Wigan Album

What a cracking photo of man and machine, they made Britain great.

Good photo Derrick. Although we've never met, I somehow knew it was you before I read the caption. I remember seeing Banks's wagons coming over Woodhead in the late 60's in the days before the M62. I was driving a Guy Invincible 8 legger for Liptrot's in Golborne at the time. If I remember correctly Banks's motors were painted a light blue colour. I also have this mental image of them having some Foden S50 half cabs, or am I getting confused with that outfit from Bolton with the green motors. Was it James Booth? I think it used to say Booth's For Service on the tailboard. By the way Derrick, Pony Dick, was that the one that you accessed via Foundry lane in Highfield? Regards. Eddie.

Eddie, Pony Dick Colliery was further down past Foundry lane
on the left it was owned by Windy Arbour Colliery,your right
about the S50 Foden he also bought a 1973 30tonner it came
straight out the show room it stopped outside the garage and
started rocking I said to C Banks send it back he said its
brand new I said If you think I am going to repair that I'll
jack the job in ,Its got a transmission hand brake on guess
what he sent it back and Fodens put spring brakes on it
what a surprise that was,D C

Mmm must be one of the first mk2 Atkinson in 1969. But only has a 150 Gardner, not much power Derick for an 8 wheeler.

Spot on Mr Cunliffe them hand brakes were a complete waste of time, they let Fodens down, apart from that foden was a good work horse better tool than the Atky.When did banks haulage finish.

Bob Retired Fitter.R Banks & Sons (Haulage) Ltd went into
voluntary liquidation in 1981 he finished us all on Friday
and on Monday started up as C&S Banks his son is still
running one wagon D.C

Around about 1986, while I was waiting for my motor at Gilbraith Commercials at Botany Bay, I got into conversation with a somewhat heavily built chap of a similar age to myself and very friendly. I think he was in there with a Scammell Constructor tipper. It was white, but unlettered I seem to recall. He said his name was Banks and he garaged his motor at the side of his house in Rectory lane, just up the hill from the bleach works. Would this have been the son of the chap that you drove for Derrick? The garage is still there I think, but I haven't noticed any activity for a long time.

Eddie.It was Stephen Banks who you were talking too I worked
their from 1959 1981 as a driver/fitter it was a good job for 22years then I was redundant D.C.

My dad Jack worked for Banks and Son when the garage was in Rectory Land, Standish.He was made redundant when the firm closed down.

What did Banks Haul, was it coal of general Haulage. I think I know them, I worked for Joe Pickavance from St Helens on the Ince slag tip many years ago. Good photo.

In a way, Pickavance, in their time,were trailblazers. Even way back in the 70's when everyone else were running their 8 leggers on duals, Pickavance wagons were equipped with super singles on the drive axles. Less rolling resistance, better fuel figures, less muck on the road. The downside being it was ' game over ' if you got a flat.

Right Eddie, Albion 6 wheelers with super single tyres. AS you say, helps to stop getting bogged down and bricks stuck in between tyres.Great trucks for day work.

Barry,Your Dad & Vernon Howarth were the longest serving men
at Banks's your Dad never had a wrong word to say about
anyone Vernon worked there nearly 50 years both were great
men to work with they are both sadly missed by everyone who
knew them RIP Jack +Vernon D.C.

Fred Sidal. Banks's hauled mainly coal also stone and sand
but stone and sand were mainly back loads he also had 3 flat
bed trucks on sugar as well it was a very well paid job D.C.

Derrick i presume you are now retired, and from the old school, you look very fit were you a driver and fitter. Many small firms like banks did most repairs themselves i would imagine. I remember the advantage was the driver could mend the truck at the side of the road, a big help to small companys.

Derrick. I remember Vernon. I used to go to the Standish garage on a Saturday morning helping with the maintenance. I remember seeing you. Thanks for the good comments regarding my dad.

Barry, Wages went up years ago to £40 for 40 hours, holiday pay to £60 so 1 weeks pay +1 weeks holiday pay £100 your Dad was the first to go on holiday Isaid to your dad how much has he paid he said £80 I said tell Banks he's paid
you short he went to Banks and said yond mon says you've
paid me short Banks new it was me who told your dad LOL I
thought that yond mon was very funny D.C.

Pony Dick is a pub not a pit.

Johnny, Pony Dick may be a pub but in the pre 1970s it was a
colliery a drift mine it is on the border of Pemberton and
Winstanley it was at the bottom Windy Arbour hill on the
left hand side Windy Arbour Colliery Co owned it.D.C.

This has nowt do wi kwiks

Ste What's it got to do with you any way who are you D.C.

I worked at Ashton depot, everything to do with me!

Ste I don't see any of your comments on here good or bad so
don't criticize my contribution.D.C.

Banks lorrie nowt do wi kwikes.

Eddie super singles were used on tippers because no bricks or stones get stuck between both tyres if they use twin wheels. And game is still over if you have a flat tyre with twins.