READING TIME
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In a previous life the Hawk must have done something good, to be allowed to he paid for sitting around reading books in this one. This week there were two treats in store for him from Nynehead Books...
Fisher Renwick: A Transport Saga 1874-1972, by life-long freight transport enthusiast Gordon Mustoe, follows the evolution of the company from its days in coastal steamers through two world wars, nationalisation and eventual metamorphosis into contract service. This is a well researched book and Mustoe has benefited from cooperation and assistance from Guy Renwick, great-grandson of founder Sir George Renwick, who gave him access to a treasure trove chronicling the fortunes of the family business. It was in the early twenties, after many years successfully running steamers on the Manchester Ship Canal, that Fisher Renwick became one of the first to use Scammells, and as the years passed, the Rigid Eight "Showboats" became a familiar sight. Fisher Renwick's "Continuous Service" was one of the first non-stop London-Manchester services; a journey which took around 28 hours.
During the Second World war, as only a few of its vehicles were requisitioned, in places like Caventry the sight of these trucks on everyday business gave great hope to the population that one day everything would return to normal. After nationalisation Fisher Renwick Services was created for the contract hire of vehicles on C-licences.
The text is illustrated with historic photographs and documents covering the vehicles, the drivers and the Renwick family. An exceedingly good read!
Fisher Renwick: A Transport Saga 1874-1972 is a Roundoak book available direct from Nynehead Books for £22.50.
A Century of Petroleum Transport by Graham Edge traces the development of the oil companies and the vehicles that went to make up their fleets back to the days of horsedrawn tank-cars in the late -1880s. All the big boys, such as BP, Esso and Mobil, are represented here. Each has a chapter outlining its history and is illustrated with monochrome photographs of vehicles from fleets past and present. Leyland, ERF and Seddon Atkinson are well represented, as well as Scania and Volvo which also played a big part.
What I like about books like this is the little nuggets of information; for example, did you know that the first kerbside pump in the UK was introduced in 1919 by Anglo-American at a garage in Hale in Cheshire? Before that petrol had been sold at outlets such as blacksmiths, ironmongers and even chemists. Also, did you know that Esso is derived from the initials of Standard Oil? There are chapters on wartime pooling arrangements, road tanker and terminal operations, petrol retailing and service stations and an oil company family tree. it's an illuminating journey.
A Century of Pet roleum Transport, a
Roundoak Book, is available from Nynehead Books for 122.50.
Nynehead Books is at The Old Dairy, Perry Farm, East Nynehead, Welling ton, Somerset TA21 ODA; phone, 01823461997.