I used to stop odd times in the 60s at The Sandhouse Transport Cafe on the A 5 just up from Dunstable, it was one of the first ones I had been in that had TV, & a games room not a bad place at all open till midnight week days.
Chris Webb:
Lawrence Dunbar:
No he had tis one before he took old ma greens over, Brotherton was much better, so that will explain whst it was like, dog rough. but Brotherton improved as time went on stopped there a lot, it was a Gordie haunt to say the least. Regards LarryCome to think of it I do recall a Normans somewhere around Howden,must have been late 60s.There were several cafes on the old A614/A63. Norman’s at Brotherton was too close to home for me but a couple of our Darlington drivers often stayed there.
Normans was on the old A63 just before Howden Roundabout. As you came from Hull, you would pass the old Triangle Garage, then on the left was Wembley Cafe at Newport where Crystal Heart and Mathews Haulage are today. you wold go over the old canal bridge past Jack Holts and on through Gilberdyke, drive on over Slipper (Sleeper) Bridge and past my dads pub, about three miles further on there was Swifts Cafe on the right, it is still standing and 3/4 mile on was Normans Cafe. As you went towards Goole you had Mayphil cafe and then Chris Webb had his own parking place at Woodside on the A614 
Great stuff, When I stayed that night it was 17bob DBB. I think the TEL, was Howden 528 ?. that was 1970,I was driving for F.Short & Son Newcastle , also a depot in Hull we used to load at Fisons at Goole. Regards Larry
Wheel Nut:
Chris Webb:
Lawrence Dunbar:
No he had tis one before he took old ma greens over, Brotherton was much better, so that will explain whst it was like, dog rough. but Brotherton improved as time went on stopped there a lot, it was a Gordie haunt to say the least. Regards LarryCome to think of it I do recall a Normans somewhere around Howden,must have been late 60s.There were several cafes on the old A614/A63. Norman’s at Brotherton was too close to home for me but a couple of our Darlington drivers often stayed there.
Normans was on the old A63 just before Howden Roundabout. As you came from Hull, you would pass the old Triangle Garage, then on the left was Wembley Cafe at Newport where Crystal Heart and Mathews Haulage are today. you wold go over the old canal bridge past Jack Holts and on through Gilberdyke, drive on over Slipper (Sleeper) Bridge and past my dads pub, about three miles further on there was Swifts Cafe on the right, it is still standing and 3/4 mile on was Normans Cafe. As you went towards Goole you had Mayphil cafe and then Chris Webb had his own parking place at Woodside on the A614
Don’t forget the Gyme cafe outside Rawcliffe(scene of my first love!!!)I was a boarder at Drax,Rawcliffe and Barmby were the big cities to us on our Sunday walks!!!
Lawrence Dunbar:
Another good cafe in the 70s. run by a couple of ex drivers, one was called Joe I think,The Coppice on the Watling Street,at Dordon, good grub & clean, long gone I suppose ?.
The Coppice is long gone, but the Copper Kettle at Mancetter is still as popular as ever. Other long gone cafes are the Lavender Blue at Husbands Bosworth, now a luxury home, the Rose on the old A12 as you came out of Chelmsford towards London.
Years ago I used to be a van salesman for Express Catering Foods & used to deliver all the cooking oi, cheese, corned beef & marge to the OK Cafe in the A12 before it was turned into a Little Chef. I also served all the Canteens in Felixstowe and Ipswich Docks. If I remember correctly there were 11 of 'em.
One of my favourite stops was The Kesgrave Cafe just north of Ipswich on the old A12. Is it still there?
Fat Controller:
Lawrence Dunbar:
Another good cafe in the 70s. run by a couple of ex drivers, one was called Joe I think,The Coppice on the Watling Street,at Dordon, good grub & clean, long gone I suppose ?.The Coppice is long gone, but the Copper Kettle at Mancetter is still as popular as ever. Other long gone cafes are the Lavender Blue at Husbands Bosworth, now a luxury home, the Rose on the old A12 as you came out of Chelmsford towards London.
Years ago I used to be a van salesman for Express Catering Foods & used to deliver all the cooking oi, cheese, corned beef & marge to the OK Cafe in the A12 before it was turned into a Little Chef. I also served all the Canteens in Felixstowe and Ipswich Docks. If I remember correctly there were 11 of 'em.
One of my favourite stops was The Kesgrave Cafe just north of Ipswich on the old A12. Is it still there?
I used theLavender Blue at Husbands Bosworth ,one of the good ones in them days early70s Vic
Another cafe I used to use, The Dolafon, on the A 5 at Corwen next door to a filling station. I ran to Trawsfynned Power Station with Reactors from Pamatrada Newcastle. very heavy run once you turned right at Bala over them thar hills my old AEC with the 11.3 engine copped very. Regards Larry
Wasn’t there a cafe in Gresford on the A483 between Chester and Wrexham,near W H Willis’ milk tanker depot?
welshphil:
Wheel Nut:
Chris Webb:
Lawrence Dunbar:
No he had tis one before he took old ma greens over, Brotherton was much better, so that will explain whst it was like, dog rough. but Brotherton improved as time went on stopped there a lot, it was a Gordie haunt to say the least. Regards LarryCome to think of it I do recall a Normans somewhere around Howden,must have been late 60s.There were several cafes on the old A614/A63. Norman’s at Brotherton was too close to home for me but a couple of our Darlington drivers often stayed there.
Normans was on the old A63 just before Howden Roundabout. As you came from Hull, you would pass the old Triangle Garage, then on the left was Wembley Cafe at Newport where Crystal Heart and Mathews Haulage are today. you wold go over the old canal bridge past Jack Holts and on through Gilberdyke, drive on over Slipper (Sleeper) Bridge and past my dads pub, about three miles further on there was Swifts Cafe on the right, it is still standing and 3/4 mile on was Normans Cafe. As you went towards Goole you had Mayphil cafe and then Chris Webb had his own parking place at Woodside on the A614
Don’t forget the Gyme cafe outside Rawcliffe(scene of my first love!!!)I was a boarder at Drax,Rawcliffe and Barmby were the big cities to us on our Sunday walks!!!
Oh aye, Gyme Corner, that turned into a pub and think it is a petfood shop now. Barmby, my how the other half lived, eh?
Wheel Nut:
Normans was on the old A63 just before Howden Roundabout. As you came from Hull, you would pass the old Triangle Garage, then on the left was Wembley Cafe at Newport where Crystal Heart and Mathews Haulage are today. you wold go over the old canal bridge past Jack Holts and on through Gilberdyke, drive on over Slipper (Sleeper) Bridge and past my dads pub, about three miles further on there was Swifts Cafe on the right, it is still standing and 3/4 mile on was Normans Cafe. As you went towards Goole you had Mayphil cafe and then Chris Webb had his own parking place at Woodside on the A614
Correct,if there was any room left after John Formans had parked their fleet up…
Is the cafe at Boothferry Bridge still going its a long time since was in there. the breakfasts were decent no lace curtains round the fried eggs.
Another good cafe from the 50s 60s +… Bobs Cafe , at Sale on the A56 good grub as I remember allways made you feel welcome, probabley long gone by now
Chris Webb:
Wheel Nut:
Normans was on the old A63 just before Howden Roundabout. As you came from Hull, you would pass the old Triangle Garage, then on the left was Wembley Cafe at Newport where Crystal Heart and Mathews Haulage are today. you wold go over the old canal bridge past Jack Holts and on through Gilberdyke, drive on over Slipper (Sleeper) Bridge and past my dads pub, about three miles further on there was Swifts Cafe on the right, it is still standing and 3/4 mile on was Normans Cafe. As you went towards Goole you had Mayphil cafe and then Chris Webb had his own parking place at Woodside on the A614Hiya chris…hows things mate■■? chris was it the woodside where they filled the knife and fork draw from one side
after washing up, then they pushed the draw under the counter so when you got your meal you could help yourself to the
knife and forks■■?..
good old days
cheers John
Hullo,
My mind at the moment has gone completely blank. What was that Cafe on the A1, somewhere near to Selby Fork ? The last time I was in there was about 12 years or more ago. It was on the southbound side, the Cafe was a White House with steps going up to the door, the door was at the side. then behind that, but beside the road, which ran alongside the A1 was a really large Parking Area, ( not too sure if there was’nt a Diesel pump at the bottom end ) The Parking Area was a sort of Sand and Flint mixture, and there was a bank up to the A1. Come in Chris or Malcolm, one of you must remember.
Cheers, Archie.
Is the old Compass Cafe still going at Colsterworth, I remember it being in a film about a bank job I think ?.. There was a couple of Newcastle Hauliers in it , Jacky Snee was one the driver had a Ergo Cab 4 Wheeler. Franky Hensell I think does any one recall this, please do cos Im getting old & I realley enjoy all of this crack Regards Larry Dunbar, raring to go wi nee way ti gan Eh happy days.
Archie Paice:
Hullo,
My mind at the moment has gone completely blank. What was that Cafe on the A1, somewhere near to Selby Fork ? The last time I was in there was about 12 years or more ago. It was on the southbound side, the Cafe was a White House with steps going up to the door, the door was at the side. then behind that, but beside the road, which ran alongside the A1 was a really large Parking Area, ( not too sure if there was’nt a Diesel pump at the bottom end ) The Parking Area was a sort of Sand and Flint mixture, and there was a bank up to the A1. Come in Chris or Malcolm, one of you must remember.
Cheers, Archie.
I know the one you mean Archie but, like you,it’s name escapes me.
So it’s over to Malc… 
C
Chris Webb:
Archie Paice:
Hullo,
My mind at the moment has gone completely blank. What was that Cafe on the A1, somewhere near to Selby Fork ? The last time I was in there was about 12 years or more ago. It was on the southbound side, the Cafe was a White House with steps going up to the door, the door was at the side. then behind that, but beside the road, which ran alongside the A1 was a really large Parking Area, ( not too sure if there was’nt a Diesel pump at the bottom end ) The Parking Area was a sort of Sand and Flint mixture, and there was a bank up to the A1. Come in Chris or Malcolm, one of you must remember.
Cheers, Archie.I know the one you mean Archie but, like you,it’s name escapes me.
So it’s over to Malc…
Could it have been the Hillcrest? Cheers Haddy.
haddy:
CChris Webb:
Archie Paice:
Hullo,
My mind at the moment has gone completely blank. What was that Cafe on the A1, somewhere near to Selby Fork ? The last time I was in there was about 12 years or more ago. It was on the southbound side, the Cafe was a White House with steps going up to the door, the door was at the side. then behind that, but beside the road, which ran alongside the A1 was a really large Parking Area, ( not too sure if there was’nt a Diesel pump at the bottom end ) The Parking Area was a sort of Sand and Flint mixture, and there was a bank up to the A1. Come in Chris or Malcolm, one of you must remember.
Cheers, Archie.I know the one you mean Archie but, like you,it’s name escapes me.
So it’s over to Malc…Could it have been the Hillcrest? Cheers Haddy.
Hullo,
That’s the problem, I can’t even remember exactly where it was now. or the Name of it. I obviously never used it very much as it was too near home. The last time I went there was as I said probably about 12 years ago, I had to meet another bloke there to transfer some Blue Pallets over. When we went over to the Cafe for a Cup of Tea, the Lady told us it was going to be pulled down the next week and that in a few months it would dissapear underneath the new A1(M), the bit between the A64 and Ferrybridge. Between 1996 and 1999 the M1 section north of the M62 underwent a major reconstruction and extension to take the M1 on a new route to the A1(M) at Aberford. The new road involved the construction of a series of new junctions, bridges and viaducts to the east of Leeds. When the new section of M1 was completed and opened on 4 February 1999, the Leeds South Eastern Motorway section of the M1 was redesignated as the M621 and the junctions were given new numbers (M621 junctions 4 to 7). I don’t mean the small Cafe right next door to the Filling Station and the Motel, it was somewhere else. BUT Where ?
Cheers, Archie.
The only cafe I can think of on the A1 southbound in that area was near Aberford,near the Boot and Shoe boozer which was on the northbound side.Haddy mentioned the Hillcrest which rings a bell,apart from that Archie I can’t come up with owt else. 
The best cafe down the A5 IMO was The Jet at Clifton-upon- Dunsmore,run by the Turton family.My second choice was The Avairy south of Hinkley Knight.Bewick.