BIRD'S EYE VIEW
Page 60
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By The Hawk
Although, as was announced in The Commercial Motor last week, Mr. Harold Wood has ceased to be chairman and managing director of Harold Wood and Sons Ltd. (for the past four years a company in the Norcros Group) and has left the board, he tells me that he remains keenly interested in road transport. So we can assume that he will continue in contact with his many friends in the industry. There is an old adage to the effect that when one door closes another opens, and I suspect that Mr. Wood will now be turning to aspects of the industry which have previously been crowded out of his busy life.
It must surely have been a big wrench to leave the business that, with a partner, he founded in 1920 and took over completely in 1922. At the end of 1964 the company's tanker fleet totalled 600, having increased by 138 during the past year. Harold_ Wood—a good, independent Yorkshireman —always says that real road transport is a personal business in which people deal with people. To judge by the growth of the Cieckheaton organization this is a policy that has paid off handsomely. A Door Closes
Seen a Yermak? If anybody happens to be travelling in Siberia—or indeed in Central Asia—and chances to see a Yermak I'd very much like to hear about it. For it seems unlikely that many will be seen over here. They can carry at least three people, I'm told, climb any slopes and make sharp turns. And they are likely to be very valuable on scientific expeditions. What it is? A new Russian six-wheel-drive cross-country vehicle that can operate in both Arctic and subtropical conditions. It can carry 25 tons at a speed of about 40 m.p.h., has an airconditioned cab and a 44-gal. water tank.
Go-ahead Edinburgh Those who read The Commercial Motor regularly will know of the go-ahead methods of Scottish tipper groups in general and of the Fife and District boys in particular. Just across the bridge (at 2s. 6d. a time) in Edinburgh, under the guidance of Nelson Smith, the Edinburgh and District Tipper Operators' Association has been moving from strength to strength. An example of their " togetherness" will be seen in next Monday's special edition of Scotsman—when the names of nearly all of them will appear in a block advertisement.
Long-range Forecast The railway boffin boys have really been polishing their crystal ball. Just to quote one extract from their latest magnum opus—the development of trunk routes, Appendix D—makes the following s26 disclosure. One trunk train will run from Banbury to Stoke in 1984. Wonder if they know the engine driver's name?
Quick Jubilee it looks as though Old
Trafford is in for something of a " riotous" time next month. The second week in March will herald displays by army units, police and other organizations, a Concours d'Elegance, and a fashion and vehicle show. All of this will be part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations being organized by H. and J. Quick Ltd., Ford main dealers, ol Manchester. Festivities are due to commence on March 10
Count Me Out How many motor vehicles is• Britain by A.D. 2010? Professor Cohn Buchanan has poi it at no less than forty million—a speculative figure, he admits, but one based on a doubling of motor traffic in 10 years and a trebling in 20 years. He thinks that NI 2010 the motor vehicl; " habit " will be fulfilled—everyone who wants one will have one.
These forecasts came during a lecture this month to tht Illuminating Engineering Society, during which Prof Buchanan spread his wings a bit wider than the tubas areas for which his proposals are justly famed. He leek that it is no good tinkering with the existing eity-to-citj links: a new nationa " skeletal " system ol main routes, with spun branching off to palm Ions areas, is what In should be working ot right now, he suggests.
Palace Occasion
(Left) Mr. Raymond Biro and his wife seen outsid B eking ham Palace a Tuesday. Mr. Birch his just received the insignia o the C.B.E. at an investitur held by the Queen. A, executive of the Brills, Electric Traction Compan and chairman or director a number of buscompaniel he was appointed a C.B..E in the New Year Honour