No he had tis one before he took old ma greens over, Brotherton was much better, so that will explain whst it was like, dog rough. but Brotherton improved as time went on stopped there a lot, it was a Gordie haunt to say the least. Regards Larry
Lawrence Dunbar:
No he had tis one before he took old ma greens over, Brotherton was much better, so that will explain whst it was like, dog rough. but Brotherton improved as time went on stopped there a lot, it was a Gordie haunt to say the least. Regards Larry
Come to think of it I do recall a Normans somewhere around Howden,must have been late 60s.There were several cafes on the old A614/A63. Norman’s at Brotherton was too close to home for me but a couple of our Darlington drivers often stayed there.
Aye your spot on… I think the M62 must have ran straight over where it was situated, it was open 24hrs & oddley enough it allways seemed to be busy ? Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
I wonder if Briggs on Whitehall Rd, is still going nice clean [Dunlopillo] beds and canny grub at drivers prices stopped there many a time in the winter when Standedge used to get blocked and we went via Todmorden. we had some very bad winters 50/60s. Regards Larry.
Hi All. Sadly Briggs cafe closed some years ago and is now a major car sales. As an ex a one driver i used to use Briggs cafe quite a lot,as did the other a one drivers. I hope this answer you question.
Thank you AB, Briggs was a good watering hole which I used whenever I was in the area , sadly its gone like most of the good cafes we all used to frequent in the good old , Eh. turn the clock back . Regards Larry. PS, remember Jacky King he was in the office on the Quayside Newcastle ?.
Another cafe long gone I was in it the week before it closed down myself & two of my mates The Moss at Todhills on the 74. the last time I past there it was a L/Chef , now theres a surprise ■■> I went in there for the first time 1957. nowt flash , but the grub was spot on & the beds were clean, when the cafe was full, you slept in a army hut at the back beyond the lorry park. allways busy night & day, Im sure it belonged to Lawsons at Londonderry, with the old slogan CAFES COME & CAFES GO BUT YOU CAN ALLWAYS RELY ON LAWSONS Happy days Eh lads Regards Larry retired still raring to go but wi nee way ti gan ////.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Another cafe long gone I was in it the week before it closed down myself & two of my mates The Moss at Todhills on the 74. the last time I past there it was a L/Chef , now theres a surprise ■■> I went in there for the first time 1957. nowt flash , but the grub was spot on & the beds were clean, when the cafe was full, you slept in a army hut at the back beyond the lorry park. allways busy night & day, Im sure it belonged to Lawsons at Londonderry, with the old slogan CAFES COME & CAFES GO BUT YOU CAN ALLWAYS RELY ON LAWSONS Happy days Eh lads Regards Larry retired still raring to go but wi nee way ti gan ////.
Moss belonged to Lawsons, and the Piggery at Londonderry also the Windmill at Boroughbridge i think.
Don’t know if it’s been done, anyone remember the Cherry Tree Cafe by the scrapyard now the site of the Fire Station in Cirencester.
Yes, & Lawsons is still going strong, the new road ie A1M, will not affect it when it is completed, Im going to have a run down shortley just for a look, the first time I went into Lawsons was 1957 wnen it was single carriage way, & the pigs kept the drivers awake at night.
Another good cafe in the 70s. run by a couple of ex drivers, one was called Joe I think,The Coppice on the Watling Street,at Dordon, good grub & clean, long gone I suppose ?.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Another good cafe in the 70s. run by a couple of ex drivers, one was called Joe I think,The Coppice on the Watling Street,at Dordon, good grub & clean, long gone I suppose ?.
When did you do any driving Lol !!! Seem to spend all your time running between Cafe’s! I bet you supped some tea,but did you buy any? just 'aving a larf,don’t take it serious like!! Cheers Bewick.
Heres a one for you Bewick>>>>, The Shuthonger Cafe on the old A38.this side of Tewkesbury I was only in a couple of times 1960s cant remember what it was like its the odd name that came to mind, a Gordie saying it fast Eh what do you think it would sound like then ?. Cheers Larry
Lawrence Dunbar:
Heres a one for you Bewick>>>>, The Shuthonger Cafe on the old A38.this side of Tewkesbury I was only in a couple of times 1960s cant remember what it was like its the odd name that came to mind, a Gordie saying it fast Eh what do you think it would sound like then ?. Cheers Larry
Good old place to stay was the Shuthonger.Good snap and then into the Crown (I think it was called) for a jar.Great big jar of pickled eggs on t’bar,deeper they were the blacker,just rayt after a gargle.
There was another one I can remember Kempsey Cafe it was a wood fronted place with loose floor boards when you walked in,nowt flash as I remember handy if you needed a stolen kiss I didnt frequent the place very , often allways in a hurry to get to South Wales, a long punch in those days 37mh. top speed. Regards Larry
I doubt if in 20 or 30 years time, old time drivers will recall the TColi vans in the same way… 
How right you are, When I started on long distance driving, when I was 21. 55years ago I worked with some of the best blokes one could wish for, some of them old timmers then & some 10 years older than me. So I had to toe the line otherwise they would make my life hell. I learned the hard way I suppose but it did me no harm I enjoyed the challenge,s put before me & most of the blokes I worked with were real good at their job, & I had to do as they said, which I did and earned their respect, if they said a cafe was good it was good, Burger Vans were not even heard of in those days, drivers went where the food was good and at the right price. Cheers Larry
How right you are, When I started on long distance driving, when I was 21. 55years ago I worked with some of the best blokes one could wish for, some of them old timmers then & some 10 years older than me. So I had to toe the line otherwise they would make my life hell. I learned the hard way I suppose but it did me no harm I enjoyed the challenge,s put before me & most of the blokes I worked with were real good at their job, & I had to do as they said, which I did and earned their respect, if they said a cafe was good it was good, Burger Vans were not even heard of in those days, drivers went where the food was good and at the right price. Cheers Larry
Lawrence Dunbar:
Heres a one for you Bewick>>>>, The Shuthonger Cafe on the old A38.this side of Tewkesbury I was only in a couple of times 1960s cant remember what it was like its the odd name that came to mind, a Gordie saying it fast Eh what do you think it would sound like then ?. Cheers Larry
Stopped there a few times Lol in the late 60’s but preferred to stay at Les Cooks in Stone,home from home!! Cheers Bewick.
I wonder if the Merlindale Transport Cafe is still going on the A74 at Crawford, that was one of the goodins, allways busy is I remember in the 50s.
Lawrence Dunbar:
I wonder if the Merlindale Transport Cafe is still going on the A74 at Crawford, that was one of the goodins, allways busy is I remember in the 50s.
No Lawrence, it closed down a couple of years ago, The Heathergyll and the Crawford arms hotel are still going though.