Birmingham and black country firms

[saviem]

Bewick:

pete smith:
One of Foulkes for Maggie D, Cheer’s Pete

Now that is a class shot of a great motor Pete, I recall motors like that still running around in S. Wales on locals in the mid/late 60’s.Cheers Dennis.

Grief Dennis…I ended up buying them…and there is no lorry…(anywhere in the world)…as worn out as a Welsh Haulage lorry!..particularly when, (and if), you get it home…Breathing…most had Asthma!!!

Wish I still had one!

That coachbuilt cab made the plastic Mk 1 seem like a move backwards…but the lads at Preston got it right with the Mk2!

I need a drink…the memories come flooding back…Heads of the Valleys…no brakes, no power, no electrics, …but talk nice to them…and they got you home…and someone wanted them!

Cheerio for now

sort of ps…Ron Davies , didn’t he collect the Scanias for Bob Bradburns B&W Motors. Ran a Scania 80, used to back it and the trailer round behind the white cottage opposite the Harrows.

[pete_smith]

Saviem:

Bewick:

pete smith:
One of Foulkes for Maggie D, Cheer’s Pete

Now that is a class shot of a great motor Pete, I recall motors like that still running around in S. Wales on locals in the mid/late 60’s.Cheers Dennis.

Grief Dennis…I ended up buying them…and there is no lorry…(anywhere in the world)…as worn out as a Welsh Haulage lorry!..particularly when, (and if), you get it home…Breathing…most had Asthma!!!

Wish I still had one!

That coachbuilt cab made the plastic Mk 1 seem like a move backwards…but the lads at Preston got it right with the Mk2!

I need a drink…the memories come flooding back…Heads of the Valleys…no brakes, no power, no electrics, …but talk nice to them…and they got you home…and someone wanted them!

Cheerio for now

sort of ps…Ron Davies , didn’t he collect the Scanias for Bob Bradburns B&W Motors. Ran a Scania 80, used to back it and the trailer round behind the white cottage opposite the Harrows.

Hi Saviem,
Just been trying to work out the name of the wharf on the cab door, Joseph Foulkes lived in a house on Wood end Lane opposite top of Amos lane, its a childrens nursery now,a nice terracota brick detached house, been trying to find some photo’s of Teddy Smiths Parkfield garages they were hard worked and never went near the wash! Cheer’s Pete

[harry_gill]

pete smith:

Saviem:

Bewick:

pete smith:
One of Foulkes for Maggie D, Cheer’s Pete

Now that is a class shot of a great motor Pete, I recall motors like that still running around in S. Wales on locals in the mid/late 60’s.Cheers Dennis.

Grief Dennis…I ended up buying them…and there is no lorry…(anywhere in the world)…as worn out as a Welsh Haulage lorry!..particularly when, (and if), you get it home…Breathing…most had Asthma!!!

Wish I still had one!

That coachbuilt cab made the plastic Mk 1 seem like a move backwards…but the lads at Preston got it right with the Mk2!

I need a drink…the memories come flooding back…Heads of the Valleys…no brakes, no power, no electrics, …but talk nice to them…and they got you home…and someone wanted them!

Cheerio for now

sort of ps…Ron Davies , didn’t he collect the Scanias for Bob Bradburns B&W Motors. Ran a Scania 80, used to back it and the trailer round behind the white cottage opposite the Harrows.

Hi Saviem,
Just been trying to work out the name of the wharf on the cab door, Joseph Foulkes lived in a house on Wood end Lane opposite top of Amos lane, its a childrens nursery now,a nice terracota brick detached house, been trying to find some photo’s of Teddy Smiths Parkfield garages they were hard worked and never went near the wash! Cheer’s Pete

Hiya,
Now there’s a name to add to my list of possible future employers the magic
words being hard worked and never went near the wash, are you hiring Ted ?
thanks harry. long retired.

[saviem]

Evening all,

Harry, you would not have liked working for Teddy Smith…first the “yard” was almost totally enclosed with a low roof, and full of Gardner smoke…The Bow Fronts were well, well worn. Never washed, if they had been, then they would have fallen to bits…unlike Teddys E type which was perfect in every detail!..mind you, given the payloads on those old 8 wheelers, the friction must have kept them together!

Hugh Porter, (4 times World cycling pursuit champion), used to use “leapfrogging” Teddys 8 wheelers on the A449 as great training…he was about 15mph faster than them on his bicycle!

Pete, you got me thinking about Joseph Foulkes today, and as I was laying down some roof tiles the old grey matter chattered into life…

Originally Joseph started out as a Coal Merchant from a dock on the Wyrley and Essington in Rookery Bridge, not far from Kenyons Garage in 1947. When he had the offer of work from the Weldless Tube, he moved lock stock and barrel to Neachells Lane. Your picture must at Rookery Bridge, and be end on to the main road, because those cottages were demolished in the mid `60s. That Atkinson was one of his first “proper” lorries.

By the mid 60s Foulkes were running over 80 , and day to day management was handled by Joseph, and Ron Foulkes, and of course John Goodridge. Foulkes was a closed shop URTU, (United Road Transport Union), operation, out of the Seamless Tube, with a very good pay structure. I remember that over 90 miles night out was fully re-imbursed, under was a flat £1.00. Local lads were on the Birmingham Differential, plus 15%, and a tip in Wolverhampton gave 4 pence per ton, and the Black Country 6 pence…Even the shunters were on good money, 2 shillings per trailer for the first four, then 5 shillings thereafter…how quick can you load tubes ! Trunk paid Road Haulage Council rate plus £8.00 per week!..strong money for the `60s.

I think that Ron lived in Stockwell End, (bit different to Wednesfield)!..then of course they started the Mercedes Benz Agency with the ex B&W management Team, and of course there are the property interests, (that block of shops around the roundabout at the end of Blackhalve Lane).

Interesting area Wednesfield, (and it never was, nor ever could be Black Country), but back in AD910, the King of Wessex defeated the Danish Vikings, (long away from their base in York), at the Battle of Wodens Field, (and killed three of their Kings)…otherwise we would have to drink that blooming Carlsberg…instead of Banks`s!!!

Cheerio for now.

[pete_smith]

Thank You for reply and info Saviem, as I cannot find a photo of one of Teddy Smiths Atki’s how about this one from another “well worn” fleet probably working in to the 90’s, Cheer’s Pete

[saviem]

pete smith:
Thank You for reply and info Saviem, as I cannot find a photo of one of Teddy Smiths Atki’s how about this one from another “well worn” fleet probably working in to the 90’s, Cheer’s Pete

Morning all,

Pete, that is not well worn for Craddocks fleet…that is a front line motor! Look at the registration, looks like one of their re-builds. When they did re-build they did do it well, so those old girls did last…and last…

That picture looks like Bloxwich, or Neachells Lane, not Coven. But the family did argue, doing business could be really entertaining…one said yes…one or two said no…or vice versa! Depended totally what they needed, and what you actually had…

I bought quite a bit of stuff from them over the years, some of their 8 wheelers I sold up to the North East into Benson Transport…no brakes on the second steer, 5 speed boxes, not 6 speeds…but not too heavy on the steering, despite no power steering.

Once was driving out of the yard with a well travelled 8 wheeler, when Alan chased me, I stopped, and he began to take off the nearside mirror…it was not broken…therefore too good to let go on a lorry that Alan did not think that I had paid enough for!!!

Ah happy memories…ND Brown is in the yard now, and the Bungalow has changed hands!

Teddy Smith, I think that Peter Davies has some pictures of E A Smiths 8 wheelers in Vauxhall Motors.

Cheerio for now.

[hereford1971]

I remember Craddocks yard well.I used to pass it every morning on the train on my way to Stafford.
Yes Saviem that was Ron’s place.He used to have a recovery truck as well,been trying to find a few
photos. Have some somewhere but just can not put my hand to them.

[pete_smith]

Did Craddocks once occupy a yard in New Invention where Baileys Potato’s was? Think Hilton Main Construction in there now, Never heard of these before, were they part of Evertidy?

[pete_smith]

Gauden Shepherd Mucklow Hill Halesowen, I think they were bought out by Chris Kelly also?

[pete_smith]

Saviem:
Evening all,

Harry, you would not have liked working for Teddy Smith…first the “yard” was almost totally enclosed with a low roof, and full of Gardner smoke…The Bow Fronts were well, well worn. Never washed, if they had been, then they would have fallen to bits…unlike Teddys E type which was perfect in every detail!..mind you, given the payloads on those old 8 wheelers, the friction must have kept them together!

Hugh Porter, (4 times World cycling pursuit champion), used to use “leapfrogging” Teddys 8 wheelers on the A449 as great training…he was about 15mph faster than them on his bicycle!

Pete, you got me thinking about Joseph Foulkes today, and as I was laying down some roof tiles the old grey matter chattered into life…

Originally Joseph started out as a Coal Merchant from a dock on the Wyrley and Essington in Rookery Bridge, not far from Kenyons Garage in 1947. When he had the offer of work from the Weldless Tube, he moved lock stock and barrel to Neachells Lane. Your picture must at Rookery Bridge, and be end on to the main road, because those cottages were demolished in the mid `60s. That Atkinson was one of his first “proper” lorries.

By the mid 60s Foulkes were running over 80 , and day to day management was handled by Joseph, and Ron Foulkes, and of course John Goodridge. Foulkes was a closed shop URTU, (United Road Transport Union), operation, out of the Seamless Tube, with a very good pay structure. I remember that over 90 miles night out was fully re-imbursed, under was a flat £1.00. Local lads were on the Birmingham Differential, plus 15%, and a tip in Wolverhampton gave 4 pence per ton, and the Black Country 6 pence…Even the shunters were on good money, 2 shillings per trailer for the first four, then 5 shillings thereafter…how quick can you load tubes ! Trunk paid Road Haulage Council rate plus £8.00 per week!..strong money for the `60s.

I think that Ron lived in Stockwell End, (bit different to Wednesfield)!..then of course they started the Mercedes Benz Agency with the ex B&W management Team, and of course there are the property interests, (that block of shops around the roundabout at the end of Blackhalve Lane).

Interesting area Wednesfield, (and it never was, nor ever could be Black Country), but back in AD910, the King of Wessex defeated the Danish Vikings, (long away from their base in York), at the Battle of Wodens Field, (and killed three of their Kings)…otherwise we would have to drink that blooming Carlsberg…instead of Banks`s!!!

Cheerio for now.

Morning Saviem,
Your spot on as usual!! Foulkes wharf was on the site of the old Texaco garage now a garden centre, here is a Peter Davies pic of one of Teddy Smiths unloading castings from Birmid Smethwick in Vauxhall Motors,Cheer’s Pete ps. have you received your books I left with Paul?

[pete_smith]

Morning Saviem,
Found the below picture whilst searching for photos of Parkfield Garages + Transport and the text which accompanies photo reads, “Photographs from the 1930’s taken in the yard of Walter Smith Parkfield Road,the long low shed in background was used as a showroom for the furniture business of Walters brother Edward, Lawrence,son of Edward Smith, is in the picture also Walters two sons Alf and Stan”.
Its got to be the same “Teddy” Smith and Walters son Stan, would that be Stan Smith and sons? used to run Bedford removal lorries now all artics delivering furniture? I’m a pest I know! Cheer’s Pete

[saviem]

pete smith:
Morning Saviem,
Found the below picture whilst searching for photos of Parkfield Garages + Transport and the text which accompanies photo reads, “Photographs from the 1930’s taken in the yard of Walter Smith Parkfield Road,the long low shed in background was used as a showroom for the furniture business of Walters brother Edward, Lawrence,son of Edward Smith, is in the picture also Walters two sons Alf and Stan”.
Its got to be the same “Teddy” Smith and Walters son Stan, would that be Stan Smith and sons? used to run Bedford removal lorries now all artics delivering furniture? I’m a pest I know! Cheer’s Pete

Afternoon all,

Pete, yes, Stan Smith and sons…Bedfords, then some Ford Artics, I think they are still going with some 95 DAFs on the drop frame vans. EX Bill Wright I suppose!!!

Teddy was a gastronomic genius, could have made a first class, “proper” Chef…Haute Cuisine standard.

When you look at that picture, you can visualise how the covered yard developed that EA Smith ran from.

I have not seen Paul for a bit, (only his Union Jacks on his gate posts for HMs Birthday…so will make contact with him…Its very kind of you, you have some superb books…thank you, I will look after them!

Cheerio for now.

[pete_smith]

Saviem:

pete smith:
Morning Saviem,
Found the below picture whilst searching for photos of Parkfield Garages + Transport and the text which accompanies photo reads, “Photographs from the 1930’s taken in the yard of Walter Smith Parkfield Road,the long low shed in background was used as a showroom for the furniture business of Walters brother Edward, Lawrence,son of Edward Smith, is in the picture also Walters two sons Alf and Stan”.
Its got to be the same “Teddy” Smith and Walters son Stan, would that be Stan Smith and sons? used to run Bedford removal lorries now all artics delivering furniture? I’m a pest I know! Cheer’s Pete

Afternoon all,

Pete, yes, Stan Smith and sons…Bedfords, then some Ford Artics, I think they are still going with some 95 DAFs on the drop frame vans. EX Bill Wright I suppose!!!

Teddy was a gastronomic genius, could have made a first class, “proper” Chef…Haute Cuisine standard.

When you look at that picture, you can visualise how the covered yard developed that EA Smith ran from.

I have not seen Paul for a bit, (only his Union Jacks on his gate posts for HMs Birthday…so will make contact with him…Its very kind of you, you have some superb books…thank you, I will look after them!

Cheerio for now.

They are Wolverhampton red books,one from 70’s and one from 1937, not many of the firms that advertised in them are about now, Cheers Pete

[pete_smith]

Everitt Brothers Ashmore Lake Willenhall

[punchy_dan]

One for Pete

[pete_smith]

Punchy Dan:
0
One for Pete

Never knew they ran one Dan, looks like a trailer wagon judging by coupling on front bumper, I can remember Murphy’s running Seddon drawbars from Oldbury, yard was were Arnold Laver timber is now, think they got bought out by Onward Baylis, Cheer’s Pete

[saviem]

pete smith:

Punchy Dan:
0
One for Pete

Never knew they ran one Dan, looks like a trailer wagon judging by coupling on front bumper, I can remember Murphy’s running Seddon drawbars from Oldbury, yard was were Arnold Laver timber is now, think they got bought out by Onward Baylis, Cheer’s Pete

Evening all,

That Seddon is an oddball, its in Midland Freight Services livery, so not an Adam Jones front line motor! Wonder where she came from, good bed length, perhaps one of" Square Deal Neils", unsaleable part exchanges from Eagle Truck Sales?

Orrible lorry no doubt, and she is parked at the top of the yard by the “Pepper Pot”, (ventilation shaft from the Rowley Rail Tunnel), so cannot have been worked too hard…Lovely livery though…not like those heathens up in the hills!

Ill find out where she came from!

Cheerio for now.

[punchy_dan]

^^ hill Billy’s or red necks as we are called by the uttoxeter clan !

[saviem]

Ah, but you aint all bad! Even if you cannot paint your lorries…proper like!

[punchy_dan]

Saviem:
Ah, but you aint all bad! Even if you cannot paint your lorries…proper like!

Hmm ,now iam puzzled ,ooh wait ,it was our colour before Emr were even invented !