Norman Ingram:
Al & Harry, I was at the Pally in the seventies up to 75, then back again 78, after dancing to the big bands, used to go to the night club the other end of the building under ground, even my mate in Florida mentioned about my fondest for Bolton when he video called me on New Years Day. Yes Bolton was number 1, Bristol 2, Nottingham 3, Birmingham 4, Exeter 5 Luton 6 London Hammersmith Pally 7, Bradford 8, Blackpool 9 Hull 10, and I danced at many other places,and enjoyed the night out, but in the order I rated them,was because I attended them more!
Norm,it would only by working for BRS that you could have ever pursued a social life the likes of you have described!!Did you only use the motor as a taxi to get you to the next venue?can’t have done much work that motor!! I bet it was like new!!! Were the sheets ever opened other than to kip under when you couldn’t get back into the digs on a summer night? Cheers Dennis.
hiya,
Told you Norm you would get rumbled, when the MD gets to know about your after hours activities ie, not doing sufficient graft so’s you are too knackered to go out and enjoy yourself, i’m just pleased that i am holier than thou and made sure i’d done enough work to make me only want to go to bed, boring yes but you should know norm that you can’t do enough for a good gaffer, going for a lie down now i’m plum tuckered.
thanks harry long retired.
Dennis & Harry, When I agreed to stop driving a class one, and go on a Pantechnicon which was for a french firm which ran Camping Gaz UK at Sywell and BRS supplied the vehicles and drivers which there was three, Sam, Arthur, and a Hungarian who was going on continental work, they asked some drivers, but they was more in love with their motors than money, others were more suitable as grease monkey’s. I was told I was a clean cut lad, and just the type the management of Camping Gaz would accept, and I would get my full rate and at least 5 nights out money a week. All I had to do was please them and keep them renewing the contract. I can put my hand on my heart, and say that work was never mentioned. nor was not enjoying myself on nights out! after a year they changed to Ford custom cab artic’s. The first trip I almost dropped a clanger, I got back a day to early, I passed it off as everything went like clockwork, and was begginners luck. . But it never happened again, Arthur liked dancing he took his black shoes everywhere with him. he had longing for Bristol, Sam was a pub man and liked his drink, a pint & whisky and he had a very red nose, but died in his house in his 60’s. This was a very nice period of entertainment. Dennis why do you spoil it by mentioning " WORK"!
Norman Ingram:
People make a comment, I pour my heart out, And they do not answer?
hiya,
No wonder nobody’s commented we can’t understand what your saying, us hardworking types used to WORK so hard we needed our bed the minute we’d locked the shed door, i only got a drink if there was a boozer en-route to the digs, mind i always made sure i had to pass a pub en-route to the digs, must admit i enjoyed a pint or two at lunchtime sort of a liquid dinner i was conservant with all the pubs with a car park you could get on and off with a big-un, hic hic happy days.
thanks harry long retired.
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
I was been modest with the 12HRS bit Dave! In my case it was more like 14/15 hours a day in the early years,permantley knackered!!!Dennis.
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
I was been modest with the 12HRS bit Dave! In my case it was more like 14/15 hours a day in the early years,permantley knackered!!!Dennis.
I expect you had later starts,but even later finishes when you came off the road Dennis.
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
My parents had high aspirations for me as I can still remember my Ma was always saying you’ll hang you will and even Hitler topped his sen when he found out I had come into the world
cheers Johnnie
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
I was been modest with the 12HRS bit Dave! In my case it was more like 14/15 hours a day in the early years,permantley knackered!!!Dennis.
I expect you had later starts,but even later finishes when you came off the road Dennis.
Dead right there Dave! was often in the depot at 1 or 2 am on my way back from London or elseware in the car!!The last time I got pinched for speeding (98) was just south of Frankley services at 6.20am on my way for an early meeting in Cullompton.Dennis.
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
I was been modest with the 12HRS bit Dave! In my case it was more like 14/15 hours a day in the early years,permantley knackered!!!Dennis.
I expect you had later starts,but even later finishes when you came off the road Dennis.
Dead right there Dave! was often in the depot at 1 or 2 am on my way back from London or elseware in the car!!The last time I got pinched for speeding (98) was just south of Frankley services at 6.20am on my way for an early meeting in Cullompton.Dennis.
It’s still a hot area around Frankley these days Dennis,there is a Scottish Policeman name of Angus Nairn who used to be a lorry driver who monitors the lorries.
Cheers Dave.
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
I was been modest with the 12HRS bit Dave! In my case it was more like 14/15 hours a day in the early years,permantley knackered!!!Dennis.
I expect you had later starts,but even later finishes when you came off the road Dennis.
Dead right there Dave! was often in the depot at 1 or 2 am on my way back from London or elseware in the car!!The last time I got pinched for speeding (98) was just south of Frankley services at 6.20am on my way for an early meeting in Cullompton.Dennis.
It’s still a hot area around Frankley these days Dennis,there is a Scottish Policeman name of Angus Nairn who used to be a lorry driver who monitors the lorries.
Cheers Dave.
These two barstewards had just come on shift and had joined the M5 in their XJ6 behind me,the orrofice that did all the talking and gave me the ticket was a PC Stones.Dennis.
Bewick:
I’m terribly sorry Norm that I didn’t pick up on your post about the Gaz contract you were on,I know the feeling,you impart your very best explanation and it “falls on the deaf ears of the Great Unwashed” sounds to me like you should have been paid for what you knew not for what you did i.e.keeping the customer sweet at all times! you know the old saying “Bull manure baffles brains” and you would appear to have been quite adept at the method!!! Don’t take umbridge as I employed a few with skills similar to yours over the years!! Its just that “H” and me are “straight forward grafters” like, so we can’t identify with the the “finer points” of working your ticket!!!Our approach was 12 hrs.collar,a couple of pints and into kip “knackered”!!!All the best for 2011,Dennis.
So thats the secret of how to succeed in business.I have just been reading Alan Sugar’s book.He was born in march 1947,how very odd
I was been modest with the 12HRS bit Dave! In my case it was more like 14/15 hours a day in the early years,permantley knackered!!!Dennis.
I expect you had later starts,but even later finishes when you came off the road Dennis.
Dead right there Dave! was often in the depot at 1 or 2 am on my way back from London or elseware in the car!!The last time I got pinched for speeding (98) was just south of Frankley services at 6.20am on my way for an early meeting in Cullompton.Dennis.
It’s still a hot area around Frankley these days Dennis,there is a Scottish Policeman name of Angus Nairn who used to be a lorry driver who monitors the lorries.
Cheers Dave.
These two barstewards had just come on shift and had joined the M5 in their XJ6 behind me,the orrofice that did all the talking and gave me the ticket was a PC Stones.Dennis.
Only heard of this other bloke Dennis,because he’s been featured on the TV a few times.
What a naughty boy Dennis! THERE IS a simular sound to grafters as to being crafty? Which was you two old codgers, I loved the period when it was a eleven hour day 8 hours driving, the Germans forced us into it, then after a few years they wanted it changed, and got it their way. when it comes to safety of drivers, money always got it’s own way. Being a ex -service, I could always follow rules and regulations to a “T”, but not all firms or some drivers could or would do the same, a good firm would tell you to look after the vehicle and keep it clean, detail what mileage a day, even time deliveries, which I kept to, but a lot wanted to go faster, and a few slower, myself I just wanted to do the job, then when finished enjoy myself. For I could see, if you did not get killed on the road, your type of work and the way you ate, would end up with heart or lung trouble. Life expectation for HGV drivers was not great, if all the old timers here put their hand on their heart, they know how many of their mates never reached 65, let alone passed it. I think I was lucky in every way, and think of all my mates who never made it. But in Sept I will be 74, and think oh my god in 26 years I could be 100 for I remember how quickly they went in the beginning. So I hope all you folks out there live a long life! Just so I can continue to give you something to talk about.
You have frightened them all off here Norm,they are all trying to live the healthy life and prolong their waking up in the morning. Lorry driving has always been about long hours and not a particularly healthy lifestyle,especially in the old days,when half the drivers had a ■■■ in their gob most of the time.The thing is,as you know as well as the rest of us,unless you put the hours in the money wasn’t that great.It did improve for a few years after the HGV licenses came in.But in a lot of cases,blokes aren’t getting paid overtime rate anymore,they are working straight through for the same money,something which I would have never agreed to.It was always time and a half over 40 hours,and that’s where you made your money up.
Cheers Dave.
Dave,
Its not all doom and gloom ! , I still get time and a half after 8hrs but 8hrs would be a long day for me !!!
Guess I’m one of the lucky ones with decent conditions, I only work about 37hrs but still get a guarantee of 50, 10 of which are time and a half,but if I did have to work more than 10 then thats down to me and I get the hrs back with a short day. 50hrs a week holiday pay too, I drive a new Volvo Fh 13, I get to choose where I want to go for the shift and don’t have anyone to bother me about journey or delivery times.
The motor is usually hooked up ready to roll and the manager always has a cup of tea ready for me when I get in at 5 am, yes I know I am spoilt but they have to look after the older ones now.
Dave the Renegade:
You have frightened them all off here Norm,they are all trying to live the healthy life and prolong their waking up in the morning. Lorry driving has always been about long hours and not a particularly healthy lifestyle,especially in the old days,when half the drivers had a ■■■ in their gob most of the time.The thing is,as you know as well as the rest of us,unless you put the hours in the money wasn’t that great.It did improve for a few years after the HGV licenses came in.But in a lot of cases,blokes aren’t getting paid overtime rate anymore,they are working straight through for the same money,something which I would have never agreed to.It was always time and a half over 40 hours,and that’s where you made your money up.
Cheers Dave.
hiya,
Should i ever take up the handlebars again things will be different tools in the footwell will be replaced by dancing shoes the ropes hanging at the back of the passenger seat will be thrown on the trailer and replaced with the obligatory coathanger bearing the Whistle and flute" suitable for doing the twist, my little overnight case will be enlarged to accept a nice white shirt and loads of smellies to make me presentable for hitting the dancefloor, all i need now is a bit of advice from “Old Norm” on the noble art of pulling the birds, have only ever been any good at pulling trailers, but after having done all the prep i’d most likely be too knackered and still have an early night, don’t think i’m quite ready for the wild life just yet, ah well carry on Norman see you next trip.
thanks harry long retired.
Trev H you almost got me applying for my HGV back. But then I got my brain in gear again. Harry the only time I carried tools with me in UK was one spanner for the injector pipes on the leylands when on Bulwark, and a couple for my cb equipment, but night out gear a must. While you was enjoying your digs Harry, I was comparing the market dot com. And by golly there was some beautiful goods out there!
Norman Ingram:
Trev H you almost got me applying for my HGV back. But then I got my brain in gear again. Harry the only time I carried tools with me in UK was one spanner for the injector pipes on the leylands when on Bulwark, and a couple for my cb equipment, but night out gear a must. While you was enjoying your digs Harry, I was comparing the market dot com. And by golly there was some beautiful goods out there!
hiya,
Norm did you ever attend the Grab a Granny dances??, don’t expect there would be much in the way of “beautiful goods” at those do’s bit more like “spot the old boilers .com” i should think.
thanks harry long retired.
Harry, I did, and at those dances, not all was granny, but drinking that liquid gold can blur your vision. Once when in Carlisle, I went to the TALK OF THE NORTH, and a Carlsberg driver was with this women, and was pie eyed, he said Norman I have crack it, I just laught and said see you in the morning, she made the wicked witch of the west from wizard of oz look beautiful! When I met up with him the next day, I said how was the love of your life? He replied you saw her, I nodded. how old do you think she was, not a day under 65 and she was so ugly, I dare not look at her, in case I turned to stone, I said with a smile on my face. He said I know, I woke up and ran out the house, got a taxi to the truckstop.
and even Hitler topped his sen when he found out I had come into the world 
