After the continental work started to get too much, I fancied getting back onto U.K work, so off I popped to Dorlux beds In Club Lane Halifax back to a company I had worked at before in the late 60s, and early 70s, alongside Phil Brownridge
(Stan the Man) The fleet was all Bedford TKs pantechs and Luton vans, at this point, I left the artics alone for a while.
We tramped all over the nation with these little motors,and had some great times, when drivers met up at various parking spots, some of which I will name later on.
The company was owned by one man, a Mr.Sykes, a decent sort he was too, the job was to die for,once you were in there you never left, it was just one long holiday and piss up, I can honestly say, I have never had such an easy job ever, and I’ve had quite a few in my time.
We were out all week delivering to all the bed shops nationwide including Northern Ireland, and our transport manager was a true diamond, Mr. Pritchard, top man.
BELOW :- Some of the fleet in the yard at Club Lane, I wish I had taken more pictures in hindsight now. This livery of chocolate and cream replaced the old 60s livery of pastel blue and red, where ever you were on the road, you would always see a Dorlux wagon in some corner of the country, there was always a bed shop in every town and city.
This is not my pic, but I was parked up overnight here in the Dorlux wagon at Lymington Road in Torquay..I came across this by chance..two of my old companies.
We didn’t need a sleeper cab, because we just went in the back and slept on a nice big double mattress, there was no rush, no mobiles no boss pushing you, nobody asked where have you been or how long will it take to do this or that, we just took our time, met up for breakfast, met up on the lorry parks at night and went out on the town, a few drinks a nice meal a good old laugh, and maybe a bird or two if we were lucky..lol
The Roll of Honour. for the drivers at the time around the 80s.
Eric Adamson (Noddy)..John Drake…
Mick O’Callighan…Norman Morrit…Errol Lister…
Tony Wedgewood…Fred Kendren…Malcolm Curry…
Dave Spencer…Phil Chandler……Pete Williams…Dave Taylor…
Jack Nicholls..George Scott…Dennis Trueman…
Alan Crystal…Tony Addy…Jim Witham…Paul Victor…
Paul Rochford…Stuart Kinder…Tom Hill…John Fossey (Tumbleweed)…
Brian Baxter…Mick Swift…John Greg…
Pete Fahey…Trevor Hodgson…Barry Hodgson…John Shrubb…
Charlie Collinson…Simon Kaye…Colin Brealy…
Bob Walsh…Brian winters…Alex McNee…Roger Hart.
Jack Simpson…Roy Lofts…SteveTetley…Ronnie Griffiths…Neil Eccles…
Dave (Skippy) Buick…John Mitton…Terry Tynon…Roy Mcgregor…Elia Stanovic..
Kevin Bolton …Jess Thomson…Keith Durrance…George Dunnet…
Malc Delaney… Derek Winterbottom..Terry ( Popeye) Denton…Kim Newburn.
My apologies if I have misspelt any names , please correct me if you wish.
Many thanks go to :-
John Drake..Mick O’Callighan..John Fossey..and John Shrubb for their contributions to this page.
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