Lawrence Dunbar:
It was Jimmys St. Lawrence cafe, he was a ex driver from Orrell & Brewsters Gateshead, he had a pools win apparentley, thats what started him off.
Ah thanks for that ! you’d remember St. Lawrence wouldn’t you ! 
Anyone remember Courthill Cafe on the A76 north of Dumfries, in 1970 it was a quid for DBB. very mod in its day nice grub, & spotless clean, I wonder if its still going,?
Another cafe at Colin south of Dumfries one of the good ones, also in the 50/60s there was a new sort of cafes on that road they were called milk bars, primative little wooden shantys with big glass containers full of fresh full cream milk, very refreshing on a summers day along with a nice scotch roll full of tangy cheese, the good old days ? Eh.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Anyone remember Courthill Cafe on the A76 north of Dumfries, in 1970 it was a quid for DBB. very mod in its day nice grub, & spotless clean, I wonder if its still going,?
It’s now a static caravan and chalet park
Robert.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Another North East Cafe; Remember The Port Services Bitley By Pass, not very popular as most drivers did not use the by pass,the reason for this was it was quite a heavey pull North & south so going through Birtley & C,L.Street was in fact quicker.
Hi Larry
is that the one that was just on the left hand side going on to the birtley By pass going towards Durham, and I think there was a service station there. I remember when I was round about ten my dad always stopped there when he had me with him after deliveringn to Armstong Cork at Team Valley or British Paints or International paints at Newcastle, as all these three were very slow and bad for unloading.
Best wishes
Carl
Hi Carl, What I can remember the cafe was on the North bound side, it stood just about where the services are now ? there was something on the South bound side but I cant picture it, I never used the by pass more than a dozen times, like I said before the other was quicker & easier on the old Bedford I was driving.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Anyone remember Courthill Cafe on the A76 north of Dumfries, in 1970 it was a quid for DBB. very mod in its day nice grub, & spotless clean, I wonder if its still going,?
We used this cafe regularly en route to Sanquhar with aluminium for Century from Alcan Lynemouth, back loading from Carnation Dumfries. (1970s and 80s). regards kevmac47
Another long gone cafe Tyne House at Catterick, nice hot dinners as I recall, mince & dumplings in the winter It was bloody lovley, & not too dear. Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
It was Jimmys St. Lawrence cafe, he was a ex driver from Orrell & Brewsters Gateshead, he had a pools win apparentley, thats what started him off.
It must be right about money not making you happy Larry, cos jimmy never ever cracked his face with a smile.
Are come on now Kev thats not realley true, he did smile now & then when what you ordered came to more than 6bob, he smiled a little bit , but only after you had paid him. Cheers Larry
Lawrence Dunbar:
Are come on now Kev thats not realley true, he did smile now & then when what you ordered came to more than 6bob, he smiled a little bit , but only after you had paid him. Cheers Larry
Your right Larry, but he NEVER smiled if you needed change. regards kevmac47
I wonder if The Checkley Cafe at Tean is still going, the bloke that owned used to have an ex Newcastle CWS Octopus LTN 265, recentley sold to Paynes Transport. I was a good pull in years ago , clean, & good grub niceley cooked no lace curtains round the fried eggs, Happy days . Regards Larry
Muckaway:
I think I’ve posted this before but anyone remember these Oxfordshire ones?
The San Remo;A40, Eynsham very close to the Evenlode pub
The Whitehouse(?); Hanborough Road Eynsham near to Wytham View/Spareacre Lane-the village water tower was nearby.
The Quiet Woman; Southcombe (old A34) Chipping Norton and now an antiques/tea shop.
Hi We used to have a car compound next to Bobs cafe at Kidlington in the 60’s and used the cafe every time we loaded, they also had beds in the old house next to the cafe bit on the rough side. I can remember the woman that looked after was big May and her husband who was short. She triped over one of our loading ramps one day and cut her leg, when our yardman got the first aid kit out the bandage would only go round the leg once her legs were so big. When she finished at Bobs she got a caretakers job at the bookmakers in Kidlington and lived above the shop, she had a spare room and put four beds in it, she did this unknown to the management and we could only go in after the shop had closed!
Another Cafe in the centre of Kidlington called the Orchard we used this late 50’s early 60’s, I think its a garage now. I was a kid at the time and I can remember they had pariffin heaters in the rooms, when I got home all my kit was smelling of pariffin.
Also used to stop at The Boat a pub just north of Kidlington, I think it was at Trupp
Another old cafe The Rainbow on the A52 at Stapleford just off the M1.J25. The grub used to be good ,but its a long time since I have been down that way, I wonder if its still there.
Just come up the A1 today passed the Derry, & I was delighted to see its still going & access to it will be easey when the A.1M. is complete , Lawsons as it was always refered to in the old days was the first Transport cafe I stayed at for the night in 1957, I think it was 9 bob . It must be the last one on the A1 south bound for miles. Regards Larry
Lawrence Dunbar:
Just come up the A1 today passed the Derry, & I was delighted to see its still going & access to it will be easey when the A.1M. is complete , Lawsons as it was always refered to in the old days was the first Transport cafe I stayed at for the night in 1957, I think it was 9 bob . It must be the last one on the A1 south bound for miles. Regards Larry
The first cafe I stopped at was in Bawtry in 1958, it was on the right going south bound you had to reverse the trucks in off the road, stayed at another just south of Bawtry before you get to Blyth it was also on the right. Cannot remember the names.
The Woodlands comes to mind at Bawtrey, ring any bells ? Regards Larry
Lawrence Dunbar:
The Woodlands comes to mind at Bawtrey, ring any bells ? Regards Larry
I cannot remember to be honest I know there was a Woodlands at Micklefield.
You mentioned Lawsons I stayed there a few times my memories are the RAF doing touch and go’s through the night and Cookies drivers getting up though the night and more Cookies arriving and getting into warm beds, two drivers for the price of one! They did the same at the Red House.
you sound like a proper lorry driver lawrence , encyclopedic knowledge of the cafes . very necessary in years gone by , it was all about planning your trip and knowing the best place to be at night . i recall most of the places you come up with , but your memory is amazing , and you have a 7 year start on me !!!, cheers , dave
Wasn’t there cafe either Bawtry or Gainsborough that had individual cubicles for the dining tables?
Ray