STROLLING DOWN NOSTALGIA ROAD
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The Hawk gave his best reading glasses a good spit and polish as he settled down in eager anticipation to read the two latest books from
Trans
Pennine Publishing. Municipal Refuse Collection Vehicles is written by Barrie C Woods. who is well acquainted with his subject, having spent 20 years working in the industry. He traces its history from 1792, when the "Bell-ash collection" (so called because a bell was rung as the cart approached) provided a twice-weekly cart service to all homes. The 1936 Public Health Act required the "introduction of a standard receptacle for temporary waste storage within a private residence". That's a dustbin to you and me!
Woods chronicles in detail the evolution of the mechanised refuse collection vehicle and the efforts to achieve safe, efficient methods of collection. All the major names are here, including Dennis, Lacre. Scammell and Shelvoke & Drewry. A thoroughly educational journey into the annals of refuse collection, this book is illustrated throughout with monochrome photographs showing the unique and
inventive vehicles. "Dad. why don't you write a book about ice cream vans?" asked Alan Earnshaw's 11year-old son. As a self-confessed ice cream addict, Alan Farnshaw thought this wasn't a bad idea. Filly Years of lce Cream Vehicles by Stuart Whitby and Alan Earnshaw is an informed and passionate account of a subject so dear to many of our hearts—and waistlines. Stuart Whitby began his career working for Rolls-Royce, "but I soon realised that the ice cream industry was my true destiny".
Whitby Morrison is the principal builder of ice cream vehicles today. It was in November 1949, when restrictions on CV builders were lifted, that the purpose-built van that we all know and love came into being. Mr Whippy, Mister Softee, Mr Really Good... all names to conjure with. In 1956 Dominic Facchino introduced soft ice cream to the UK; four years later he sold the business to Charles Forte for Forte shares worth Elm. Whitby 81. Earnshaw's detailed history is illustrated throughout with monochrome and colour photographs as well as period advertisements.
These titles in the Nostalgia Road Series cost £6.50 each from book shops, or direct from Trans-Pennine Publishing, PO Box 10, Appleby-inWestmorland, Cumbria CA16 FA, phone 01768 351053.