The Classic Machinery Network

Hi,I am a new member. My Father, Sam Hopwood worked for Dick Hampton from the time that Dick opened his yard in Hampshire, until my Father's death in 1973. My Dad loved his time working for Dick Hampton and travelling the country in his lorry delivering machinery to all parts of the UK and latterly...

Construction News had an excellent article/interview with the man himself when he retired (sold out to Costain?) many years ago. The older among us may remember it 8-) Told how he and his wife started out plowing, double-shifting a Fordson to put the hours in. He also said that the biggest loss he ...

Hi Ade,I do have a photo of Arther with Gordon Elson who was the general forman on the Lambourn job your dad was site plant manager on that particular contract. He was always what I would recall as a dry comedian, and had a wicked sense of humour. I would be only too pleased to send you this photogr...

Hello John Penfold, Oh my, I remember your name, Dad often referred to you... I would dearly love to see a photo, we don't have many, Arthur was 85 when he died my Mother out lived him for 4 & half years, she died Jan this year at 93, sadly she went a bit funny and threw all my Dads things away...

Hi again Haz. His name was Karam singh gida banalia better known as Singh. I worked with him on the m5 at Gloucester in 68 69 then on the Kenilworth by pass.He had his caravan next to mine, and he shared his amazing currys with me. He worked for Le tournau in America for a few years.I still have a ...

Woops, made a mess of that, where are the grandchildren when you need them? Try again. Hamptons News Letters, some years ago I found a rake of them in a box in the shed,from as early Port Talbot days, circa 1963 through to 72 M4. I gave them to Gerald Box who has a archive which he rather grandly c...

Larry was an extreamly good buisness man, taking both Bovis, and the Banks, for a proper ride

Hi Martin,
You are quite correct, R&W did have an earthmoving section, with D8s And 435 boxes
Gerald Box (who is still around) was general manager of their earthmoving buisness. He however eventualy left them, and joined Dick Hampton as Contract manager, ic the Markfield section of the M1

Hi Peter,
I keep in touch with Brian Wells and Wendy, I sent the Classic machinery Email address to him recently, and sugested that he contacted, as lots of memories and old names keep croping up.I also recenly sent Cris Mc email address to him so he could further contacts with old friends.

Martin, thank you so much for your assistance, some of the photos have already been scaned so following your instructions I should be able to post them, many more photos have yet to be scaned, so I shall commence to do so. Providing I can overcome my age idiocy. you will soon be able to see some, If...