I remember working in the Manchester office of Charlie Alexander in 1963/4 - yes, a lifetime ago now! It was one of the happiest jobs I had, and I loved working there so much, but since I was classed as a staff member I was salaried rather than weekly paid. My pay was £7.00 per week (honestly!) and I remember being offered another position at £10.00 per week by another company, with weekly pay, so I reluctantly accepted it.
The Manchester manager was Stan Dowd, a really great guy to work for: the foreman was Charlie Frangleton, the yard man was Dave, the drivers included Lofty, Harry Skerratt, Cliff, John (Bronco) Lane - who also had a pub in Middleton, Manchester - and Arthur Greenhouse. The Liverpool depot manager was Mr. Purves. Even today I can still remember the telephone number and address of Head Office in Aberdeen: Aberdeen 52351, and Old Ford Road, Aberdeen. At that time Charlie was the “C” licence operator for North British Rubber at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. Do they still have “A”, “B” and “C” licences? Somehow I think these have long since gone. A Kendal guy, Jack Healey, was in charge of the fish drivers who came to Manchester: the fish was loaded in Aberdeen and the drivers changed over at the car park on New Road, Kendal. I remember a nice German driver called Tony. The girls in the Manchester office at that time were an Irish girl - I cannot remember her name - and a Greek girl called Mary. God, those really were happy days, but sadly they refused to put me on weekly pay, despite numerous requests on my part, so I reluctantly resigned.
Local companies at that time, probably long since gone, were Wolfenden’s Transport, W. Reeves & Sons - nightly services to Southampton - Frank Platt Limited - nightly runs to South Wales and Cheetham’s Transport of Audenshaw. Happy days indeed!
Benji1066:
I remember working in the Manchester office of Charlie Alexander in 1963/4 - yes, a lifetime ago now! It was one of the happiest jobs I had, and I loved working there so much, but since I was classed as a staff member I was salaried rather than weekly paid. My pay was £7.00 per week (honestly!) and I remember being offered another position at £10.00 per week by another company, with weekly pay, so I reluctantly accepted it.
The Manchester manager was Stan Dowd, a really great guy to work for: the foreman was Charlie Frangleton, the yard man was Dave, the drivers included Lofty, Harry Skerratt, Cliff, John (Bronco) Lane - who also had a pub in Middleton, Manchester - and Arthur Greenhouse. The Liverpool depot manager was Mr. Purves. Even today I can still remember the telephone number and address of Head Office in Aberdeen: Aberdeen 52351, and Old Ford Road, Aberdeen. At that time Charlie was the “C” licence operator for North British Rubber at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. Do they still have “A”, “B” and “C” licences? Somehow I think these have long since gone. A Kendal guy, Jack Healey, was in charge of the fish drivers who came to Manchester: the fish was loaded in Aberdeen and the drivers changed over at the car park on New Road, Kendal. I remember a nice German driver called Tony. The girls in the Manchester office at that time were an Irish girl - I cannot remember her name - and a Greek girl called Mary. God, those really were happy days, but sadly they refused to put me on weekly pay, despite numerous requests on my part, so I reluctantly resigned.
Local companies at that time, probably long since gone, were Wolfenden’s Transport, W. Reeves & Sons - nightly services to Southampton - Frank Platt Limited - nightly runs to South Wales and Cheetham’s Transport of Audenshaw. Happy days indeed!
Do you recall the name Arnold Cook who was their Foreman at Kendal for a good number of years ? Cheers Bewick.
Yes, I remember the name, but it was after my time, actually. That really was a grand place to work: after I left I rang Stan Dowd and offered to come back to work there if they’d increase the money. He tried his best for me, but no joy. It wasn’t his fault. I also apologise to two more drivers whose names I have just remembered from the very early sixties - Jim and Titch. Sorry guys! I also remember another Manchester haulage firm, Ernest Mason, and one called, I think, Ludowne Haulage. The Crow Carrying Company were around in those days, too (tankers) as were Smith & Robinson (tankers) and Hanson Brothers of Seckar Garage, Wakefield. And here’s yet another one: Flynn Brothers of Ardwick: if I remember correctly they had large bulk powder containers. Not forgetting Claribel Haulage in the same area. Knew a great guy called Eric Ashton who drove for Claribel - be used to work for Charlie. Are Edward Becks still around I wonder? They were heavy haulage specialists.
Didn’t know anyone that drove for them, but used to like the colour scheme - mainly ‘Ergo’ cabs if I remember correctly. Also remember the stink of fish at all times on the car park by the river in Kendal!
When I started on the 40’ vans to carry tissue from Bowater Scott, I was given good advice by one of the old hands. Never accept any backload of fish or carbon black. If you do, you’ve ruined the trailer for anything else!
I suggest that you enter the names and cafes that you mention into the subject search box at the head of the page. All the companies that you have written about have been discussed at length on this forum over the years and you will find plenty of references to them. Good hunting
This is one of Flynn Bros tankers they were based down Mount Road in their early days.Like gingerfold says search through and you will find plenty of info on most of the companys you have mentioned (take a look at the Sherrans and other manchester firms thread)
Hi Benji1066.
Do you remember the 8 legger Foden of your firm that used to collect unsold bundles of newspapers from the Daily Mirror returns dept. in Stalybridge and take them as a return load to Scotland for pulping once a week in the early 60s ? The flatbed was always slippy and stinking of fish !!
Regards. John.
Thanks, guys for your welcome comments: I shall look up those places as you suggest. And thanks to you, John, I remember those loads well. As you say, the flats stank of fish! A couple of weeks after I started work in the office I got the biggest bollocking of my life. A Manchester firm of paper merchants rang up - they had a few tons of paper to be delivered to Inverness. This was pretty late in the morning and the only wagon available was, yes, you’ve guessed it, one of the fish wagons. I duly sent it along to pick up the load and all was well until the irate customer in Inverness rang up next day to complain that his paper reeked of fish. I narrowly avoided getting the order of the boot for that one!
Another old Manchester name has come to mind: their trucks used to call in at Charlie’s yard - Kaye, Goodfellow & Co. Ah, memories!
well worth a look.