Chesterfield Online Forum
General Category => Old Chesterfield => Topic started by: Sorastro on July 22, 2018, 02:05:36 PM
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As has been mentioned before I was a taxi {hackney} driver in an earlier life, didn't spend a long time doing it, possibly less than 3 years full time and then a bit of p/t weekends after that. The last time I drove a cab was August 1976, this was for Shady's taxi's {Brian Shaw} but I started my career working for Fishers.
I seem to recall my Hackney test was taken with the transport manager of Fishers sat in the back of the taxi and a "suit" from the Corporation bus depot in the front, anyway I passed and got my shiny new badge.
There seems to be very little about Fishers out there so would have to go on memory {as I don't twitter/facebook}
Fishers was a subsidiary of Boddy industries which was also called Thomas Black possibly based in Sheffield. Their main fleet at the time was Morris Oxford Diesels, a couple of "London" style black cabs and a couple of white Peugeot 404's, their funeral side consisted of Austin Princesses.
I fancied driving an Austin for weddings {as they used them for that as well} but was told if you don't do funerals, which I flatly refused to do, then I couldn't do weddings.
Another thing I flatly refused to do was what they called "B.I.D.'s" or sometimes referred to as "specials", this was basically picking up dead bodies and transporting them to either the hospital or a funeral director at the request of a funeral director or the police they certainly didn't put that in the job description
I cannot remember my wages at Fishers but it wouldn't have been a deal.
It would appear the car I used regularly was one of a batch sold to Yates's in Brimington circa 1975. The rest I don't know the fate of but these were possibly replaced by more Peugeot's. Fishers didn't stay in business much longer after that possibly late 70's, as I remember the funeral cars were sold to the Coop.
When Shady started to get established I was "poached" from Fishers
Other taxi firms at the time I can recall, Shady's taxi's {who was just starting up} Jocks taxi's {off Newbold rd}, Bowers taxi's {behind Chesterfield hotel}, Yates's taxi's {Brimington},
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Lots on the 'Old Chesterfield Pics' group on Facebook.
Here's a taster from John and Geoff.
John Pemberton
I drove for fishers (Geoff Pheasent) on Felkin Street around 1972,they owned some lorries as well can't remember the names, but I seem to remember Thomas Black buying the Taxis and lorries out then selling the taxis, we used to all park up at garages bottom of St Helens Street. The taxis were diesel Peugeot 304s column change. I remember the taxi meter showing 14p for first mile then 12p mile after that, 3p for a suitcase in boot. I moved to Fishers on Felkin Street when Fishers went, around 1974 driving their taxis, and Daimler wedding and funeral cars, for Geoff and Rita and old Mrs Bower. Left there around 1976.
Geoff Pheasant
Hi all, don't remember them personally as I wasn't born at the time but I have heard many stories, my dad is still going strong and we are in the process of restoring one of fishers last Morris Oxford taxis, it was also the first taxi my dad owned when he started GPs after being the manager at Fishers until they were closed down. My dad's taxi office was on corporation street ( number 13) I remember playing in the yard as a child, between the sweet shop and the derelict freemans hotel. Opposite the chesterfield hotel and bowers. ( the lot was demolished to make way for the slip road to the A61. My dad also bought the Austin a135 Princess limos and hearses Fishers originally had after the co-op had owned them for a few years in between times. Any messages or questions you would like to ask I'd be happy to pass on to him. I can also ask if he has any photos from that time to post on here.
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Thanks a lot Fly for that as I say I don't venture onto facebook I'd rather remain blissfully ignorant....
I drove for Fishers about the same time as John Pemberton, don't recognise the name as you just addressed each other by your first names, would probably know him if I saw him. Some names I do remember:-
Lucy Darnell....Harry Brown....Dave Smith...Derek Browett {I know for a fact at least two of those are no longer with us}
One p/timer I remember was a teacher who taxied at weekends and he drove an Escort Mexico, but can't remember his name.
The Peugeot's were in fact 404's
Yes it was Geoff Pheasant sat in the back of the cab on my test {glad to hear he's still knocking about?}
It was 14p for the first mile and 3p per quarter of a mile after that + v.a.t. of course {yes vat even back then} so LMS to Grassmoor was 50p +vat = 58p + 3p for every item of luggage in the boot. After midnight rate was giving the meter 2 turns which made it change faster.
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Credit to Geoff Pheasant from the facebook group mentioned above. These are some of the pictures he posted there.
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By gum that Peugeot takes me back, it was one of two then, I know Lucy Darnell always drove one of the Peugeot's don't know who regularly drove the other but obviously time dims the brain.
One of the best money making contracts Fishers had was ferrying medical staff from hospital to hospital and hospital to home, they must have made a fortune out of the NHS then. One example when I covered nights I was sent to Matlock at about 5 in the morning to go and knock up a young lady who worked at the {old}Royal. she made a call, then dressed and then I took her to the Royal she said "Please wait" she was in there for about 15 minutes she then got back in the cab and I took her back home.
I can't imagine it's done like that now {not on that scale}
Another money earner was the "government" offices in Chesterfield.
Now I'm amazed at the number of cabs on the LMS rank when I go round on the bus. each one has a different name on the door and they are queuing to the station entrance, is there REALLY that much business to warrant those many?
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Can't remember ever using Fisher Taxis but remember the name.
Great photo's Fly.
Shady's yes I remember them. My neighbour back in the 70's drove a taxi for Shady's and his wife was on the switch board.
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I worked at Fishers full time and part time between 1967 and until they closed in 74..Never seen Dave Smith since day he left. Derek he stayed doing funerals. Most of the old Oxfords were replaced in about 1972. Kept in touch with Lucy and Stella over the years. Last saw Geoff about 20 years ago. He was very helpful when I set up my own taxis. I also got on well with Brian Shaw. I remember the name John Pemberton but cant place the face. There was a Pembleton who lived near Logins at Ashgate..
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Thought I'd spotted a new member ;)
Welcome to Chesterfieldonline Mr Acne (y)
'Spotted', 'Acne' . . . . . . . . . I'll get mi coat ::)
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Thought I'd spotted a new member ;)
Welcome to Chesterfieldonline Mr Acne (y)
'Spotted', 'Acne' . . . . . . . . . I'll get mi coat ::)
:))
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(y)
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I worked at Fishers full time and part time between 1967 and until they closed in 74..Never seen Dave Smith since day he left. Derek he stayed doing funerals. Most of the old Oxfords were replaced in about 1972. Kept in touch with Lucy and Stella over the years. Last saw Geoff about 20 years ago. He was very helpful when I set up my own taxis. I also got on well with Brian Shaw. I remember the name John Pemberton but cant place the face. There was a Pembleton who lived near Logins at Ashgate..
Unfortunately Dave Smith passed away a few years ago, as did Lucy. Harry Brown was cracking on a bit then so don't know about him or Derek. I knew another driver there but can't remember his name he ran a disco in the evenings.
I distinctly remember {when my Oxford went in for a service} and I got a London style cab for the day, Dave pointed out the advantage of it having a "second" rear view mirror.
If you don't know what I mean I'm saying nothing........
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Credit to Geoff Pheasant from the facebook group mentioned above. These are some of the pictures he posted there.
Brilliant photo's ! (y)
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Was there any connection between fishers & bowers taxis ?
I ask this because, the two smaller pictures at the bottom,with the petrol pumps, look like bowers taxis on Felkin street, & the road in the distance with the line of parked cars being Durrant road. The road on the right ( junction just visible ) could be Tapton lane? which would have joined the mini roundabout near trebor ?
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I can only presume Bowers took Fishers over and continued to use the same premises.
I can try and contact Geoff on facebook if you aren't in a position to do it yourself Tarzan (y)
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I can only presume Bowers took Fishers over and continued to use the same premises.
I can try and contact Geoff on facebook if you aren't in a position to do it yourself Tarzan (y)
Just spitballing here Fly, I don't think Bowers "took over" Fishers, I believe Fishers may have used Bowers fuel pumps to re fuel, as I don't believe Fishers had their own pumps where they parked their taxis on St. Helens St. plus when you started your shift all the cars were already fuelled up for you.
Not absolutely sure, but as always will stand corrected.
P.S. Another name popped into my head yesterday, a p/time driver then named Willy Sharman, I believe he worked for Thornton's.
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Fascinating thread- My grandad, Joe Clarke worked for Fishers for many years, I still have his gold watch for 25 years service with Boddy Industries from 1945-1970. The picture of the 404 taxi is parked just down from where he lived on Queen St. He`d obviously the funerals for years and I remember him talking of the B.I.D`s (brought in deads) and being summoned from the Chesterfield Arms to collect some poor unfortunate recently deceased. He did one of the first funerals at Chesterfield Crematorium I believe.
As far as the cars go, I remember him driving a Morris Oxford NRB 662J, Several 404`s bit I remember ARB 371L and the Peugeot 505 NHE 865R (I remember there were others but not their numbers). I remember registration numbers from being a child, no surprises that I have been a Transport Manager for 25 years.
I remember Fishers selling up Joe went to work for GP Taxis as did many of the cars. I remember the yard on Corporation St containing several decaying Oxfords (including an auto IIRC) He stayed there until he retired aged 77 in 1983, and passed later that year.
I`d wondered what had happened to Morris "six two" after the late Phil Tyler had it in the 2000`s, glad its still about and back in Geoff`s ownership.
Would love to see any more photos of the taxis and funeral fleet. I think I have some of the Humbers somewhere that haven`t been seen for many years. I`ll post if I find them.
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Fascinating thread- My grandad, Joe Clarke worked for Fishers for many years, I still have his gold watch for 25 years service with Boddy Industries from 1945-1970. The picture of the 404 taxi is parked just down from where he lived on Queen St. He`d obviously the funerals for years and I remember him talking of the B.I.D`s (brought in deads) and being summoned from the Chesterfield Arms to collect some poor unfortunate recently deceased. He did one of the first funerals at Chesterfield Crematorium I believe.
As far as the cars go, I remember him driving a Morris Oxford NRB 662J, Several 404`s bit I remember ARB 371L and the Peugeot 505 NHE 865R (I remember there were others but not their numbers). I remember registration numbers from being a child, no surprises that I have been a Transport Manager for 25 years.
I remember Fishers selling up Joe went to work for GP Taxis as did many of the cars. I remember the yard on Corporation St containing several decaying Oxfords (including an auto IIRC) He stayed there until he retired aged 77 in 1983, and passed later that year.
I`d wondered what had happened to Morris "six two" after the late Phil Tyler had it in the 2000`s, glad its still about and back in Geoff`s ownership.
Would love to see any more photos of the taxis and funeral fleet. I think I have some of the Humbers somewhere that haven`t been seen for many years. I`ll post if I find them.
Welcome to the forum Fleetline, I hope you manage to find some photographs they would be lovely to see.!
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R.I.P.
Geoff pheasant.......
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R.I.P.
Geoff pheasant.......
RIP Geoff