I don’t think I ever met Percy, I only really got to know Eddie through talking to him when we met, if we were loading or tipping at the same place.
M G b:
Was it not Dukes from Chipping Norton had a feed mill down by the Station
If it was the same Dukes that had Yellow lorries then there’s a surviving Commer Maxiload 4 wheel tipper stored in a barn near Hook Norton. The landowner told me this was ex Dukes. It runs ok apparently so would be restorable for someone with more mechanical knowledge than me! They’ve got an AEC Marshall 6 wheel tipper there aswell though it’s condition isn’t as good as the Commer.
BigG-Unit:
Just found this one on Bubbs’ Scrapbook thread and I must say I thought it a bit unusual. I don’t remember seeing any of these on Smith’s, which by the Reg. No. looks to be around '72. Anyone know if they had many of them or was it a one off?
Smiths bought several Guys when the Big J came out. My Uncle was offered a job by Godfrey Smith and a new Guy J6 was part of the deal and also to be relief low loader driver, this was also a Guy, replaced with a Foden in 1980. They wern’t as common as Foden and Bedford at the time but Smiths used to switch between British manufacturers, except ERF for some reason. The only ERF in recent years was one of the last EC11 8 wheelers W886 EOW, a lovely motor to drive sadly sold last week to someone out Worcester way.
Hi Big G,
Ref the John Allen Foden, my mate Dennis Thompson used to drive this wagon, I will call round & see him & try to get some info about the firm. Sadly he not enjoying the best of health nowadays, but he taught me so much when I was a young-un, a real lorry driver!
Does anybody remember Sands and Gravels? Had pits around Standlake and were originally run by Townsend family though the business had several takeovers. Drinkwater-Sabey, BFI, Attwoods and SITA. Had an Uncle who drove S and J type Bedfords and they ran ERFs until they axed their own fleet in early 90s. Last quarry was at 3Ts and closed around 10 years ago.
Hi to all,
I came across this site quite by chance and this particular thread is bringing back some memories, some of which may be of interest. I arrived in Oxford 1959 to work for the bus company COMS, some of the drivers became my mates and in time we left the buses to drive for transport firms, mostly on car transporters. On the buses I met Alan Long and we became firm buddies. I retired back to Scotland in 1996 and kinda lost touch with Alan, but found him again this year, he tells me he is still doing 2 Hollands a week. We worked for Progressive Deliveries, a Coventry firm. I remember A. E. Booty they were in Ferry Road, Marston. B.J Hendry, Between Towns Road, Cowley they moved to the Industrial Estate up by the railway station, next to Hardings and H&M, also Dykes Bros opposite the Progressive yard. The Dykes boys mother had a sweetie shop and cafe in Between Towns Rd in the 50s. BRS were in Sandy Lane both general haulage and car transport.
Tuckwells drivers had a bit of a reputation, say no more.When I was on a wagon and drag I had a ex Tuckwell driver for a trailer mate, George Hook was his name. Some other names which might ring bells, Ken Booker ex BRS to Progressive, Colin Arnold, BRS, Johnnie Taylor ex BRS then Progressive, Mick Murphy, Roy Eagles, Hoppy Haines BRS, Ken Danby, Hardings, Alan Long and his brother John(ace fitter), John had contract tippers with ARC, as did Alan. Dave Rapley worked for Dealers Deliveries, driving one of their 2 transporters out of Cowley on a Stewart and Arden contract. Gerry Harris, MCD. Ron Cavender was another buddie, his wifes sister was married to Colin Moore, so I came across Colin socially from time to time. Joe Maddison left Progressive to go to Cowley Concrete, Doug Heale,(Cholsey)another good mate , he left Progressive to drive a bulk wheeler out of the Maltings at Abingdon. Ken Carter ex MVC,George “Tiny” Clarkson, Jimmy Roberts, Alex Dunlop, Dave Roberts all Progressive who of course were taken over by James Cars(I had left by then) Dealers yard was next door to Johnson’s cafe, we used to rib young Joe about bringing a thermos with him, cos he couldn’t stomach the tea he sold to us. What about The Last Chance cafe at Wheatley. In previous posts I seen a mention of a Ken Moreby, well there was a chap of that name at Progressive at one time, in fact I think he went to work for Banbury Buildings and very nearly talked me into doing the same. I have put this together on the spur of the moment and hopefully I will remember more in the next wee while.
All the Best
oiltreader
Oiltreader mentioned The Last Chance Cafe at Wheatley. Whereabouts was this? I’m not old enough to remember true transport cafes only the ones pulled by 4x4s (and I never use them, just the laybys they park in!)
Anyone have pics or info on the one at Windrush A40? I do remember seeing it closed and falling down before it was demolished and replaced (?!) with a half finished something or other. What’s it meant to be if it ever gets finished?
Muckaway:
Does anybody remember Sands and Gravels? Had pits around Standlake and were originally run by Townsend family though the business had several takeovers. Drinkwater-Sabey, BFI, Attwoods and SITA. Had an Uncle who drove S and J type Bedfords and they ran ERFs until they axed their own fleet in early 90s. Last quarry was at 3Ts and closed around 10 years ago.
Hello mate
My uncle worked for Sands & Gravels for quite a few years. My dad also worked there for a short time in about 73/74.I used to ride about quite a lot with my uncle. Think your uncle may have been there before him cos they had Bedford KMs and Dodges as far as I can remember.
Hi Muckaway,
The Last Chance was on the old London Road, Wheatley, where the garden centre is or was. Other cafes that have come to mind and which we frequented were Walter’s, Ock Street Abingdon, one at Chieveley( Now Marquis Motorhomes) on the old A34, The Tower at Stokenchurch, old A40, there was also the Tower at Woolhampton, old A4 and the Tower on the A5 at Towcester. One going north out of Kidlington(Shipton-on-Cherwell), I think it was referred to as Dirty Annies. Another one at Southam, the owner had a lock-up out the back packed with acquired stuff(ex factory, know what I mean) that he dealt in no questions asked. I remember the Windrush, not exactly 5 star. Further afield we also had other favourites and of course there was the digs throughout the country that we stopped at, from very homely to others that you put your boilersuit on before going to bed, not really, but that was the joke. I have a photo of the Last Chance, but havn’t sussed how to upload it, can someone help?.
oiltreader
M G b:
Muckaway:
Does anybody remember Sands and Gravels? Had pits around Standlake and were originally run by Townsend family though the business had several takeovers. Drinkwater-Sabey, BFI, Attwoods and SITA. Had an Uncle who drove S and J type Bedfords and they ran ERFs until they axed their own fleet in early 90s. Last quarry was at 3Ts and closed around 10 years ago.Hello mate
My uncle worked for Sands & Gravels for quite a few years. My dad also worked there for a short time in about 73/74.I used to ride about quite a lot with my uncle. Think your uncle may have been there before him cos they had Bedford KMs and Dodges as far as I can remember.
Ex Sands and Gravels employees I know; Roger Townsend (driver, now weighbridge man at Gill Mill Pit), Graham Shirley (long serving driver now retired but works for his sons’ building firm) Pete Radband (just retired,was working as a shovel driver for Earthline), Tony Singh (navvy driver and last worked as weighbridge man at Hatford sand pit), Mick Hayes (lorry then shovel driver at Standlake)- Mick now drives my old Smiths wagon for WJ Wyatt of Standlake.
Think my Uncle had left by early 70s as he did a stint for Birds of Northampton on asphalt when they worked out of Stanton Harcourt
oiltreader:
Hi Muckaway,
The Last Chance was on the old London Road, Wheatley, where the garden centre is or was. Other cafes that have come to mind and which we frequented were Walter’s, Ock Street Abingdon, one at Chieveley( Now Marquis Motorhomes) on the old A34, The Tower at Stokenchurch, old A40, there was also the Tower at Woolhampton, old A4 and the Tower on the A5 at Towcester. One going north out of Kidlington(Shipton-on-Cherwell), I think it was referred to as Dirty Annies. Another one at Southam, the owner had a lock-up out the back packed with acquired stuff(ex factory, know what I mean) that he dealt in no questions asked. I remember the Windrush, not exactly 5 star. Further afield we also had other favourites and of course there was the digs throughout the country that we stopped at, from very homely to others that you put your boilersuit on before going to bed, not really, but that was the joke. I have a photo of the Last Chance, but havn’t sussed how to upload it, can someone help?.
oiltreader
Funnily enough I drove past site of Last Chance this morning delivering to AW Mobbs yard, did wonder if it was where you said because of the old hardstanding near to it; reminds me of the Windrush. Re Dirty Annies I think you are right as I’ve heard older Smiths drivers (some were ex Blue Circle at Shipton Cement works) mention that one. Would the Tower at Stokenchurch be the one called Chris’ Cafe? If so my Grandfather used it during the 40s and early 50s when he worked for Bernard T Frost.
oiltreader:
Hi Muckaway,
The Last Chance was on the old London Road, Wheatley, where the garden centre is or was. Other cafes that have come to mind and which we frequented were Walter’s, Ock Street Abingdon, one at Chieveley( Now Marquis Motorhomes) on the old A34, The Tower at Stokenchurch, old A40, there was also the Tower at Woolhampton, old A4 and the Tower on the A5 at Towcester. One going north out of Kidlington(Shipton-on-Cherwell), I think it was referred to as Dirty Annies. Another one at Southam, the owner had a lock-up out the back packed with acquired stuff(ex factory, know what I mean) that he dealt in no questions asked. I remember the Windrush, not exactly 5 star. Further afield we also had other favourites and of course there was the digs throughout the country that we stopped at, from very homely to others that you put your boilersuit on before going to bed, not really, but that was the joke. I have a photo of the Last Chance, but havn’t sussed how to upload it, can someone help?.
oiltreader
That’s a blast from the past Walters in Abiingdon used it a lot years ago, and the windrush.
That’s a blast from the past Walters in Abiingdon used it a lot years ago, and the windrush.
[/quote]
You should see the state of the Windrush now. Whatever someone gave up trying to build there has become a supply depot for
Caravan Utilising Nomadic Travellers (Roof tiles,windows,bricks,sand etc have gone walkies over the last few years since work stopped)
A few years ago a guy ran a cafe in a bus on that site, stoped there a few times it was OK.
Hi Muckaway,
I know of the Sands and Gravels men although they may not me as I was only about 8 or 9. Roger Townsend is a good friend of my uncles I used to go for a ride with him if my uncles Lorry broke down.
Martin.
I used to work at Crendon Concrete i can remember Spires coming in and a company called Savins ? Bright Orange motors always had a laugh with them as i worked in the stores they were always on the scronge for gloves boots etc
The pictures I put on on page one of the Dines Big J I drove, was loaded with Crendon Concrete, I loved it when I was working out of there, good load, someone called John ? used to drive a Sed Atki for Dines went on for Savins around 1979, I think he lived at Fritwell or Ardley. Just checked and it was John Beasley that went on for Savins.
the big un:
I used to work at Crendon Concrete i can remember Spires coming in and a company called Savins ? Bright Orange motors always had a laugh with them as i worked in the stores they were always on the scronge for gloves boots etc
Were you still there when it shut down? My dads’ regular job was delivering there after Tuckwells lost the contract, early 90s?
He used to drive a Gardner powered 8 legger (Smiths). When Crendons were busy they’d have 2 8 wheelers on usually Percy Stratford.
I can remember going to Crendons loads during school hols, if I remember right there were 2 batching plants on site? The bottom one used to have more delivered to it than top plant. I was there one day when someone got trapped in one of the silos and had the fire brigade out to rescue them.
M G b:
Hi Muckaway,
I know of the Sands and Gravels men although they may not me as I was only about 8 or 9. Roger Townsend is a good friend of my uncles I used to go for a ride with him if my uncles Lorry broke down.Martin.
You must’ve seen Barnard Gate plenty of times then, Roger used to find any excuse to get round there to watch the blackberries grow!
He was laid down asleep one day and a copper thought he’d been drinking in the pub. As Plod didn’t have a breathaliser he drove Roger to Witney Cop Shop and tested him, then drove him back-sober!
Hi all again,
I have been re-reading the previous posts and trying to get the grey matter going again, 50 odd years is a long time ago, also the fact I left lorries in 1968, I went back to a trade I had been apprenticed to and more dosh, I missed the cameraderie with my mates and the purr or growl of a diesel engine. Most of my mates were on car transport, hopefully some of what I mention will trigger memories for others.
When I first went to Oxford, Joe Harding’s yard(as it was called) was in Hillsborough Road. Hardings’ was there from horse and cart days. There is a lane from the main road which ran down the side of the Spud Centre called Harding’s Entry, the Busy Bee garage, and the Spud Centre were on originally Harding land. The orignal old cottage was lived in by Ted Moss the “spudman” . He used tell me the history of the place. Next to Harding’s Entry a house was built, late 50s early 60s for Colin Moore of H&M, he later moved with his family to Horspath village.
Hicks and Co were in Cave Street off St Clements, we had a driver leave Progressive to go and work for them, his name was Tommy Dillon, kept us supplied with fruit (it was bruised of course, say no more), he was on early starts to Covent Garden.
Mobil tankers, at that time they were all ex COMS, Billy Wells, Roy Taylor and 2 others maybe a chap second name Cohn.
Alan Long my buddie left Progressive same time as I did, he started with an Amey’s contract hire 6 wheeler Leyland tipper, going on to have 3 or 4 working out of Dorchester pit, at the same time he bought a secondhand F88 6 wheel tractor unit and went to work for Dykes Bros pulling their trailers out of Crendon Concrete, he jacked that in and started continental (Bennett Interoute trailers) first to Spain and Italy then Greece, he also had units hauling to the Middle East at one time. He is 18mths younger than me yet is still doing 2 Hollands a week, John his brother had a garage at Challow, next to Haynes scrap yard, he also went the Amey route and joined up with Alan late 60s to form Long Brothers Haulage.
More names, John Blackmore, manger Progressive then Aston Clinton Haulage, Brian Wharton, MAT, Jimmy Paton, Billy Haine, Gerry Clapperton (fitter). Progressive became James Cars then bought out by Toleman, moved to Milton Trading Estate, the driver’s watering hole was the Admiral Benbow.
oiltreader