Middleton Bus Garage

BillyBritvic · Post by **BillyBritvic** » Wed 23 Mar, 2011 10:21 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 belowDaphne Alvares GuardJohn Airth John Amos Paul Arrowsmith Ray Beverley John Baldwin Desk ManTerry Banks Steve Barber John Barrie Don Barron Cyril Birkin John Bilton Dave Billings Malcolm Bland Birtwhistle 1 Birtwhistle 2 Bert Booker Crew DriverDot Booker GuardTommy BookerSammy Boyes Frank BradburyPhil Britten Dave Brown Dennis Brown Steve BrownMartin Bullough George Butterfield Colin Button George Carr Stevie Carr Alan Carter Pete Cave Ginger John? Cawthorne Desk ManTony Cawthra Helen Chamberlain GuardJoe Chamberalian Crew DriverMaggie Chamberlain GuardRay Clarke Len Clarkson Lol Clibbens Eric Conlon Mark Conlon Bill Cooper Colin Cooper InspectorPaul Cooper InspectorRoy CooperWilf Cox Garage Manager Ray Crapper John Creasser Crew DriverAlan Creswick Andy Crowther Frank Cruikshank Tony Cotton GuardTony Daniels-Gailey GuardGeorge DavisStevie DayRon Dayman Garage Manager George Dennis Ken DodgsonLes Downes Garage Manager Trevor Duell InspectorJack EllisCharlie EyresStan EyresAlbert Fairholme GuardSteve Fawcett Arthur Firth Colin Firth GuardVal Ford Trevor Fowler Hector Frater Crew DriverPaul Gibson Trevor Gibson Roland Grice John Guest Kevin Hackney Mick Hagan Tommy Hardy GuardRichard Hardwick Mick HargreavesBrian HarrisonJohn Harrison Terry Harrison Mal Harvey Billy Haw Paul HenleyAlan Hezlewood Cliff Hezlewood Spen Hezlewood Tracy Hezlewood Mick Hicks Steve Higgs Terry Hill Alfie HiscoeDennis HopeLee Holland George Howarth Stan Horowitc Frank Hudson John Hunt Dick Hurst Dave Hurst Terry Hutchinson Maggie Hyndman GuardBilly Hoops Tab Hussain Jesse James Elsworth Josephs Dennis Kitchen Paul Knowles Harry Lawrence Crew DriverJohn LawrenceMaurice Lindley GuardBarry LindsellStan Ling Ronnie Lockhart Crew DriverDave Lockwood Manny Lowe Ian Manley Kevin Marley Kevin Morley Desk ManDave Marsh Ian Mason Neil MacBeth Tim McDermott Dave McGreavy Alan Metcalfe Billy Middleton Trevor Milburn Edi Moore GuardCraig MooreRonnie Morrison Jim Mowatt Bruce Naylor Bob Nicholson Gez O'CallaghanErnie Ogden Tommy O'Neil Inis Padmore Frank Pape Crew DriverBrian ParkinDorothy PatchettJohn Peacock Mick Perry Dennis PickenGeoff Pinder Senior Inspector Tommy Pinder Roger Poole Desk ManTerry Poulter Bert Pratt Brian Pratt Colin Prenderghast GuardLol Preece Vic Priestley Taki Saki Qarmi Mally RadcliffeStuart Raddings Micky RamothGraham RamsdenMicky RaynerKeith Rayson Dave Redman Glen Reece Alan RichardsRoger Riley Ken Ripley Mick RobertsGary RobinsonGary Robinson 2 Nigel Rogers Dave Rouse Desk ManPaddy RyanBob Ryder Mick Sanderson Gerry Sawdon Trevor Sawyer Joyce Senior GuardHoward Sheldon Dean Simons Pete Simmons Frank SmartGeorge Smeaton Ian SpeightColin Szynkowski Brian Stott Joyce Swain GuardEileen Sword GuardGary TaffinderHoward Teasdale Barry Thurwell Steve Tomlinson GuardPaddy Tougher InspectorBob Tunstall Ronnie Turner Colin Walker InspectorGraham Walker Johnny Walker Johnnie Walker Mick Walsh Bob Ward Mick WarkeBob Waterson Terry Whitaker Mark White GuardGeorge Wilson Mark Wilson Bernie Wood Georgie Wood GuardGraham Wright Garage ManagerChris Wykeman Eve Hezlewood CanteenBrenda? CanteenJenny Pickens CanteenGeorge CanteenJean CanteenRita Canteen

weenie · Post by **weenie** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 12:06 am

My dad worked on buses from Middleton Garage, he worked there after he came out of the army in 1964 Colin Jones if anyone remembers him

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 9:51 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.

amber · Post by **amber** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 10:45 am

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.

amber · Post by **amber** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 4:36 pm

I took this photo of Midd Garage only about 4 days after closure 1986 Press red cross

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 6:58 pm

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 OAnd yes it was a good night last Friday, spent the first hour trying to remember names though.

BillyBritvic · Post by **BillyBritvic** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 7:57 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 SmeatonStuart RaddingsPhil BrittenMicky RaynorRoger RileyLee HollandBrian ParkinGary RobinsonFunny 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.

BillyBritvic · Post by **BillyBritvic** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 8:16 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.

BillyBritvic · Post by **BillyBritvic** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 8:38 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.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Thu 24 Mar, 2011 11:40 pm

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 !!