The Classic Machinery Network

Back in the year of 1978 my parents were fortunate enough to purchase a new house in East Grinstead it was on a Wimpey development if i remember correctly 92 houses and we were the second family to move in, it was sheer heaven for me, on the site they had a 1977 3c mk2 and a hymac 580c in Wimpey orange, i have a couple of photos which i will add soon, I remember the JCB Being swapped over one day and watching the operator climb the machines on and off the side of the low loader. Like so many large companies the so called accountants or Consultants are bought in and they hatchet everything.

That was my Old man's first saddle before the 7500 ... Well 50/50 as they ran two at chapmans well ... They Had the first ever Demag H185 there i remember rightly? Any Pictures of that guys???

Don't think this is the one Ross but an ex Wimpey 185 shortly after Miller Mining took over. Also a couple of snaps of how she finished up at Broken Cross.....

SB

Hey that might be the one STU ... They got it back in the 80's ... I will ask My Uncle about it ..

And how are you doing mate?? Havent seen you on for a while ..

Hi, Nice to see folk still discussing Wimpey Plant. My Father Andy Mitchell was Plant and labour Manager for Wimpey from before WW2 till 1963, when he died suddenly aged 53. Dad was involved in contracts worldwide, including Aden, Iraq, Turkey, Borneo, south america etc etc that involved the shipping maintenance and operation of plant. Following his death, control passed to Dougie Gibson, then Peter Mills. I worked on motorway projects thru out sixties
before emigrating to Australia in 1973. Great site, keep up good work. Regards Tony

Hello Tony,

welcome to CMN!
I am sure you have some interesting stories to tell!

mitchellab wrote:Hi, Nice to see folk still discussing Wimpey Plant. My Father Andy Mitchell was Plant and labour Manager for Wimpey from before WW2 till 1963, when he died suddenly aged 53. Dad was involved in contracts worldwide, including Aden, Iraq, Turkey, Borneo, south america etc etc that involved the shipping maintenance and operation of plant. Following his death, control passed to Dougie Gibson, then Peter Mills. I worked on motorway projects thru out sixties
before emigrating to Australia in 1973. Great site, keep up good work. Regards Tony

Tony ,interesting blog about your father,i started with Wimpeys as a commercial trainee I have written a short storey about my time with department one .It has been incororpated in a recently published book mcalpines men by ultan Cowley.I met Doug gibson Dick Mitchell,and my boss was Peter Mills.Like to make contact as im based in Perth W Aus Regards Colin Conway

Wow, great connections here!

Hi Colin Conway,
I live in Albany WA..small world. You can contact me on mitchellab@westnet.com.au

Have some interesting video of Dept 1 in Malta Aden Turkey etc

look forward to hearing from you. PS. Dick was my Uncle

Tony Mitchell

Hi Tony
I remember your uncle Dick very well,I still keep in touch with your Cousin Mick.
I started for Wimpey August 1970 Midland link motorway.
My step father [Danny Moss] started at Greenham common 1952 on the AEC MK 3s.
Mick taught me to drive 22 RB at 16, am still on crawler cranes 40 years later.
Geoff.