Was Pumpherston the same area as Mid-Calder,oil shale/paraffin springs to mind. If so I went just the once with some product from the NCB refinery at Wath on Dearne,around 1969. J.B.McBean country 
Chris Webb:
Was Pumpherston the same area as Mid-Calder,oil shale/paraffin springs to mind. If so I went just the once with some product from the NCB refinery at Wath on Dearne,around 1969. J.B.McBean country
Pumphy is about a mile north of Midcalder.The soap works there was alternatively known as Youngs Paraffin Lamp and Mineral Oil Co. and BP which is what the old Scottish Oils is known as today.There was a refinery at Pumpherston long before most areas in the world.The oil industry developed and grew around this area.
I still cant post pics but heres a link to a picture of the Pumphy refinery about 1950,its about half way down the page.
makers.org.uk/penicuik/heatandlight
There is a really good book about all this area and the oil industry but as its forty years or so since I read it Ive forgotten what it`s called.
Mark.
Gridley51:
Chris Webb:
Was Pumpherston the same area as Mid-Calder,oil shale/paraffin springs to mind. If so I went just the once with some product from the NCB refinery at Wath on Dearne,around 1969. J.B.McBean countryPumphy is about a mile north of Midcalder.The soap works there was alternatively known as Youngs Paraffin Lamp and Mineral Oil Co. and BP which is what the old Scottish Oils is known as today.There was a refinery at Pumpherston long before most areas in the world.The oil industry developed and grew around this area.
I still cant post pics but heres a link to a picture of the Pumphy refinery about 1950,its about half way down the page.
makers.org.uk/penicuik/heatandlight
There is a really good book about all this area and the oil industry but as its forty years or so since I read it Ive forgotten what it`s called.
Mark.
Thanks Mark,as I say I only went the once so was a bit hazy about the place - it was over 40 years ago 
I’ll check that link out.
wheel nut:
Among all these old tanker men, does anyone recall where Gerry (GMB Pumpherston) fitted in? By the time I started, Gerry was well established with the tank wash next to the BP plant, but had previously been in Newbridge. I know he was a driver and settled up there, before he retired and GMB moved to Grangemouth. Lovely Bloke!
Funnily enough someone was talking about that company the other day and mentioned it had moved to Grangemouth when the soap works at Pumpherston closed.I can`t actually remember the names he spoke about and as I had never known them anyway they meant nothing to me.
I remember the tank wash opening up there and it always seemed quite busy as I went along that road most days.
Was it Bolton Roadways who used to run a lot of product out of there?
Nothing to show there was ever any industrial activity there now.
Mark.
[/quote]
There was a driver on here who went to work for the new Grangemouth GMB which is now H&P Freightways / Tankfreight I think. Before the panic of edible oils being mixed with other oily products, it was a daily collection for us, the lady in the office was called Nancy iirc. She looked after us very well if we were running late for a collection. 
Youngs Oil Works, later BP Detergents
My missus spotted this one! 
Among all these old tanker men, does anyone recall where Gerry (GMB Pumpherston) fitted in? By the time I started, Gerry was well established with the tank wash next to the BP plant, but had previously been in Newbridge. I know he was a driver and settled up there, before he retired and GMB moved to Grangemouth. Lovely Bloke!
Gerry was a very good friend of mine he was a driver at “Sykes Bulk Liquids” Shepley near Huddersfield and when they opened a depot at Newbridge Keith and myself went up for 3 weeks while they set their own drivers on and then they wanted a bulk liquids wagon based there so Gerry volunteered, he used to stay at the “Glen” Chapelhall and then he had a caravan in the yard he met a lady from Broxburn and married her living in Broxburn then moving to Bou’ness when I was up there I was often invited to stay at their place and we had some very good nights. He then ran the wash for a while before buying the business off them and renting the washbay. When they changed to “Shawfleet” mid 80s Gerry took the wash up to Pumpherston which he continued to run I came off tanks around this time and we eventually lost touch but I did hear that he had retired up in Fife.
Cheers Johnnie
Chris Webb:
Was Pumpherston the same area as Mid-Calder,oil shale/paraffin springs to mind. If so I went just the once with some product from the NCB refinery at Wath on Dearne,around 1969. J.B.McBean country
Chris,I forgot to mention McBean.Old Jock has been retired for a while and in fact Im not sure if hes still with us.The company is run by his son who Ive never took to and is much reduced in size.In fact,you rarely see a McBean truck now.Last I heard from one of his neighbours is that they have stopped doing distance because there was no profit to be had and was concentrating on local day work.Used to be a strong ERF company,think theyre still running some of them and nothing else.
I remember many years ago being in the middle of a row between old Jock McBean,a company from Ashford and Onward Transport.
We had been using a local guy to haul machines down to Kent from this firm which had closed in Livingston.He had been borrowing a stepframe from somewhere,but on this day he had been held up down the road and wasnt going to get back in time for us to load him.So,we borrowed a stepframe from Onward on the condition that only McBean could pull it,I loaded it with machinery,McBean and a driver came to chain it up and decided to weigh it round at Onwards Livingston depot.They brought it back demanding five tons be removed before they would take it to Ashford.I told them to leave it outside the factory and I would remove the excess weight at the weekend.This was the Friday night of a holiday weekend and McBean was charging us well over the odds anyway but more importantly one of the machines had to be installed in Ashford and running for the Tuesday and that was not now going to happen.After McBean left our own driver called and said he would be home at 9pm,I asked if he fancied going straight back down with the Onward stepframe if I got the MD of the closed company to agree to it.:slight_smile: The MD agreed and so did the driver so I went back at 9 and gave him a hand to chain up and off he went. Did I mention that all the people from the factory were well under the weather due to the effects of the alcohol consumed when we took the last machine out and that when I put my proposal to the MD he was actually lying semi conscious on the toilet floor.:slight_smile: After the trailer went I went off to the pub and thought no more about it. Went up to the factory on the Saturday morning and the MD was sitting on the office floor with a cracking hangover,Said to me,youll never believe it,someones stolen the trailer with all the machinery on it.
I said, no theyve not ,so and so is delivering it to Ashford this morning,it was your idea. Ive phoned the police he says.
I tell him he`d better phone Ashford and tell them if the driver gets there without being stopped to get thirteen ton of it rapid before the police turn up cause it was forty three ton gross but the unit pulling it was only plated for thirty two.
The driver made it to Ashford ok,the MD decided to be pleased about the way it worked out and the only unhappy guy was McBean when he turned up on the Monday to no trailer.
At the end of the day the driver got £400,the MD got a pat on the back from the company who had taken him over,I had made my tenner moving all the machines out the factory,the boss round at Onward had a small win and McBean got nothing.
McBean had been wanting £800 to pull it as he knew we were desperate.
Mark.
That’s a great story Mark,McBean would be well pi**** off Thirteen ton’s not a lot over…
I remember how smart their fleet used to be and saw them all over the place years ago.Onward Transport is a blast from the past as well,another one long gone,like the other two in the group - Ackworth,Pontefract and Wheeler Road Transport Sheffield.
Chris,I wondered about Onward,haven`t seen them for years.I also remember seeing the Ackworth motors in the yard.
And what about Bolton Roadways,I thought that was a great name,chanded to Swift something or other or was it Star something?
My counting was a bit out,it should have been eleven tons as it was five over for McBean who was running at thirty eight and our guy was running at thirty two tons.
Did you do much to Scotland when you were on the road?
Mark.
sammyopisite:
Among all these old tanker men, does anyone recall where Gerry (GMB Pumpherston) fitted in? By the time I started, Gerry was well established with the tank wash next to the BP plant, but had previously been in Newbridge. I know he was a driver and settled up there, before he retired and GMB moved to Grangemouth. Lovely Bloke!Gerry was a very good friend of mine he was a driver at “Sykes Bulk Liquids” Shepley near Huddersfield and when they opened a depot at Newbridge Keith and myself went up for 3 weeks while they set their own drivers on and then they wanted a bulk liquids wagon based there so Gerry volunteered, he used to stay at the “Glen” Chapelhall and then he had a caravan in the yard he met a lady from Broxburn and married her living in Broxburn then moving to Bou’ness when I was up there I was often invited to stay at their place and we had some very good nights. He then ran the wash for a while before buying the business off them and renting the washbay. When they changed to “Shawfleet” mid 80s Gerry took the wash up to Pumpherston which he continued to run I came off tanks around this time and we eventually lost touch but I did hear that he had retired up in Fife.
Cheers Johnnie
Cheers Johnnie, that filled in a few gaps for me, as I said earlier, he was a lovely bloke, and I hope he still is 
.
Gridley51:
Chris,I wondered about Onward,haven`t seen them for years.I also remember seeing the Ackworth motors in the yard.
And what about Bolton Roadways,I thought that was a great name,chanded to Swift something or other or was it Star something?
My counting was a bit out,it should have been eleven tons as it was five over for McBean who was running at thirty eight and our guy was running at thirty two tons.
Did you do much to Scotland when you were on the road?
Mark.
Hi Mark.I didn’t do a lot of Scottish work,when I was on general it was all steel out of Sheffield - Birmingham mostly although I did Kirkintilloch and Rosyth with some door frames once in 1968.We had a job running new containers from Cravens in Sheffield to Glasgow docks but that job was reserved for the older drivers - I tried my bloody best to get on it to no avail . When I went onto tankers Grangemouth was a regular pick up.Drops included Ardeer,Dalry,Tradeston Street (keep yer door locked) and Polmadie Glasgow,Ingles Green Edinburgh,Prestonpans,Gestetner Stirling,Tillicoultry,Michelin Dundee,Caribonum Turriff - James Kelman country and Glaxo Montrose.Also use to do the Littlewoods store deliveries when our Newbridge drivers were getting rat a**** at New Year,that was for Glass Glover late 70s,next door to United Glass.Scottish Tar Distillers near Falkirk was another place when on tankers and a drug company at Dumfries,was that Glaxo as well 
A lot of our Scottish work was done by two drivers based at Gainford near Darlington.
My favourite run was Canvey Island to Turriff,tip and into some digs in the town,Mrs Murray I think it was,and then,after tea into the “Fife Arms” with her husband who worked for the council.I always liked the Scottish jobs,made a change from Teesside,Lancs,South Wales and around the Thames.Another was a sunday job from Sheffield to Whitehaven or Fleetwood,tip and run empty to Grangemouth to load for Knottingley,staying in Falkirk.
I’m not sure what became of Bolton Roadways but “Star” rings a bell for some reason.I think Onward etc. kept going under another name,maybe TDG,I really can’t be sure.Do they still make square sausages,cootie dumplings and Irn Bru and what was the local sunday paper called up there?
Chris.
Chris Webb:
I’m not sure what became of Bolton Roadways but “Star” rings a bell for some reason.
Chris.
Chris, having pointed its mammary glands skywards, Bolton Roadways re-emerged briefly as Swiftstar Services before disappearing again.
240 Gardner:
Chris Webb:
I’m not sure what became of Bolton Roadways but “Star” rings a bell for some reason.
Chris.Chris, having pointed its mammary glands skywards, Bolton Roadways re-emerged briefly as Swiftstar Services before disappearing again.
Thanks Chris.Was the Swift owt to do with the other Swift - the one that originated in Skegness?
Hi Mark.I didn’t do a lot of Scottish work,when I was on general it was all steel out of Sheffield - Birmingham mostly although I did Kirkintilloch and Rosyth with some door frames once in 1968.We had a job running new containers from Cravens in Sheffield to Glasgow docks but that job was reserved for the older drivers - I tried my bloody best to get on it to no avail . When I went onto tankers Grangemouth was a regular pick up.Drops included Ardeer,Dalry,Tradeston Street (keep yer door locked) and Polmadie Glasgow,Ingles Green Edinburgh,Prestonpans,Gestetner Stirling,Tillicoultry,Michelin Dundee,Caribonum Turriff - James Kelman country and Glaxo Montrose.Also use to do the Littlewoods store deliveries when our Newbridge drivers were getting rat a**** at New Year,that was for Glass Glover late 70s,next door to United Glass.Scottish Tar Distillers near Falkirk was another place when on tankers and a drug company at Dumfries,was that Glaxo as well A lot of our Scottish work was done by two drivers based at Gainford near Darlington.
My favourite run was Canvey Island to Turriff,tip and into some digs in the town,Mrs Murray I think it was,and then,after tea into the “Fife Arms” with her husband who worked for the council.I always liked the Scottish jobs,made a change from Teesside,Lancs,South Wales and around the Thames.Another was a sunday job from Sheffield to Whitehaven or Fleetwood,tip and run empty to Grangemouth to load for Knottingley,staying in Falkirk.
I’m not sure what became of Bolton Roadways but “Star” rings a bell for some reason.I think Onward etc. kept going under another name,maybe TDG,I really can’t be sure.Do they still make square sausages,cootie dumplings and Irn Bru and what was the local sunday paper called up there?
Chris.
[/quote]
Chris,I know all these drops you used to do up here,worked in a lot of them.The Sheffield,Fleetwood,Grangemouth was a nice easy trip as would have been empty containers into Glasgow,but as you say old mens work.Wed all get that job now:-) I watch Grumpy old men on the telly and agree with every word they say.:slight_smile: Turriff is usually my holiday destination,sad or what?I have a week or two every year in the Commercial Hotel at ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ as grand as it sounds.I do the Turriff show and the Black Isle show and nothing else,eat,sleep,read the papers and drink.No telephone and I really enjoy it. Of course we still have the square sausage,its called Lorne,clootie dumplings,Irn Bru,hate it and what about the haggis and the Famoose Groos.
Then the Sunday Post,its a comic.aint read it since I was about ten.All Scottish families used to get the Post and the Sunday Mail.Jim still gets the Post for the Broons.
You know,I discovered this forum about eight months ago and what a lot of enjoyment Ive had from it.Im still reading the older threads,but its the wealth of info thats here.Doesn`t matter what the question is or how long since it happened,someone has the answer.Brilliant.
Mark.
.
I don’t know much about these photos and where I found them I don’t know so apologies in advance to anybody concerned.The company is Pentland Haulage,Edinburgh and I thought it might interest any “Auld Reekie” drivers.Sorry about the small pic,I haven’t a clue how to resize it
The fabrications were made by Westwoods I think.
The Sunday Post - that’s the paper I was thinking about,thanks Mark - might have a “low flyer”(Famous Grouse) or a “Pope’s phone number” (VAT 69) tonight. The other one was a “CB H2O” - Cameron Briggs and watter.
.
stravaiger:
While your on. Who and what connections to IOM are Edmondsons Transport that are frequently seen on the M6 with their short, sheeted trailers or piggybacking others and looking like haulage from an earlier time? Any info or pics of transport on the Island would be of interest. Have Vosa landed yet?..jim
Edmundsons are currently based at East Pimbo, Skelmersdale in Roadrunners old place having moved from Preston a few years ago.
They also operate as Manx Independant Carriers, obviously short trailers stacked high and piggy backed for the return is to cut ferry costs based on overall length. I have been taking 1 or 2 trailer loads of double glazed windows to them for onward shipment to IOM now for years , I’m hoping everyone over there will have double glazing soon
Trev_H:
stravaiger:
While your on. Who and what connections to IOM are Edmondsons Transport that are frequently seen on the M6 with their short, sheeted trailers or piggybacking others and looking like haulage from an earlier time? Any info or pics of transport on the Island would be of interest. Have Vosa landed yet?..jimEdmundsons are currently based at East Pimbo, Skelmersdale in Roadrunners old place having moved from Preston a few years ago.
They also operate as Manx Independant Carriers, obviously short trailers stacked high and piggy backed for the return is to cut ferry costs based on overall length. I have been taking 1 or 2 trailer loads of double glazed windows to them for onward shipment to IOM now for years , I’m hoping everyone over there will have double glazing soon
Edmundsons have been over in the IOM since the 60s I think.They first started doing bits of air freight out of Ronaldsway airport.
Here’s a few pics of them and Manx Independant Carriers.M I C have been going 25 years.There are a lot of roped and sheeted loads come off the Heysham ferry.Another company over here but based in Skel is Graylaw Freight who shunt all the Tossco trailers here apart from other trailers.
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