Wigan Album

Volvo F12 launched in 1977, this photo was taken around the early 1980s and indeed they are mining chocks from Gullick-Dobson, at Ince. The firm was called Clarington Coach and Haulage Ltd and the owners where Arthur/Harold Bibby, the family lived around the Clarington Brook area, hence the word Clarington Haulage. In later years the company took over the Ferry Masters depot on Wigan road Hindley. The site today is occupied by a care home. The trucks/trailers and coaches were well looked after as many family firms did.

Hi Ron, Just a little remark regarding your comments in
brackets in your title header. It should read "Artic",
which is short for "Articulated". Kind Regards, Ray.

Clarington coach and haulage in the early 1950's had their offices in Birkett Bank facing on the other side of the road the Crispin Arms where I lived. Harold Bibby was a friend and we were in the same class at St Catharines, he had two other older brothers, Norman and Walter. Their father also Norman was at one time Chairman of Wigan Rugby League - Harold now retired lives in the Dalton area.

I suspect a proper Wigan based HGV, hauling Wigan made goods. Thank you Ron, this is what Wigan Worlds about.

Comment not about the truck, but the load. It must have been a nightmare manoeuvring such a heavy and bulky piece of equipment into working position underground.

Ince forge, also manufactured the very heavy parts, and equipment, that was required for the propelling of ships. I suppose this has now been lost, and is now a past memory.

Ray, we got the jest of it!!
We knew what you meant Ron.

There is sutch a thing as a Forklift.

In the forties J Bibby & Sons ran tipping wagons based in Birket Bank they worked mostly for Fnglish Tools and Parks Forge. A friend or mine worked for them on leaving school in 1946 thry acquired s couple of coaches in 1946and Ran them As " Clarington Coaches" from a garage built on land adjacent to ST Catherines Rec. and their repution as hard task masters Was not enhanced By the infamous advert in the Wigan Observer" Wanted Coach Drivers Must be able to use Spade"

Alf, your comment about the forklift, was it directed towards the comment by AP?

There was always a notice at the front of the workshop,"the man who lends tools is not in,but will be back tomorrow".I think Parkside was the first pit to use Gullick chocks,I remember them being installed,about 1963.

So, did you get many Forklift trucks at the coalface?

I worked at Clarington Coach and Haulage as a heavy goods fitter for around 3 years in the 70,s.Harold was in charge of the Garage,Walter the Haulage side.Good days.

I worked at Clarington Coach and Haulage as a heavy goods fitter for around 3 years in the 70,s.Harold was in charge of the Garage,Walter the Haulage side.Good days.

I worked at Clarington Coach and Haulage as a heavy goods fitter for around 3 years in the 70,s.Harold was in charge of the Garage,Walter the Haulage side.Good days.

Started at Birkett Bank offices in 1973 before their move to Hindley. Norman Bibby & one of his sons Alan ran the office sided. Alan being the Haulage manager. Harold in charge of the Garage side. Donald, Harold son drove a skip wagon.

Hi all,
Donald Bibby was my dad. All stories of the old days are welcome. I don't know my dads side of the family at all.
Thanks

The Garage in Hindley which Clarington Coach & Haulage took over was formerly British Road Services,the Red lorries used to have individual names on them,the Clarington ones were Blue and always looked in great condition.

My dad worked for bibby's for years as a driver (Bill Clarke) i remember filling the wagons with diesel.

I drove for Bibbys lived near Bill Clarke allways up for a laugh.
The yard they took over on wigan road also used to be JRE transport.