Middleton Bus Garage
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- PostsCOLON 175
- JoinedCOLON Wed 17 Jun, 2009 6:12 pm
Hi everyone, after popping in at the Middleton Garage 25 year reunion last Friday and meeting a lot of old workmates, good turnout, it got me thinking about all the guys I worked with in my 7 years there up until it cosed in 86. Out of all the jobs I've had, driver/conducting was the best, by a long chalk. I worked with some lovely lovely people, (and a few "characters"), drivers, guards, clippies, the lasses in the canteen and George the chef, desk men, a few of the checkers, mechanics, cleaners, great times when it was a good job too! anyway, I started to write down all the names I could remember that were at Miggy and here they are below, apologies if i have spelled any names wrongly or if I have not recalled your name. If anyone reading this can remember any more please post as I would eventually like to dedicate a simple site to Middleton garage and it would be nice to have a complete list. HERE GOES:
List updated, thanks to all who got in touch, see posts below
Daphne Alvares Guard
John Airth
John Amos
Paul Arrowsmith
Ray Beverley
John Baldwin Desk Man
Terry Banks
Steve Barber
John Barrie
Don Barron
Cyril Birkin
John Bilton
Dave Billings
Malcolm Bland
Birtwhistle 1
Birtwhistle 2
Bert Booker Crew Driver
Dot Booker Guard
Tommy Booker
Sammy Boyes
Frank Bradbury
Phil Britten
Dave Brown
Dennis Brown
Steve Brown
Martin Bullough
George Butterfield
Colin Button
George Carr
Stevie Carr
Alan Carter
Pete Cave
Ginger John? Cawthorne Desk Man
Tony Cawthra
Helen Chamberlain Guard
Joe Chamberalian Crew Driver
Maggie Chamberlain Guard
Ray Clarke
Len Clarkson
Lol Clibbens
Eric Conlon
Mark Conlon
Bill Cooper
Colin Cooper Inspector
Paul Cooper Inspector
Roy Cooper
Wilf Cox Garage Manager
Ray Crapper
John Creasser Crew Driver
Alan Creswick
Andy Crowther
Frank Cruikshank
Tony Cotton Guard
Tony Daniels-Gailey Guard
George Davis
Stevie Day
Ron Dayman Garage Manager
George Dennis
Ken Dodgson
Les Downes Garage Manager
Trevor Duell Inspector
Jack Ellis
Charlie Eyres
Stan Eyres
Albert Fairholme Guard
Steve Fawcett
Arthur Firth
Colin Firth Guard
Val Ford
Trevor Fowler
Hector Frater Crew Driver
Paul Gibson
Trevor Gibson
Roland Grice
John Guest
Kevin Hackney
Mick Hagan
Tommy Hardy Guard
Richard Hardwick
Mick Hargreaves
Brian Harrison
John Harrison
Terry Harrison
Mal Harvey
Billy Haw
Paul Henley
Alan Hezlewood
Cliff Hezlewood
Spen Hezlewood
Tracy Hezlewood
Mick Hicks
Steve Higgs
Terry Hill
Alfie Hiscoe
Dennis Hope
Lee Holland
George Howarth
Stan Horowitc
Frank Hudson
John Hunt
Dick Hurst
Dave Hurst
Terry Hutchinson
Maggie Hyndman Guard
Billy Hoops
Tab Hussain
Jesse James
Elsworth Josephs
Dennis Kitchen
Paul Knowles
Harry Lawrence Crew Driver
John Lawrence
Maurice Lindley Guard
Barry Lindsell
Stan Ling
Ronnie Lockhart Crew Driver
Dave Lockwood
Manny Lowe
Ian Manley
Kevin Marley
Kevin Morley Desk Man
Dave Marsh
Ian Mason
Neil MacBeth
Tim McDermott
Dave McGreavy
Alan Metcalfe
Billy Middleton
Trevor Milburn
Edi Moore Guard
Craig Moore
Ronnie Morrison
Jim Mowatt
Bruce Naylor
Bob Nicholson
Gez O'Callaghan
Ernie Ogden
Tommy O'Neil
Inis Padmore
Frank Pape Crew Driver
Brian Parkin
Dorothy Patchett
John Peacock
Mick Perry
Dennis Picken
Geoff Pinder Senior Inspector
Tommy Pinder
Roger Poole Desk Man
Terry Poulter
Bert Pratt
Brian Pratt
Colin Prenderghast Guard
Lol Preece
Vic Priestley
Taki Saki Qarmi
Mally Radcliffe
Stuart Raddings
Micky Ramoth
Graham Ramsden
Micky Rayner
Keith Rayson
Dave Redman
Glen Reece
Alan Richards
Roger Riley
Ken Ripley
Mick Roberts
Gary Robinson
Gary Robinson 2
Nigel Rogers
Dave Rouse Desk Man
Paddy Ryan
Bob Ryder
Mick Sanderson
Gerry Sawdon
Trevor Sawyer
Joyce Senior Guard
Howard Sheldon
Dean Simons
Pete Simmons
Frank Smart
George Smeaton
Ian Speight
Colin Szynkowski
Brian Stott
Joyce Swain Guard
Eileen Sword Guard
Gary Taffinder
Howard Teasdale
Barry Thurwell
Steve Tomlinson Guard
Paddy Tougher Inspector
Bob Tunstall
Ronnie Turner
Colin Walker Inspector
Graham Walker
Johnny Walker
Johnnie Walker
Mick Walsh
Bob Ward
Mick Warke
Bob Waterson
Terry Whitaker
Mark White Guard
George Wilson
Mark Wilson
Bernie Wood
Georgie Wood Guard
Graham Wright Garage Manager
Chris Wykeman
Eve Hezlewood Canteen
Brenda? Canteen
Jenny Pickens Canteen
George Canteen
Jean Canteen
Rita Canteen
List updated, thanks to all who got in touch, see posts below
Daphne Alvares Guard
John Airth
John Amos
Paul Arrowsmith
Ray Beverley
John Baldwin Desk Man
Terry Banks
Steve Barber
John Barrie
Don Barron
Cyril Birkin
John Bilton
Dave Billings
Malcolm Bland
Birtwhistle 1
Birtwhistle 2
Bert Booker Crew Driver
Dot Booker Guard
Tommy Booker
Sammy Boyes
Frank Bradbury
Phil Britten
Dave Brown
Dennis Brown
Steve Brown
Martin Bullough
George Butterfield
Colin Button
George Carr
Stevie Carr
Alan Carter
Pete Cave
Ginger John? Cawthorne Desk Man
Tony Cawthra
Helen Chamberlain Guard
Joe Chamberalian Crew Driver
Maggie Chamberlain Guard
Ray Clarke
Len Clarkson
Lol Clibbens
Eric Conlon
Mark Conlon
Bill Cooper
Colin Cooper Inspector
Paul Cooper Inspector
Roy Cooper
Wilf Cox Garage Manager
Ray Crapper
John Creasser Crew Driver
Alan Creswick
Andy Crowther
Frank Cruikshank
Tony Cotton Guard
Tony Daniels-Gailey Guard
George Davis
Stevie Day
Ron Dayman Garage Manager
George Dennis
Ken Dodgson
Les Downes Garage Manager
Trevor Duell Inspector
Jack Ellis
Charlie Eyres
Stan Eyres
Albert Fairholme Guard
Steve Fawcett
Arthur Firth
Colin Firth Guard
Val Ford
Trevor Fowler
Hector Frater Crew Driver
Paul Gibson
Trevor Gibson
Roland Grice
John Guest
Kevin Hackney
Mick Hagan
Tommy Hardy Guard
Richard Hardwick
Mick Hargreaves
Brian Harrison
John Harrison
Terry Harrison
Mal Harvey
Billy Haw
Paul Henley
Alan Hezlewood
Cliff Hezlewood
Spen Hezlewood
Tracy Hezlewood
Mick Hicks
Steve Higgs
Terry Hill
Alfie Hiscoe
Dennis Hope
Lee Holland
George Howarth
Stan Horowitc
Frank Hudson
John Hunt
Dick Hurst
Dave Hurst
Terry Hutchinson
Maggie Hyndman Guard
Billy Hoops
Tab Hussain
Jesse James
Elsworth Josephs
Dennis Kitchen
Paul Knowles
Harry Lawrence Crew Driver
John Lawrence
Maurice Lindley Guard
Barry Lindsell
Stan Ling
Ronnie Lockhart Crew Driver
Dave Lockwood
Manny Lowe
Ian Manley
Kevin Marley
Kevin Morley Desk Man
Dave Marsh
Ian Mason
Neil MacBeth
Tim McDermott
Dave McGreavy
Alan Metcalfe
Billy Middleton
Trevor Milburn
Edi Moore Guard
Craig Moore
Ronnie Morrison
Jim Mowatt
Bruce Naylor
Bob Nicholson
Gez O'Callaghan
Ernie Ogden
Tommy O'Neil
Inis Padmore
Frank Pape Crew Driver
Brian Parkin
Dorothy Patchett
John Peacock
Mick Perry
Dennis Picken
Geoff Pinder Senior Inspector
Tommy Pinder
Roger Poole Desk Man
Terry Poulter
Bert Pratt
Brian Pratt
Colin Prenderghast Guard
Lol Preece
Vic Priestley
Taki Saki Qarmi
Mally Radcliffe
Stuart Raddings
Micky Ramoth
Graham Ramsden
Micky Rayner
Keith Rayson
Dave Redman
Glen Reece
Alan Richards
Roger Riley
Ken Ripley
Mick Roberts
Gary Robinson
Gary Robinson 2
Nigel Rogers
Dave Rouse Desk Man
Paddy Ryan
Bob Ryder
Mick Sanderson
Gerry Sawdon
Trevor Sawyer
Joyce Senior Guard
Howard Sheldon
Dean Simons
Pete Simmons
Frank Smart
George Smeaton
Ian Speight
Colin Szynkowski
Brian Stott
Joyce Swain Guard
Eileen Sword Guard
Gary Taffinder
Howard Teasdale
Barry Thurwell
Steve Tomlinson Guard
Paddy Tougher Inspector
Bob Tunstall
Ronnie Turner
Colin Walker Inspector
Graham Walker
Johnny Walker
Johnnie Walker
Mick Walsh
Bob Ward
Mick Warke
Bob Waterson
Terry Whitaker
Mark White Guard
George Wilson
Mark Wilson
Bernie Wood
Georgie Wood Guard
Graham Wright Garage Manager
Chris Wykeman
Eve Hezlewood Canteen
Brenda? Canteen
Jenny Pickens Canteen
George Canteen
Jean Canteen
Rita Canteen
The longer we live the older we get
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- PostsCOLON 432
- JoinedCOLON Tue 24 Jun, 2008 4:01 pm
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- PostsCOLON 2556
- JoinedCOLON Mon 24 Mar, 2008 4:42 am
BillyBritVic - thanks for a wonderful list - I remember nearly all of them very well, even though I was a driver/ticket checker (detested that job) then bookman at Headingley I did quite a few spare duties at Middleton. When I get chance I'll add a few more names to your list - sadly I know of a few who've passed on in recent years. Do you remember Keith Peacock ?? - driver later bookman - who was rushing home for dinner in the Manor Farms on one of the terrible twelve hour "long days" and collapsed and died in Sharp Lane (I think). Ines Alberta Padmore went home to the Caribbean to visit her family and passed away while there. Also Dorothy Patchett (spitten image of Mrs. Thatcher) who later married Dennis Bennett.
On a cheerier note - was Wilf Cox still the Senior at Middlerton in your day ?? I always thought he looked so liked Eric Morecambe and in manner too. I once arrived for the late turn to find a load of open duties and no spare staff whatever. Wilf strolled out of his glass office to say hello, accompanied by his lovely spaniel, and I said "By gum, you're in a mess for staff here aren't you??" With a real "Eric Morecambe" look he replied "Yes, but its all my fault you know." "How's that then ??" I asked" I'll never forget his wonderful reply :-
"Well, I came out here this morning and uttered that evil four letter word WORK - we had to get the first aid man to four of them and an ambulance for two more." It was about 4.00pm before I could stop laughing enough to write anything !! Wonderful memories.
On a cheerier note - was Wilf Cox still the Senior at Middlerton in your day ?? I always thought he looked so liked Eric Morecambe and in manner too. I once arrived for the late turn to find a load of open duties and no spare staff whatever. Wilf strolled out of his glass office to say hello, accompanied by his lovely spaniel, and I said "By gum, you're in a mess for staff here aren't you??" With a real "Eric Morecambe" look he replied "Yes, but its all my fault you know." "How's that then ??" I asked" I'll never forget his wonderful reply :-
"Well, I came out here this morning and uttered that evil four letter word WORK - we had to get the first aid man to four of them and an ambulance for two more." It was about 4.00pm before I could stop laughing enough to write anything !! Wonderful memories.
There's nothing like keeping the past alive - it makes us relieved to reflect that any bad times have gone, and happy to relive all the joyful and fascinating experiences of our own and other folks' earlier days.
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- PostsCOLON 120
- JoinedCOLON Thu 15 Nov, 2007 1:29 pm
5 Senior Garage Inspectors
George Graham
Les Downes
Ron Dayman
Geoff Pinder
Not sure if George Marshell had a spell at Mid.
What a memory you've got .I must have written and read all the Dvrs and Cdrs names every day and I don't think I could have rembered 20, and they were the regulars who came in for a verbal or written warning.
George Graham
Les Downes
Ron Dayman
Geoff Pinder
Not sure if George Marshell had a spell at Mid.
What a memory you've got .I must have written and read all the Dvrs and Cdrs names every day and I don't think I could have rembered 20, and they were the regulars who came in for a verbal or written warning.
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- PostsCOLON 120
- JoinedCOLON Thu 15 Nov, 2007 1:29 pm
- buffaloskinner
- PostsCOLON 1250
- JoinedCOLON Sun 01 Apr, 2007 6:02 pm
- LocationCOLON Nova Scotia
BillyBritvic, I think you must have either a photographic memory or access to some archived records.
There are a few more I can think of, but I couldnt have remembered that lot even though I spent 13 years at Middleton until it closed.
I always will remember some of the Inside Grades and Engineering staff we had there all looked after by the infamous Ronnie O
And yes it was a good night last Friday, spent the first hour trying to remember names though.
There are a few more I can think of, but I couldnt have remembered that lot even though I spent 13 years at Middleton until it closed.
I always will remember some of the Inside Grades and Engineering staff we had there all looked after by the infamous Ronnie O
And yes it was a good night last Friday, spent the first hour trying to remember names though.
Is this the end of the story ...
or the beginning of a legend?
or the beginning of a legend?
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- PostsCOLON 175
- JoinedCOLON Wed 17 Jun, 2009 6:12 pm
Ey up, here again. thank you for your replies, to Buffaloskinner I have recounted all these names from memory, I dont have access to archives, wish I had. Not sure about photographic memory though. I think I remember cos it was the best time of my working life, and all the guys had different personalities and were interesting, I felt like i fit in. it was my kind of job. Only left cos they were sending me to Bramley!!! shame things have to change. It was really nice to meet up again last Friday. Hope another meeting will be as well attended. Here are a few more names I've remembered:
George Smeaton
Stuart Raddings
Phil Britten
Micky Raynor
Roger Riley
Lee Holland
Brian Parkin
Gary Robinson
Funny innit? I can remeber very nearly 200 peeps I last worked with 25 years ago but cant remember what I did last week!!!
Hope to bump into again very soon.
George Smeaton
Stuart Raddings
Phil Britten
Micky Raynor
Roger Riley
Lee Holland
Brian Parkin
Gary Robinson
Funny innit? I can remeber very nearly 200 peeps I last worked with 25 years ago but cant remember what I did last week!!!
Hope to bump into again very soon.
The longer we live the older we get
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- PostsCOLON 175
- JoinedCOLON Wed 17 Jun, 2009 6:12 pm
Hi Blakey, we must know each other, we must have met in the past, I was a spare conductor for 6 months and spare driver for the rest of my time at Middleton and was sent to all the other garages to do cover. Always liked Headingley garage, loved the canteen there. I did 10 years at Black Prince after that.
I too am saddened when I hear about past colleagues passing away, very saddened. I must have started after Keith Peacock passed on but I do have fond memories of Ines Padmore, lovely lady and very interesting to talk to. I guarded her a few times and got her talking about her early life "back home". she made me laugh telling me how she was the best catapulter in her village, she said she could hit a pigeon first shot every time!!! then pigeon stew for dinner, she had a lovely laugh, bless her. There are others too that have a special place in my thoughts, some gone, some still here and some I'm not sure. Daphne was a lovely lady, she was on the buses when I went to primary school, do you remeber her? slim with long black hair, always wore gloves. When I was at school aged 9 or 10, we used to call her catwoman, cheeky was'nt we? She was very attractive and never looked her age. I could go on and on but am thinking of setting up a site and putting my memories on there.
Wilf Cox was the manager when I first started, I didnt get to know him very well, after him I think it was Geoff Pinder and the last one was Graham Wright? I'm not sure, I think all this remembering of names has worn me brain out.
I too am saddened when I hear about past colleagues passing away, very saddened. I must have started after Keith Peacock passed on but I do have fond memories of Ines Padmore, lovely lady and very interesting to talk to. I guarded her a few times and got her talking about her early life "back home". she made me laugh telling me how she was the best catapulter in her village, she said she could hit a pigeon first shot every time!!! then pigeon stew for dinner, she had a lovely laugh, bless her. There are others too that have a special place in my thoughts, some gone, some still here and some I'm not sure. Daphne was a lovely lady, she was on the buses when I went to primary school, do you remeber her? slim with long black hair, always wore gloves. When I was at school aged 9 or 10, we used to call her catwoman, cheeky was'nt we? She was very attractive and never looked her age. I could go on and on but am thinking of setting up a site and putting my memories on there.
Wilf Cox was the manager when I first started, I didnt get to know him very well, after him I think it was Geoff Pinder and the last one was Graham Wright? I'm not sure, I think all this remembering of names has worn me brain out.
The longer we live the older we get
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- PostsCOLON 175
- JoinedCOLON Wed 17 Jun, 2009 6:12 pm
Hi Amber, thanks for those names, I have added to my list for future reference. I remember Geoff Pinder very well, but the other names only ring a bell. Thanks for posting the pic, brought back memories of going to look for foreman mechanic to get a changeover. We might recognize each other should we meet, I worked out of all the garages, doing cover or the odd banger here and there. You might have even given me a verbal after I'd blobbed another early turn!!!!! Didn't like earlies, but didnt find it too hard to get swap for 9 or 10ish start so didnt blob that many. Only ever got booked once, when I was crew driving. Late turn number 3's stopped at Barrys on Dewsbury road, Guard, Maggie H, ran over and got fish n chips etc for us both then I hammered it to thorpe Lane, accidently forgetting I was 4 mins early going through at Tommy wass', this led to 8 mins early at terminus and guess what? Trevor Duell was waiting for us, DRAT, BLINKIN ECK< or words to that effect!!!!!! Anyway got a verbal for that. apart from that never got caught..........I mean never did owt to get booked for again.
The longer we live the older we get
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- PostsCOLON 2556
- JoinedCOLON Mon 24 Mar, 2008 4:42 am
Hi again Billy, Yes I remember Daphne Albares very well indeed - and her gloves of course. She was actually very good friends with Dorothy Patchett who I mentioned above - both real ladies for sure. I had many a laugh and happy chat with Ines too. Do you remember the dreadful accident she had at Crossgates one evening peak while on the the number 9 Ring Road with a double decker (6***) ?? She was just passing the end of Austhorpe Road when a silly old kid in a car pulled across right in front of her - then panicked and stopped dead inches away - naturally she had hit him before she could even think of braking. A girl upstairs was standing before coming down to get off and went straight through the windscreen and landed on or near the car and was very seriously injured. Ines had her meal break (late turn) and then did the best possible thing - carried on and completed the duty - very courageous even so and we admired her for it. Another interesting fact about Ines which I daresay you hadn't heard. She had a few goes at the driving test (semi automatics) during her first spell with LCT - got fed up, left, and went on the West Yorkshire as a conductress - and passed on a live gearbox Bristol Lodekka !!
As you say, I must know you - were you by any chance at Black Prince Depot on their final night at Midnight, and were you by then working for Arriva ?? - if so I do know you !!
As you say, I must know you - were you by any chance at Black Prince Depot on their final night at Midnight, and were you by then working for Arriva ?? - if so I do know you !!
There's nothing like keeping the past alive - it makes us relieved to reflect that any bad times have gone, and happy to relive all the joyful and fascinating experiences of our own and other folks' earlier days.
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