Page 122 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

During the good times, top right and second down on left ,second left is Albert, next to
him in this picture is Malcolm our bricklayer, then Cram and finally on the right is Steve
Freshney!
Second picture down on the right is Albert again, Steve Freshney and then Harry Hubbard.

DEVELOPMENT
Back home in Lincolnshire, we adopted the tried and tested system previously used by
Firestone for all those years and this held us in good stead as the clients quickly fell in with
the idea that we had taken over what Firestone had given up.
The product was good and Uniroyal had a reasonable budget for national advertising and
publicity.
For the first time we had permanent office staff to cope with taking orders and enquiries
from Uniroyal clients.
We also adopted the proven “Firestone” sales aid of telephoning all retailers on a journey
route the day before delivery. The system worked well and as Uniroyal turnover in the area
flourished, Uniroyal themselves looked at adopting “our” systems elsewhere.

With the help of Brian Daltry we looked very carefully at creating a distribution network in
Kent a county both Ruth and I liked and which had huge potential.
The large distance away from our home base eventually ruled out this idea and we looked
at our neighbouring are of the Midlands.

Even this eventually proved to be hazardous and eventually led to the total demise of our
endeavours.
The Uniroyal contract opened doors that had never before been available to us.
We had new smart vehicles even if they were on contract hire.
We had a budget that could provide good wages and at long last provide Ruth and I with
an income too!
Between visits from Brian we were still plagued at irregular intervals by what always
looked like “catch you out” visits from our smarmy friend from Leeds.
His bickering to management behind our backs was a constant niggle, but our long time
experience in the trade, consequent very large turnover and sales and close contact with F
& T were indisputable.

HARRY HUBBARD
It was just after we began with Uniroyal that Harry arrived.
We were located in a small village to the north of Boston and had become one of the
larger employers in the area. We needed someone to help with odd jobs.
One of our neighbours mentioned that the village postman had retired and was staying in
bed all day. He only lived in the row of cottages a few yards from our yard and I duly called
round to see him.
(Picture of Harry’s cottage in North row now
much renovated in the 2000’s. In 1975 he
used a standpipe in the front garden for his
water supply!)
Harry Hubbard was a big hit with everyone
at the depot. The drivers loved his droll
sense of humour and constantly ribbed him
when coming back from delivery runs

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