Utility vehicles

Dust carts and milk floats

Vehicles were quite different, dust carts were lorries with something similar to an old nissan hut thrown over the back. Milk floats were three wheeled and battery powered the operator milk-man would walk in front of it holding a long control lever which they used to steer, stop and start the thing.

Lorries three wheelers

There were many three wheel articulated lorries, some of them owned by the breweries. I remember something the size of a Transit van, which ran on three wheels. In addition, they had exposed suspension springs on the front. Perhaps someone will let me know what they were.

Dray horses

Deliveries to my parent’s off-license were by horse and cart. My goodness they were not friendly horses. I remember the draymen, after delivering our beer, accepting a sample. They never refused so even though the horses where not friendly, they obviously had the sense to make their own way home. Drinking and driving is not new.

Rag and Bones

I remember rag and bone men chundling down the street, usually on a Saturday morning calling at the top of their voice "Raaags". It seemed more like bring out your dead.

Maidstone Fire Brigade

Hard to believe that the old fire engines lived under the Market buildings. They did, and the scars are still there to prove it.

Fire Station

Anthony (Tony) Egglesden

I remember Batsons an off-licence opposite Mote park where you come out of the back of the Grammar School sports ground. They used to deliver beer there by horse and cart or by steam lorries, I think they were called Trojans and the beer was from Fremlins.