I know this picture has been on this thread before, The trailer is
loaded with 271 sacks of castor meal, handballed on at Croda Premier
at Ann Watson Street in Hull,Just over 20 tons. The main sheets were opened partway
to cover the top of the load, then roped on alternate rope hooks,
followed by the flysheet on the top. After leaving Hull and driving
to a layby, somewhere near to where the Humber Bridge is today,
it was advisable to stop,and re rope the load again, because the bags
had settled down. Each of the sacks of meal were 75 kg, 12 stone,
or hundredweight and a half in old money. You had to catch each sack
off a chute, and walk the length of the trailer with them.
At least,the walk became shorter after each row of sacks went on.
I am only 5ft 4",and in early 1970, weighed only 9 stone, so the sacks
were a third heavier than me. The night trunk drivers would get down
as far as Sutton Scrotum on the A34, and stop for 45 minutes break,
during which time they would re rope the settled load again.
The day shunters at Horndean would take the load to a Mushroom
farm some where near Bognor Regis in West Sussex, remove the sheets
and ropes, 2 farmers boys would climb on the trailer,and as the driver
drove slowly through the field, the boys would pitch the sacks off.
Those Hampshire drivers had it so easy. (Tongue in cheek)
This picture is taken at Doncaster Depot.
Kind Regards, Ray Smyth.
