I should add that Frank Flowers did a lot of work for Cantrells, (the next bit here is rumours with no proof), I was told that Cantrells failed to pay him for a substantial amount of work, so he did to them, what they did to their customers; he shipped the trailers, took the 50% agreed price on shipping and dumped the trailers in Belgium and France, he did have a shotgun in the corner of his office (“just in case”, I was told)
I liked Frank but that was strained a bit when I couldnt get home from Marseilles and he was indisposed in the Bear Cross.
(a plane was supposed to be waiting for us but it had ■■■■■■ off)
I can report that Ian is alive(very much!) and well.He’s based in Soller,Majorca,but spends a lot of time in Iraq and Afghanistan,and is still involved in transport.He sends his best to anyone on this board,who knows him.
He still has some business interests in UK,and still battles HMG.Apparently one of his soldiers was killed on duty in Ulster,many years ago,and because of the nature of the work that both did,his name had not appeared anywhere.The MOD did not want to put his name on a special memorial.Ian spoke to some high powered journos at the Sunday Times,and now MoD seem to have changed their mind! Strange!! He always knew when/where to apply pressure.
He lives with a lovely german lady,whom he met while working in Bosnia.
I assume that the remark that Ian Rycroft was ‘prone to exageration’ is borne out of some experience you have had with him(not a good experience?).I’m not sure what evidence you have,but please share it with us.From the contents of this thread,it would appear that he was streets ahead of the average haulier.Perhaps you should read ‘‘The Triggermen’’ by Martin Dillon,and then repeat the 'exageration 'remark?
wonder how the transoman scania cab does tilt…been scratching me head some time now!! any one care to enlighten me please?!
JAMESMCC:
wonder how the transoman scania cab does tilt…been scratching me head some time now!! any one care to enlighten me please?!
Look at earlier post,regards derek
I thought this was an EC Transport thread? I dont think a Ford ever got a look in at Poole!
Regards to Ian if he ever gets to read this. There was a rather messy divorce in the height of the “troubles”. I trust Hugh is well, Kaye?..
Anyways, a fill in job, a trip to Huelva with a new DAF. All I remember is the ■■■■ thing used to cut out the engine if you changed down when the exhaust brake was on. Good fun coming down Pamplona Hill without power steering. Volvo rules!
After that cylinder was got rid of, some time at the beach. La Linea (Gibraltar) just along from the customs post.
The guy with the FORD (OJY468S or similar) came from Poole too. Him sunning himself with the afro hair do.
Hey Gary
The guy with the afro it’s not Kelvin Holloway by any chance is it?
Regards pat
Name rings a bell Pat. I only met him that weekend and I’m sure he was from Poole.
Yes Kelvin was from Poole he ended up with quite a few Scanias all pulling for Mat, don’t know what he is up to now though!
Regards Pat
Dear Gazza,
Thanks for the pics.I have passed them to Ian.If you have any more,please feel free to post!I’ll mail his e-mail details to you.He says ‘Hello’ to any of his old friends.While I was only briefly at E.C.,I have remained friends with him for a long time.
He mentions the ‘troubles’ as being the second lot of ‘troubles’ he was involved in.The first was in Ulster.|At present he’s trying to get a soldier of his ,from those days,properly remembered,who was shot dead ‘on duty’ during the Four Square Laundry affair.Watch this space in the press.Ian’s little black book is still very good!
I’ll PM you his mail address.
Yours Muhandis89(after the Volvo!!)
I was a good mate of Martins, aka “The Green Dragon”. Well thats what we called him cos he had green lights inside his F89, we crossed paths all over europe. Chris…from IOW or Chichester? John Young■■? Loaned me casette tapes of recorded Terry Wogan/Jimmy Young handovers, laughs for miles with them.
Pat
Certainly looks like Kelvin to me.
Good to hear Ian is still alive and kicking, here’s a pic of an F89 he had refurbished with a new cab etc. and I think he then sent it to work in Bosnia.
It’s still going strong today,this was taken in Norway a couple of years ago,transporting a vintage boat.
Regards MaggieD
Maggie
Is that Ray Wheeler driving it, he worked for ECT.
Hi Kerbut,
It’s not Ray, the chap driving lives in Ringwood and owns a lovely old wooden sailing boat which he transports on the Volvo.
Regards MaggieD
gazzer:
I was a good mate of Martins, aka “The Green Dragon”. Well thats what we called him cos he had green lights inside his F89, we crossed paths all over europe. Chris…from IOW or Chichester? John Young■■? Loaned me casette tapes of recorded Terry Wogan/Jimmy Young handovers, laughs for miles with them.
That was Chris Mowatt Gaz
Gaz.IOW
Hi Gary,
Do you recognise this old boy don’t know where he is now but I think he lived in Strada di mille culi Milano !!
Regards Richard
Maggie D
Thanks for that Rich I’m not sure who the poor fellow is, it could be either the village idiot of Winkelstrasse or possibly the hunchfront of Notre Dame. Whoever he is the Strada di Milli Culi would be the perfect place for him to reside!
Regards GAZ Check your PM
from being involved in the four square laundry affair, through running a firm like EC, to bosnia and matrix churchill - mr rycroft HAS to write a book soon, surely? go on!
Given that SirMartinFrobisher-in this thread-accuses Ian of being ‘prone to
exageration’,I’m not sure if that will happen.I do know that he has been approached!!