I can confirm that Bostock’s are still involved with coaches although they are now part of the Hollinwood Group.
You don’t mean Hollinsheads do you? Apologies if you don’t
The L reg Atkinson registered in Coventry (HP)
We’re both wrong! 
It’s the Holmeswood Group.
Figures … 
It’s the age, kiddo! 
Retired Old ■■■■:
It’s the age, kiddo!
Knackered and make a lot of smoke in the morning but oh the wisdom, knowledge and memories - if I could keep that and borrow back my body from 25 I’m on a winner 
Gardner 120:
You don’t mean Hollinsheads do you? Apologies if you don’tThe L reg Atkinson registered in Coventry (HP)
Hollinsheads are based in Biddulph. J Haydon & Sons put all their time and energy into the coaches when they wound up the livestock haulage side of things. Staffs company though
PaulNowak:
Gardner 120:
You don’t mean Hollinsheads do you? Apologies if you don’tThe L reg Atkinson registered in Coventry (HP)
Hollinsheads are based in Biddulph. J Haydon & Sons put all their time and energy into the coaches when they wound up the livestock haulage side of things. Staffs company though
Indeed and as my Nan was a Haydon, I know this quite well There was still quite a bit of general haulage after April 7th 1989 (last day of livestock) and then just coaches - yes North Staffs but only a stone’s throw from Congleton …
A bit off track so apologies to you Cheshire people but I enjoyed the crack with Retired Old ■■■■
Having said that though, Haydons bought a lot of ERFs from Woodwards of Macclesfield back in the 70s - they were all about 3 or 4 years old and always had 13 in the reg - I’ve mentioned this before on here but no one seemed to have heard of them
I’m originally a Biddulph lad, so remember the yard in Wharf Road really well. As kids we used to sneak into the yard of the abattoir opposite, just to have a nosey in the bins. (No video nasties in those days)
One day my dad was driving past in his van told me I was a trespasser and dragged me up to the house of a copper he knew. I must have been about 8 or 9, swine told me he was going to put me in prison. Scared the bejesus out of me.
But back on topic, I drive for Bougheys now. Got the “lorry” bug purely and simply because my Uncle Harry used to drive a 7.5 tonner for Berrisford’s in Congleton, and used to take me out with him in the school hols. Think he only took me because I was well clued up on CBs. 
Halcyon days of coppers / teachers / parents all working together with lads that weren’t really bad!
If you go on the Old Livestock Shropshire thread Paul from page 8 onwards, all my Haydons photos are on there
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=53020&hilit=shropshire&start=210
I knew a Cheshire haulier very well - Gerrard Williams who drove all his life but ended up with a cream 2 stroke commer - sand tanker / tipper out of Congleton - passed away a good few years ago - real nice bloke
Gardner 120:
A bit off track so apologies to you Cheshire people but I enjoyed the crack with Retired Old ■■■■Having said that though, Haydons bought a lot of ERFs from Woodwards of Macclesfield back in the 70s - they were all about 3 or 4 years old and always had 13 in the reg - I’ve mentioned this before on here but no one seemed to have heard of them
Woodwards packed in the general haulage some years ago. Their premises are now a small housing development next door to the Flower Pot pub as you enter Macclesfield from Congleton. They ran a very smart and well-maintained fleet with many ERF 8-wheeled rigids, recognisable from a distance by the air filters mounted high on the headboard of the bodywork to keep them out of the dust.
After selling up, the family moved to Buglawton where they operate a storage facility. They still run an ERF artic with a low loader trailer on which they carry their selection of restored steam engines and agricultural tractors.
Top man Retired Old ■■■■ and you were on about your age!
Now all we need is someone to tell us why the penchant with the number ‘13’ in the reg.
We had a 6 wheeler and 5 ERF 4 wheel rigids from them (4 Gardner 120s and a 5 pot)
6 Legs started life with a G 150 but we put a 180 in for draw bar work
I would say we bought them at 3 to 4 years old - decent wagons too
SMA 13H modelling a later style (unoriginal) grille - it’s still sitting in a shed today, awaiting a few thousand hours of loving care …
Gardner 120:
Top man Retired Old ■■■■ and you were on about your age!Now all we need is someone to tell us why the penchant with the number ‘13’ in the reg.
We had a 6 wheeler and 5 ERF 4 wheel rigids from them (4 Gardner 120s and a 5 pot)
6 Legs started life with a G 150 but we put a 180 in for draw bar work
I would say we bought them at 3 to 4 years old - decent wagons too
SMA 13H modelling a later style (unoriginal) grille - it’s still sitting in a shed today, awaiting a few thousand hours of loving care …
Is that Ann by SMA.you’ll be in trouble if she sees that photo…the 13 must have come from woodwards…Bassets at tittensor likes 685
on the plate i was told…Montgomery from Ireland had 77 on his plates Dules also had regular numbers on their plates.
Stanfield:
0
Did Lewis Brothers own the pits at Cuddington before Tilcon took over the running of them? Brian White, ex Ballidon, was manager there at one time.
Pete.
windrush:
Stanfield:
0Did Lewis Brothers own the pits at Cuddington before Tilcon took over the running of them? Brian White, ex Ballidon, was manager there at one time.
Pete.
Hi Pete, IIRC The old log book I got when I bought the Foden Read, Lewis Bros,Braithewate,Tilcon,Sellers &Kent, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Hi Pete, IIRC The old log book I got when I bought the Foden Read, Lewis Bros,Braithewate,Tilcon,Sellers &Kent, Regards Larry.
Thank’s Larry, that seem to confirm it then. I did just one load from there when I drove a six wheeler for a private haulier, I had tipped asphalt on the Northwich Bypass (job wasn’t ready of course so there was a fair bit of waiting) phoned them and they gave me a load of building sand into Manchester. On the way back home I picked a load of dust up from Tunstead Quarry, Buxton for the tarmac plant at Kirkby in Ashfield so it made a nice round trip after a bad start to the day. Nothing pre-booked, I just rang the places after I tipped each load and struck lucky in that I was not going miles out of my way. Didn’t always work like that alas!
Pete.
Ray lewis (son) has a car sales garage between Congleton and Biddulph,its on the right hand bend…when i worked with
Steve jolley Ray was a salesman for Steve, Ray had a photo of a line of fodens on his desk about 42 years ago. only seen him
a couple of times since he set up on his own.the sister in law used to move cars around for him from auction to garage
to auction.
3300John:
Ray lewis (son) has a car sales garage between Congleton and Biddulph,its on the right hand bend…when i worked with
Steve jolley Ray was a salesman for Steve, Ray had a photo of a line of fodens on his desk about 42 years ago. only seen him
a couple of times since he set up on his own.the sister in law used to move cars around for him from auction to garage
to auction.
It would be very nice to see the photo on here, Do you think this could be possible.?, Regards Larry.