tyneside:
The death of Norman Nattress from Sacriston at the age of 70 has been announced in this mornings Journal.
Norman and his late Father Harry were well known as Hay and straw dealers in the North East. Norman’s last wagon, a six wheel Volvo and drag is pictured somewhere on this thread. Tyneside
So sad i just saw him the other day as he just lives over from me.Lovely bloke Norman was and his trucks were stunning.
Last time I was talking to him was about 3 years ago in the Arnison Ctr. He was still working but thinking of retiring. I have known him most of my life. IIRC he started working full time with his Father as soon as he left school. Could put a grand load of hay on !!!
I found these two photographs sent to me some years ago by a chap called Reg Burns (I think that was his name) he had acquired this AEC Mammoth Major ex Suttons of Cornwall with a view to restoring it. I know he suffered bad health does anyone know if he managed to get it back on the road. I think Reg lived about Cramlington and drove for Greenwoods and others in the Newcastle area.
Cheers, Leyland 600.
hi leyland 600 ,i live in blyth and the vehicle you are on about is pictured ofloading on cowpen lane outside my local hostilery the bebside inn it was under restoration by this chap and all the work was carried out outside,. the vehicle stands under tarps but i havent been round that way for a while and couldnt say that it is still there or completed…cheers Paul
Hi Paul , thanks for the update re this AEC it is quite a few years since I had these photos sent to me. Living in Blyth do you know who runs J.W. Colpitts the marine engineers these days, I believe they have a yard on an estate about Cowpen. I spent many happy holidays in Colpitts yard down on Low Quay as a boy circa 1948-55 when George Colpitts along with Charlie and Bessie Holgeth (they were friends of my parents) ran the company who have all passed away now. Any information on the company or the family would be appreciated.
Cheers Leyland 600
hi leyland600…yes colpitts are still trading in blyth but are now on kitty brewster estate , i was there before christmas doing some plant operator NVQs
i did meet one of the managers there who seemed to be running everything but didnt catch his surname
but if i do go back at any time i,ll find out what i can ,. ok, Paul.
I ran a BMC 6 wheeler out of the borders pulling timber in '69 for a few months. 5.1 engine, which, with the 2 speed axle, single drive would do over 70! Used to go back over ‘the Devil’s Beeftub’ to where we were loading, drove it far too fast when empty if I remember rightly!
Vacuum hydraulic brakes - very good as long nothing was leaking.
It must have been about 1961 vintage and originated in Newcastle - registration was UTY something.
Coates’ Vehicle Dismantlers.This will be familiar to lots of contributors but I bet they’ve never seen it as empty as this!!
I don’t know if they’ve moved or just shut down. I often go past on the cycle track but the trees block the view.
This is taken from the other side of the premises. Regards Kev. Ps. Looks like Low Fell Removals have the
premises now.
kevmac47:
Coates’ Vehicle Dismantlers.This will be familiar to lots of contributors but I bet they’ve never seen it as empty as this!!
I don’t know if they’ve moved or just shut down. I often go past on the cycle track but the trees block the view.
This is taken from the other side of the premises. Regards Kev. Ps. Looks like Low Fell Removals have the
premises now.0
Hi Kev, I did hear a while ago that they had packed in, So that only leaves Jimmy Montes lads at Fenchouses now, I used to get used parts from both these in the old days, I recall getting a Foden rear spring for a fiver at Montes in 1973 & a Foden half shaft for seven quid at Coatesies, Happy long gone days when we could rummage around their yards until you found what you wanted, Regards Larry.
coates ,was our main stores, parts department at fergies .,i used to go there at least once a week to strip out spares such as alternators starters and all makes of stuff to keep some of the later models going for a few more miles…
There used to be hundreds of vehicles and stripped parts lying around there, it must have taken weeks to clear the site
another well known company and some coluorful charachters who will be a big miss in a situation when a part might be desperatly needed
what next ?who next?..Paul W
Aye Coates used to buy some of Fergies motors, I recall The late Albert Greenwood having a 4 wheeler Leyland with a Hyab on the belonged to Fergie a W reg IIRC, when he took ill and was in the Freeman Hospital someone stole it from the Quayside opposite Jimmys café on St, Lawrence Rd. Regards Larry.
Hello Mr Dunbar, Is this the vehicle you bought from Montes? This is not my photo, it was put on Facebook by an ex BOC Teesport fitter, I think he is sat at the wheel, the photo was taken on Greystones Road near Teesport. Regards, Mizzo.
mizzo:
Hello Mr Dunbar, Is this the vehicle you bought from Montes? This is not my photo, it was put on Facebook by an ex BOC Teesport fitter, I think he is sat at the wheel, the photo was taken on Greystones Road near Teesport. Regards, Mizzo.
It sure is, It was a great motor and it gave us very good service, with only miner problems with its transmission hand brake, Regards Larry.
Hi Larry back on trucknet at last had pc problems for weeks .
Nice to see MET in BOC s working clothes l wonder if there is a photo of my ex BOC via Montes SOG 859 H in its original coluor, here it is in Deighton Bros Ltd green sorry not a very good photo crowbar
Hello Crowbar, This photo of SOG was taken at the LDOY in 1972, I am stood at the rear in between my Dad and my best mate, (big afro hair) SOG is being driven by my Dad’s mate Mick Smith. Sorry its not in colour, its the only one I’ve got. Regards, Mizzo.
mizzo:
Hello Crowbar, This photo of SOG was taken at the LDOY in 1972, I am stood at the rear in between my Dad and my best mate, (big afro hair) SOG is being driven by my Dad’s mate Mick Smith. Sorry its not in colour, its the only one I’ve got. Regards, Mizzo.
Hi mizzo thanks for the photo it looks good in black and white
Regards crowbar
