harry_gill:
hiya,
Used the Aviary, when working for Bowker’s the lads used to call it “t’ birdcage” not a bad un,
thanks harry long retired.
Harry, did you ever have a pint for breakfast at the Hinkley Knight? Not far from the Birdcage. I used to stop there in a morning with Stan Hindle and Paddy from Bowkers when I was driving the old Highwayman for Gilly’s. That would be in about 1969/70. a pint and an egg butty went down well.
We lodged at Ma Butchers on Londsdale square Islington or up at Kitty’s on Cally road.
I have had to re-register to get back on here, my old name was tankerman (without the * after it.)
hiya,
Hello Russ my old mate, yes the Hinkley Knight was in there one “breakfast time” Don Smith, Nobby Clark, Little Leachy and I think Kev Riley when Leachy who was driving a Merc rolled his over coming off the car park he had a load of reels on, yes remember the Highwayman drove a similar one for Killingbecks before I went to Bowkers and remember the times you used to make me jump into the doorways when I was walking down Hollin Bridge St on my way to the yard coming on the footpath just skimming the walls with the nearside mirror but although the health isn’t so good these days I’m still alive and kicking so you missed me every time, what are you doing these days?? I’m well retired and enjoying it finished my driving days up here in the North East been up here for about thirty eight years best of luck mate and good health.
thanks harry long retired.
Nice to find you again Harry, I retired at 60 after 30 years on Gilbraith Tankers. the DVLA took away my HGV licence after a back operation even though I was OK afterwards. I drew my pension plus lump sum and got the Union payout for loss of licence through ill health and the one from Gilbraith. I am in good health and enjoying my retirement and will be 74 in a few weeks. I have just moved into a brand new bungalow in Accrington with wife number two, been together for 42 years and married for a few of them…
Another cafe we used to have a bit of snap in with the Bowker lads was the Woodley, remember that?
Jack Leach got killed in a lorry accident and I was always indebted to him for taking away my wife, he saved me a fortune, we had only been married about 3 years and she had got me into a hell of a lot of debt. It took me four years to pay it off and I nearly lost the house.
I remember Leachy rolling the Merc, it was the bonneted version. Kevin “Plantem” Riley came for a job on the tankers but cried of when they asked him to take a road test in a Scammell Highwayman.
Hey we are chewing the cud on the Cafe Thread, send me an email and we can reminisce some more.
Tankerman*:
Nice to find you again Harry, I retired at 60 after 30 years on Gilbraith Tankers. the DVLA took away my HGV licence after a back operation even though I was OK afterwards. I drew my pension plus lump sum and got the Union payout for loss of licence through ill health and the one from Gilbraith. I am in good health and enjoying my retirement and will be 74 in a few weeks. I have just moved into a brand new bungalow in Accrington with wife number two, been together for 42 years and married for a few of them…
Another cafe we used to have a bit of snap in with the Bowker lads was the Woodley, remember that?
Jack Leach got killed in a lorry accident and I was always indebted to him for taking away my wife, he saved me a fortune, we had only been married about 3 years and she had got me into a hell of a lot of debt. It took me four years to pay it off and I nearly lost the house.
I remember Leachy rolling the Merc, it was the bonneted version. Kevin “Plantem” Riley came for a job on the tankers but cried of when they asked him to take a road test in a Scammell Highwayman.
Hey we are chewing the cud on the Cafe Thread, send me an email and we can reminisce some more.
Russell.
hiya,
Will do a mail tomorrow but “Plantem” was spoiled with the Scania 110 a cracking motor at the time the old Highwayman’s certainly sorted the men from the boys “Little Leachy” was driving a bubble shedded Merc at the time of the roll-over Freddie Guest wouldn’t let anybody near his long nosed job I only ever moved it once and that was only off the fuel pump, bet you didn’t know that I did a spell for Gilly’s well Jacks actually a little four wheeler ERF with the 4LW engine did a week or two on the hydrogen peroxide job during a holiday spell away from Blackburn BRS anyway Russ catch up with you via email.
thanks harry long retired.
I got a new Leyland Marathon in 1974 and was climbing up the bank after Corley services when I saw Plantem in his Scania 110
I passed him easily and I had the full weight on.
We stayed at Ma Butchers in Islington that night and when we were having a pint in the Drapers he started telling me I must have been half loaded.
I was ready for him and had my delivery note on me to show the 30 ton gross. He wasn’t very happy that night.
He tried to tell me he was over loaded but he only had a short trailer two high with paper for Dunstable and I knew he would be lighter than me.
Nine & a half days till the Derry closes its doors,Its 55,yrs since I first went in, so it must have going some time before that. Its a shame this old watering hole is finishing, I bet there is some stories can be told about Lawson,s as it was in the old days,I sure Siddle C Cook had a fuel tank there, as well as the old Tudor at Catterick, Its funny how things come to mind, the first , Gardner 8.LX. I saw was there, it was owned by Claben Kippers from Aberdeen, it was a Atki Artic, nearley three foot of engine sticking out , It sounded great, But somehow I recall the driver didnt care much for it, he said it was too noisey. Happy Days Larry. PS, I wonder if many of their customers will call in, for old times sake.?
Larry, I called in at the “Derry” this morning, the tea was better as the “dragon” wasn’t in.
I took these two shots of the cafe as a last reminder of the place.
Nice pictures Kev. I was talking to Woosh at Lowdons, the other day, what a bloke he insisted that you did not have a Scania, I said you had, he said but didnt know what make, but defo not a Scania, Ha Ha, . I hope his mates put him right. Regards Larry
I had cause to venture north a couple of weeks ago and called in here. Its never been so tidy (outside,)inside hadnt changed in 30+ years. Not sure if tastes had moved on 'cos there was little in the truck park.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Nice pictures Kev. I was talking to Woosh at Lowdons, the other day, what a bloke he insisted that you did not have a Scania, I said you had, he said but didnt know what make, but defo not a Scania, Ha Ha, . I hope his mates put him right. Regards Larry
Did Woosh work for Cazaly 1970-74 ish and drive a f86 at the time.
Sad day when the smelly Derry closes was my fav stopping point.
Thanks for the photos lads, it must be 13 years since I retired and I have never been up the A1 since. It was nice to have a look at photos of one of my old haunts.
gazzer:
I had cause to venture north a couple of weeks ago and called in here. Its never been so tidy (outside,)inside hadnt changed in 30+ years. Not sure if tastes had moved on 'cos there was little in the truck park.
That parking area has deff improved,is the caravan park still at the rear?Not that im going to use it again but hows the service and food in there,been some bad reports on here lately.
regards dave.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Nice pictures Kev. I was talking to Woosh at Lowdons, the other day, what a bloke he insisted that you did not have a Scania, I said you had, he said but didnt know what make, but defo not a Scania, Ha Ha, . I hope his mates put him right. Regards Larry
Did Woosh work for Cazaly 1970-74 ish and drive a f86 at the time.
Sad day when the smelly Derry closes was my fav stopping point.
Aye Woosh did work for Cazally, he left a good job at Lowdons at Seaton Burn, I think he just fancied a later type wagon ,he had a P reg Daf. Regards Larry
Lawrence Dunbar:
Nice pictures Kev. I was talking to Woosh at Lowdons, the other day, what a bloke he insisted that you did not have a Scania, I said you had, he said but didnt know what make, but defo not a Scania, Ha Ha, . I hope his mates put him right. Regards Larry
Did Woosh work for Cazaly 1970-74 ish and drive a f86 at the time.
Sad day when the smelly Derry closes was my fav stopping point.
Aye Woosh did work for Cazally, he left a good job at Lowdons at Seaton Burn, I think he just fancied a later type wagon ,he had a P reg Daf. Regards Larry
PS, I forgot to say it was the eighties when he went to Cazally,s before he came to Lowdons I think he worked for the firm that took Alfred Bells over, ? Regards Larry
I think I may have been in that cafe.I only ever used that road once IIRC,going to Scottish Stampings Ayr. Moores Motors,Alex Houston and Oswald Transport drivers will have been in there.It was along time ago,1968.
I think I may have been in that cafe.I only ever used that road once IIRC,going to Scottish Stampings Ayr. Moores Motors,Alex Houston and Oswald Transport drivers will have been in there.It was along time ago,1968.
Chris,this may help, they used to sell other stuff along the left hand side back wall pots tea sets and the likes!Vic.
