Working with 'time on our hands' ... again
Take a trip down memory lane as we transport a Victorian clock tower for the second time, 33 years later.
It’s not every day you transport a Victorian clock tower, it’s even more unusual to do it twice!
The Collett Team have delivered a Victorian clock tower which dates back to 1873 from Elland in West Yorkshire to Ripon in North Yorkshire.
In 1987, Collett & Sons (or R. Collett & Sons as it was known at the time) were originally contracted by Andy Thornton Antiques Ltd to deliver the Co-operative clock tower from the Co-op Wholesale Biscuit Factory that was being demolished in Crumpsall, Manchester, and transported to Elland, West Yorkshire. As seen in the pictures below, the clock tower was loaded onto a semi-low loader trailer, pulled by an IVECO 170 30 tractor unit.
33 year later, Collett & Sons was once again contracted by Andy Thornton Antiques Ltd to transport the Victorian clock tower to its new location in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Measuring 9.2m L x 3.9m W x 3.9m H and weighing 8 Tonne, the clock tower was loaded onto a wafer-bed trailer utilising two of our Lorry loader crane vehicles, one of them being the new Volvo FH540 8x4 delivery truck. Undertaking a tandem lift, the clock tower was lifted and manipulated in a ‘top and tail’ movement, ensuring the cargo was lowered safely on to the trailer.
Andy Thornton stated “Collett & Sons did a great job of moving the clock to our premises in 1987 without dropping it and we had every confidence they would do the same again. Mark Collett was in charge both times and it was good to be working with him and Collett again”
The Co-operative clock tower was once a famous landmark which sat on top of the Co-operative Wholesale Biscuit Factory in Crumpsall, Manchester. Dating back to 1873, the clock tower is often associated with some of the UK’s favourite biscuits such as the Jammy Dodger and the Custard Cream, as well as the introduction of the 8-hour working day.
(Orginal article from the Halifax Evening Courier)
(Co-operative clock tower loaded and on it's way to Ripon, North Yorkshire)
(Co-operative clock tower being loaded in 1987)
(The Collett Team performing a tandem lift)
