Having had a trawl through the forum, I have found virtually nothing about about G.E. Farrant Transport of Tunbridge Wells. While never working for them I used to get involved with some of the repairs to their very smart fleet of Foden tippers in the 1980s. They had a yard and a rather ramshackle workshop, in North Farm Road. I have vague memories of this workshop still having bits of steam vehicles hanging around. Below is a link to some history of the company. At least one of their vehicles, a six wheeler, survives in preservation. I think this is one of the lightweight Foden “Sixers” made in the late '70s. If it is I remember taking the cab off when it came in for a block and pistons.
Hello cav551, I re posted them to also see if I could jog or find anymore stuff on them. as I remember in their last trading days they ended up with ERF’s in their fleet. The yard is now a nice block of flats!!! Anybody know any more on them or got any more pics■■?
cav551:
Any earlier pictures of Colin Ashby’s fleet? there were several Scammell Crusaders and IIRC quite a few Handymen.
I remember Colin Ashby’s quite well. As a driver for Mitchell & Robertson I would often see their lorries as we worked around the area. However, I am sure they didn’t have any Scammell Crusaders, unlike M & R, up to the time I left M & R in 76 or 77. I posted a photo recently on the Scammell thread of a Routeman demonstrator that we had for a short time. I remember the first day the demonstrator was at Brandon Farm, our depot, Malcolm Robertson rang Colin Ashby to see if they had any work we could handle for them. At that time we didn’t even have a trailer. Colin had a loaded trailer at one of the paper mills in Maidstone, Alabaster Passmores I think, and I was dispatched to pick it up, rope and sheet it and return it to Ashby’s yard. That was both mine and M & R’s first ever load on an artic. Next day we hired a trailer and for the next 9 weeks or so it was loaded with Cape apples for delivery to the fruit markets around the UK.
Attached photo was taken in maybe 74 as after that I had a Scammell Crusader for a couple of years and then a Merc before I left M & R in 76 or 77. The photo shows both myself and my son Christopher who later was to drive for Promotor in the early 90’s.
cav551:
I think Chapman ran some Barrieros six wheelers. Rawsons were only just around the corner after all.
Rodney Chapman purchased a job lot of some 50 or so Spanish Dodges (Barrieros) 6 & 8 wheelers (which must have stuck in Rawsons craw) and sold them on,a friend of mine had one and another friend had three at a very reasonable price the downside was they were a heavy motor a 6 wheeler with ali body would only carry around 15.50/75 tonnes they were also thirsty on fuel with a lively performance but seemed reliable.
I’m told Rodney Chapman is in his 80s still in aggregate/ quarry business at Rye Habour
cav551:
IIRC when I worked at Transport and Refrigeration on the corner of the estate with Eddie & Brian we used to refer to Rodney Chapman as ‘Chaddie’.
Evening cav, can you remember Rod being into Rallycross and Truck racing■■? cheers scamm
cav551:
I think Chapman ran some Barrieros six wheelers. Rawsons were only just around the corner after all.
Rodney Chapman purchased a job lot of some 50 or so Spanish Dodges (Barrieros) 6 & 8 wheelers (which must have stuck in Rawsons craw) and sold them on,a friend of mine had one and another friend had three at a very reasonable price the downside was they were a heavy motor a 6 wheeler with ali body would only carry around 15.50/75 tonnes they were also thirsty on fuel with a lively performance but seemed reliable.
I’m told Rodney Chapman is in his 80s still in aggregate/ quarry business at Rye Habour
I’m not to sure if I’m totally right in saying,but, when I was on the bulkers we use to load grain boats in rye harbour and I’m sure that Rod and another chap took over the running of the wharf and owned the company.
I remember Rod Chapman being into rally & truck racing, but how about loading grain out of Rye reversing up ramps on the harbour wall tipping over the edge into the vessels hold scary stuff!
Rodney was a bit of a boy and could always find a way to make a bob or two
Here are a few photos I took myself of just some of the lorries I have driven all over the country.
I have lived in Kent all my life so seeing all these old photos of hauliers from around this area really brings back a few memories!
I re posted them to also see if I could jog or find anymore stuff on them. as I remember in their last trading days they ended up with ERF’s in their fleet. The yard is now a nice block of flats!!! 
