a few times a year, they come to Elvington to see our speed events and we have a good time and often camping out overnight and having a few jars or two of the amber-nectar, and providing the weather is good it’s a great weekend, but it would be great to see more of you even if it’s only once a year.
I’ll keep looking into our page just to see if anyone replies to my request. So Happy New Year to you all and await your comments. :- Jack.
Jack Graham:
Hi anyone who’s looking in,
it looks like the A1 page has gone to the dogs, my last comment was the 20th Jan 2016, am I alone or are there still a few of us still looking in but saying nothing, I was still thinking of trying to set up another reunion but unless anyone shows any interest it will be a waste of time, I do see Dave Smith and Billy Parky a few times a year, they come to Elvington to see our speed events and we have a good time and often camping out overnight and having a few jars or two of the amber-nectar, and providing the weather is good it’s a great weekend, but it would be great to see more of you even if it’s only once a year.
I’ll keep looking into our page just to see if anyone replies to my request. So Happy New Year to you all and await your comments. :- Jack.
hi jack. i still look at the site now and again,but i can never think of much to say. It would be good to see everybody again,so put my name down for a reunion if you decide to have one.
It’s nice to hear you are back to your old self after the accident with the stairs
Jack Graham:
Hi anyone who’s looking in,
it looks like the A1 page has gone to the dogs, my last comment was the 20th Jan 2016, am I alone or are there still a few of us still looking in but saying nothing, I was still thinking of trying to set up another reunion but unless anyone shows any interest it will be a waste of time, I do see Dave Smith and Billy Parky a few times a year, they come to Elvington to see our speed events and we have a good time and often camping out overnight and having a few jars or two of the amber-nectar, and providing the weather is good it’s a great weekend, but it would be great to see more of you even if it’s only once a year.
I’ll keep looking into our page just to see if anyone replies to my request. So Happy New Year to you all and await your comments. :- Jack.
hi jack. i still look at the site now and again,but i can never think of much to say. It would be good to see everybody again,so put my name down for a reunion if you decide to have one.
It’s nice to hear you are back to your old self after the accident with the stairs
Hi Alan, nice to see your still looking at the site, it’s not always easy to find things to say, but just remembering the old times keeps us going now and again, but yes if I can drum up more interest it will be worth trying for another reunion and your name will be on top of the list.
And thanks yes I’m back on my feet after falling and busting my rib’s, although it takes longer the older you get to recover, the ribs mended quick but the insides still hurt, but the pills help with that, I’m planning to go to the US again in November for a month, but I’ll be keeping clear of steps before I go next time. :- Jack.
Hiya,
Jack I was going to suggest you get a stairlift installed but knowing you and your
liking for a bit of speed I doubt you can get one with the “turbo option”, keep
oer’ to the left mate and keep well.
thanks harry, long retired.
harry_gill:
Hiya,
Jack I was going to suggest you get a stairlift installed but knowing you and your
liking for a bit of speed I doubt you can get one with the “turbo option”, keep
oer’ to the left mate and keep well.
thanks harry, long retired.
Ha ha ha, “harry gill”, thankfully I don’t need a stair lift not unless they started doing them for bungalows, it’s nice to see some-one else have a sense of humour beside myself, it helps the world go round, some people get a bit stroppy at some of the things I say, they get me wrong instead of seeing the funny side, and yes I do like my speed I’m in the process of getting one of my bikes ready for the Stafford show in April, it’s been stood for 2 years doing nothing but sitting there in the cold garage, so on with a new battery, new fork seals, clean out the tank to get rid of the dirty old fuel then a good clean spit and polish, it’s an old 1992 Kawasaki 750 ZXR, won the championship one year and runner up for about the next 8 years until I got too fat for the old leathers and too knackered to push it if it broke down, so in the garage it went, but the old ribs have healed now after the fall and I’ll have another try on the track, one thing I don’t do is fall off my bikes, I’m not mad enough just careful instead but it’s fun and if that’s all I have to do to keep young at 76 I’ll have another lease of life, as they say just keep taking the pills and you’ll be OK. Nice to speak to you Harry, just keep smiling and life will be better. :- Jack.
Hi all you ex A.One employees. As you may know my dad Jack Ellener worked there a good few years. I myself worked there from school but as they wouldn’t put me through college for HGV Mechanics I left and went to work at Tate Trucks.From an early age I used to go with him during school holidays and that’s where I got the driving bug.I ended up driving HGVs and finished in 2012 due to ill health. My dad finished at A.One in 1985 I think it was and the one thing he liked was when I called every Saturday was to regale to him my travels the previous week. I did this until he passed away in September 2001. Anyway do you do Facebook ? On there is a site called Long lost Hauliers that posts pics and facts on the old firms.I have posted a few of the wagons my dad drove at A.One,and was wondering if you could do the same.If you cant don’t worry but have a look and see what you think. I dosnt cost ought so no probs there lol. Thanks for reading this everyone. All the best Jeff.
Was on the phone to denis glover last week,was talking about the first f10 that came to a one,i said It was john carter with jcp160s for the low loader work,but den thinks it was al render got the first one ,but I think s reg was the first one and the next ones went on tir work on t reg trucks.jcp159s was a erf an jcp158s was brain Wilkinson first new van,can any one remember,that,van got washed every Saturday morning by me pub on the way home at dinner time,brians saying will just have one six pint later,got me in the dog house,but good days keith
aye A1 transport were a company many o us younger ones wanted onto up Lockerbie/eaglesfield way cant remember any o the guys leaving once in , I asked on a few occasions but could not get in… ach so is life.
Any one remember the two maintenance men Clive and Dave Hooley,Dave started up working for himself, and in an article in the Sun newspaper he won a brand new Ford Transit,I think the judges were very impressed by the fact he had to barrow hundreds and hundreds of tons of concrete down at five rise locks,but no idea what happened to Clive who was a first class plumber.
keith
Hell, I nearly died from shock when they said what the premium would be… Bar stewards. 
pub on the way home at dinner time,brians saying will just have one six pint later,got me in the dog house,but good days 
ach so is life.