Carl this may be of interest
pbsummers:
Hello, Carl. Yes I remember the Bedford J Type. It would have been about 1970/71 and, although I can’t remember the full registration, was F registered with a Hawson body. I never travelled in this vehicle as it was about the time I was studying at Bishop Auckland Technical College but remember seeing it one afternoon parked at a school on Woodhouse Lane. I believe it could have been Harry Blatchford doing the delivery but not 100%. I thought it unusual for you to buy this type of vehicle, being petrol and of an older design when vehicles, like the Transit were available. It looked very nice painted in the traditional cream and brown WHW livery.As I was coming back from Crook today I remembered the last time I saw the Morris DPT 100B. It was quite a few years ago and sadly it was in a scrap yard at Willington. At this time it had been repainted in the last owners colours but still easily recognisable and the rear number plate was a good give away. I now wished I had taken a photo.
Gordon, if the picture you saw of the Bedford HNF 716 was at this years Tyne Tees Run then, yes, it was me driving with my wife, Brenda and brother, Barry as passengers. The Foden LGE 951 is now running o.k. and will be taking part in Spennymoor’s Gala’s 57th annual parade, with the Bedford, this Saturday, 7th July.
Hope everyone is keeping well.
Peter.
Hi Peter
At the time we were very busy and our small vans in particular were occupied every day. We were using Barry Hindmarch (Oughton Carriers) as a sub-contractor, particularly on ■■■■■■■ deliveries as he did a regular delivery twice a week over there, (I think at that time he was using the 4 cylinder TK which the young driver was tragically killed on Shap) but also at the time he was running a Commer Walk through and it was being used almost daily on our work. Plus we were paying double time to several drivers delivering our Freeman deliveries on Sundays.
The standard Transit vans were too small and we needed something to put us over until we got Marsden’s to build our next small van Leyland 3.5 ton gvw FG. We had considered a Commer (Dodge) walk through but they were not too reliable, and then we saw the Bedford advertised. It was old fashioned, like you said and didn’t get many mph (but petrol was not so expensive then), but the Bedford 6 cylinder petrol was so reliable, it was not a bad choice.
It is a shame you didn’t get a photo of DPT100B. We sold it to Richardson’s Middlesbrough; it’s strange it ended its days at Willington.
I’m sure you will enjoy driving the Foden tomorrow. It must make you so proud after all the work you have put into it.
Have a good day
Carl
Another unusual additions to our small vans was a Leyland EA van (J reg if my memory is correct) Am I right Peter? Once again a bit larger than transits of the era and diesel but it didnt stay too long as it was like many Leylands, unreliable. As I have no photos and unlikely one wil turn up here is a publicity photo
The news is full of Andy Murray at the moment at Wimbledon, and it reminded me of an event in the eighties.
I cannot remember who it was so I cannot ‘Name Names’ but during Wimbledon a senior representative of one of our customers was visiting us at Green Lane and he mentioned how much he would like to attend the final at Wimbledon. Dad said ‘I’ll get you a couple of tickets’. After he left I said ‘How on earth are you going to do that’
Dad simply picked up the phone and said he wanted two tickets for Centre Court Wimbledon, and within two hours it was arranged and a very happy customer attended Wimbledon.
I cannot remember how much it cost, but it was not too much, so they had not been obtained by ticket snouts.
Carl
One memory i have from the past is cricket not tennis, being one of the exhibition team for Thorn’s i had to deliver some of their products to Hove cricket ground while unloading i had a some to the rear of the van on the floor to take in as wanted when this England team player came out of the ground (name forgotten) got into his car & reversed over a newly designed ceramic hob he got out of the car apologised & drove off he did not even give me his autograph.
Peter
Yes that would have been it from the Tyne Tees Run, posers.
Gordon.
Hi Carl, yes I remember the EA as well you are correct it was a J reg never went in this one either. I know you didn’t keep it long (typical BMC problems of this era probably was the factor in disposing of it early in it’s life) I can say it did suit the WHW livery as I think all of your vehicles did or am I being biased .
Gordon, posers■■? well probably.
Peter
goggietara:
Carl
One memory i have from the past is cricket not tennis, being one of the exhibition team for Thorn’s i had to deliver some of their products to Hove cricket ground while unloading i had a some to the rear of the van on the floor to take in as wanted when this England team player came out of the ground (name forgotten) got into his car & reversed over a newly designed ceramic hob he got out of the car apologised & drove off he did not even give me his autograph.
Peter
Yes that would have been it from the Tyne Tees Run, posers.Gordon.
Hi Gordon,
It’s things from the past like this I so much enjoy hearing about, as does so many others that read this thread. We can laugh about it now but I bet at the time it caused you a lot of anxiety. Speaking from experience I bet you dreaded returning to Green Lane and walking in the drivers’ rest room and telling dad who would be waiting there what happened. I guarantee he wasn’t waitng with a smile to greet you
Thank you, Gordon for sharing that memory
Carl
Carl
Actually the area manager (rep) for Thorns @ the time took control of the situation & i heard nowt from it luckily.
Peter
Your a sport & that Pickfords van is a treasure & if i am not mistaken it has been on Heartbeat & other TV series am i correct?
And driving it you get more admiring looks from other drivers than if you were driving a Rolls Royce.
Gordon
Carl
I cannot remember your Dad ever losing it with me, but what i do remember is if you ever had a scratch on the van you hoped it would be on the nearside as you drove in the yard with the office on the right - he missed nowt in a nice sort of way.
Many years ago when i had an Isle Of Wight load of Thorns cookers & fridges i parked up near Parkhurst Prison for the delivery of ministry cookers the next day @ her majestys pleasure.Into the lorry park came another furniture van the small elderly lorry driver had his son with him they were very sociable as all drivers are so we went for a few bevvies nearby as we do we told each other our deliveries the next day i said i had to go to the Prison in the morning he replied oh i have been in there i said what did you deliver he replied i was not in there doing a delivery i was detained for TEN years for hitting a Policeman with a starting handle (when we used them to start a car) he seemed a quiet auld lad too.
We did see life for W H W - Gordon.
goggietara:
Carl
I cannot remember your Dad ever losing it with me, but what i do remember is if you ever had a scratch on the van you hoped it would be on the nearside as you drove in the yard with the office on the right - he missed nowt in a nice sort of way.Many years ago when i had an Isle Of Wight load of Thorns cookers & fridges i parked up near Parkhurst Prison for the delivery of ministry cookers the next day @ her majestys pleasure.Into the lorry park came another furniture van the small elderly lorry driver had his son with him they were very sociable as all drivers are so we went for a few bevvies nearby as we do we told each other our deliveries the next day i said i had to go to the Prison in the morning he replied oh i have been in there i said what did you deliver he replied i was not in there doing a delivery i was detained for TEN years for hitting a Policeman with a starting handle (when we used them to start a car) he seemed a quiet auld lad too.
We did see life for W H W - Gordon.
Hi Gordon,
Bet you were pleased he was driving a modern van with no cranking handle
i’ve always said you never know who you meet. Some poor young couple might one night desperatly need a baby sitter and ask the loverly middle aged lady living next door, who might turn out to be Mary Bell.
Life is unpredictable
Carl
Colin Watson:
HiBelow is a copy of the letter that I have asked the Northern Echo, Newton News and Spennynews to publish in their letter column, as we have no guarantee that they will publish I would ask all who read this thread who may know a colleague to pass the word verbally.
Were you ever employed by W. H. Williams Removal and Storage Spennymoor: a half dozen of ex employees got together on Tuesday 10th April 2012, 26 years since the company went into liquidation and we had a good evening out with many tales and a million miles covered in a couple of hours
It was thought by those present that they would like to hold a reunion of as many as possible of ex employees, I have a list of ex employees but this of course has been substantially reduced over the years through nature and as a large portion of those left are in their late sixties or early to mid seventies the opportunity to have such an occasion has a possible limited time scale.
We have been offered the use of the facilities of Ferryhill Workingmen’s Club for the afternoon of Saturday 27th October 2012 from 12.30pm onwards, If you are interested please contact preferable by Email: colinwatson412@btinternet .com or on mobile: 07796908347.
I spent a few days in Scotland with my old friend Jim Ferguson, we had a great time touring during the day and having a meal and a couple of pints and reminiscing in the evening.
Get well soon Eddy.
Colin
Hi Colin
The internet address in this posting doesn’t work
I was wanting to send you this message
Hi Colin
How are you? Hope you are well.
I was just wondering have you had many replies.
Gordon Ball mentioned meeting Ray Russell who was in touch with Phil Reilly, and I hope he told them.
also some time ago he mentioned speaking to Dave Branon who had some photos of the fitters and one of an artic with stephenson’s rocket train on it. Gordon said he was going to send it, but it hasn’t come yet.
I thought it might be worth while if I wrote as many as possible about six weeks or so before, and if its alright with you going to post a notice on Trucknet asking if anyone can send me names and addesses. I wuld give them your email so they can tell you they are coming
Is that OK with you
Best wishes
Carl
Just thinking I have created this new Email address whwilliamsspennymoor@yahoo.com This should make it handy if anyone wants to send anything in confidence and also I can pass messages onto others in confidence by forwarding them.
Carl
How true you never know who we meet when down the road, like that driver & son i met i was gobsmacked when he told me i felt a shudder then thought of that poor policeman he hit & will never forget it
One such time when having a drink in Reading opposite the cattle Market Lorry Park the lorry driver i was with from another firm told me he had drank in that same pub with The Ripper now that to he after he was caught & me was a bl–dy shock.
Hearing you mention Dave Brannon i contacted him thru sources & is still travelling with work i shall try & contact him again as the photo he mentioned from Gala day would be a goodun, Ray Russell is not into computers also other ex drivers but some are still working with little time to themselves, i was not a computer person until i retired & only because i was involved with the LDWA & putting photos from our walks on Facebook.Its a shame because there are hundreds of stories to be told some good & some bad.
Take care Carl & everyone - Gordon.
goggietara:
Carl
How true you never know who we meet when down the road, like that driver & son i met i was gobsmacked when he told me i felt a shudder then thought of that poor policeman he hit & will never forget it
One such time when having a drink in Reading opposite the cattle Market Lorry Park the lorry driver i was with from another firm told me he had drank in that same pub with The Ripper now that to he after he was caught & me was a bl–dy shock.
Hearing you mention Dave Brannon i contacted him thru sources & is still travelling with work i shall try & contact him again as the photo he mentioned from Gala day would be a goodun, Ray Russell is not into computers also other ex drivers but some are still working with little time to themselves, i was not a computer person until i retired & only because i was involved with the LDWA & putting photos from our walks on Facebook.Its a shame because there are hundreds of stories to be told some good & some bad.
Take care Carl & everyone - Gordon.
Hi Gordon,
Several of our drivers reckoned that they had met ‘The Black Panther’ who had kidnapped and killed Leslie Whittle. They reckoned he used to work in one of the transport cafes on the A1 just before or after Wetherby. I think it might have been the ‘Robin hood’. He used to repair the Fruit Machines.
I think it was most probable that some of our drivers met the Ripper. After all he was a lorry driver. At one point with all the police activity at our offices looking into were certain of our drivers had been on specific occasions and going through their log books, I was beginning to think we had him working in our midst.
The story of the Rocket has come back to me. It was the 150th celebration of the Darlington to Stockton Railway in 1975 and we were asked to pick up (I can’t remember where from) a full scale replica of Stephenson’s Rocket, and take it to Shildon for the exhibition. I mentioned this to some of my Round Table friends and they contacted the organisers and arranged that it could be collected a day or two earlier so that it could be driven through Spennymoor Gala on the back of one of our trailers.
It arrived at Green Lane on the Thursday afternoon and stayed with us until the Monday morning when we took it to Shildon, and on the Saturday we took it through the Gala and it was displayed in Jubilee Park. I have no doubt we used the newest tractor unit we had available, on the day and I would really like to see Dave’s photo.
You are quite right what you say about the internet and computers and I am sure most ex drivers will not be too accustomed to them. That is why I think it would be a good idea to write to as many as possible. Who knows some of the ex-office staff might come as well, although I can think of two you or I would not wish to attend.
Please Gordon if you have any names and addresses let me know on whwilliamsspennymoor@yahoo.com and I can write as the more that hear from me the better as even if they don’t want to go they might talk to someone who does
Best wishes
Carl
Carl Williams:
Colin Watson:
HiBelow is a copy of the letter that I have asked the Northern Echo, Newton News and Spennynews to publish in their letter column, as we have no guarantee that they will publish I would ask all who read this thread who may know a colleague to pass the word verbally.
Were you ever employed by W. H. Williams Removal and Storage Spennymoor: a half dozen of ex employees got together on Tuesday 10th April 2012, 26 years since the company went into liquidation and we had a good evening out with many tales and a million miles covered in a couple of hours
It was thought by those present that they would like to hold a reunion of as many as possible of ex employees, I have a list of ex employees but this of course has been substantially reduced over the years through nature and as a large portion of those left are in their late sixties or early to mid seventies the opportunity to have such an occasion has a possible limited time scale.
We have been offered the use of the facilities of Ferryhill Workingmen’s Club for the afternoon of Saturday 27th October 2012 from 12.30pm onwards, If you are interested please contact preferable by Email: colinwatson412@btinternet .com or on mobile: 07796908347.
I spent a few days in Scotland with my old friend Jim Ferguson, we had a great time touring during the day and having a meal and a couple of pints and reminiscing in the evening.
Get well soon Eddy.
Colin
Hi Colin
The internet address in this posting doesn’t work
I was wanting to send you this messageHi Colin
How are you? Hope you are well.
I was just wondering have you had many replies.
Gordon Ball mentioned meeting Ray Russell who was in touch with Phil Reilly, and I hope he told them.
also some time ago he mentioned speaking to Dave Branon who had some photos of the fitters and one of an artic with stephenson’s rocket train on it. Gordon said he was going to send it, but it hasn’t come yet.
I thought it might be worth while if I wrote as many as possible about six weeks or so before, and if its alright with you going to post a notice on Trucknet asking if anyone can send me names and addesses. I wuld give them your email so they can tell you they are coming
Is that OK with you
Best wishes
Carl
Theres a space between the t and .com, if you remove the space after copy and pasting it will work.
Ps thanks for the very interesting read
Carl Williams:
goggietara:
Carl
How true you never know who we meet when down the road, like that driver & son i met i was gobsmacked when he told me i felt a shudder then thought of that poor policeman he hit & will never forget it
One such time when having a drink in Reading opposite the cattle Market Lorry Park the lorry driver i was with from another firm told me he had drank in that same pub with The Ripper now that to he after he was caught & me was a bl–dy shock.
Hearing you mention Dave Brannon i contacted him thru sources & is still travelling with work i shall try & contact him again as the photo he mentioned from Gala day would be a goodun, Ray Russell is not into computers also other ex drivers but some are still working with little time to themselves, i was not a computer person until i retired & only because i was involved with the LDWA & putting photos from our walks on Facebook.Its a shame because there are hundreds of stories to be told some good & some bad.
Take care Carl & everyone - Gordon.Hi Gordon,
Several of our drivers reckoned that they had met ‘The Black Panther’ who had kidnapped and killed Leslie Whittle. They reckoned he used to work in one of the transport cafes on the A1 just before or after Wetherby. I think it might have been the ‘Robin hood’. He used to repair the Fruit Machines.
I think it was most probable that some of our drivers met the Ripper. After all he was a lorry driver. At one point with all the police activity at our offices looking into were certain of our drivers had been on specific occasions and going through their log books, I was beginning to think we had him working in our midst.
The story of the Rocket has come back to me. It was the 150th celebration of the Darlington to Stockton Railway in 1975 and we were asked to pick up (I can’t remember where from) a full scale replica of Stephenson’s Rocket, and take it to Shildon for the exhibition. I mentioned this to some of my Round Table friends and they contacted the organisers and arranged that it could be collected a day or two earlier so that it could be driven through Spennymoor Gala on the back of one of our trailers.
It arrived at Green Lane on the Thursday afternoon and stayed with us until the Monday morning when we took it to Shildon, and on the Saturday we took it through the Gala and it was displayed in Jubilee Park. I have no doubt we used the newest tractor unit we had available, on the day and I would really like to see Dave’s photo.
You are quite right what you say about the internet and computers and I am sure most ex drivers will not be too accustomed to them. That is why I think it would be a good idea to write to as many as possible. Who knows some of the ex-office staff might come as well, although I can think of two you or I would not wish to attend.
Please Gordon if you have any names and addresses let me know on whwilliamsspennymoor@yahoo.com and I can write as the more that hear from me the better as even if they don’t want to go they might talk to someone who doesBest wishes
Carl
One of the replica’s were built at the Bowes Railway, Springwell, Gateshead by Locomotion Enterprises in 1979. You may have collected it from there.
Waco:
Carl Williams:
goggietara:
Carl
How true you never know who we meet when down the road, like that driver & son i met i was gobsmacked when he told me i felt a shudder then thought of that poor policeman he hit & will never forget it
One such time when having a drink in Reading opposite the cattle Market Lorry Park the lorry driver i was with from another firm told me he had drank in that same pub with The Ripper now that to he after he was caught & me was a bl–dy shock.
Hearing you mention Dave Brannon i contacted him thru sources & is still travelling with work i shall try & contact him again as the photo he mentioned from Gala day would be a goodun, Ray Russell is not into computers also other ex drivers but some are still working with little time to themselves, i was not a computer person until i retired & only because i was involved with the LDWA & putting photos from our walks on Facebook.Its a shame because there are hundreds of stories to be told some good & some bad.
Take care Carl & everyone - Gordon.Hi Gordon,
Several of our drivers reckoned that they had met ‘The Black Panther’ who had kidnapped and killed Leslie Whittle. They reckoned he used to work in one of the transport cafes on the A1 just before or after Wetherby. I think it might have been the ‘Robin hood’. He used to repair the Fruit Machines.
I think it was most probable that some of our drivers met the Ripper. After all he was a lorry driver. At one point with all the police activity at our offices looking into were certain of our drivers had been on specific occasions and going through their log books, I was beginning to think we had him working in our midst.
The story of the Rocket has come back to me. It was the 150th celebration of the Darlington to Stockton Railway in 1975 and we were asked to pick up (I can’t remember where from) a full scale replica of Stephenson’s Rocket, and take it to Shildon for the exhibition. I mentioned this to some of my Round Table friends and they contacted the organisers and arranged that it could be collected a day or two earlier so that it could be driven through Spennymoor Gala on the back of one of our trailers.
It arrived at Green Lane on the Thursday afternoon and stayed with us until the Monday morning when we took it to Shildon, and on the Saturday we took it through the Gala and it was displayed in Jubilee Park. I have no doubt we used the newest tractor unit we had available, on the day and I would really like to see Dave’s photo.
You are quite right what you say about the internet and computers and I am sure most ex drivers will not be too accustomed to them. That is why I think it would be a good idea to write to as many as possible. Who knows some of the ex-office staff might come as well, although I can think of two you or I would not wish to attend.
Please Gordon if you have any names and addresses let me know on whwilliamsspennymoor@yahoo.com and I can write as the more that hear from me the better as even if they don’t want to go they might talk to someone who doesBest wishes
Carl
One of the replica’s were built at the Bowes Railway, Springwell, Gateshead by Locomotion Enterprises in 1979. You may have collected it from there.
Hi Waco
Thanks for the advice on the internet address . It worked OK after following your instruction.No it was not that one as it was in 1975. I am sure we collected from the Midlands
Once again thanks for your advise and interest
Carl
Hi Waco
Did you ever work for WHW?
Gordon
Just thinking of Gordon saying that he didn’t get told off by dad for unloading a ceramic hob onto the road where it was run over etc., and Gordon saying Dad never lost his temper with him.
Well I heard his wrath many times, in fact often directed at me. When I was about seven and I went with him when he drove onto a street he expected me to count ahead along te street ad tell me what house he had to stop at, and if I didn’t he used to go mad with me,
He always told me it was expected of a van lad to do that and be out of the van have the tailboard down before the driver managed to get out of the cab.
Although, being a volunteer I suspect Peter was not victim of his anger, but I bet he heard it expressed on others many times when he was visiting Marmaduke Street.