No Pat , Fred Croucher Wasn’t ex: speedway although there was I think a Bert Croucher (well something Croucher). He used to ride with Jim Squibb.
Fred Croucher was an ex: builder from Surrey and he came to this neck of the woods for semi retirement but turned to transport. Pity you never met him Pat although he was well over 6’ tall and built like a preverbial brick ****house, he was a gentle giant (as long as you didn’t upset him).He really was a gentleman and so well liked in Southampton. I did bump into him a few years ago in B&Q Eastleigh and he dragged me and the missus back home with him for a cup of rosey lee. Haven’t seen him since though.
Firstly
Hi Paul how are you? Yes remember you well infact I bought that 110 from you when it was written off! You didn’t tell me that there was storage to pay when I went to collect it from Bristol Street Motors! LOL I had a hell of a row there but whilst I in rowing Mick Phillips hitched up the rigid bar so when I came out we just drove off, they called the police and they visited my yard but by then I had cut the chassis in two, besides which I told them it was a civil matter and didn’t concern them! LOL. Glad to hear from you and I hope you are well there were all sorts of rumours about you!!!
Well Nobby how are you? Sorry but you are right I would not be able to recognise you as I don’t think that we were ever introduced but I know of you!
You were the good Stratton LOL didn’t you do a bit for Roy Gover? Dare I ask how is Albert? As I say last time I saw him was a few years ago at an out patients clinic I think he sounded terrible coughing and said something about his heart! I hope you recover from your illness and perhaps we could meet and have a chat sometime, you must remember my first driver Chris Goater who unfortunately died in my 111 up in Oldham due to a fire in the cab because he had wrongly wired up a tv! He had been on BI.
Pat Scorey comes to my yard every Thursday about midday to meet the sandwich van, have a cup of tea and keep in touch I’m sure he would like to see you! Also John is bound to be intouch sooner rather that later and I shall certainly get a few stories from him!
Regards Pat
Somebody mentioned Jack Fecitt in a recent post. The name rings a pleasant bell for me. Lovely man. Was he not TM for Jameson’s at one time? When Eurohaul started up, Jameson’s provided us with most of our work. Also very good to us with fuel, servicing etc…
I can’t remember , but didn’t he leave Jameson’s and his job was taken over by a younger man? Dave something. Nice fella again.
I also worked with three brothers from Soton when I was on SCA in Stepney. Gilham was the name. There was Johnny, Cannonball and another whose name escapes me.
Does anybody know what happened to Robin Colenso who owned Eurohaul? I know he went pop for a lot of money, but he was shrewd enough to have salted plenty away. I got on really well with him. Worked my nuts off, but always something extra at the end of the week.
The only transport manager I remember for Jameson Europa was Andrew Danelli I think there was a Manager called Thomlinson not sure if he was David!
Ray Nutt was there too before going to STS
Regards Pat.
I’m pleased to be able to report that rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. I spend most of my time these days in the old lags paradise of the Costa del Sol. Lot of brain cells gone south since those days, was that the dark blue one ?. They were out of there depth arguing with you, as i remember you were a hard (but fair) man to negoiate with in those days.
Hi again Paul
Again grey matter not what it used to be I think that it was the truck that was in an accident in the Avenue in Southampton though not sure! LOL
Lucky you, still here in freezing cold Bartley on edge of the New Forest, still we are flying to Alicante on Monday (halfterm) to see some friends on Al Mafra campsite in an RV near Bennidorm and also visit another friend in Torrevieja for a week ( Ihope it’s not too cold there)
Regards Pat
Yes, know which one you mean now. I was driving it myself pulling a SCAC trailer with a load of steel in the back. Are you into the RV’s ?. I have just bought myself a new Hymer which i go off in for a month or so at a time.
Hi Paul
Yes I have a 200 Monaco Windsor 34’ single slide Pusher with a 330bhp ■■■■■■■■ I imported it from Houston early last year.
Will try to put a picture up.
Regards Pat
Nice. Been tempted to do the same.
Hi Pat And Steve, Jack Fecitt was GM and Roy Gover TM of Jameson before the days of United Transport. I believe Jack went over to ACJ and Gover went to Phillips who had an office in Oxford St. No Pat, I have never done anything for Gover (but I could think of some things I’d like to), that was another brother.
Me and Gover ain’t a very good mix as he was my reason for my parting company with Jameson and nearly my life ! I have spoken to him since and been quite pleasant but the incident will never be forgotton. If we do get together for a cup of tea then I’ll explain because I don’t want you to think I fall out with everybody. Albert ended up with a tripple by-pass and has diabetis. Andy had a heart attack in Spain and still drove home. He also had a by-pass but didn’t behave and lost the battle to live a couple of years ago. So then there were “four” as the saying goes. Looking forward to seing Pat Scorey so I’ll have to get round sometime and perhaps see John Lee as well.
All this talk of RV’s is getting me excited as it’s all very similar to what I have planned in the quite near future.
Its nice to hear how you ex hauliers are doing.Bloody sight better than me by the sound of it.I did ask TIR Original if he had made his first million yet He replied " Made it son.Iv’e spent it.Starting on my second million tomorrow!" Gives an old pensioner like me who is down on their luck a nice warm glow! Pat you mentioned Ian Elkins.How about Dave.Is he still around.Nice lad.Enjoy your break.Dont worry too much about me I shall be ok.Can always get a meal down at the Seamans Mission.
Hi Nobby
Sorry about the Gover thing but I look forward to seeing you, if you can give me a bit of notice will try to get John along, alternatively I am certain we could get Mick Leech, Pat Scorey and possibly Johnny Lee along to the Knights Cross in Baddesley one Sunday afternoon, they all ended up there after Bingo’s (John Dollery) funeral a little while back.( Unfortunately I couldn’t make it as I had to take Sue to hospital that Thursday). Better bring a night out bag LOL all those miles we will be doing!!! Please give my regards to Albert I have had a few rucks with him over the years but luckily I (must be in the minority) never lost any money through him!
Charlie it is all relative I did make some money out of haulage/spare parts but was not smart enough to invest in property I put it back into Scanias I could have bought a yard where STS and Jimmy Alford are and now be stting pretty but didn’t want to go into debt! So I am still renting this mud pile here!!! I am not earning much now infact will get a tax refund soon for last year as I took a lump sum ( the RV) and part of my pension early. I am carrying on coz my boy (14) is mad on driving machines lorries etc and he will possibly be able to build the business up again, but hopefully he will get some sence and do something else but I suppose that he has diesel in his blood! Till then we are members of SKI (spending kids inheritence!)
Regards Pat
Well said Pat.Everything is relative as you say. I had the chance and the cash to become an O/D But at the time was going through a messy divorce and another three years later.So that put paid to everything. Just jealous thats all.
Well Pat and Charlie I’m glad to hear you two are doing alright. I’m afraid being in transport kept me poor but I always seemed to make a few bob for other people. I wouldn’t say I was exactly on the breadline but I’ve been trying to keep up with my neighbours and they’ve been under the care of Oxfam for the last five years ! Yes I missed saying farewell to Bingo too. I did let Charlie know of his passing but he has his problems as well and I know he couldn’t make it either. The sad thing was I didn’t know that he lived so close to me because I had not seen him for years. Never mind we will have to have a bit of a get together one day and drag Charlie up this end as well. Can you imagine the deisel fumes and skid marks there would be, as well as enough stories of escapades to fill a book. I’m sure people like Bingo etc. will never die as long as we are still alive to keep thier memories going. Pat, you and Sue be sure to have a good time in Spain as I’m sure you both deserve it. I will send you my e-mail address in a PM just in case you should need it. ( have sent the PM )
Hi Pat
If your ever heading to Spain in the RV drop me a pm. I’ll buy you a pint and you can bring me up to date. I know the Murcia / Alicante area quite well. Dabbled in property a bit up there. Don’t think i would want my lad messing about with transport, although saying that i know a couple of people down here who have made fortunes out of the plant and tipper business.
Thanks paul
I don’t think that we shall be over there this year save for us flying out hopefully on Monday but maybe next year who knows?
No not too keen on him getting involved with road transport but it’s up to him if he does at least he will have an ‘o’ licence and yard to start from! More than I ever had LOL
Regards Pat
Hi newmercman
I found this old photo which includes Dave Tutt (on Left) when he drove for me taken at Winchester Coach Park Summer of 1981
Regards Pat
Thanks Ainacs, our friend Tutty was a little bit hairier & a little bit rounder when I met him! I ended up running with him for a couple of weeks as we were both doing the same work, but on different firms.
He had some good tales to tell, especially his Hells Angels memories, not a man you want to rub up the wrong way 
ps like your super space cab Mercury, how the other half live eh 
How many of you can remember old companies such as:-
Edmund Gerald, Ivan Blow Transport, Itchen Transport, Habin Haulage and Cornicks Transport, all out of Southampton.
Blimey Nobby we are going well back now. Pat Duffy won’t remember those.He’s far too young 