During the late 1960s, and well into the 1970s, Robert Baillie subbed most of the Guernsey Tomatoes work for
Belfast wholesale fruit & vegetable market to Agnew & Lithgow from Stranraer, The Belfast load would arrive
at Baillies Wigan depot on night trunk from Horndean, or sometimes, direct from loading at the Albert Johnson
Quay at Portsmouth. If it was a full load, Agnew & Lithgow would take Baillies loaded trailer to Belfast via the
short sea crossing from Stranraer to Belfast. If it was a part load for Belfast, it would be transferred on to Agnews
trailer. At the time Baillies airline suzies were “Palm Couplings”, and Agnews were the “Push-on” type, so it was
necessary to have coupling adaptors always available for each time they coupled to a Robert Baillie trailer.
Occasionally, one of Baillies drivers from Wigan depot had to take the loaded trailer to the Agnew & Lithgow
local depot at Rochdale. Now and again, a Baillies lorry and driver would do the Belfast.
Ray Smyth.
