Long Departed Southampton Hauliers (Part 1)

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS OLD TIME LORRIES, COMPANIES AND DRIVERS (INTERACT
2541

Bit nippy out this afternoon, so had time to scan these in…

Squibbs ERF…but where was the photo taken ?

Monty, with Boarhunts Foden delivering an old Micky mouse to the Brick-works at Bursledon

Me and Derek Waite ( RIP ), customs at Villa Formosa…early '70’s

Italian side of the Blanc, nice old Unic in the background…especially for “Saviem”

Concorezzo customs park, bet a few remember that place.

Always someone, or two,in front of you when you want to deliver

Henschel Hanomag (under chassis engine ? ) up on the Aosta side of the Blanc

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ainacs:
Ken Chant RIP bought it and completely rebuilt the rusty cab I bought it back again from him when he bought a new Foden,Regards Pat

Hello Pat, hope you and Sue are well…Pretty certain a friend of mine from Lyndhurst bought both the Foden and bulk trailer of off Ken, that would be the around the mid '90’s I think. Didn’t he have to give up haulage because of bad health ?

2543

Nice selection of old pics Fergie,that ERF looks like it was in ■■■■■■■ somewhere.Did you ever know a chap called Batten who lived in nomansland and was one of squibbys first drivers,if my memory is ok i think he had a round cabbed AEC am i right ? cheers JD.

2544

Buzzer:
Nice selection of old pics Fergie,that ERF looks like it was in ■■■■■■■ somewhere.Did you ever know a chap called Batten who lived in nomansland and was one of squibbys first drivers,if my memory is ok i think he had a round cabbed AEC am i right ? cheers JD.

You’re pretty close with ■■■■■■■ JD, but need a bit closer than that to win the prize…

That’d be Kenny Batten John, he had the F88 on Avon contract, which I took over for six months when he was taken ill. If memory serves, he left Squibbs not too long after he returned, to become the manager at a Social Club in Totton.

2545

That will be the A74 north of Lockerbie.Or not? Regards Charlie :laughing: :laughing:

2546

charlie one:
That will be the A74 north of Lockerbie.Or not? Regards Charlie :laughing: :laughing:

Absolutely correct Charles…smart chap…top of the class…and your prize, a free entry into the next 6 km fun-run held in Brest along side Angie and Liz…get in training…you might need it … :stuck_out_tongue:

2547

Buzzer:
Pat heres another firm who were regulars in Southampton in the 80’s,cheers Buzzer.PS it had Merrick on the door and Jameson on top of the cab,did Jamies buy them out ?

All part of the United Transport group John, along side Bulwark, Hoggs, S-of Maddison…etc, they swallowed up a lot of companies at the time, Merricks being one of them…

2548

Fergie i remember Bulwark well as i think they were based in Chippenham and while i was attending a year course at Lackham agricultural college nearby, you could see the ends of there bulk tanks when the sun shone on them in the distance cheeers Buzzer.PS that Kenny Batten must have bin one of jims first drivers,and one other thing i knew a chap in wellow that would have known Jim Squibb well and his name was Joe Erskine and he used to do up and tune JAP engines for speedway riders of the day in an old chicken shed,clever bloke he was and had three lovely daughts to boot.

2549

Hi Mr D, Hope you won’t mind me butting in here, but I think you would be talking about Ex Wimbledon Speedway star Mike Erskine. You are right though when you say he was a clever chap, also a brilliant engineer, from whom many Speedway riders fortunes were changed. Not only was Mike a great engine tuner, but he also designed and produced the “Erskine Staride” Speedway frame, that nearly every rider rode in the '50’s. He then went on to manufacture racing cars, but unfortunately with not the same success, causing a substantial strain on his resources, hence the need to consolidate & contract to his home spun set up at West Wellow. I only knew of one daughter, who was well into the horse scene at the time, but knew his son Jon quite well, who was a rising star in Speedway in the '60’s. Jon, I believe started his career riding for a new team in Neath in '62 and after moving on to other clubs, finished at Newport, Mon. where he settled and ,as far as I know still lives today. By the way, the “Staride” frame was eventually overshadowed in the '60’s by the “Maurmatt” frame, coincidently built in Southampton by local Speedway star Maury Mattingley. So, although the Bannister Court stadium may be long gone, Southampton will always feature large in Speedway history. :sunglasses:

2550

Hi Big G, now you mention the name i think you are right,im’e getting old now and it was along time ago.you seem well into your speedway i just wonder if the name " Buzz " Terry rings a bell,he lived at Bartley and i think he rode for Southampton,he was into horses like me but ran a small farm.Mr Erskine also catered for numerouse grasstrack people at which i did a brief stint in a triumph outfit with a mate,Also there was a chap called Lessing or something similar who rented space in Coates gravel pit at Landford and he was a class act at ally welding so many cracked cranck cases were sorted by him,cheers for now Buzzer.

2551

Fergie47:
Bit nippy out this afternoon, so had time to scan these in…

Monty, with Boarhunts Foden delivering an old Micky mouse to the Brick-works at Bursledon

Italian side of the Blanc, nice old Unic in the background…especially for “Saviem”

Henschel Hanomag (under chassis engine ? ) up on the Aosta side of the Blanc

Evening Fergie, bet it is not snowing in Gods country!!

Thanks for the pictures, boy I loved the sight, sound and smell of those big Unics. I remember the first time I was over, parked at a Routiers near Rouen, creeping onto the step of a new Izoard to look into the cab! My 4wheel S20 Foden seemed like a mini in comparison…but I loved her!

Now across on the Foden Thoughts, and ERF Sabrina threads some people are getting steamed up about Foden names…so please do not take offence, but that 8wheeler is an S39 cab, (some would say a Sabrina…but not, oh not me,…honest)!! But she is not a Micky Mouse, but again they have been called worse!!

That Hanomag is one of the last true Hanomags, before Daimler “got them”, (and destroyed them! She is an upright 6cylinder, the earlier version being fitted to the Somua cab version of the first Saviems. Renault/Saviem, and Hanomag having signed a collaboration deal for 25 years in 1961. It lasted untill 1963, and then ended in acrimony. Then of course along came MAN. It was Bussing who had the “lazy” engine, under the frame, beautiful engineering, but again killed off by MAN when they got hold! But of course Renault/Saviem had the SRL Saviem Tancarville, with a little “lazy” flat engine under the frame, and a column gearchange that looked every bit as substantial as a long arm stapler!!

Sorry Im getting boring, thanks again, give my love to Rennes if you go through, spent many happy hours there!!

Cheerio for now.

2552

Buzzer:
Pat heres another firm who were regulars in Southampton in the 80’s,cheers Buzzer.PS it had Merrick on the door and Jameson on top of the cab,did Jamies buy them out ?

Hi John

Merricks had a small portacabin in Jamesons yard, Ryde Terrace, I can’t remember that Scania but I think they had a few Marathons,

The traffic manager in Southampton was an old school friend of mine John Kuzniar better know as John Kay, he inturn was a very good friend of Jamies’ traffic manager Andrew Danelli.

Regards Pat

2553

BigG-Unit:
Hi Mr D, Hope you won’t mind me butting in here, but I think you would be talking about Ex Wimbledon Speedway star Mike Erskine. You are right though when you say he was a clever chap, also a brilliant engineer, from whom many Speedway riders fortunes were changed. Not only was Mike a great engine tuner, but he also designed and produced the “Erskine Staride” Speedway frame, that nearly every rider rode in the '50’s. He then went on to manufacture racing cars, but unfortunately with not the same success, causing a substantial strain on his resources, hence the need to consolidate & contract to his home spun set up at West Wellow. I only knew of one daughter, who was well into the horse scene at the time, but knew his son Jon quite well, who was a rising star in Speedway in the '60’s. Jon, I believe started his career riding for a new team in Neath in '62 and after moving on to other clubs, finished at Newport, Mon. where he settled and ,as far as I know still lives today. By the way, the “Staride” frame was eventually overshadowed in the '60’s by the “Maurmatt” frame, coincidently built in Southampton by local Speedway star Maury Mattingley. So, although the Bannister Court stadium may be long gone, Southampton will always feature large in Speedway history. :sunglasses:

Hi Big G

I bought my first Mercedes car a maroon 240 diesel saloon with the upright headlights from an ex speedway rider Peter Vandenburg, another ex Saints rider and haulier Tom O’Connell put me in touch with Peter and we did the deal.

A lovely old car and did me proud I sold it to Dave Tutt who had it many years.

Regards Pat

2554

Buzzer:
Hi Big G, now you mention the name i think you are right,im’e getting old now and it was along time ago.you seem well into your speedway i just wonder if the name " Buzz " Terry rings a bell,he lived at Bartley and i think he rode for Southampton,he was into horses like me but ran a small farm.Mr Erskine also catered for numerouse grasstrack people at which i did a brief stint in a triumph outfit with a mate,Also there was a chap called Lessing or something similar who rented space in Coates gravel pit at Landford and he was a class act at ally welding so many cracked cranck cases were sorted by him,cheers for now Buzzer.

Hi again John

Buzz Terry lived as you say between Bartley and Netley Marsh opposite the Giddings Saw Mill, he died a few years ago and his farm is now home to a herd of Alpacas (small domesticated South American llamas)

Regards Pat

2555

Buzzer:
Hi Big G, now you mention the name i think you are right,im’e getting old now and it was along time ago.you seem well into your speedway i just wonder if the name " Buzz " Terry rings a bell,he lived at Bartley and i think he rode for Southampton,he was into horses like me but ran a small farm.Mr Erskine also catered for numerouse grasstrack people at which i did a brief stint in a triumph outfit with a mate,Also there was a chap called Lessing or something similar who rented space in Coates gravel pit at Landford and he was a class act at ally welding so many cracked cranck cases were sorted by him,cheers for now Buzzer.

Ah yes, I knew Buzz from the late '90’s as he used to come over to the island every week, in the summer months, along with his brother Malcolm and another ex Southampton Speedway rider, from way back, name of Jack Vallis. They were part of the voluntary pit staff at the Island Speedway in the early years. Malc & Jack were still riding old J.A.P bikes in demonstration races all over the country at that time, which shows their passion for the game! Three lovely blokes and I feel a pleasure to have met them, with such enthusiasm to travel over week after week, for several years, to assist in a new project. That aside, Buzz was also a regular visitor on farming business, with cattle etc. and shortly before he passed away, was involved in a land re-generation project, where he brought some New Forrest ponies over to graze heath land, but i’m not sure if this was ever completed. Also knew Ted Laessing, who, I believe was of German decent and rode for Poole in the late '60’s. Didn’t get to know him too well though, as I always found him to be a private sort of chap, or maybe he just didn’t like me! :laughing:

Pat,
I also knew Peter Vandenburg, who was an Australian, of Dutch decent. He came over late '50’s and had quite a distinguished career, based in Southampton, but also riding for other clubs, including Aldershot & Newport Mon. Peter settled in Southampton after retiring from Speedway and, I believe worked off shore at one time. He died quite young, I think a heart attack, but my memory’s not all it was! I did hear, a few years back that he had a daughter living in the Eastliegh area, who was keen to find out about his Speedway days, of which she knew little about. I did pass on some stuff I had about him to a third party, but not sure that she ever received it! :neutral_face:

2556

Saviem:
[

Evening Fergie, bet it is not snowing in Gods country!!

Thanks for the pictures, boy I loved the sight, sound and smell of those big Unics. I remember the first time I was over, parked at a Routiers near Rouen, creeping onto the step of a new Izoard to look into the cab! My 4wheel S20 Foden seemed like a mini in comparison…but I loved her!

Now across on the Foden Thoughts, and ERF Sabrina threads some people are getting steamed up about Foden names…so please do not take offence, but that 8wheeler is an S39 cab, (some would say a Sabrina…but not, oh not me,…honest)!! But she is not a Micky Mouse, but again they have been called worse!!

That Hanomag is one of the last true Hanomags, before Daimler “got them”, (and destroyed them! She is an upright 6cylinder, the earlier version being fitted to the Somua cab version of the first Saviems. Renault/Saviem, and Hanomag having signed a collaboration deal for 25 years in 1961. It lasted untill 1963, and then ended in acrimony. Then of course along came MAN. It was Bussing who had the “lazy” engine, under the frame, beautiful engineering, but again killed off by MAN when they got hold! But of course Renault/Saviem had the SRL Saviem Tancarville, with a little “lazy” flat engine under the frame, and a column gearchange that looked every bit as substantial as a long arm stapler!!

Sorry Im getting boring, thanks again, give my love to Rennes if you go through, spent many happy hours there!!

Cheerio for now.

Saviem… No, no snow here.

Bussing, of course, sorry about that, old age, should have realised.

Boring ? no sir…always glad to read one of your most informative posts.

In Rennes just before Xmas, spent the day and an evening there, lovely place…

Thought of you a few weeks back…In the village where I live is an old large hanger ( garage / warehouse ).it’s not open very often, but the other week it was, so I popped in as I’d been told the guy had a few tractors. He has, about 50…and two Saviems units, and a Maggie D, 4 wheeler, air cooled engine, with a “remote” gear box…not sure how unusual that is, but the first I’d seen for many years.

The two Saviems are both tractor units, nor sure of the dates but certainly late '60’s early '70’s, sleeper cabs, he uses one to pull an old low-loader that has a machine on the back for making the famous Breton clogs…Liz was in the UK at the time so she had taken the camera, my phone is useless, but I did think you’d like a pic or two, but I haven’t seen the place open since. Also in the village is another Saviem tractor unit in immaculate condition, similar to the other two, the guy takes it to shows, it was parked outside the local bakery the other week, again no camera, I’ll have to find out where he lives…and get a few photo’s…

2557

This time a truck from Salisbury,one of Deans and looking at the load its got to be synthetic rubber for ISR or am i wrong,cheers Buzzer.
PS.i didn’t know Deaner ran any scania’s.

CX00959-25.jpg

2558

BigG-Unit:

Buzzer:
Hi Big G, now you mention the name i think you are right,im’e getting old now and it was along time ago.you seem well into your speedway i just wonder if the name " Buzz " Terry rings a bell,he lived at Bartley and i think he rode for Southampton,he was into horses like me but ran a small farm.Mr Erskine also catered for numerouse grasstrack people at which i did a brief stint in a triumph outfit with a mate,Also there was a chap called Lessing or something similar who rented space in Coates gravel pit at Landford and he was a class act at ally welding so many cracked cranck cases were sorted by him,cheers for now Buzzer.

Ah yes, I knew Buzz from the late '90’s as he used to come over to the island every week, in the summer months, along with his brother Malcolm and another ex Southampton Speedway rider, from way back, name of Jack Vallis. They were part of the voluntary pit staff at the Island Speedway in the early years. Malc & Jack were still riding old J.A.P bikes in demonstration races all over the country at that time, which shows their passion for the game! Three lovely blokes and I feel a pleasure to have met them, with such enthusiasm to travel over week after week, for several years, to assist in a new project. That aside, Buzz was also a regular visitor on farming business, with cattle etc. and shortly before he passed away, was involved in a land re-generation project, where he brought some New Forrest ponies over to graze heath land, but i’m not sure if this was ever completed. Also knew Ted Laessing, who, I believe was of German decent and rode for Poole in the late '60’s. Didn’t get to know him too well though, as I always found him to be a private sort of chap, or maybe he just didn’t like me! :laughing:

Pat,
I also knew Peter Vandenburg, who was an Australian, of Dutch decent. He came over late '50’s and had quite a distinguished career, based in Southampton, but also riding for other clubs, including Aldershot & Newport Mon. Peter settled in Southampton after retiring from Speedway and, I believe worked off shore at one time. He died quite young, I think a heart attack, but my memory’s not all it was! I did hear, a few years back that he had a daughter living in the Eastliegh area, who was keen to find out about his Speedway days, of which she knew little about. I did pass on some stuff I had about him to a third party, but not sure that she ever received it! :neutral_face:

Working for Jim was a very “family” affair, certainly when he was at the Bungalow ( near where Pat lives)with just 4/5 drivers, and before he got really big at Chandlers Ford. We’d get breakfast / dinner / tea if we were around at that time, and Jim would often have famous speedway riders from Denmark, Finland, and Norway etc, either staying with him, or just popping in to see him. I was introduced to them and spend time chatting, but I’m sorry to say that at the time I wasn’t really interested in speedway, so really didn’t appreciate who the guys were, some of course were champions in both they’re own country and the UK, It must be a bit like driving for a small company today, and the guy knowing Michael Schumacher, Button, Alonso, etc, or the top Moto GP riders…wish Id taken more notice then. Did go to Poole a couple of times to watch Jim race, think he was captain of the Pirates at one point in his career, and, (if memory serves) he road for Reading as well ?..all along time ago now…40 odd years…

2559

I was sent this today a Yardfleet Volvo F10 A819SPO to be honest I can’t recall them, can someone jog my memory please?

Regards Pat

Yardfleet.JPG

2560

Buzzer:
This time a truck from Salisbury,one of Deans and looking at the load its got to be synthetic rubber for ISR or am i wrong,cheers Buzzer.
PS.i didn’t know Deaner ran any scania’s.

Hi Buzzer, Originally JC was based at Durrington but he “retired” and sold everything… he then came out of retirement (early 80’s) and started running a fleet of second hand motors out of Churchfields inds. est. in Salisbury before moving to current depot. This K reg Scania has Lockerly Romsey on door so i would imagine it was from the early 80’s when he was rebuilding the company, I remember he had some old ERF’s/Atki’s but they didn’t last long before he went back to Volvo’s

ainacs:
I was sent this today a Yardfleet Volvo F10 A819SPO to be honest I can’t recall them, can someone jog my memory please?

Regards Pat

Pat, i checked on this company and it was registered to a David Sanderson at 12 Portland St. Southampton, went ■■■■ up in 1997!