W.H.WILLIAMS (spennymoor)

[edworth]

firingonsix:
Hello Carl

The 1964 Rover 2000, DUP 243B, was it by any chance finished in Wedgwood Blue? Also, what colour was the interior trim, was it Ebony? Do you have any documentation for your family Rovers such as purchase invoices?

Regards, Digby

Carl Williams:
The last of the photos I took in late 1964 or very early 1965 of the Rover cars we owned at that time. Unfortunatly they illustrate my photographic talents and explain why I took so few photos of the vans.

In this case it was my first car, given to me new, by my Grandparents about two months ahead of my 17th birthday, and the car I leant to drive on and took my two tests in.

It was the first of six Rover P6’s we have, not counting a one I bought a few years ago.

During the seven or so years of this photo, between my grandfather, father and me, we had 12 Rovers, mostly supplied new by Fred Dinsdale and sons Stockton On Tees.

They were main Rover distributors for County Durham (Stockton was part of County Durham in the sixties). The business was run by two brothers who didn’t speak with one another. One was car sales and the other ran the garage and bodyshop. Unfortunatly the business was a casualty of the British Leyland Fiasco, and closed when Rover were taken over. Geoff Pye, one of our drivers who specialised on removals moved the one brother down south, when the garage closed, and he told Geoff that after we had been such good customers to them, he couldn’t choose another company to move him.

One day, long before my Grandfather died we sat down with my dad and worked out that he had owned 18 Rovers prior to buying SUP, the Rover 60, in 1955 from Dinsdales.

After a two car interval I bought a new Rover SD1 in 1978, but it was then made by British Leyland and was a disaster, so I quickly sold it and my remaining cars whilst at W.H.Williams (Haulage) Ltd were Mercedes Benz. Apart from the mess BL made of commercial vehicles, they have a lot to answer by destroying Rover cars.

Sounds like your first rover carl.
Eddie

[carl_williams]

edworth:

firingonsix:
Hello Carl

The 1964 Rover 2000, DUP 243B, was it by any chance finished in Wedgwood Blue? Also, what colour was the interior trim, was it Ebony? Do you have any documentation for your family Rovers such as purchase invoices?

Regards, Digby

Carl Williams:
The last of the photos I took in late 1964 or very early 1965 of the Rover cars we owned at that time. Unfortunatly they illustrate my photographic talents and explain why I took so few photos of the vans.

In this case it was my first car, given to me new, by my Grandparents about two months ahead of my 17th birthday, and the car I leant to drive on and took my two tests in.

It was the first of six Rover P6’s we have, not counting a one I bought a few years ago.

During the seven or so years of this photo, between my grandfather, father and me, we had 12 Rovers, mostly supplied new by Fred Dinsdale and sons Stockton On Tees.

They were main Rover distributors for County Durham (Stockton was part of County Durham in the sixties). The business was run by two brothers who didn’t speak with one another. One was car sales and the other ran the garage and bodyshop. Unfortunatly the business was a casualty of the British Leyland Fiasco, and closed when Rover were taken over. Geoff Pye, one of our drivers who specialised on removals moved the one brother down south, when the garage closed, and he told Geoff that after we had been such good customers to them, he couldn’t choose another company to move him.

One day, long before my Grandfather died we sat down with my dad and worked out that he had owned 18 Rovers prior to buying SUP, the Rover 60, in 1955 from Dinsdales.

After a two car interval I bought a new Rover SD1 in 1978, but it was then made by British Leyland and was a disaster, so I quickly sold it and my remaining cars whilst at W.H.Williams (Haulage) Ltd were Mercedes Benz. Apart from the mess BL made of commercial vehicles, they have a lot to answer by destroying Rover cars.

Sounds like your first rover carl.
Eddie

Hi Digby,

It was Wedgewood blue with light cream leather interior. When it was delivered there was no radio fitted and I had a Blue plunk fitted, which was removed and refitted into my next car.
Unfortunately I don’t have any paperwork for any of the cars, and was it not for the photo I would not have known the reg number of this. However my Cousin Peter, who contributes to this thread has an incredible memory and might list numbers he can remember.
With regard to that Rover 2000, my grandparents went to the Motor Show in 1963 where the 2000 had been revealed for the first time. (The car had been the talk of Rover circuit for several years as it had been long in development). They came back, telling me they had ordered one for me for my 17th Birthday present 9/9/64. They had brochures, colour samples and leather swatches, so that I could choose the colour of car and interior, which I did.
The car arrived at Dinsdale’s Stockton early about June 1964 and on the day we were to collect it, Dinsdale’s rang and said did we want to delay as it was raining, and I said no as it would have to get wet one day.
The price of the car was about £1300 and my Grandmother carried the cash in her handbag and paid when we arrived. This was an expensive car in 1964 as at that time I think a Ford ■■■■■■ was about £350
I learnt to drive with that car, and in the first few weeks it had an occasional miss, which after a while was discovered to be caused by a short due to the bonnet catch, which was modified with a bit rubber round it.
Apart from that it was never any trouble and I had it just over 3 years and did about 40,000 miles.
I had a further 3 Rover 2000s but it was my favourite, especially because I think the car suited that colour better than any other, and the interior colour was also exact.
Thank you for showing an interest and I would be pleased to hear your thoughts and views

Regards
Carl

[carl_williams]

edworth:

goggietara:
Carl you forgot to mention our xmas prezzies, i started working for you in 1973 & on my first xmas with the firm all drivers & other staff had to go into your dad’s office one @ a time for our xmas present when i walked in i got one hell of a shock the biggest pile of chickens fully plucked & wrapped we picked one from the pile & your dad ticked us off on his clock card number sheet to make sure we only got one ha ha, how times change.

Carl Williams:
I read with interest the views of members from ■■■■■■■ have towards Eddie Stobart.

I can identify with them and in the majority of cases I’m sure I share their views. Over here in the North East in 1973 John Davison left Direct transport at Shildon and formed John Dee. John is a person I have every respect for and when we have met I have enjoyed our conversations. In fact in 1984 I bought his then house from him, Denehurst in Ferryhill, and my young family (at that time) adopted his Samoyed dog, Saber, and two cats, who we felt would miss the house and grounds. However in business John was and still is, I have no doubt a shroud businessman and very astute and rate cutting was part of his business ethos. I have no doubt, but without a bit of bad luck, John Dee would have been every bit as big as Eddie Stobart are today. We all thrive on fair competition but sometimes you wonder at the fairness, and rate cutting was one of the many factors that put us out of business.

Road haulage is and always will be one of the hardest jobs you ever can come across and everyone who survives over a number of years has to work very hard. To say that others have not succeeded where Eddie Stobard has because of not working hard enough is a ridiculous statement.

However here are one or two facts about our company that will perhaps correct the views of some over the Stobart spotters and enthusiasts.

In the photograph attached you will see a photo of a line up of vehicles from about 1970 which was arranged from who was present that day and the vehicles that were in the yard at that time. There was no warning and drivers did not have time to clean up, change into clean clothes. As you will see all the drivers appear relatively smart in two piece suits badged on the breast pocket, and provided by the company.

We offered our employees good working conditions and fair wages, meal allowances, parking allowances and overnight subsistence. In fact every ex employee I’ve spoken to have said they never again got a better job and they had with us the best jobs in their lives. In every case they have, without being prompted, said my father was a gentleman.

We used to organise an annual Christmas Dinner dance for our staff and spouses when we provided free transport in the form of busses to and from the events.

We offered our staff a company pension scheme that was comparable with other industries at that time.

In our depot at Green Lane Spennymoor we provided drivers centrally heated rest room which was adequately sized to accommodate any drivers who were from time to time on site and had canteen facilities. We had a nominated doctor and dentist available for any urgent needs. We had a Wilcomatic commercial vehicle wash which was manned by Frank Morgan to ensure our vehicles were always clean and tidy on the road.

Our maintenance facilities were excellent with every vehicle being given a full MOT style inspection and service every three weeks or 5,000 miles. If a defect was found that vehicle was not allowed on the road till it was fully repaired.

So for those Stobart fans who might take an interest these things were not thought up by Stobart., but we like so many more haulage contactors throughout the country were offering them before the start of Stobarts.

Finally we had people who spotted and took an interest in our vehicles. In actual fact I had received a letter from an author of children’s books asking for permission to use one of our vans as a ‘goodie’ in a book he was writing. The proof of this is my ability to show on this thread a list of most vehicles from 1961-86. I can assure you that for the majority of time of the 20 years I worked for W.H.Williams I enjoyed my work but saw enough vans during my working hours that I never needed to take their registration numbers for pleasure. It is true that today I wished I had taken more photos to look back on and share today but at that time I saw them every day and suffered their problems and you can have too much of a good thing.

Hi…I only had the first xmas at Green lane before I left and Harry was dishing out Chickens then(not pidgeons like Tesco) these were like small turkeys, he was not checking off any lists, perhaps he learnt a lesson for the following xmas …for what I hear about Stobart’s from ■■■■■■■■■ where my caravan is parked (10 mile from Carisle) the company is not very well liked locally, I heard a few year back they were in trouble but a bloke called Tinkler moved in and sorted them out, John Davidson had a whizz kid in at Mainsforth, and had is fingers in allsorts and using outside hauliers to meet is commitments and we all know what happened there.
Eddie

Hi Eddie and Gordon,

I forgot about the Christmas Presents,
The Chickens would be ordered from Derek Race, whose butchers shop was, before he retired in Market Place Ferryhill.
Having carried cattle before and after the war and meat during the war, dad always said that Derek Race and his father were the best butchers in the North East. In particular old Mr Race would rather close the shop if he couldn’t get the best cattle, lambs and pigs, so like you said, Eddie the chickens would be the best.
About a week before Christmas the three of us, mam, dad and me would sit down and work out how may we needed and then add a few for ‘luck’ and mam would order them when she went on the Friday for meat.

I like your explanation, Gordon, of dad sitting there with his magnifying glass ticking off on a list as he gave them out. You must have gone early, Gordon as he would soon, got sick and forgotten to tick off and I can guarantee we would be back to Ferryhill to get more when he ran out.
Before the chickens he used to give money away as a present. The amount depending how well he thought drivers had worked. The problem was he had no idea how much he was spending until going home on Christmas Eve t suddenly realise he had overspent. The chickens were fairer as every employee including office staff should have got the same, except every now and then dad would say ‘Take a couple’
They were the best years, and unfortunately all of that ended following the Lorry Driver’s Strike, and things were never the same again.

Carl

[pbsummers]

Carl Williams:

edworth:

firingonsix:
Hello Carl

The 1964 Rover 2000, DUP 243B, was it by any chance finished in Wedgwood Blue? Also, what colour was the interior trim, was it Ebony? Do you have any documentation for your family Rovers such as purchase invoices?

Regards, Digby

Carl Williams:
The last of the photos I took in late 1964 or very early 1965 of the Rover cars we owned at that time. Unfortunatly they illustrate my photographic talents and explain why I took so few photos of the vans.

In this case it was my first car, given to me new, by my Grandparents about two months ahead of my 17th birthday, and the car I leant to drive on and took my two tests in.

It was the first of six Rover P6’s we have, not counting a one I bought a few years ago.

During the seven or so years of this photo, between my grandfather, father and me, we had 12 Rovers, mostly supplied new by Fre
d Dinsdale and sons Stockton On Tees.

They were main Rover distributors for County Durham (Stockton was part of County Durham in the sixties). The business was run by two
brothers who didn’t speak with one another. One was car sales and the other ran the garage and bodyshop. Unfortunatly the business was a casualty of the British Leyland Fiasco, and closed when Rover were taken over. Geoff Pye, one of our drivers who specialised on removals moved the one brother down south, when the garage closed, and he told Geoff that after we had been such good customers to them, he couldn’t choose another company to move him.

One day, long before my Grandfather died we sat down with my dad and worked out that he had owned 18 Rovers prior to buying SUP, the Rover 60, in 1955 from Dinsdales.

After a two car interval I bought a new Rover SD1 in 1978, but it was then made by British Leyland and was a disaster, so I quickly sold it and my remaining cars whilst at W.H.Williams (Haulage) Ltd were Mercedes Benz. Apart from the mess BL made of commercial vehicles, they have a lot to answer by destroying Rover cars.

Sounds like your first rover carl.
Eddie

Hi Digby,

It was Wedgewood blue with light cream leather interior. When it was delivered there was no radio fitted and I had a Blue plunk fitted, which was removed and refitted into my next car.
Unfortunately I don’t have any paperwork for any of the cars, and was it not for the photo I would not have known the reg number of this. However my Cousin Peter, who contributes to this thread has an incredible memory and might list numbers he can remember.
With regard to that Rover 2000, my grandparents went to the Motor Show in 1963 where the 2000 had been revealed for the first time. (The car had been the talk of Rover circuit for several years as it had been long in development). They came back, telling me they had ordered one for me for my 17th Birthday present 9/9/64. They had brochures, colour samples and leather swatches, so that I could choose the colour of car and interior, which I did.
The car arrived at Dinsdale’s Stockton early about June 1964 and on the day we were to collect it, Dinsdale’s rang and said did we want to delay as it was raining, and I said no as it would have to get wet one day.
The price of the car was about £1300 and my Grandmother carried the cash in her handbag and paid when we arrived. This was an expensive car in 1964 as at that time I think a Ford ■■■■■■ was about £350
I learnt to drive with that car, and in the first few weeks it had an occasional miss, which after a while was discovered to be caused by a short due to the bonnet catch, which was modified with a bit rubber round it.
Apart from that it was never any trouble and I had it just over 3 years and did about 40,000 miles.
I had a further 3 Rover 2000s but it was my favourite, especially because I think the car suited that colour better than any other, and the interior colour was also exact.
Thank you for showing an interest and I would be pleased to hear your thoughts and views

Regards
Carl

Hi Carl
I can remember the registation numbers of all your rover 2000s and some of your dads and grandads rovers too (quite sad really) I never wrote anything down just remembered the numbers.I wished i could have rememered more when doing exams

DUP 243B ROVER 2000 BLUE
PUP 464D ROVER 2000 GREY was also your grandads car after the white rover
BPT 697F ROVER 2000 GREEN
MUP 882J ROVER 2000TC BLUE

GFD 148D ROVER 3LITRE COUPE beautiful car
JUP 107H ROVER 3500

SUP 351
WPT 968F ROVER 2000 BURNT GREY

you also had the red triumph stag RUP 99M ,red granada ghia WPT 848R and the yellow SD1 rover 2600 that number escapes me but it was an S reg
Eddie can you remember when we moved a piano from a pub in Bishop Auckland it was a short journey so we put it on the tailboard. Alan Robinson and someone else was with us,it was tied on securley Alan and the other person stopped in the back.As we drove up Newgate Street Alan decided to play the piano and they both decided to sing all the way up the street till we got to our destination we pretended that they were not with us but it put a smile on a lot of faces
still got photos to sort PETER

[edworth]

pbsummers:

Carl Williams:

edworth:

firingonsix:
Hello Carl

The 1964 Rover 2000, DUP 243B, was it by any chance finished in Wedgwood Blue? Also, what colour was the interior trim, was it Ebony? Do you have any documentation for your family Rovers such as purchase invoices?

Regards, Digby

Carl Williams:
The last of the photos I took in late 1964 or very early 1965 of the Rover cars we owned at that time. Unfortunatly they illustrate my photographic talents and explain why I took so few photos of the vans.

In this case it was my first car, given to me new, by my Grandparents about two months ahead of my 17th birthday, and the car I leant to drive on and took my two tests in.

It was the first of six Rover P6’s we have, not counting a one I bought a few years ago.

During the seven or so years of this photo, between my grandfather, father and me, we had 12 Rovers, mostly supplied new by Fre
d Dinsdale and sons Stockton On Tees.

They were main Rover distributors for County Durham (Stockton was part of County Durham in the sixties). The business was run by two
brothers who didn’t speak with one another. One was car sales and the other ran the garage and bodyshop. Unfortunatly the business was a casualty of the British Leyland Fiasco, and closed when Rover were taken over. Geoff Pye, one of our drivers who specialised on removals moved the one brother down south, when the garage closed, and he told Geoff that after we had been such good customers to them, he couldn’t choose another company to move him.

One day, long before my Grandfather died we sat down with my dad and worked out that he had owned 18 Rovers prior to buying SUP, the Rover 60, in 1955 from Dinsdales.

After a two car interval I bought a new Rover SD1 in 1978, but it was then made by British Leyland and was a disaster, so I quickly sold it and my remaining cars whilst at W.H.Williams (Haulage) Ltd were Mercedes Benz. Apart from the mess BL made of commercial vehicles, they have a lot to answer by destroying Rover cars.

Sounds like your first rover carl.
Eddie

Hi Digby,

It was Wedgewood blue with light cream leather interior. When it was delivered there was no radio fitted and I had a Blue plunk fitted, which was removed and refitted into my next car.
Unfortunately I don’t have any paperwork for any of the cars, and was it not for the photo I would not have known the reg number of this. However my Cousin Peter, who contributes to this thread has an incredible memory and might list numbers he can remember.
With regard to that Rover 2000, my grandparents went to the Motor Show in 1963 where the 2000 had been revealed for the first time. (The car had been the talk of Rover circuit for several years as it had been long in development). They came back, telling me they had ordered one for me for my 17th Birthday present 9/9/64. They had brochures, colour samples and leather swatches, so that I could choose the colour of car and interior, which I did.
The car arrived at Dinsdale’s Stockton early about June 1964 and on the day we were to collect it, Dinsdale’s rang and said did we want to delay as it was raining, and I said no as it would have to get wet one day.
The price of the car was about £1300 and my Grandmother carried the cash in her handbag and paid when we arrived. This was an expensive car in 1964 as at that time I think a Ford ■■■■■■ was about £350
I learnt to drive with that car, and in the first few weeks it had an occasional miss, which after a while was discovered to be caused by a short due to the bonnet catch, which was modified with a bit rubber round it.
Apart from that it was never any trouble and I had it just over 3 years and did about 40,000 miles.
I had a further 3 Rover 2000s but it was my favourite, especially because I think the car suited that colour better than any other, and the interior colour was also exact.
Thank you for showing an interest and I would be pleased to hear your thoughts and views

Regards
Carl

Hi Carl
I can remember the registation numbers of all your rover 2000s and some of your dads and grandads rovers too (quite sad really) I never wrote anything down just remembered the numbers.I wished i could have rememered more when doing exams

DUP 243B ROVER 2000 BLUE
PUP 464D ROVER 2000 GREY was also your grandads car after the white rover
BPT 697F ROVER 2000 GREEN
MUP 882J ROVER 2000TC BLUE

GFD 148D ROVER 3LITRE COUPE beautiful car
JUP 107H ROVER 3500

SUP 351
WPT 968F ROVER 2000 BURNT GREY

you also had the red triumph stag RUP 99M ,red granada ghia WPT 848R and the yellow SD1 rover 2600 that number escapes me but it was an S reg
Eddie can you remember when we moved a piano from a pub in Bishop Auckland it was a short journey so we put it on the tailboard. Alan Robinson and someone else was with us,it was tied on securley Alan and the other person stopped in the back.As we drove up Newgate Street Alan decided to play the piano and they both decided to sing all the way up the street till we got to our destination we pretended that they were not with us but it put a smile on a lot of faces
still got photos to sort PETER

GOD…what a memory, now you have mentioned about the piano, yes, but we did all sorts of daft things, Al would have been singing Al Jolson songs, I remember someone on a removal gave me a Top Hat and I wore it all day on Hardy’s, Peter do you have the Reg for the white rover from Wood & Watsons, I thought that was the bee’s knee’s.
Eddie

[edworth]

edworth:

pbsummers:

Carl Williams:

edworth:

firingonsix:
Hello Carl

The 1964 Rover 2000, DUP 243B, was it by any chance finished in Wedgwood Blue? Also, what colour was the interior trim, was it Ebony? Do you have any documentation for your family Rovers such as purchase invoices?

Regards, Digby

Carl Williams:
The last of the photos I took in late 1964 or very early 1965 of the Rover cars we owned at that time. Unfortunatly they illustrate my photographic talents and explain why I took so few photos of the vans.

In this case it was my first car, given to me new, by my Grandparents about two months ahead of my 17th birthday, and the car I leant to drive on and took my two tests in.

It was the first of six Rover P6’s we have, not counting a one I bought a few years ago.

During the seven or so years of this photo, between my grandfather, father and me, we had 12 Rovers, mostly supplied new by Fre
d Dinsdale and sons Stockton On Tees.

They were main Rover distributors for County Durham (Stockton was part of County Durham in the sixties). The business was run by two
brothers who didn’t speak with one another. One was car sales and the other ran the garage and bodyshop. Unfortunatly the business was a casualty of the British Leyland Fiasco, and closed when Rover were taken over. Geoff Pye, one of our drivers who specialised on removals moved the one brother down south, when the garage closed, and he told Geoff that after we had been such good customers to them, he couldn’t choose another company to move him.

One day, long before my Grandfather died we sat down with my dad and worked out that he had owned 18 Rovers prior to buying SUP, the Rover 60, in 1955 from Dinsdales.

After a two car interval I bought a new Rover SD1 in 1978, but it was then made by British Leyland and was a disaster, so I quickly sold it and my remaining cars whilst at W.H.Williams (Haulage) Ltd were Mercedes Benz. Apart from the mess BL made of commercial vehicles, they have a lot to answer by destroying Rover cars.

Sounds like your first rover carl.
Eddie

Hi Digby,

It was Wedgewood blue with light cream leather interior. When it was delivered there was no radio fitted and I had a Blue plunk fitted, which was removed and refitted into my next car.
Unfortunately I don’t have any paperwork for any of the cars, and was it not for the photo I would not have known the reg number of this. However my Cousin Peter, who contributes to this thread has an incredible memory and might list numbers he can remember.
With regard to that Rover 2000, my grandparents went to the Motor Show in 1963 where the 2000 had been revealed for the first time. (The car had been the talk of Rover circuit for several years as it had been long in development). They came back, telling me they had ordered one for me for my 17th Birthday present 9/9/64. They had brochures, colour samples and leather swatches, so that I could choose the colour of car and interior, which I did.
The car arrived at Dinsdale’s Stockton early about June 1964 and on the day we were to collect it, Dinsdale’s rang and said did we want to delay as it was raining, and I said no as it would have to get wet one day.
The price of the car was about £1300 and my Grandmother carried the cash in her handbag and paid when we arrived. This was an expensive car in 1964 as at that time I think a Ford ■■■■■■ was about £350
I learnt to drive with that car, and in the first few weeks it had an occasional miss, which after a while was discovered to be caused by a short due to the bonnet catch, which was modified with a bit rubber round it.
Apart from that it was never any trouble and I had it just over 3 years and did about 40,000 miles.
I had a further 3 Rover 2000s but it was my favourite, especially because I think the car suited that colour better than any other, and the interior colour was also exact.
Thank you for showing an interest and I would be pleased to hear your thoughts and views

Regards
Carl

Hi Carl
I can remember the registation numbers of all your rover 2000s and some of your dads and grandads rovers too (quite sad really) I never wrote anything down just remembered the numbers.I wished i could have rememered more when doing exams

DUP 243B ROVER 2000 BLUE
PUP 464D ROVER 2000 GREY was also your grandads car after the white rover
BPT 697F ROVER 2000 GREEN
MUP 882J ROVER 2000TC BLUE

GFD 148D ROVER 3LITRE COUPE beautiful car
JUP 107H ROVER 3500

SUP 351
WPT 968F ROVER 2000 BURNT GREY

you also had the red triumph stag RUP 99M ,red granada ghia WPT 848R and the yellow SD1 rover 2600 that number escapes me but it was an S reg
Eddie can you remember when we moved a piano from a pub in Bishop Auckland it was a short journey so we put it on the tailboard. Alan Robinson and someone else was with us,it was tied on securley Alan and the other person stopped in the back.As we drove up Newgate Street Alan decided to play the piano and they both decided to sing all the way up the street till we got to our destination we pretended that they were not with us but it put a smile on a lot of faces
still got photos to sort PETER

GOD…what a memory, now you have mentioned about the piano, yes, but we did all sorts of daft things, Al would have been singing Al Jolson songs, I remember someone on a removal gave me a Top Hat and I wore it all day on Hardy’s, Peter do you have the Reg for the white rover from Wood & Watsons, I thought that was the bee’s knee’s.
Eddie

Also remember coming into work on Monday morning (Marmaduke St) and this big rover coupe standing outside the house (GFD 148D ROVER) think Harry had bought it at Blackpool, what a car, do you remember the two tone green rover coupe that Harry Blatchford had, think WH thought he was paying him to much
Eddie

[carl_williams]

edworth:

edworth:

pbsummers:

Carl Williams:

edworth:

firingonsix:
Hello Carl

The 1964 Rover 2000, DUP 243B, was it by any chance finished in Wedgwood Blue? Also, what colour was the interior trim, was it Ebony? Do you have any documentation for your family Rovers such as purchase invoices?

Regards, Digby

Carl Williams:
The last of the photos I took in late 1964 or very early 1965 of the Rover cars we owned at that time. Unfortunatly they illustrate my photographic talents and explain why I took so few photos of the vans.

In this case it was my first car, given to me new, by my Grandparents about two months ahead of my 17th birthday, and the car I leant to drive on and took my two tests in.

It was the first of six Rover P6’s we have, not counting a one I bought a few years ago.

During the seven or so years of this photo, between my grandfather, father and me, we had 12 Rovers, mostly supplied new by Fre
d Dinsdale and sons Stockton On Tees.

They were main Rover distributors for County Durham (Stockton was part of County Durham in the sixties). The business was run by two
brothers who didn’t speak with one another. One was car sales and the other ran the garage and bodyshop. Unfortunatly the business was a casualty of the British Leyland Fiasco, and closed when Rover were taken over. Geoff Pye, one of our drivers who specialised on removals moved the one brother down south, when the garage closed, and he told Geoff that after we had been such good customers to them, he couldn’t choose another company to move him.

One day, long before my Grandfather died we sat down with my dad and worked out that he had owned 18 Rovers prior to buying SUP, the Rover 60, in 1955 from Dinsdales.

After a two car interval I bought a new Rover SD1 in 1978, but it was then made by British Leyland and was a disaster, so I quickly sold it and my remaining cars whilst at W.H.Williams (Haulage) Ltd were Mercedes Benz. Apart from the mess BL made of commercial vehicles, they have a lot to answer by destroying Rover cars.

Sounds like your first rover carl.
Eddie

Hi Digby,

It was Wedgewood blue with light cream leather interior. When it was delivered there was no radio fitted and I had a Blue plunk fitted, which was removed and refitted into my next car.
Unfortunately I don’t have any paperwork for any of the cars, and was it not for the photo I would not have known the reg number of this. However my Cousin Peter, who contributes to this thread has an incredible memory and might list numbers he can remember.
With regard to that Rover 2000, my grandparents went to the Motor Show in 1963 where the 2000 had been revealed for the first time. (The car had been the talk of Rover circuit for several years as it had been long in development). They came back, telling me they had ordered one for me for my 17th Birthday present 9/9/64. They had brochures, colour samples and leather swatches, so that I could choose the colour of car and interior, which I did.
The car arrived at Dinsdale’s Stockton early about June 1964 and on the day we were to collect it, Dinsdale’s rang and said did we want to delay as it was raining, and I said no as it would have to get wet one day.
The price of the car was about £1300 and my Grandmother carried the cash in her handbag and paid when we arrived. This was an expensive car in 1964 as at that time I think a Ford ■■■■■■ was about £350
I learnt to drive with that car, and in the first few weeks it had an occasional miss, which after a while was discovered to be caused by a short due to the bonnet catch, which was modified with a bit rubber round it.
Apart from that it was never any trouble and I had it just over 3 years and did about 40,000 miles.
I had a further 3 Rover 2000s but it was my favourite, especially because I think the car suited that colour better than any other, and the interior colour was also exact.
Thank you for showing an interest and I would be pleased to hear your thoughts and views

Regards
Carl

Hi Carl
I can remember the registation numbers of all your rover 2000s and some of your dads and grandads rovers too (quite sad really) I never wrote anything down just remembered the numbers.I wished i could have rememered more when doing exams

DUP 243B ROVER 2000 BLUE
PUP 464D ROVER 2000 GREY was also your grandads car after the white rover
BPT 697F ROVER 2000 GREEN
MUP 882J ROVER 2000TC BLUE

GFD 148D ROVER 3LITRE COUPE beautiful car
JUP 107H ROVER 3500

SUP 351
WPT 968F ROVER 2000 BURNT GREY

you also had the red triumph stag RUP 99M ,red granada ghia WPT 848R and the yellow SD1 rover 2600 that number escapes me but it was an S reg
Eddie can you remember when we moved a piano from a pub in Bishop Auckland it was a short journey so we put it on the tailboard. Alan Robinson and someone else was with us,it was tied on securley Alan and the other person stopped in the back.As we drove up Newgate Street Alan decided to play the piano and they both decided to sing all the way up the street till we got to our destination we pretended that they were not with us but it put a smile on a lot of faces
still got photos to sort PETER

GOD…what a memory, now you have mentioned about the piano, yes, but we did all sorts of daft things, Al would have been singing Al Jolson songs, I remember someone on a removal gave me a Top Hat and I wore it all day on Hardy’s, Peter do you have the Reg for the white rover from Wood & Watsons, I thought that was the bee’s knee’s.
Eddie

Also remember coming into work on Monday morning (Marmaduke St) and this big rover coupe standing outside the house (GFD 148D ROVER) think Harry had bought it at Blackpool, what a car, do you remember the two tone green rover coupe that Harry Blatchford had, think WH thought he was paying him to much
Eddie

Hi Eddie and Peter,

You both have incredible memories
I think, Peter you have excelled yourself this time. I didn’t know the numbers that well when I was driving them. I think my red Mercedes was B something V and the Gold one I haven’t got a clue
I couldn’t resist putting the numbers in DVLA and there was only three with records, and they are the last I could imagine.
The Grey Rover 2000 I got after my Grandfather, which had the gammy oil pump and needed a new engine, when Dinsdale’s took it in P/X
The Rover 2000 in British racing green that would appear to have had a re-spray red. Mind I’m not surprised as it was terrible to keep clean.
Then the last one I would think of The Red Ford Granada Ghia which would have appeared to have a re-spray gold. As you remember, I bought it new from Man Edgerton Norwich and had it 12 months and it already had stated to rust.
The Stag, I thought might have survived as it was no were to find
Eddie you are right dad bought the Rover 3 litre Coupe new from Halfway Garage Blackpool. We bought it one Sunday, and dad and mam went back with the white 110, which was p/xed, on the next day to change over. Dad had just come out of hospital with his heart attack and mam had to drive 110 because it had no power steering.
Other cars we bought at Blackpool were my Triumph Stag.
My dad’s first Mercedes, the cream one, from a garage which was situated just past the winter gardens (On the right) straight ahead and up that road on the right. It was in the window in their showroom new, and unregistered which was unusual as there were long delivery dates for Mercedes.
Finally my ill-fated Rover SD1 new from Belle View Garage near the Mercedes Garage.
If you ever asked dad what was his favourite car he would always say his Red Rover 3500 which he bought new from Dinsdale’s. He always thoroughly enjoyed driving that car. This says a lot for the old Rover Car Co. when you consider the other cars he had including his Rolls Royce.
Yes, Eddie I remember Harry’s Rover 3 litre. I moved it a few times when it was in the way, whilst he was away on overnight trips. I also remember another driver, I cannot remember who, had a Lanchester with a pre selective gearbox.
I was very lucky with my grandparent’s original gift, but after that I had to save out of my wages for each replacement. When I bought the Triumph Stag, as it was a ‘desirable car’ at the time they wouldn’t take part exchange and once again my Grandfather loaned me the money till the blue Rover 2000 TC was sold. Croxdale Service Station sold it on my behalf, and took commission out of the selling price.
When I got the Stag, we had then formed the limited company and our auditors suggested that I gave this car to the company, claiming tax relief and subsequent cars were provided as ‘Company Cars’. Again when we got the red Mercedes, we could not get P/X and Croxdale again sold the SD1 on our behalf.

Carl

[pbsummers]

Eddie
The white Rover 110 (from Wood and Watsons) reg number was APT 945B
Peter

[carl_williams]

RTY5G Dodge 13ton GVW with Marsden Fibreglass luton body. Perkins 6.354 diesel engine.Any idea who is standing next to it?

[edworth]

Carl Williams:
RTY5G Dodge 13ton GVW with Marsden Fibreglass luton body. Perkins 6.354 diesel engine.Any idea who is standing next to it?

did Fred Thirlaway drive one of them, cannot remember who drove the other,I had them away on different occasions, they were flying machines, I loaded one morning over the factory with one drop for the electric board at Perth,Scotland and was back for a drink that night,Did’nt they come from Ridley’s of Allendale.
thanks Peter for that reg.
Eddie

[carl_williams]

edworth:

Carl Williams:
RTY5G Dodge 13ton GVW with Marsden Fibreglass luton body. Perkins 6.354 diesel engine.Any idea who is standing next to it?

did Fred Thirlaway drive one of them, cannot remember who drove the other,I had them away on different occasions, they were flying machines, I loaded one morning over the factory with one drop for the electric board at Perth,Scotland and was back for a drink that night,Did’nt they come from Ridley’s of Allendale.
thanks Peter for that reg.
Eddie

Hi Eddie, yes you are right.

We bought RTY5G and RTY6G from Ridley’s.

They were both almost new, only months old. I think Ridley’s were changing to artics.

Fred Thirlaway drove one, and I think Ken Dagga, if I am not mistaken drove the other one.

The last I heard of Fred was he had set up home with the lady who ran our Newcastle office , was it Angela, in Chester Le Street.
I wonder is he still alive?

Carl

[edworth]

Carl Williams:

edworth:

Carl Williams:
RTY5G Dodge 13ton GVW with Marsden Fibreglass luton body. Perkins 6.354 diesel engine.Any idea who is standing next to it?

did Fred Thirlaway drive one of them, cannot remember who drove the other,I had them away on different occasions, they were flying machines, I loaded one morning over the factory with one drop for the electric board at Perth,Scotland and was back for a drink that night,Did’nt they come from Ridley’s of Allendale.
thanks Peter for that reg.
Eddie

Hi Eddie, yes you are right.

We bought RTY5G and RTY6G from Ridley’s.

They were both almost new, only months old. I think Ridley’s were changing to artics.

Fred Thirlaway drove one, and I think Ken Dagga, if I am not mistaken drove the other one.

The last I heard of Fred was he had set up home with the lady who ran our Newcastle office , was it Angela, in Chester Le Street.
I wonder is he still alive?

Carl

Fred died

[carl_williams]

edworth:

Carl Williams:

edworth:

Carl Williams:
RTY5G Dodge 13ton GVW with Marsden Fibreglass luton body. Perkins 6.354 diesel engine.Any idea who is standing next to it?

did Fred Thirlaway drive one of them, cannot remember who drove the other,I had them away on different occasions, they were flying machines, I loaded one morning over the factory with one drop for the electric board at Perth,Scotland and was back for a drink that night,Did’nt they come from Ridley’s of Allendale.
thanks Peter for that reg.
Eddie

Hi Eddie, yes you are right.

We bought RTY5G and RTY6G from Ridley’s.

They were both almost new, only months old. I think Ridley’s were changing to artics.

Fred Thirlaway drove one, and I think Ken Dagga, if I am not mistaken drove the other one.

The last I heard of Fred was he had set up home with the lady who ran our Newcastle office , was it Angela, in Chester Le Street.
I wonder is he still alive?

Carl

Fred died

Unfortunatly Ken did as well

[goggietara]

Eddy my love for the caravan must come from the Marsden also waking up for years within a closed area in the middle of nowhere i love the van but with a heater.
Gordon.

edworth:
Hi carl,Peter & Gordon…Just go’s to show what you can do with plenty of time on your hands, just put my caravan up for sale as it is to much to do setting up and taking down, I have made some wonderful friends in ■■■■■■■ were I stay, hazel & Geoff who own the farm and land have just informed me that they have bought a static caravan (secondhand) with verander and all the mod cons for me and liz to go there and stay for the summer, what great people they are, my love for caravans must come from sleeping in " The Marsden Hotel" for so long.
By the way my caravan is on Ebay, Bailey Senator Oklahoma 2004 (great van) also lots of pictures at senator.moonfruit.com

Eddie

[edworth]

goggietara:
Eddy my love for the caravan must come from the Marsden also waking up for years within a closed area in the middle of nowhere i love the van but with a heater.
Gordon.

edworth:
Hi carl,Peter & Gordon…Just go’s to show what you can do with plenty of time on your hands, just put my caravan up for sale as it is to much to do setting up and taking down, I have made some wonderful friends in ■■■■■■■ were I stay, hazel & Geoff who own the farm and land have just informed me that they have bought a static caravan (secondhand) with verander and all the mod cons for me and liz to go there and stay for the summer, what great people they are, my love for caravans must come from sleeping in " The Marsden Hotel" for so long.
By the way my caravan is on Ebay, Bailey Senator Oklahoma 2004 (great van) also lots of pictures at senator.moonfruit.com

Eddie

Hi Gordon…Think it is to do with being on your own and getting on with it, like delivering all day and then on your own in a unknown town or even village, something about it, I can’t explain it properly, think you know what I mean…Carl,have just found out where Harry Blatchford lives and have been informed he is not to good, so I am going to arrange to see him, will keep you all informed, go’s without saying.
Eddie

[carl_williams]

edworth:

goggietara:
Eddy my love for the caravan must come from the Marsden also waking up for years within a closed area in the middle of nowhere i love the van but with a heater.
Gordon.

edworth:
Hi carl,Peter & Gordon…Just go’s to show what you can do with plenty of time on your hands, just put my caravan up for sale as it is to much to do setting up and taking down, I have made some wonderful friends in ■■■■■■■ were I stay, hazel & Geoff who own the farm and land have just informed me that they have bought a static caravan (secondhand) with verander and all the mod cons for me and liz to go there and stay for the summer, what great people they are, my love for caravans must come from sleeping in " The Marsden Hotel" for so long.
By the way my caravan is on Ebay, Bailey Senator Oklahoma 2004 (great van) also lots of pictures at senator.moonfruit.com

Eddie

Hi Gordon…Think it is to do with being on your own and getting on with it, like delivering all day and then on your own in a unknown town or even village, something about it, I can’t explain it properly, think you know what I mean…Carl,have just found out where Harry Blatchford lives and have been informed he is not to good, so I am going to arrange to see him, will keep you all informed, go’s without saying.
Eddie

Hi Eddie,
Sorry to hear that Harry is not too well. I was also surprised that Fred had died. The last I heard he was running a driving school. I suppose it is right ‘Time waits for no one’.
If you see Harry, please tell him I send my regards.
Going back to his Rover, which you mentioned, in those days we used to park the drivers’ cars in the garage in Marmaduke Street overnight for safe keeping, taking them up to the top of the street and parking them there during the daytime. Harry’s car was an automatic and the first automatic I had driven at the time.
Harry was always so happy and cheerful when you met him; I hope he is not in too much pain.

Carl

[goggietara]

Eddie
Just seen the van for sale it’s lovely & a fixed bed,it must be almost new.
Regarding Harry Blatchford tell him i am asking about him & i wish him luck.

goggietara:
Eddy my love for the caravan must come from the Marsden also waking up for years within a closed area in the middle of nowhere i love the van but with a heater.
Gordon.

edworth:
Hi carl,Peter & Gordon…Just go’s to show what you can do with plenty of time on your hands, just put my caravan up for sale as it is to much to do setting up and taking down, I have made some wonderful friends in ■■■■■■■ were I stay, hazel & Geoff who own the farm and land have just informed me that they have bought a static caravan (secondhand) with verander and all the mod cons for me and liz to go there and stay for the summer, what great people they are, my love for caravans must come from sleeping in " The Marsden Hotel" for so long.
By the way my caravan is on Ebay, Bailey Senator Oklahoma 2004 (great van) also lots of pictures at senator.moonfruit.com

Eddie

Hi Gordon…Think it is to do with being on your own and getting on with it, like delivering all day and then on your own in a unknown town or even village, something about it, I can’t explain it properly, think you know what I mean…Carl,have just found out where Harry Blatchford lives and have been informed he is not to good, so I am going to arrange to see him, will keep you all informed, go’s without saying.
Eddie
[/quote]

[goggietara]

Carl did Eric Richardsond ever drive this it could be him he has his stance?
Gordon

Carl Williams:
RTY5G Dodge 13ton GVW with Marsden Fibreglass luton body. Perkins 6.354 diesel engine.Any idea who is standing next to it?

[carl_williams]

Another story about Jimmy Clements, my and Peter Summer’s Uncle Jim.
As Peter and Eddie has already stated he didn’t like to load or unload himself and so it was with this in mind he travelled with two porters, possibly Alan Robinson and Peter Moore to unload a removal that had come in with another driver, from down country.
The person whose removal, it was, was the newly appointed manager of The Lord Crewe Hotel at Blanchland. (Not far from Hexham).

For those who are unfamiliar with the Lord Crewe, it was at that time a very old Swallow Hotel of a very good reputation, said to be haunted. In the days of the reformation of the church after Henry V111 dissolved the monasteries, Roman Catholic priests were hunted out and executed. Still some of the population who were still Catholics hid the priests when the soldiers came to arrest them. Small hidden rooms were created where the priests could hide until the troops gave up and went away. The Lord Crewe Arms was a place that had ‘a priest’s hole, an area hidden within the chimney breast.
I apologise for this brief delve into history from five hundred years ago but it sets the seen. The lads had worked hard and completed the removal and to show his thanks the manager had offered them a drink. Taking credit for what he considered was his share of the work; Uncle Jim got a pint and disappeared to drink it. (An act that usually took seconds. Considering how slow he was at everything he certainly made up by the speed of his drinking alcohol.)
The two lads left the bar to go back to the van to return back to Spennymoor, but where was Jimmy? After a while a search was made of the hotel and he was nowhere to be found. Eventually he came down from the priest’s hole, where he had apparently fallen asleep. He then went on to tell the manager of the full history of the hotel. The manager was so impressed that he asked if some of the facts he could write down and use in the publicity brochures of the hotel as Jimmy knew more that Swallow Hotels.
To his credit he was a truly brilliant man, but unfortunately as far as his working effort was concerned…. It was one of the two who travelled with him that told me the story some years later, laughing describing how they thought the ghost must have taken him away.

[edworth]

Hi Carl,Gordon…called to see Harry Blatchford, but he was out, which must be a good sign.
Eddie