I worked for Oldhams 1973 to 1978 and enjoyed every minute.
Started as drivers mate with Mick Hicks delivering Banbury Buildings.Remember workmates Bob Lenton,Ron Bailey, John Hall,Fred Bomford, Dennis who delivered timber for Rollasons of Long Itchington, Mick Evetts, Roger Burton and Brian West.All good reliable blokes. Work was varied and interesting - Lockheeds, AP Banbury, NC Joseph, seed corn from Enstone and fertiliser from Ince were some of the jobs I remember.
All the very best to all those I worked with. 
I was stationed at Wellesbourne at the Aircraft Constuction Branch during my National Service in 1960 and went past Oldhams every weekend.Obviously a very proffesional company.Did think the livery was a bit dull but at least you could tell who they were etc.which is more than you can say about modern firms.Didn’t they run cattle trucks too ?
Tony
rastone:
I was stationed at Wellesbourne at the Aircraft Constuction Branch during my National Service in 1960 and went past Oldhams every weekend.Obviously a very proffesional company.Did think the livery was a bit dull but at least you could tell who they were etc.which is more than you can say about modern firms.Didn’t they run cattle trucks too ?Tony
Would you like to elaborate on your comment Mr. Smith,“livery a bit dull indeed”, as you are well aware Oldham’s was a very distinctive livery which graces only a few select fleets though out this green and pleasant land, I’m sure the late, great Mr. Walter Salt would cancel any order he was thinking of placing with that cocky young salesman from Universal if he had heard his livery was “a bit dull”.
As you say the plus side is, everyone knows who you are.
I’ve backed up your theory about cattle haulage with a picture I pinched off the web somewhere else, as you may well know Walter too ran a cattle haulage side to his business which further goes to back up the theory that these company colours lend there self to a very professional and diverse haulage operation, see picture of Garrett’s of South Luffenham. If you can think of any more hauliers with such discerning livery feel free to post away on here
Oh I almost forgot here’s one I have in my yard as we speak
All the best from the operator with the dull livery
Are Oldhams still in business I wonder, there used to be a Trader poking its snout out whenever I went past but now that Barford is by-passed you don’t see the garage anymore?
Pete.
Mr Wakefield.
Even a “cocky” salesman wouldn’t tell Mr Salt about his paint and nobody else either.But regarding the Oldhams colours they were I think a darkish brown with yellowish Signwriting and did stand out well and of course not too expensive to paint.I must say that your motors are tastefully painted without going over the top.There is one company I see running down the A50 who’s name I forget are painted blue with a horrible greeny blue bumper and lower bits.I wonder if it’s done if the operators like it or is it meant to be noticed.I reckon the latter.
Coming back to Oldhams and then rambling on about my boringness as usual I notice the Ford 5cwt van at the end of the Morris Commecials.This is the model I went to Wellesbourne In and then sent on attachment to Lynham where were building concrete hardstandings for the aircraft.That little van came home every weekend over the Cotswolds without letting me down and flat out all the way.It jumped out of second gear when I bought it and when I sold it.It was a common thing with those 3 speed boxes.Only 6volt electrics and the lights when I first had it were not good but Lucas did a sealed conversion for them with a chrome surround and what a difference.
Changed the subject again as usual
Tony
P.S. No heater but a long coat and wonderful windscreen wipers but never thought about it in those days
rastone:
Mr Wakefield.Even a “cocky” salesman wouldn’t tell Mr Salt about his paint and nobody else either.But regarding the Oldhams colours they were I think a darkish brown with yellowish Signwriting and did stand out well and of course not too expensive to paint.I must say that your motors are tastefully painted without going over the top.There is one company I see running down the A50 who’s name I forget are painted blue with a horrible greeny blue bumper and lower bits.I wonder if it’s done if the operators like it or is it meant to be noticed.I reckon the latter.
Coming back to Oldhams and then rambling on about my boringness as usual I notice the Ford 5cwt van at the end of the Morris Commecials.This is the model I went to Wellesbourne In and then sent on attachment to Lynham where were building concrete hardstandings for the aircraft.That little van came home every weekend over the Cotswolds without letting me down and flat out all the way.It jumped out of second gear when I bought it and when I sold it.It was a common thing with those 3 speed boxes.Only 6volt electrics and the lights when I first had it were not good but Lucas did a sealed conversion for them with a chrome surround and what a difference.
Changed the subject again as usualI bought that van from a bloke called Raymond Whyat (spelling) and Doug Punchard esq. will remember him.In fact Frank Dale used to live in one of those cottages but I don’t know which one.
Tony
P.S. No heater but a long coat and wonderful windscreen wipers but never thought about it in those days
Hi to all on here,
I hope you can answer a question for me, did Oldhams ever do international or ever go as far as Eastern Europe, perhaps Middle East?
The reason i ask is because I was in Cornwall over the weekend, and saw an old DAF tractor unit in their brown and yellow colours, warwickshire registration, with Oldhams International on a little plate on the rear quarter panels,
Any answers will be appreciated!
Ed
I sure i’ve seen a pic somewhere on the net of one of their old sedaks abroad, i’ll have a look…
not that know to
will phone daughter of one of their old drivers
I used to know alot of Oldhams Drivers, I think they went as far as Belgium but never as far as M/E or anywhere near, they use to run in to AP Banbury with us in the 70’s, Drivers that come to mind Mick Hicks, Graham Tapp, and a big guy ,whose name escapes me , drove a 4 wheeler.
Happy days passing Oldhams yard on the way home . . next stop Fountain cafe at Wellesbourne 
Worked at Barford in the 70 to early 90s Fred Bomford was the driver on a Leyland Boxer. What happened to ? Colin Ashfield ■■■■ Besey, .I have many happy menories of my years at Barford and would like to hear from any of the old drivers and fitters from the past
I did my apprenticeship under you eric and Steve russell, your also remember my dad Ro Smith. Im Mark and remeber the day you left and drove out the gate as your hat was burning on an axle stand outside the workshop lol. I served the best aprrenticeship at oldhams and it was a sad daywhen they sold it to cannons and even worst when cannons went burst dragging oldhams with them. The best days of my childhood were spent with my dad travelling up and down the country. Would love to hear from any off here who has any memories of oldhams and their staff. In answer to the first post on here abouth the lorry in Cornwall it would be one of the removal lorrys as that is the only part of oldhams remaining. Eric i know you moved north but cant remember where, i moved to hull about 5 years ago and to be a workshop manager for a major haulage company.
ERIK THE FITTER:
Worked at Barford in the 70 to early 90s Fred Bomford was the driver on a Leyland Boxer. What happened to ? Colin Ashfield ■■■■ Besey, .I have many happy menories of my years at Barford and would like to hear from any of the old drivers and fitters from the past
Fred, yes that was the guy, in 1973 when the fuel shortage was on, I ran out on woodhall services, no power to pump any out if they had any, it was a Saturday, and Fred just happened to pull in, gave me a lift back home, was I glad to see him.
now that’s really nice when a thread puts a few old workmates back in touch.
used to drive past Oldham’s dozens of times on my way north.