Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 3rd June, 2016)

Thank's John, this picture took my breath away. After a lifetime of being in transport this little beauty is a reminder of my childhood days and the reason why I went into the transport industry I would sit as a nipper watching these little trucks strutting their stuff around Aspull and Howfen WOW.

I drove a coal lorry like this one. Great memories.

Hard to get uncluttered shots at events like this. Nicely done John.

Garry, when did coal deliveries stop, what year? Just interested to know when that era ended, It's so easy in these modern days to forget a man carrying a bag of coal on his back to keep a household warm, Garry, how many bags would , on a daily basis , a coal man shift. I feel ashamed that I could not even tell you how much a bag of coal cost, but I,m sure my mam and dad could. Bet these lorries were a lot grubbier in your days eh Garry. Sorry John, just realised I,m drifting away from your picture.

Harry forsha married a lass from Dobb Brow Owfen, where I lived for the first twenty three years of mi life. Mi dad came across Harry and Fred Dibnah having a chat many years ago on't ti 'Brew' and said they were both grand chaps.

Kas, I have no problems with you using my picture as a vehicle (LOL) to ask your questions of Garry. I too realised that it was one of those pieces of life that have disappeared without my noticing when it happened. JJP I am glad you liked the picture as much as you did, this lorry will no doubt be at the Heskin vintage vehicle rally this weekend...which is being held in Eccleston, this year, down Tinklers Lane.

Thanks John.

Kas. There are still one or two coal merchants around today, but not on that scale in the 1960s-70s. Coal deliveries to homes started to demise in the 1990s when most homes changed to central heating. There was something about a coal fire during the winter months, they were so cosy and warm. Our round was around 40 to 50 homes per day in the working week, in summer a lot less. In was hard work, but loved it. I hope this helps.

Las,had a good coal round in Bury till about 1975 then more & more were getting Central Heating and that killed it.In Winter used to do 10 ton a day a lot less in Summer.Think it was about 15 Bob for 100cwt till they changed our money, can't remember what it was after that.As Garry said hard work but loved it.

Garry, posted a thank you which seems to have got lost. That was true graft, 50 homes a day blimey!
Now you can turn your heating on an off with a smart phone..

Cheers Paul. We did get coal delivered sometimes but my memories are vague, so maybe my mam couldn't afford it some weeks. This is why I wondered how much a bag of coal cost. We did have a coal bunker at the front of the house.

Hi
My dad was a coal merchant and lived on Ormskirk Road, Pemberton is name was Arnold Mears any one remember him

What about the wonderful hand painted livery on wagon , not many today who can do that ,

Our Coalman in Spring View was Len Mcintyre the Warrington Hooker . If Mam&Dad had no money till pay day it was down to Spring's Branch in dark and fill a bucket with coal.

JJP, I hope you see this; we are hoping to have this lorry at the Friends of Haigh 40s themed event on 14th August if you are interested. I will probably be manning the crazy golf if you want to make contact.

John, thanks for the info but that just leaves me sad, I shall be away on holiday (Majorca) from 8th until 19th Aug. I would dearly have loved to see this absolute beauty even though it would have meant me driving from North Yorkshire where we have lived for some years. I have a friend from childhood days who lives in Aspull and I'll ask him to keep me informed of any events that he becomes aware of... Thanks John I hope to meet you in the not too distant future.

JJP, sorry you couldn't be with us on that day but it would be a pleasure to meet you sometime in the future.

Hi Janet Gibson I have a relative named Arnold Mears we could be related. Please get in touch.