Tony Claughan was always a bit of a card, when he used to leave Watford early on a morning, there was a car always parked so that he had a hard job getting the wagon past. He would get out of the wagon and wipe the car windscreen with the Fish and Chip papers from the night before, God only knows how long it took the owner to clean the windscreen. iamupforit will verify this as it happened on a regular basis.
Pity there isn’t any photos of the old wrecker, I had broken down south of scotch corner, I can’t remember the drivers name, but he had just come out of prison for killing someone in an accident, he had come out to pull me in and he must have been out of stick, because we came down Ferryhill cut at a fair rate of knots, there was road works as the road leveled out which must have been turned to red, because as i passed, the man who must have been on the stop/go sign had jumped over the ditch they where digging, closely being followed by the sign, I never did find out whether or not the sign did catch him up. The driver driving the wrecker did tell me back at the yard, that the man with the sign had decided (not knowing who was driving the wrecker lol) to turn the sign to stop as we approached, but there was no chance of us stopping.
Sounds like Billy Walker
Old Bill
I remember anti telling me Cape Universal at Watford had given him a nice room to sleep in, I couldn’t believe the state of the place when I looked in, I wouldn’t have slept in there if my life depended on it.
It was nice and warm in the winter,He had to sleep somewhere, dont think he ever had a sleeper cab.
Bill
well, back from the seaside, it was bl**dy freezing, baltic
hi bill, did anti claughan not have that MAN new, it came white, tommy bowen ended up with it,
i don’t think he ever slept in it though, he preferred his “room” at watford
alan
Hi Alan, On reflection, you may well be right
Bill
beano111:
Nice one that Bill…the truck I meanKenny, you wouldn’t have a photo of the old wrecker Dents had in the sixties would you,
was it an old army Matador, I’m probably wrong
i think that wrecker is in a scrap yard at fence houses , iv seen it wirh dents still written on it
One day Dents got a phone call from Durham Police HQ to say the Chief Constable wanted to see the person who was driving 1934PT (a atki artic) on a certain time and date. The driver was Bill Rooker,and he was craping himself as to why the Chief Constable(i think his name was Muir) wanted to see him. He arrived in a all black MkX Jag BUP 5B the driver in chauffeur’s uniform, let him out and then began polishing the car i dont why because it was shinning like a ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ was called into the office with his knees knocking (everyone had been winding him up).Aparently all the traffic both ways had been standing on the bank between Rushyford and Chilton ,including the Chief. Bill did not stop, he went straight up the middle then caused problems when road narowed at the top of the bank.Bill just got a good dressing down,but i bet he never forgot it.
Ken
Is there anyone living near fence houses or goes up that way to see if the wrecker is the one from Dents, be interesting to know.
Where about in FenceHouses is the wrecker parked, I know of a couple of Breakers yards there, Coats & the Monte lads. ? Regards Larry.
1934 PT WAS MY FIRST TRACTOR UNIT IN 1969. IT WAS SLOW COMPARED TO THE OTHER ATKINSONS. IT HAD THE HEAVIEST CLUTCH PEDAL OF ANYTHING I EVER DROVE IN MY LIFE. I WAS TOLD THAT KENNY JOHNSON HAD PUT A BRAKE SHOE SPRING ON IT.
OLD BILL
i often wondered where you got that limp from bill 
alan
As you lads having quiet time on here thought id tell you about me getting a ear bashing off Peter Collinson. I was in melinate loading for Northfleet, Billy Goudie comes in loading for Leeds just having a bit normal crack & I say to Billy, aye we seem to be doing more London than Dents lately, anyway next day Im getting a ear bashing what have I been saying to Dent`s drivers. Billy told Roger , Roger phoned Melinate, Melinate phoned Collinsons & all hell was let loose, all from what I thought was an innocent conversation. Anyway learned me lesson from that day to this always think twice before I talk about work with the opposition 
Sorry about that Kenny, never realised that it had caused so much aggro, if I had thought it would I would never have mentioned it.
Please accept my apologies.
Bill
P.S. is Melinate still in business?
greek:
As you lads having quiet time on here thought id tell you about me getting a ear bashing off Peter Collinson. I was in melinate loading for Northfleet, Billy Goudie comes in loading for Leeds just having a bit normal crack & I say to Billy, aye we seem to be doing more London than Dents lately, anyway next day Im getting a ear bashing what have I been saying to Dent`s drivers. Billy told Roger , Roger phoned Melinate, Melinate phoned Collinsons & all hell was let loose, all from what I thought was an innocent conversation. Anyway learned me lesson from that day to this always think twice before I talk about work with the opposition
Story of my life Kenny !! but I still put my mouth into gear before the brain is engaged at times. regards Kev.
No its been shut a while now bill, didnt recognise you on the pic wth the old moter. Did you retire from Ness or you still working. I waved at you once or twice when you were on for ness but I dont think you recognised me. Apologies accepted it didn`t bother me I spoke to you plenty afterwards
Kev you OK for work now?
beano111:
Pity there isn’t any photos of the old wrecker, I had broken down south of scotch corner, I can’t remember the drivers name, but he had just come out of prison for killing someone in an accident, he had come out to pull me in and he must have been out of stick, because we came down Ferryhill cut at a fair rate of knots, there was road works as the road leveled out which must have been turned to red, because as i passed, the man who must have been on the stop/go sign had jumped over the ditch they where digging, closely being followed by the sign, I never did find out whether or not the sign did catch him up. The driver driving the wrecker did tell me back at the yard, that the man with the sign had decided (not knowing who was driving the wrecker lol) to turn the sign to stop as we approached, but there was no chance of us stopping.
Hi John a photo of Bill Walker,was this the lad who towed you in,he is standing faceing the table.Others in the photo,Keith Stokoe, Des Mitchel Tony Crooks, Ray Fairly’s belly,Dave Hardwick behind Keith, and Rolly Dodds with his back to the camera.
Regards Ken
Hi Ken To be honest with you, I don’t remember anyone in the photo, when was this taken. I do remember him being a strong well-built lad, he came out with me once when I was doing local deliveries on Anti’s 8 Legger from Petfoods, it was the quickest tip ever, he didn’t
take no from anyone and we jumped many a queue that day. He did tell me the story of the accident while out with him. Sorry I can’t remember anyone Ken…Alzheimer’s again
Hi Kenny (greek) I retired in May 2004, I was 65 on the friday so I had to work the full week, I loaded and ran up to Stranraer on the Monday. Caught the early ferry to Belfast tuesday, Ran down to Dublin and tipped by 2 PM. Spent Wednesday and Thursday having a sightseeing tour of Ireland. Caught the 17.30 ferry to Stranraer, Parked up for the night. Got an early start back to Aycliffe, Got all of my gear out of the Truck and retired.Nes had absolutely no idea about transport. They had a collection for me round all the departments and raised £240 and a bottle of Jamesons, Ness made it up to £250. Ten bloody pounds for 14 years sevice. I have a canny little job now, delivering meat in a small van for a bit of pocket money.
Bill