'Jersey Joe's' Surprise 90th Birthday meet - 14th April 2024
As the sun was shining over The Hollies Truckstop, a beautiful array of vintage trucks, and the odd modern vehicle started to roll in. All were greeted by a crowd of enthusiasts and photographers admiring each one in turn. Over the next couple of hours a total of 162 trucks arrived and parked up.
The event was organised by truck driver Mark Wilkes as a surprise for family friend and veteran trucker 'Jersey Joe's' 90th Birthday. Mark's dad Alan met 'Jersey Joe' on the CB radio 40 years ago and the families have remained good friends ever since. Mark says he has many fond memories of them all together, including 'Jersey Joe' teaching him to swim.
Drivers had travelled from up and down the country to attend the meet and make sure it day was one to remember. Trucks included ERFs, Scanias, Fords, Bedfords and even a Bristol that 'Jersey Joe' himself drove back in the day.
A well known and much loved character Harry Brierley acquired his nickname 'Jersey Joe' after he and his lovely wife Margaret visited Jersey on holiday at least 88 times. The couple were such loyal visitors to the same hotel, that they were even given the chance to stay a few years ago for the price they paid on their very first ever visit.
Harry started working as a truck driver when he left the RAF aged 21. He worked for a number of companies over the years including Thornton's in West Bromwich, Hartshorne in Darlaston, British Road Services in West Bromwich and Oldbury, McKechnie Metals in Aldridge and finally with P&O Shipping before he retired in 1999.
One story that seemed to stick in everyone's memory about Harry was the memorable load he transported to Tilbury Docks in 1976 during his time at P&O. It's probably because unless you saw the photos you might just think it was a tall tale.
Usually Harry was tasked with transporting things such as electrical goods, money, spirits and tinned food, however on this particular day he was tasked with getting wildlife on the sea. Harry and 5 other local drivers were told to head to West Midlands Safari Park to collect 18 animals which were all destined for a zoo in Japan. When they arrived they found out the load was camels, wildebeests and giraffes and part of the drivers job was to keep them fed en-route, with the help of two zoo staff who also made the trip with the convoy.
Harry said "The crates that we carried them in had to be built-up so they were high enough to protect the giraffes. I knew I was going to the safari park to pick up some animals but nothing really prepares you for seeing three giraffes walk on to the back of your lorry."
"I remember driving down the M6 and people were amazed to see camels and giraffes
poking their heads out of the containers, we had children waving and people cheering all the way to Essex."
The convoy also attracted a crowd when they stopped for a break in Southend and the drivers made sure they captured lots of photos to remember the trip. After all it was a once in a lifetime experience, and something you certainly wouldn't see today.
Mark has been brought up around trucks and it is a passion both the families share. Mark has organised several shows to date and in 2009 he even organised a trip to Sid Harrison in Sheffield for Harry to see the companies Scammel truck collection, a day they both remember fondly.
Harry's wife had managed to keep the show a secret from him until the day, but it is safe to say from the smiles as they walked around chatting to people, it was worth it and was a lovely afternoon enjoyed by them both.
The show certainly had a great atmosphere from drivers catching up with friends and sharing tales of the past, to enthusiasts and locals enjoying seeing the terrific display.
For a lot of people seeing the trucks was like taking a trip down memory lane and brought back memories of days gone by. It also brought back childhood memories of the coal man, pop man and other local industries that once graced the roads. A real step back in time.
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