Hi Carl, I’d forgotten all about the AEC until you mentioned it then memories came flooding back of the day we walked around it and Uncle Jim explaining how the air brakes worked despite never having worked on that type of system before. A brilliant and knowledgeable man who was very clued up for his time.
Uncle Jim maintained HTH 882 and drove it nearly every day from Thorns depot, Spennymoor to Thorns depot, Leeds with its load of light fittings. I can’t recollect it ever having a breakdown or serious mechanical problems only the occasional no 3 plug oiling up for which he always carried a spare! I was sorry to see it being driven away the day it was sold to a Mr Clegg, an ex-wrestler, who I believe bought quite a few of your vehicles.
You were correct in believing that he could have made a very good historian as he had such a passion for the subject and often recounted the history surrounding the Spennymoor area. He would relate stories of the battle at Butchers Race and at Neville’s Cross telling us that it was in 1346 during the time of 100 years War, that the Scots invaded England clashing with the army formed by Queen Phillipa, the Archbishops of York and the Bishops of Durham at the site of Butchers Race, between Croxdale, the Coach and Horses public house, Hett and Spennymoor. The following day the main bodies of the 2 armies met at Neville’s Cross, near Durham and the Scots were slaughtered. He also told us that the 10 blood-red droplets within the gold cross of the Spennymoor coat of arms recalled the combat at Butcher’s Race. As well as these famous battles Uncle Jim would tell us stories of landowners, the Salvins, a Catholic family who acquired land around Tudhoe and lived at Croxdale Hall, the Shafto’s of Whitworth Hall for which a descendent, Bobby Shafto was made famous by his electoral ditty, “Bobby Shafto’s Gone To Sea”, Charles Attwood who had headed the Weardale Iron Company which built Tudhoe Ironworks and subsequently brought in Bessemer Converters to make steel in Spennymoor as well as many others. He must have made an impact for me to remember all this, just a pity Spennymoor local history wasn’t part of the CSE coursework.
Just prior to getting married Brenda and I decided to travel to St Albans to visit Uncle Perce and Aunt Nell and asked Uncle Jim to direct us and he just told us to travel straight down the A1until we got to the roundabout of the Comet Hotel, with its iconic monument of the de Havilland Comet Racer outside, when we had to turn right then he continued directing us by telling us to turn left, right or straight on at such and such pub and, by jove, he was spot on (I wonder if he had acquainted himself with most of them).
I may be a brilliant brain surgeon but would seem to be a nerd at this technology lark. I’ve just spent the last hour trying to upload photographs of the Bedford as it was being stripped down but it would seem the JPEG images are “invalid” and I had a “time-out” so have had to rewrite everything all over again. I’ll try another time when I don’t seem so fogged up. 
Despite everything, you’ve still got a brilliant sense of humour and have raised many a smile. 
Hope everything goes well at Thomas Cooks on Monday and you aren’t kept too long in the arrivals lounge (hope you’ve got your bucket and spade packed just in case).
Peter
pbsummers:
Hi Carl, I’d forgotten all about the AEC until you mentioned it then memories came flooding back of the day we walked around it and Uncle Jim explaining how the air brakes worked despite never having worked on that type of system before. A brilliant and knowledgeable man who was very clued up for his time.
Uncle Jim maintained HTH 882 and drove it nearly every day from Thorns depot, Spennymoor to Thorns depot, Leeds with its load of light fittings. I can’t recollect it ever having a breakdown or serious mechanical problems only the occasional no 3 plug oiling up for which he always carried a spare! I was sorry to see it being driven away the day it was sold to a Mr Clegg, an ex-wrestler, who I believe bought quite a few of your vehicles.
You were correct in believing that he could have made a very good historian as he had such a passion for the subject and often recounted the history surrounding the Spennymoor area. He would relate stories of the battle at Butchers Race and at Neville’s Cross telling us that it was in 1346 during the time of 100 years War, that the Scots invaded England clashing with the army formed by Queen Phillipa, the Archbishops of York and the Bishops of Durham at the site of Butchers Race, between Croxdale, the Coach and Horses public house, Hett and Spennymoor. The following day the main bodies of the 2 armies met at Neville’s Cross, near Durham and the Scots were slaughtered. He also told us that the 10 blood-red droplets within the gold cross of the Spennymoor coat of arms recalled the combat at Butcher’s Race. As well as these famous battles Uncle Jim would tell us stories of landowners, the Salvins, a Catholic family who acquired land around Tudhoe and lived at Croxdale Hall, the Shafto’s of Whitworth Hall for which a descendent, Bobby Shafto was made famous by his electoral ditty, “Bobby Shafto’s Gone To Sea”, Charles Attwood who had headed the Weardale Iron Company which built Tudhoe Ironworks and subsequently brought in Bessemer Converters to make steel in Spennymoor as well as many others. He must have made an impact for me to remember all this, just a pity Spennymoor local history wasn’t part of the CSE coursework.
Just prior to getting married Brenda and I decided to travel to St Albans to visit Uncle Perce and Aunt Nell and asked Uncle Jim to direct us and he just told us to travel straight down the A1until we got to the roundabout of the Comet Hotel, with its iconic monument of the de Havilland Comet Racer outside, when we had to turn right then he continued directing us by telling us to turn left, right or straight on at such and such pub and, by jove, he was spot on (I wonder if he had acquainted himself with most of them).
I may be a brilliant brain surgeon but would seem to be a nerd at this technology lark. I’ve just spent the last hour trying to upload photographs of the Bedford as it was being stripped down but it would seem the JPEG images are “invalid” and I had a “time-out” so have had to rewrite everything all over again. I’ll try another time when I don’t seem so fogged up.
Despite everything, you’ve still got a brilliant sense of humour and have raised many a smile.
Peter
Hi Peter,
I’ve had that problem with photos What I have done is print them off and the scan again and then load that new scan. It works
Best wises
carl
Mysterron:
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.
EddieHi 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.
Hi Ronny,
I remember once I did Sheffield to Spennymoor in just over an hour. I had had to run a radiator for a Bedford SB down and so to do Rotherham in 1hour 10 min would take some doing, you mustn’t have wasted any time.
You are making me feel sad now, because I just got a letter on Friday that they are taking my driving licence away, subject to what my consultant says, and I have a good idea what that will be.
I have been driving 47 years and it is really final, and over the years despite being annoyed by road works etc. I really have enjoyed driving. I suppose I’ve been lucky I’ve had the experience of driving many HGVs and most types of cars, so I suppose I’ve had a good run for my money.
The good news is on Tuesday I am applying for a bus pass and I think that entitles me to some free rail travel, so I think I’ll start out with a trip to Scarborough.
Best wishes
Carl
Carl, Concessionary bus pass allows free travel after 09:30 (50p before). I don’t think train fares are free. I think you have to buy a Senior Railcard which costs £28 for one year and gives you a 1/3rd off all standard and first class rail tickets.
Peter
pbsummers:
Carl, Concessionary bus pass allows free travel after 09:30 (50p before). I don’t think train fares are free. I think you have to buy a Senior Railcard which costs £28 for one year and gives you a 1/3rd off all standard and first class rail tickets.
Peter
Hi Peter,
I think some local train fares are free. I am fortunate that I only have a ten minute walk accross the golf course to Aycliffe Station an the trains run regularly to Bishop Auckland in one direction and Darlington in the other, and because of lack of bus services I think I can use them. One way or another I intend to go through another phase of my life
Carl
hiya,
Carl,don’t think the local train fares are free but within the local area are slightly
reduced, I have an age related bus pass and I do use it, no petrol to buy and of
course no parking to find and pay for, if i didn’t pull the old caravan from time
to time i would let the car licence go the same route as the Hgv licence and expire
and save a fortune not having to run and maintain a car, I don’t think driving is
quite so much fun anymore and I do tend to give the bus pass a bit of stick after
9.30 am of course or in the County Durham you have to pay 50 pence, getting a bit
tight in my old age, keep well Carl and enjoy the bus pass I do.
thanks harry, long retired.
goggietara:
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
hi Gordon
I don’t know if you realise if you put te curser over the photo of your drawbar, without clicking it tells you how many have viewed, 250 so far.
Back from Thomas Cooks. I don’t know if you’ve heard of the search for the Holy Grail, well they are using all their quipment to search for my brain. I’ve come back with a new hair style, were they have stuck lumps of gel all over my head.
Keep well, Gordon and keep away from hospitals.
Best wishes
Carl
I’ve just been watching ‘The Chase’ the ITV quiz show and one of the questions is how much beer was in a yard of ale. The answer was 2 to 3 pints, and it reminded me of the occasion Frank Morgan, who after losing his arm looked after our wilcomatic vehicle wash and supervised vehicle parking at Green Lane.
It would be about 1983 and the two old Bedfords had been entered in a vehicle rally at Witton Caste. We took them there on the Friday afternoon and Frank had volunteered to stay over on the Friday and Saturday nights.
On the Saturday night, myself and my ex-wife had gone to a party they were having, in a marquee, and Frank was really enjoying himself. After losing his arm tragically in an accident it took many years to get compensation, and Frank had been so pleased we had taken him back and found him a job, but finances were tight and he missed his ‘nights out’.
Frank had worked for us on long distance work for several years when his wife ‘encouraged’ him to find a job that didn’t involve him being away from home so many nights. I believe she had found him employment at a wood yard, and it was there within three weeks he was using a machine that had a defective guard rail when he lost his arm.
Frank enjoyed the old vehicle rallies as he could drive the vans round and meet and talk to people when they were on display, and it was on the Sunday afternoon when Frank took part in the ‘Yard of Ale’ competition. Frank obviously saw this as something he would enjoy entering as well as a free supply of beer. Several people entered along with Frank , and one by one they dropped out, until it left Frank and a final opponent to carry on drinking, with a crowd of noisy encouragement drank the other person ‘under the table.
The trouble was the end was just as the rally ended and poor Ken Armstrong had to drive one of the Bedfords home with Frank as passenger. On the Monday morning Ken said that never had he before had a journey like it, trying desperately to miss every bump on the road
Carl Williams:
I’ve just been watching ‘The Chase’ the ITV quiz show and one of the questions is how much beer was in a yard of ale. The answer was 2 to 3 pints, and it reminded me of the occasion Frank Morgan, who after losing his arm looked after our wilcomatic vehicle wash and supervised vehicle parking at Green Lane.
It would be about 1983 and the two old Bedfords had been entered in a vehicle rally at Witton Caste. We took them there on the Friday afternoon and Frank had volunteered to stay over on the Friday and Saturday nights.
On the Saturday night, myself and my ex-wife had gone to a party they were having, in a marquee, and Frank was really enjoying himself. After losing his arm tragically in an accident it took many years to get compensation, and Frank had been so pleased we had taken him back and found him a job, but finances were tight and he missed his ‘nights out’.
Frank had worked for us on long distance work for several years when his wife ‘encouraged’ him to find a job that didn’t involve him being away from home so many nights. I believe she had found him employment at a wood yard, and it was there within three weeks he was using a machine that had a defective guard rail when he lost his arm.
Frank enjoyed the old vehicle rallies as he could drive the vans round and meet and talk to people when they were on display, and it was on the Sunday afternoon when Frank took part in the ‘Yard of Ale’ competition. Frank obviously saw this as something he would enjoy entering as well as a free supply of beer. Several people entered along with Frank , and one by one they dropped out, until it left Frank and a final opponent to carry on drinking, with a crowd of noisy encouragement drank the other person ‘under the table.
The trouble was the end was just as the rally ended and poor Ken Armstrong had to drive one of the Bedfords home with Frank as passenger. On the Monday morning Ken said that never had he before had a journey like it, trying desperately to miss every bump on the road
Carrying on watching ITV on North East news I’ve just seen a photo on the weater report submitted by Gordon Ball (goggietara). Congrtulation Gordon, it just shows there is life in the old dog yet.
Hi Carl.
Sorry that I have not been in touch but a lot has come to pass since the meeting at the F/F, I went on a week’s holiday to the Netherlands and the day after I returned I received a phone call to say that we had had a family bereavement in Southampton and I have been back and forth as after the funeral my brother was taken seriously ill.
I have looked at getting a avenue for a meeting on a Saturday Night but most pubs and clubs have regular customer on a Saturday night and it may be easier to get a venue for Saturday afternoon, John Ward has been to see me a couple of time and he has spoken to some of the ex-drivers but they do not seem to keen but I will try as soon as I am clear of personal problems.
Roger was not happy when I met him as he had expected Peter to pick him up on the night of the meeting, I am in touch with my old pal Jim Ferguson and we are going to meet up mid way between Spennymoor and Aberdeen for a couple of nights out together in the near future.
Colin
Colin,
I saw Roger about 2 weeks before we went to the F&F and did offer him a lift, especially if he wanted a drink. He said that he didnt drink now and that the F&F was just over the road from where he lived. We never arranged any times so I’d assumed he was to make his own way there. I suppose I could have phoned him on the night to see if he’d changed his mind so, if there was any misunderstanding on my behalf, I’m sorry and I will make it up to him somehow. Seems like I may have some sucking up to do.
Peter.
pbsummers:
Hi Carl, I’d forgotten all about the AEC until you mentioned it then memories came flooding back of the day we walked around it and Uncle Jim explaining how the air brakes worked despite never having worked on that type of system before. A brilliant and knowledgeable man who was very clued up for his time.
Uncle Jim maintained HTH 882 and drove it nearly every day from Thorns depot, Spennymoor to Thorns depot, Leeds with its load of light fittings. I can’t recollect it ever having a breakdown or serious mechanical problems only the occasional no 3 plug oiling up for which he always carried a spare! I was sorry to see it being driven away the day it was sold to a Mr Clegg, an ex-wrestler, who I believe bought quite a few of your vehicles.
You were correct in believing that he could have made a very good historian as he had such a passion for the subject and often recounted the history surrounding the Spennymoor area. He would relate stories of the battle at Butchers Race and at Neville’s Cross telling us that it was in 1346 during the time of 100 years War, that the Scots invaded England clashing with the army formed by Queen Phillipa, the Archbishops of York and the Bishops of Durham at the site of Butchers Race, between Croxdale, the Coach and Horses public house, Hett and Spennymoor. The following day the main bodies of the 2 armies met at Neville’s Cross, near Durham and the Scots were slaughtered. He also told us that the 10 blood-red droplets within the gold cross of the Spennymoor coat of arms recalled the combat at Butcher’s Race. As well as these famous battles Uncle Jim would tell us stories of landowners, the Salvins, a Catholic family who acquired land around Tudhoe and lived at Croxdale Hall, the Shafto’s of Whitworth Hall for which a descendent, Bobby Shafto was made famous by his electoral ditty, “Bobby Shafto’s Gone To Sea”, Charles Attwood who had headed the Weardale Iron Company which built Tudhoe Ironworks and subsequently brought in Bessemer Converters to make steel in Spennymoor as well as many others. He must have made an impact for me to remember all this, just a pity Spennymoor local history wasn’t part of the CSE coursework.
Just prior to getting married Brenda and I decided to travel to St Albans to visit Uncle Perce and Aunt Nell and asked Uncle Jim to direct us and he just told us to travel straight down the A1until we got to the roundabout of the Comet Hotel, with its iconic monument of the de Havilland Comet Racer outside, when we had to turn right then he continued directing us by telling us to turn left, right or straight on at such and such pub and, by jove, he was spot on (I wonder if he had acquainted himself with most of them).
I may be a brilliant brain surgeon but would seem to be a nerd at this technology lark. I’ve just spent the last hour trying to upload photographs of the Bedford as it was being stripped down but it would seem the JPEG images are “invalid” and I had a “time-out” so have had to rewrite everything all over again. I’ll try another time when I don’t seem so fogged up.
Despite everything, you’ve still got a brilliant sense of humour and have raised many a smile.
Peter
Hi Peter,
HTH was like the other two Bedford SB petrols and I don’t think any of them ever broke down, but everyone who drove them would have carried a plug or two and a few basic spares. The drivers in those days were the last of a generation that had grown up having to do basic maintenance on the vehicles they drove, including changing the oil, plugs and greasing round. It was in their interest to grease round as there was no power steering .They also took a pride in the vehicle cleanliness and appearance. But that does not negate the sheer good performance, and reliability of those 1950 Bedfords, something they inherited from those made in the 1940’s which I am sure you can verify with yours. I forgot it was Don Clegg from Stanley who bought HTH when we finally decided to part with it. Don was delighted with it, but on the other hand dad would have made sure it was alright as Don used to be a masked wrestler and accidently pulled an opponent’s ear off during a fight.
In the days before Sat navs everyone used to direct you using pubs as landmarks, but in Uncle Jim’s case he will probably been a regular in most, and certainly known by the regulars. Like most of the older readers on Truck Net, I well remember the Comet, pub and the nearby De Havilland factory, where the aircraft were designed and built and how one of the founder’s sons always insisted in test piloting the planes himself and was eventually killed when one crashed. Also his sisters Olivia De Havilland and Joan Fonteyn were famous film stars.
Uncle Jim was also well known in all the pubs in Durham, a good customer who was always full of conversation. I was just reading, yesterday in the newspaper about Albert Pierpoint, the last official hangman. Pierpoint always stayed at the Big Jug, opposite Adams & Gibbons in Claypath Durham. Everyone says that Pierpoint used to keep himself to himself, but I do know that our great uncle was a friend who always joined him in the bar, when he came to do a hanging in Durham and they were always totally engrossed in conversation.
The last laugh was when he went down to London to the Motor Show with dad and nearly everyone else that worked there. In the early 1950s it was like a staff outing. At the bar at the hotel, where they were staying, when he was given a pint, he immediately said ‘What is this A Byers Greener’. Obviously the barman didn’t know what he was talking about, but that was a Spennymoor term for a glass not fully filled.
Best wishes
Carl
Hi Peter
It appears that the reason that Roger did not turn up was not that he wanted a lift but that no one including myself had let him know what time we were meeting, I had told him the day but did not see him again until two or three days after the event, (difficult to catch him in at home) as you say he only lives across the road and he could have walked over.
Colin
Carl Colin & everyone
Yes it was my photo above Frosterley Carl on Tyne Tees weather pictures thanks for giving me a mention it gives me an interest the photography just like our good freind Eddy…
Colin sorry to hear about your brother which one i wonder do i know him? you have had a busy time.
I love hearing from the drivers & the stories with photos it brings back many memories, even though i would still be a Long Distance Driver again to make a few bob if i did start life working again it was full of excitement & very stressful @ times.
When i retired @ almost 64 years it was heaven & then had the chance to join the Northumbria LDWA & most walks are 20miles
plus as i had competed in the Durham Dales Challenge a few times with them organising the event.I found it was good for relieving stress & helps keeps me fit so when i got a renewal for my hgv i just never bothered i did my bit so only now tow the caravan which like Eddy i love.
Carl sorry to hear you had your car licence taken away you will miss it a great deal, just as well Paul is there as your guiding light a good son.
Take care Gordon.
Colin Watson:
Hi Carl.Sorry that I have not been in touch but a lot has come to pass since the meeting at the F/F, I went on a week’s holiday to the Netherlands and the day after I returned I received a phone call to say that we had had a family bereavement in Southampton and I have been back and forth as after the funeral my brother was taken seriously ill.
I have looked at getting a avenue for a meeting on a Saturday Night but most pubs and clubs have regular customer on a Saturday night and it may be easier to get a venue for Saturday afternoon, John Ward has been to see me a couple of time and he has spoken to some of the ex-drivers but they do not seem to keen but I will try as soon as I am clear of personal problems.
Roger was not happy when I met him as he had expected Peter to pick him up on the night of the meeting, I am in touch with my old pal Jim Ferguson and we are going to meet up mid way between Spennymoor and Aberdeen for a couple of nights out together in the near future.Colin
Hi Colin,
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having a bad time. Life is peculiar. Every time you think something is going well, something goes wrong the other way to compensate.
I thought it would be difficult for a Saturday night, but a Sat afternoon would be fine by me.
Perhaps it would be better in the October time as all the caravaners like Eddie and Gordon would be back home.
Also if you could get me the names and addresses I could get some invitation cards put together and send them out with a note. (If I wrote it they would have to come along and see what it said as they wouldn’t be able to read the writing). Perhaps that would help, and with all our professional photographers like Gordon and Eddie we could get a good group photo. Also I might be able to put some sandwiches on.
Pleased to hear, Colin, that you yourself are well
It’s so many years since I last met Roger, it was a shame he was not there, but perhaps next time he will attend.
Carl
Hi Carl & Everyone…Will let you know how it go’s tomorrow…Ronnie,I will let you know if I am back over to ■■■■■■■ when you are at Farham, as I do not know if they will do anything straight away after the scan so I still might be in Durham, be nice to see you after all these years, also I am colour blind so that car was green to me, it was bloody fast, same for Gordon, will let you know when I am back over to ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ was it your younger brother that lived at Chilton,I cannot remember his name but did he not help out on occasions for Harry, sounds like you are having a bad time,all the best, cannot wait to see “Old Roger” never was a big drinker liked the women more were I liked the drink and the women .
All the best everyone.
Eddie
goggietara:
Carl Colin & everyone
Yes it was my photo above Frosterley Carl on Tyne Tees weather pictures thanks for giving me a mention it gives me an interest the photography just like our good freind Eddy…
Colin sorry to hear about your brother which one i wonder do i know him? you have had a busy time.
I love hearing from the drivers & the stories with photos it brings back many memories, even though i would still be a Long Distance Driver again to make a few bob if i did start life working again it was full of excitement & very stressful @ times.
When i retired @ almost 64 years it was heaven & then had the chance to join the Northumbria LDWA & most walks are 20miles
plus as i had competed in the Durham Dales Challenge a few times with them organising the event.I found it was good for relieving stress & helps keeps me fit so when i got a renewal for my hgv i just never bothered i did my bit so only now tow the caravan which like Eddy i love.
Carl sorry to hear you had your car licence taken away you will miss it a great deal, just as well Paul is there as your guiding light a good son.
Take care Gordon.
Hi Gordon,
Pleased you are keeping OK. Keep the photos coming. I watch the NE weather now to see yours.
Finally went yesterday to get my bus pass. First I had to get the photos and there must be a problem with the machine in Tesco. Instead of my handsome self they must be coupled up to an old folks home nearby as the photo was of this old gadgy.
Anyway armed with my proof of identity and this obviously defective photo off I went to the office shown on Durham county Website, which I have passed many times in recent weeks. It seemed to be a type of drop in centre dealing with local authority matters in Bishop Auckland Market Place. To my surprise the windows had whitening over and it was locked. Although there were lights on inside and through the gaps I could see a steaming kettle with several mugs. Then I noticed a note in the window. ‘Mr Postman, we are still inside, if you have a recorded delivery letter, please knock. So I thought if it’s good enough for the postman it’s good enough for me, so I knocked.
Within a couple of minutes a female face came to the window and asked what I wanted. I said a bus pass. ‘We don’t do them here came the reply. I’ll go and find out for you’. Eventually she came back and said she would have to look on the internet. I told her she was see it was at her office. She came back and agreed it did but said it now was at the Crook office. I told her I had travelled from Aycliffe and didn’t intend to go to Crook. So back she went again and came back in about 10 minutes with a form for me to print off and send to Durham.
I left thinking ‘Typical Durham County Council. They’ve cut the services and pretended to close the offices but the staff play on inside just the same, with their huge pensions’.
When I got home the form she had given me was the wrong one so I went back onto the Website where it said I could print one off. The link didn’t work, so I rang the help line and a very pleasant chap came on the phone who immediately emailed me one.
I filled it in and sent it off thinking there goes another weeks work for a council worker. No doubt it will come back eventually.
I think all these organisations should have a rule that anyone who gets a managerial position with control over staff should first have had to work in the transport industry and then they would know what a day’s work is.
Carl
Eddy
Please pass on your telephone no so i can ring you when over in the Lakes & where is your caravan site please? plus the nearest pub look forward to a drink with you & will buy you a pint.
Carl for my bus pass i went to Sedgefield Council on Green lane Spennymoor they took my photo & then gave me my licence easy!
Now its Durham Council but may still be OK @ Spennymoor.Colins younger brother i know was called Keith.
Good luck to ALL hospital visitors- Gordon
goggietara:
Eddy
Please pass on your telephone no so i can ring you when over in the Lakes & where is your caravan site please? plus the nearest pub look forward to a drink with you & will buy you a pint.
Carl for my bus pass i went to Sedgefield Council on Green lane Spennymoor they took my photo & then gave me my licence easy!
Now its Durham Council but may still be OK @ Spennymoor.Colins younger brother i know was called Keith.
Good luck to ALL hospital visitors- Gordon
Hi Gordon,
I have sent for a bus pass, now by post and no doubt will receive one shorty, but you should see the awful photo The chap that photo booth took the photo of was a really ugly chap.
Did you read Colin’s idea of a Saturday afternoon. I suggested after October after you, Eddie and anyone else has ended the caravan season. What do you think.
Mind, think back to when you were both driving, particularly with loads down to Devon and Cornwall. I bet you both complained of al the caravans like everyone else
Hope to meet up again soon
Carl
Hi Carl & Everyone…They have found a Cyst on my kidney, that is why they could not see the stone, they are phoning back with a appointment, I will find out more then, but the lady did not seem to concerned about the cyst so will just have to go with it, at least I now know why I have permanent back ache…I have a bus pass but have never used it on the buses,I did get a discount on the train from Middlesbrough to Aycliffe with the bus pass, what a journey, it was like being back at school it was great, I like the different views of the places you pass through from the train, like when you go over North Road Darlington, I have only seen it from the road, it’s really good…Carl, you can go all the way to Saltburn from Aycliffe station, but don’t forget your bucket and spade …Gordon & Ronnie my address at ■■■■■■■ is Faugh Head Farm,Ainstable it is between Armathwaite and Ainstable there is a great pub in Armathwaite “Fox & Pheasant” my mobile is 07943320049…Peter I asked before but you must have missed it, do you still have the Pigfords bedford or have I missed something .
Take care everyone.
Eddie