Hi Bewick, Yes the Bell brothers ran a very neat operation operating mainly Albion Chieftains until they got a Leyland Comet then a Reiver in the late 50s The early 60s saw Commer TS3s (a 4 wheeler then a 6) also a couple of Fords 6 wheelers (a Trader then a D 800? I dont think it was a D 1000) They had a Leyland Comet LAD artic and an ex British Rayophane ERF 66GX KV cabbed which appears on this site in D.A. Harrison livery who bought the business when retirement loomed for the proprietors. With Royal Blue cabs and bodies with black mudguards and chassis all their wagons were kept immaculate. Woe betide any driver who attempted to come up Doctors Brow loaded the rule was round by Borrans Hill and Welton, cards awaiting otherwise. I drove an LAD cabbed Comet ex Harrison & Ivinson, Caldbeck for them for a while until I fell during the bad winter of 1963 and broke my leg putting me off work for 10 months and had to take a lighter job for a while on Ribble buses.
Cheers , Leyland 600.
Leyland600:
Hi Bewick, Yes the Bell brothers ran a very neat operation operating mainly Albion Chieftains until they got a Leyland Comet then a Reiver in the late 50s The early 60s saw Commer TS3s (a 4 wheeler then a 6) also a couple of Fords 6 wheelers (a Trader then a D 800? I dont think it was a D 1000) They had a Leyland Comet LAD artic and an ex British Rayophane ERF 66GX KV cabbed which appears on this site in D.A. Harrison livery who bought the business when retirement loomed for the proprietors. With Royal Blue cabs and bodies with black mudguards and chassis all their wagons were kept immaculate. Woe betide any driver who attempted to come up Doctors Brow loaded the rule was round by Borrans Hill and Welton, cards awaiting otherwise. I drove an LAD cabbed Comet ex Harrison & Ivinson, Caldbeck for them for a while until I fell during the bad winter of 1963 and broke my leg putting me off work for 10 months and had to take a lighter job for a while on Ribble buses.
Cheers , Leyland 600.
Thanks for that gen L600,I can’t say I recall Bell’s,would they be known to ADB or looked on as competitors may-be ? So during your re-cuperation in '63 would have been the period you occasionally had a ride out with RWB eh!.It surely would have been a bit uncomfortable for you in the passenger seat of the Reiver,but the “craic” would have been interesting,wish I’d been a fly on the dash listening to all the “feats” that RWB had been involved in during that period !! Then again,if I was a fly on’t dash I might have got ■■■■■■■ wid t’■■■■■■■■■■ News or last Sundays N O T W eh! Anyway,Happy memories no doubt,Cheers Bewick.
Dennis , the only Bells Transport I can bring to mind was from Kirkbey Steven Jonh T Bell they ran 4 wheeler Albions out of the Plaster Board Mill, at Kirkbey Thore, & Then of course the other Bell name was the one that Distilled they famous Glenfiddich single Malt, Which no doubtd you will have savoured , Regards Larry.
daveymk:
Is that right the Derry is closing again at the end of November ■■
Went in the Derry yesterday for me break Davy,only me in £2,25 for a tea and bacon sarnie,but not a smile or not off the bloke behind the counter,place has’nt changed at all in the nearly 30 years since I first frequented the place.
When I was fueling up got talking to a local driver and he said they had planning permission for a new place,just as you come off at the new leemimg bar split.southbound.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Dennis , the only Bells Transport I can bring to mind was from Kirkbey Steven Jonh T Bell they ran 4 wheeler Albions out of the Plaster Board Mill, at Kirkbey Thore, & Then of course the other Bell name was the one that Distilled they famous Glenfiddich single Malt, Which no doubtd you will have savoured , Regards Larry.
I’ve no doubt that there was a “Bells” in Wigton Larry,Leyland 600 has lived there all his life !! and at the time I was referring to I would be about 7 or 8 !!! Anyhow,what about Geoff Bell 'frae Carlisle,he used to run a tidy fleet of F86’s in the '70’s and he went on to open,what was at the time,an American inovation The Carlisle Truck Inn ! Cheers Dennis.
Bewick:
Lawrence Dunbar:
Dennis , the only Bells Transport I can bring to mind was from Kirkbey Steven Jonh T Bell they ran 4 wheeler Albions out of the Plaster Board Mill, at Kirkbey Thore, & Then of course the other Bell name was the one that Distilled they famous Glenfiddich single Malt, Which no doubtd you will have savoured , Regards Larry.I’ve no doubt that there was a “Bells” in Wigton Larry,Leyland 600 has lived there all his life !! and at the time I was referring to I would be about 7 or 8 !!! Anyhow,what about Geoff Bell 'frae Carlisle,he used to run a tidy fleet of F86’s in the '70’s and he went on to open,what was at the time,an American inovation The Carlisle Truck Inn ! Cheers Dennis.
Hi Larry and Dennis ,
There was a tipper haulier named Bell from Kirkby Stephen , but too far back in years for me to remember anything . However , I was told a little bit , so this may be of help to you.
About 6 years ago , I saw a beautifully-painted nameboard , done by the well-known signwriter Jim Ashcroft from near Preston. Curiousity got the better of me when I saw the name “Bel” and also “Kirkby Stephen” .
The tipper depicted was a 1950`s Foden 4 wheeler, painted green , and with an original Westmorland reg. no. ( JM **** ).
When I asked Jim about the name Bell , he said it was an old haulier , who , IIRC, led out of either Shap Fell or/and
Brough/Kirkby Stephen Quarries.
If I have a photo of the nameboard , then I`ll show it on here.
Cheers, cattle wagon man.
Well in the late 50s I used to stay at Ma Smiths digs at Ardwick Green Manchester, There was one of Bells drivers alson stayed there, Plus another driver named Graham Fenton who worked for Tuers Transport, they were both canny lads, We used to go to Tommies Music Hall In Devonshire Street Ardwick (The Devonshire Pub as it was called in those days, I think there is a Little Chef there now where the old pub used to be, J.T.Bell from Kirkby Steven used to re-load off Baxters on the Newcastle Quayside on a regular basis for the Lancs area, The good old days Eh, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Well in the late 50s I used to stay at Ma Smiths digs at Ardwick Green Manchester, There was one of Bells drivers alson stayed there, Plus another driver named Graham Fenton who worked for Tuers Transport, they were both canny lads, We used to go to Tommies Music Hall In Devonshire Street Ardwick (The Devonshire Pub as it was called in those days, I think there is a Little Chef there now where the old pub used to be, J.T.Bell from Kirkby Steven used to re-load off Baxters on the Newcastle Quayside on a regular basis for the Lancs area, The good old days Eh, Regards Larry.
Tell you what Larry youve been around eh.how do you remember all this Vic.
v7victor:
Lawrence Dunbar:
Well in the late 50s I used to stay at Ma Smiths digs at Ardwick Green Manchester, There was one of Bells drivers alson stayed there, Plus another driver named Graham Fenton who worked for Tuers Transport, they were both canny lads, We used to go to Tommies Music Hall In Devonshire Street Ardwick (The Devonshire Pub as it was called in those days, I think there is a Little Chef there now where the old pub used to be, J.T.Bell from Kirkby Steven used to re-load off Baxters on the Newcastle Quayside on a regular basis for the Lancs area, The good old days Eh, Regards Larry.Tell you what Larry youve been around eh.how do you remember all this Vic.
There’s a simple answer to that one Vic, whisky!! it is a preservative and Larry has had his share. 
Ps that was a a very nice drop yesterday Larry. Regards Kev.
In view of the recent discussion regarding Bells of Wigton, perhaps these photos I took as a boy circa 1954 when I spent many school holidays travelling in with one of the Bell brothers Albion Chieftains with very attractive cab buily by Bobby Hind of Durranhill, Carlisle whose workshop was situated next door to Robsons Border Transport head office and depot. This Albion very very new at the time and has to be returned to Albions for some warranty attention consequently I was Invited to go along for the ride resulting in a guided tour of the Yoker service centre and the Scotstoun works, a memorable experience. ORM 865 was photographed on Stainmoor on the North Yorkshire- Westmorland border as it then was about 5-30am one lovely summer morning en route to BOCM at Selby. The second photo shows another Chieftain NAO 980, ORM 865 and their Leyland Comet UAO ■■■ all loaded roped and sheeted with 10 tons apiece of cattle cake for West ■■■■■■■■■■ Farmers at Wigton and perhaps one or two farm deliveries also. The LAD Leyland Comet I drove for them during the bad winter of 1962-3 was new to Harrison Ivinson, Provender Merchants, Caldbeck. (Derek Batey of TV’s Mr & Mrs fame was their bookeeper office manager). My photo shows it on Stainmoor Cafe car park en route to Leeds with Quaker Oats from Whitehaven. This Comet could motor, 6 speed box and two speed axle but unfortunately did not the stopping capacity with its vacuum brakes.Who remembers the company now ?
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Crowbar, this is the photo I was fefering to on Sat, Any thoughts on the location, As far as I know its in the Newcastle Area, Regards Larry.
PS, I forgot to mention its a 1928
Lawrence Dunbar:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Crowbar, this is the photo I was fefering to on Sat, Any thoughts on the location, As far as I know its in the Newcastle Area, Regards Larry.PS, I forgot to mention its a 1928
Reg Number, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
0Crowbar, this is the photo I was fefering to on Sat, Any thoughts on the location, As far as I know its in the Newcastle Area, Regards Larry.
Might be wrong but gut feeling say Byker
Here’s a few shots I took at the gathering yesterday,I still have a few left for later in the week. Regards Kev.
Could`nt get Kev me & Goodrum were at a mates daughters weddding.Is Jimmy owens still working Kev?
greek:
Could`nt get Kev me & Goodrum were at a mates daughters weddding.Is Jimmy owens still working Kev?
Any excuse 
hope you had a good do then
hi greek, jim owens has never worked since his accident,last out of the door on saturday night, big kris, posh alan,joe pepper, captain mainwaring (bruce) and bumper, had a good day/night, great to see Davey richardson there the crack was good, roll on christmas, bumper
Leyland600:
In view of the recent discussion regarding Bells of Wigton, perhaps these photos I took as a boy circa 1954 when I spent many school holidays travelling in with one of the Bell brothers Albion Chieftains with very attractive cab buily by Bobby Hind of Durranhill, Carlisle whose workshop was situated next door to Robsons Border Transport head office and depot. This Albion very very new at the time and has to be returned to Albions for some warranty attention consequently I was Invited to go along for the ride resulting in a guided tour of the Yoker service centre and the Scotstoun works, a memorable experience. ORM 865 was photographed on Stainmoor on the North Yorkshire- Westmorland border as it then was about 5-30am one lovely summer morning en route to BOCM at Selby. The second photo shows another Chieftain NAO 980, ORM 865 and their Leyland Comet UAO ■■■ all loaded roped and sheeted with 10 tons apiece of cattle cake for West ■■■■■■■■■■ Farmers at Wigton and perhaps one or two farm deliveries also. The LAD Leyland Comet I drove for them during the bad winter of 1962-3 was new to Harrison Ivinson, Provender Merchants, Caldbeck. (Derek Batey of TV’s Mr & Mrs fame was their bookeeper office manager). My photo shows it on Stainmoor Cafe car park en route to Leeds with Quaker Oats from Whitehaven. This Comet could motor, 6 speed box and two speed axle but unfortunately did not the stopping capacity with its vacuum brakes.Who remembers the company now ? 210
Nice old shots there L600,I guess winter time would be the busiest time for bringing cattle food into ■■■■■■■■■■ so by the looks of it Bells would have to fly over empty some of the time because of demand by WCF etc.Then in summer time probably a nice balance could be achieved and the motors could be loaded both ways ! Lovely Jubbly !! Cheers Dennis.
Hi Kev What a great day, good crac most enjoyable, good to see Davy again. Looking forward to the Chrismas DO. Just bell me when you are coming to see TAJ 453 Regards Ralph
kevmac47:
Here’s a few shots I took at the gathering yesterday,I still have a few left for later in the week. Regards Kev.210