I’ve a suspicion that young Keith is trying it on but yer goes anyway.
As mentioned, Phil was the landlord of the local pub in Pontshill, a post he combined with his one-man-band haulage operation. I believe that the pub was the King’s Arms but I wouldn’t be sure. Anyway, as old Dave Read would say, “Don’t make no odds”.
One day Phil’s journey took him somewhere up to the Midlands and when he was unloading he found one of his chickens nestling down in a chassis rail. The old bird had a somewhat more comfortable journey back home as Phil chucked her in the cab.
After this escapade Phil had the pub’s name changed to The Travelling Hen and had that name sign written on his ERF.
It would be nice to know if Phil’s still around- he was a nice old boy.
Dave the Renegade:
kingswinford kit:
Retired Old ■■■■:
Well blow me down. Yet another mystery cleared up !And the thread was in grave danger of slipping out of site anyway.
Anyone know if Phil Powles is still around? He had a one man operation based at The Travelling Hen pub at Pontshill near Lea, where he was also the landlord.Hello ROF go on tell us all , the story of the Travelling Hen Pub ? regards Keith
I knew a woman from Pontshill,
Ive seen them folks from Pontshill. How’s thee know 'er was a woman?
Retired Old ■■■■:
Dave the Renegade:
kingswinford kit:
Retired Old ■■■■:
Well blow me down. Yet another mystery cleared up !And the thread was in grave danger of slipping out of site anyway.
Anyone know if Phil Powles is still around? He had a one man operation based at The Travelling Hen pub at Pontshill near Lea, where he was also the landlord.Hello ROF go on tell us all , the story of the Travelling Hen Pub ? regards Keith
I knew a woman from Pontshill,
Ive seen them folks from Pontshill. How’s thee know 'er was a woman?
Well Casey,she had the makings of a woman, as my Grandad would have said. 
Were Glos’ Sand and Gravel bought by Ameys? There’s Hansons Tewkesbury near Ashchurch although I think it’s closed now.
On Huntsmans’ website it says they’ve bought Hanson Premix in Evesham…
Retired Old ■■■■:
I’ve a suspicion that young Keith is trying it on but yer goes anyway.
As mentioned, Phil was the landlord of the local pub in Pontshill, a post he combined with his one-man-band haulage operation. I believe that the pub was the King’s Arms but I wouldn’t be sure. Anyway, as old Dave Read would say, “Don’t make no odds”.
One day Phil’s journey took him somewhere up to the Midlands and when he was unloading he found one of his chickens nestling down in a chassis rail. The old bird had a somewhat more comfortable journey back home as Phil chucked her in the cab.
After this escapade Phil had the pub’s name changed to The Travelling Hen and had that name sign written on his ERF.
It would be nice to know if Phil’s still around- he was a nice old boy.
Hi ROF , spot on what an old sage you are ! Not many folk would believe that story , but the wagon in question was it an ERF or an Atkinson , cause i think arent we going back to the 60s with this tale ! good to hear from you Keith
There is a photo on flikr showing Phil Powles green Albion XFO 256 and it looks like its named Travelling Hen…
Have you got a link, Paul? Sounds like that could be a restoration rather than one he was earning with.
kingswinford kit:
Retired Old ■■■■:
I’ve a suspicion that young Keith is trying it on but yer goes anyway.
As mentioned, Phil was the landlord of the local pub in Pontshill, a post he combined with his one-man-band haulage operation. I believe that the pub was the King’s Arms but I wouldn’t be sure. Anyway, as old Dave Read would say, “Don’t make no odds”.
One day Phil’s journey took him somewhere up to the Midlands and when he was unloading he found one of his chickens nestling down in a chassis rail. The old bird had a somewhat more comfortable journey back home as Phil chucked her in the cab.
After this escapade Phil had the pub’s name changed to The Travelling Hen and had that name sign written on his ERF.
It would be nice to know if Phil’s still around- he was a nice old boy.Hi ROF , spot on what an old sage you are ! Not many folk would believe that story , but the wagon in question was it an ERF or an Atkinson , cause i think arent we going back to the 60s with this tale ! good to hear from you Keith
I would have thought it was about the middle seventies but I stand to be corrected. I’m almost sure the lorry was an ERF but, again, my memory cells have to receive a bit of a nudge now and then. If any of you can contact Gary or Trevor Probert, I’m sure they will give us chapter and verse as they lived almost next door to the pub.
Me.Paul.101:
There is a photo on flikr showing Phil Powles green Albion XFO 256 and it looks like its named Travelling Hen…
Here’s a link to his Albion; flickr.com/photos/24467251@N02/5098567697/
And her’s a link to his ERF B-series; flickr.com/photos/24467251@N02/7316483116/
ENJOY…
Thanks a million, Paul.
Just as I suspected, the Albion appears to be one that Phil either bought or restored. Before the ERF I seem to remember he had a Merc of some description.
Anyone remember Blears Dairy at Drybrook.My introduction to lorry driving 
I remember Blears. But I didn’t until you jogged the memory.
Again! 
I remember them taking deliveries from Cotteswold Dairies I think from Tewkesbury way, backing in off the main road through Drybrook…
Cotteswold Dairies started as Spa Dairy in Tewkesbury by a chap called Workman before the second war. Later had a branch depot in Cheltenham.
Full of useless information, me. One day you’ll all have a shock when I post something interesting.
Retired Old ■■■■:
Cotteswold Dairies started as Spa Dairy in Tewkesbury by a chap called Workman before the second war. Later had a branch depot in Cheltenham.Full of useless information, me. One day you’ll all have a shock when I post something interesting.
Hi Rof, 
Hi, Les. No need for you to agree 
Retired Old ■■■■:
Hi, Les. No need for you to agree
Hi Rof, well I got my own back. 
Les
When I worked/slaved at Blears we collected milk from farms in the forest,processed and delivered bottles to Milkmen.The farthest away was Monmouth.Excess milk was taken to the Co-Op past the top of Birdlip Hill.
Bet you’d rather have had this…
With apologies for the quality (or not!) of the photo- cr*p camera in those days.
What? swop that for a powerfull Austin,I dont think so.