goggietara:
Peter
As i mentioned in the F & F and on this site the Foden looks great with colours to match i bet you feel proud to have put so much work into it & for other drivers on the road & shows to admire it i know when i drove Carl’s old truck to Wigan Rolls Royce & other posh cars slowed next to me to have a closer look i felt great them thinking i was the owner ha ha.
Eddie
Hope the hospital calls you in soon.
Gordon.
Carl Williams:
When Marsden built the body on that trailer, it presented new problems for them.
They were approached by Edbro who were just entering the tail-lift market, and promised publicity if they fitted their tail lift, including large photos on their stand at the Commercial Motor show previously all our tail lifts had been Radcliffe, with the occasional Burtonwood.
Marsden explained that Edbro were using a chain like system with easily replaced segments, whereas Radcliffe had a metal cord system that had to be replaced when it failed (and they did).The main problem was the length of the cord depended on the height of the vehicle and were all different lengths and could not easily be obtained. Edbro links were all identical and one or two could be carried by the driver so if one broke they could easily be replaced.
That was the theory, but they broke regularly and also the trailer was used with a multitude of tractor units and never had the links in the right tractor unit.
For Edbro the size of the tail lift was much bigger than they had fitted before and Marsden had to ensure that the back frame didn’t simply pull away from the rest of the body, particularly if the weight was put on the front of the long tailboard giving a levelling effect.
The other problem that Marsden noticed was that the usual shutter left a reduction in the rear aperture when it was opened and so recommended a shutter that slid along under the roof.
As usual Arthur Rathbone, Marsden’s designer come foreman, was greatly involved making sure that adequate strengtheners were fitted to the back frame to ensure it stood the strain, and the trailer was perfect in design and build.
Hi Gordon,
As you will see you are adding your comments to the top instead of the bottom. I, myself had not noticed your comment, as when I read the bottom it only showed what I had written and I wrongly assumed that I had already read it.
It was only just now when I looked through again I saw it.
I’m sure Peter will be reading again shorty and referring to your post. I know he is working every hour god sends at the moment to get his Bedford ready in time for the Tyne Tees Rally and so will not read this as regularly as he has done.
As for Eddie, he is over in ■■■■■■■ waiting to find out when he has to attend hospital and internet signal is not so good where he is, but I’m sure he’ll be letting us know shortly how he’s going on.
Once again congratulation on your recent 70th birthday. You don’t look your age.
If you want to put photos on here of where you most recently worked up to your retirement, please do so, as what happened to drivers after they left us is still relevant for this thread.
Keep healthy, Gordon. I’m sure that’s why you still look so young
Carl
Carl
Hope this is correct this time, if so can i add a photo from my last job with Stan Robinson Stafford who i just found out had died
from cancer a great bloke who when you delivered to his depot in Seighford Stafford he would be seen riding his bike around the depot covered in oil & work clothes a relly great employer who was still one of the lads up to when he died SAD.
Gordon
Carl
Thanks for the compliments i will buy you that pint as promised, i think fellwalking helps with me being slim.
Gordon
Carl Williams:
goggietara:
Carl
Hope this is correct this time, if so can i add a photo from my last job with Stan Robinson Stafford who i just found out had died
from cancer a great bloke who when you delivered to his depot in Seighford Stafford he would be seen riding his bike around the depot covered in oil & work clothes a relly great employer who was still one of the lads up to when he died SAD.
Gordon
Thats fine Gordon
Now the photo?
I think Gordon meant to submit this comment and photo, but it must have gone wrong, so here is a little help
The wagon & drag on a site @ Sutton in Ashfield the Scania’s were lovely motors.
Hi Carlallsorts,the transport industry is a funny ole thing,like many a lad I used to go with my father in his lorry,it was a Thames Trader 4x2 dropside.UMU414,sad or what that I can remember that reg,must have been 5/6yo.
Had uncles as well in the game.used to go with them too.My early years were in Southall Middx,home of AEC.My father,aunties,uncles all worked at one time or other at the AEC,not suprising really as they were a big employer.As a kid I was allways walking and looking at the trucks at the factory,looking over the fences ect.It was a huge site 63 acres.It had road,rail and canal connections.I have allways been a truck nut.If I was not looking at them I was driving them,painting them,signwriting them or operating them…
At one time I lived in Southern Ireland and I had quite a successfull sign business.I worked for one of Irelands main truck bodybuilders.God I painted a few motors for them.They had a big deal with Harris the Hino assemblers.I not only signed them but I collected them in chassis/cab from the plant but returned with them when they were built up.These Hinos were in the main tippers but we did allsorts of other bodywork as well.
In addition I did lots of other work for hauliers in the area and further afield.I also did pups,shops ect.
It was the truck tho that I specialised…I had loads of photos but I seem to have lost them along the way.I only have a few out of the 300 or so that I had.Trucks/Lorries is it me or is it genetric,I love em…
regards mickthebrush
mickthebrush:
Hi Carlallsorts,the transport industry is a funny ole thing,like many a lad I used to go with my father in his lorry,it was a Thames Trader 4x2 dropside.UMU414,sad or what that I can remember that reg,must have been 5/6yo.
Had uncles as well in the game.used to go with them too.My early years were in Southall Middx,home of AEC.My father,aunties,uncles all worked at one time or other at the AEC,not suprising really as they were a big employer.As a kid I was allways walking and looking at the trucks at the factory,looking over the fences ect.It was a huge site 63 acres.It had road,rail and canal connections.I have allways been a truck nut.If I was not looking at them I was driving them,painting them,signwriting them or operating them…
At one time I lived in Southern Ireland and I had quite a successfull sign business.I worked for one of Irelands main truck bodybuilders.God I painted a few motors for them.They had a big deal with Harris the Hino assemblers.I not only signed them but I collected them in chassis/cab from the plant but returned with them when they were built up.These Hinos were in the main tippers but we did allsorts of other bodywork as well.
In addition I did lots of other work for hauliers in the area and further afield.I also did pups,shops ect.
It was the truck tho that I specialised…I had loads of photos but I seem to have lost them along the way.I only have a few out of the 300 or so that I had.Trucks/Lorries is it me or is it genetric,I love em…
regards mickthebrush
Hi Mickthebrush,
I remember going down to London late 60’s early seventies to see a Bedford tk, that was advertised for sale, and if it was alright buy it and bring it back. I cannot remember the reg of which vehicle it was but I caught a taxi and noticed as I passed through Southall, thinking this is where AEC’s were made. Soon we passed under a bridge and there was a sign on it AEC the home of the London bus.
It was a disgrace when Leyland stopped production. We ran several AECs both rigid and tractor units. They gave wonderful service, very reliable and economic. What a shame they are no more
Carl
Watching TV the other day, a chance remark by my mother brought back memories. It was after an advert for Comet the electrical retailers; she said they used to be very cheap.
As in fact they were. I remember on day in the sixties, when for some reason dad was having to replace a Hoover vacuum cleaner that had been damaged on a removal. We did deliveries for Hardy & Co house furnishers in those days and they were Hoover agents. Waiting to see the rep when he called at their Spennymoor branch, dad asked could they give him discount if he bought one. ‘Go to Comet came the reply. They sell tem cheaper than we can buy them.
After that I remember being told by dad to go with a driver though to Comet to buy a colour TV for my grandfather, as his TV had gone off. Giving me the money, he told me to buy a Ferguson, being loyal to Thorn, our customer.
On arrival at Comet I was advised that for a fiver more I could buy an Autovox which was made by Grundig in Germany and was a much better set that would last twice as long, and it had remote control (A very basic prototype), which was years before they were introduced in UK. Even though I paid the fiver out of my own money my Grandfather went mad with me for not buying Ferguson, but after he died it was still going strong and dad used it for a total of 26 years.
A few years later we were approached by Smart and Brown (Thorn) to tell us they had a problem. Comet wanted to buy from them, and sell at highly discounted rates. Thorn wanted to supply but couldn’t be seen to do so as it would cause problems with other customers including Curries and Electricity Board Shops that charged full price. They solved the problem by supplying through the wholesaler Michael Black from Glasgow who took just a small admin fee of about 1%. (Good money for doing nothing). The problem was delivery. The products needed delivering directly from Spennymoor, but not appearing to be sent directly from Spennymoor. They did not want them delivering in vehicles in our cream and brown livery. Our answer was to tape over Courtaulds name on each side, front and back, with masking tape and then painting the masking tape in the green colour the vans were painted. We did this with two vans and these were used for these deliveries, until soon the other suppliers got round Comet and they stopped their cut prices. Once the masking tape was removed the vans were back in Courtaulds livery as before.
The reason all of this was possible was that the Government removed RETAIL PRICE INDEX, which had restricted retailers from cutting prices. For a short time Comet had offered genuine bargains.
I’m getting a bit anxious.
Haven’t heard of how Eddie’s going on with his operation, and haven’t heard anything from Peter for a week.
I do hope he hasn’t operated. I know Eddie said he should have been a brain surgeon,but….
edworth:
Hi Carl & All…Received my appointment on saturday morning, only thing wrong was it was for friday the day before (No Kidding) when I phoned all I get is a message saying it is a Bank Holiday and they will not be back till the eighth (Tuesday) …Carl as your Dad would say…Bl----,Fu-----,He–. Cannot wait to phone them in the morning,going to see if I can get Peter a job at the hospital, at least he would get the job done 
…A few memories when you mentioned Michael Black from Glasgow, as you know Carl we use to deliver fridges to there place in Glasgow, had to slide the fridges down a shute into the cellar, then park up in Elliott Street for Bettys Bar .
will let you know how I go on.
Eddie
Hi Eddie
Nothing surprises me.
About a month ago I got an appointment from James Cook to go for another brain scan, a different type (I’ve had two different types already, but in this one they put contacts all over my head).
It was addressed to the wrong address, although they had been sending correspondence correctly fr over a year When I got it it was for the next day, and Paul was not available to take me, so I rang them up for another appointment and to correct the address details. They said that they were so busy it would be about three months before they could see me again.
I think it’s a case of two high wages, too much pleasure and too little time spent at work, and then whilst there too muc chit chat and no concentration. They should have worked for us and then tey wud have known how to work.
Best wishes
Carl
Carl & Eddie
Hope you are keeping well Carl, i am sorry for you Eddie it must be frustrating to say the least.
Did i not see on tele the other night James Cook have got a new multi million pound MRI scan machine one of the few around the world hope it speeds up the waiting list for you Eddie.
And i think Peter must have saved up enough cash for diesel to have a good run out down the road in his beloved truck, thinking of derv prices nowadays.
Gordon
goggietara:
Carl & Eddie
Hope you are keeping well Carl, i am sorry for you Eddie it must be frustrating to say the least.
Did i not see on tele the other night James Cook have got a new multi million pound MRI scan machine one of the few around the world hope it speeds up the waiting list for you Eddie.
And i think Peter must have saved up enough cash for diesel to have a good run out down the road in his beloved truck, thinking of derv prices nowadays.
Gordon
Hi Gordon,
I had a MRI Scan, which they say the results caused the scare (I didn’t like the sound of that). They do that at Bishop Auckland, no waiting within a week or so efficient and very pleasant staff.
I then had a CT scan which gave them further information so they were able to diagnose Vascular Dementia , again Bishop Auckland, quickly within a week or so efficient and pleasant staff.
I now on Monday morning am going for an EEG scan, which I presume will give them further information to see if they can give me any treatment, at James Cook, after a mess up and long wait.
At the present moment I am just taking blood thinning tablets to try to stop me having a stroke (I think I probably have already had one), ad cholesterol tablets. (I cannot understand why because I have always been told I have not got a collateral problem).
Personally I think you are best keeping away from doctors and hospitals, as I think they just try to create work for themselves, and spend a lot of time doing nothing. I think there was a lot to be said by Alan Henderson when he told drivers ‘Let it develop’. From what everyone says and I read they can do nothing to make me better and I would rather let it develop without knowing what is or about to happen.
I enjoy my life every day at a time.
I must say that both my scans so far have been done at Bishop Auckland Hospital and on Monday for EEG scan I am going to James Cook, where my consultant is based and I must say I prefer Bishop Auckland, as I don’t think they waste so much time there as they seem efficient, and find out more. I have been back and back to James Cook and they just seem to say ‘hello I’ll see you again in six months’. Last time I went to James Cook, I was early and n time of my appointment I was sat outside in the passageway for three quarters of an hour. I didn’t realise but the consultant was in her room where I was waiting outside. I was told to have someone with me (My son). I presume she was reading her Emails etc (Probably on Facebook) while I waited, her desk was empty when I went in and no one apart from a nurse who took her a cup of coffee went in so I bet I was right in my deductions of what she was doing. My ‘tests’ were supposed to take all day but she got through them quickly so I was only there about an hour. Most probably that was her work for the day. I hate to think how much her wages were (For doing nothing) and worse still what the cost to NHS was (Premises costs inc light and heating) receptionist cost and nurse costs. Te country would collapse in minutes if NHS was responsible for road transport.
Carl
I have managed to find a photograph of a 1929 Chav similar to what my grandfather ran, in pre Bedford days.
As I mentioned he had several Model T fords before he went onto the Ford A 2 tonner and his troublesome Morris Commercial Z series which I recently described. With the Chev he found a different class of vehicle. He liked them and the drivers loved them.
The Chev was made in Canada by General motors to aid its import into UK, and eventually production was transferred to England with the beginning of Vauxhall Motors producing the Bedford.
So started our long very successful association with Bedford Commercial Vehicles
Hi Carl, I’m back so no need to get anxious. What with work commitments & working on the Bedford I’ve been a bit preoccupied.
I know I have accused uncle Jim of being lazy by not loading or unloading any of the vans he was driving but as a fitter/mechanic he was a very diligent worker & a perfectionist. We have to remember he started working for your grandad in the 1920s and when parts were not available he would repair or manufacture these himself, he also delivered cattle which I suppose unloaded themselves. He was also presented with a clock (which I have) for his hard work in the war efforts in the meat trade. I suppose uncle Jim never moved on from those early years when things were a lot slower then. He did things in his own time with no sense of urgency. I can remember one story told to me about Uncle Jim. He was driving over the Tyne Bridge very slowly with a queue of vehicles behind him and was stopped by the police for going slow and told to pass the steam roller in front of him (in no hurry as usual - slow and sure wins the race!)
Eddie - I’m still available, but it’s a pity I sold my shot blasting equipment as it would have been ideal for your kidney stones. I still have a steady hand and a sharp knife (sterilsed in petrol). Hope you get word soon & things go well.
Peter
Hi Carl & everyone…Going for scan next week 17th May Thursday, unless the hospital as moved …Old jim (Uncle) was great a real character, I remember your dad giving him a new wiper blade to fix onto a van (Think HTH) he put the new wiper behind his seat and carried on repairing the old one, he would not waste anything…Peter do you still have the bedford or am I missing something…Gordon, when you are over to ■■■■■■■ let me know, we have a brilliant local in Armothwaite, if you get near give me a shout…Ronnie (Briggs) was in a green 3 litre Capri with a bump on the bonnett last week, brought some memories of Rotherham back.
Take care everyone.
Eddie
edworth:
Hi Carl & everyone…Going for scan next week 17th May Thursday, unless the hospital as moved …Old jim (Uncle) was great a real character, I remember your dad giving him a new wiper blade to fix onto a van (Think HTH) he put the new wiper behind his seat and carried on repairing the old one, he would not waste anything…Peter do you still have the bedford or am I missing something…Gordon, when you are over to ■■■■■■■ let me know, we have a brilliant local in Armothwaite, if you get near give me a shout…Ronnie (Briggs) was in a green 3 litre Capri with a bump on the bonnett last week, brought some memories of Rotherham back.
Take care everyone.
Eddie
Hi Eddie, that Capri that I had was tawny brown, 3 litre GXL and got us back from Rotherham to Spennymoor in 1 Hr and 10 Minutes on a Friday evening. Will you be in Armathwaite the week after your scan as I will be in Farlam, just up the road. I go there on Sat 19th for 1 week and maybe we could meet up for a natter about old times. Hope to see you soon, Ronnie.
pbsummers:
Hi Carl, I’m back so no need to get anxious. What with work commitments & working on the Bedford I’ve been a bit preoccupied.
I know I have accused uncle Jim of being lazy by not loading or unloading any of the vans he was driving but as a fitter/mechanic he was a very diligent worker & a perfectionist. We have to remember he started working for your grandad in the 1920s and when parts were not available he would repair or manufacture these himself, he also delivered cattle which I suppose unloaded themselves. He was also presented with a clock (which I have) for his hard work in the war efforts in the meat trade. I suppose uncle Jim never moved on from those early years when things were a lot slower then. He did things in his own time with no sense of urgency. I can remember one story told to me about Uncle Jim. He was driving over the Tyne Bridge very slowly with a queue of vehicles behind him and was stopped by the police for going slow and told to pass the steam roller in front of him (in no hurry as usual - slow and sure wins the race!)
Eddie - I’m still available, but it’s a pity I sold my shot blasting equipment as it would have been ideal for your kidney stones. I still have a steady hand and a sharp knife (sterilsed in petrol). Hope you get word soon & things go well.
Peter
Hi Peter,
Where is the photo of your Bedford stripped down, I’m sure the readers would find it interesting.
I don’t think Uncle Jim was lazy, just not cut out for that type of work. He was cleaver, having gone to The Alderman Wraith Grammar School, in those early 19 hundreds when only such a small number of children got the opportunity. He must have, and did put so many hours of reading to be so knowledgeable.
Today, with his talent of explaining things in so simple terms and making things he talked about such as local history so interesting, I could have seen him presenting a very successful TV show. I remember in the early to mid-seventies we had a new AEC Mercury tractor unit that had been painted and ready to go on the road the beginning of the following month, being parked up on the front car park in front of the offices. Who decided to park it there I don’t know, but I assume it was put there so it was out of the way and not accidently scratched or marked. Uncle Jim had long since retired and I remember him coming round with you and explaining how the braking system worked. He knew and could explain even though when he worked on our vans there was nothing remotely like the air braking system of the Mercury. I wonder if you can remember that occasion.
For me, I think I sent a large proportion of my life in his company, and apart from my father, mother and grandparents, he was by far my closest relative, and I greatly enjoyed his company. However that doesn’t take away the countless hours he made me and dad wait whist he messed around delaying us going home. Also I know my grandmother loved her brother, but paid for it with constant worry about him being late for work and having to push the large garage doors open and closed for him each morning for a large part of her life trying to see he did his work.
However for me life goes on and I have to wait hours for my son Paul. History repeats itself. He like, Uncle Jim has his own speed and way of doing things. I see the ‘likeness’ so many times and realise he has picked up some of the Clements genes.
As you know Peter, I have never been gifted with intricate work and would have done dreadful on the Krypton Factor. Paul says I have no Patience and the other day whilst talking about Simon Cowell and how outspoken he is, Paul said ‘Can you imagine what you would say to most of the acts he sees’, trying to imply I would be worse and not tactful. Paul, like uncle Jim was is the most tactful of people and gets on with everyone, no matter who they are. From been only very young he has taken things to bits to see how they work, and I think one of the best presents he ever had was a broken remote control for a television set which he spent months on when he was only about six, but got it working again. I remember taking him to casualty at Dryburn when he was eighteen after he had cut himself doing some work at Reg Vardy’s where he was an apprentice and as we sat in the waiting room asked to see the car remote which was not working and I was using the key to open and close the lock. Whilst we sat he took the remote to pieces and showed me what was the problem, and did a temporary repair, saying if he had a soldering iron with him it would be fixed permanently. When we left the hospital it worked.
Apart from my daughter, who I love equally, there, is no one I love like my son, but at times he so annoys me, and that’s how I felt about my great uncle.
Hope you get your work finished in time, Peter.
Try to get some photos on this site, if you can and please make a start with your Bedford.
Best wishes
Carl
edworth:
Hi Carl & everyone…Going for scan next week 17th May Thursday, unless the hospital as moved …Old jim (Uncle) was great a real character, I remember your dad giving him a new wiper blade to fix onto a van (Think HTH) he put the new wiper behind his seat and carried on repairing the old one, he would not waste anything…Peter do you still have the bedford or am I missing something…Gordon, when you are over to ■■■■■■■ let me know, we have a brilliant local in Armothwaite, if you get near give me a shout…Ronnie (Briggs) was in a green 3 litre Capri with a bump on the bonnett last week, brought some memories of Rotherham back.
Take care everyone.
Eddie
Hi Eddie,
I had to check when the 17th was, as I am going for an EEG scan on Monday morning to Thomas Cook’s. (That’s what I call it as all the staff think its one big holiday)
I have had MRI and CT scans already. I think they are using me to test the equipment. It’s all a waste of time because the truth is they can’t find my brain.
Anyway hope it goes alright with you, as you have pain. However in my case without a brain I don’t know what’s going on and ignorance is bliss.
I can well believe you about my great uncle repairing the wiper blade. He came from a generation where parts were unavailable and time was cheap.
I have asked Peter to put a photo of his Bedford on here, but he hasn’t yet. I think he’s taken it to bits and he’s too busy fantasising over being let loose doing your operation that he can’t think how to put it together again.
Anyway, Eddie good luck this time, and when you go to Thomas Cook, do like me and think you are going on a quick visit to Spain or Italy.
Carl
Carl & Eddie
Good luck to you both next week i bet you feel part of the staff after so many visits.
Eddie i certainly will give you a buzz when over the Lakes we normally stay in the Scotgate caravan site in Braithwaite but would make an effort,i would like to meet you over a few bevvies & chat.
Its great being retired but do miss the nights out down the road with the WHW drivers even though i was not a big drinker one has to keep his mind & body occupied as you do stiffen up @ 70 with lying around that is why i still am a member of Northumbria LDWA
& then steep in a hot bath relaxing after a long hike.
Once again good luck next week to you both – Gordon
