I believe Collins was what became United Carriers. The depot was only closed (and demolished) in the last 15 years. Image from ‘Memories of Old Walsall Wood’ by Bill Mayo and John Sale.
Here’s an odd little one for Walsall Wood types.
The below enquiry was spotted on the Lichfield Mercury site – Lichfield People – by Mr. Doops. Doops generally knows everything that’s going on in Lichfield, and is a rather decent chap.
The enquiry can be found here. I’ve transcribed it below:
From my first love in the 1962. I have always thought about you and what happened to you. Your unmarried name was Sandra Palmer. You worked at Collins Parcels of Walsall Wood. My name is Philip <Phil>.
If you know her orher whereabouts I would like to hear what has happened to her.
I have been married with 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
You may not want to contact me and i shall understand.I am living in Cyprus at the moment.
I’d be interested to see if anyone knows what became of Sandra.
Collins Parcels were a big local company and were well respected, with their vehicles a familiar sight throughout the area.
Please note, if you know Sandra, please contact her first before giving her contact details. She may not wish to be found, and we should respect that. However, it does seem there is an interesting tale here.
If you know anything, please comment here of mail me at BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com.
For obvious reasons, please don’t post addresses phone numbers in the comments, mail them to me and I’ll pass them on. Cheers.
Collins were a very notable company in The Wood. Image from ‘Memories of Old Walsall Wood’ by Bill Mayo and John Sale.
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Unfortunately I didn’t know Sandra, what an intriguing story. However I do recognise the picture above. That is how I remember the garage, just across the road from the Royal Exchange, you can just see the end wall of the house which was on the corner of Brook Lane. I used to go in there with my dad, it seemed like an enormous cave, dark and smelly and full of strange noises. The little office was through there to the left and I think it led through to the house.
I also dont remember Sandra but Collins & United Carriers is my life in a nutshell. I joined Collins as a. 16 yr old van boy in 1961. Became a driver in 1962 driving a Bedford J3 van the same as the one in the picture.I was a supervisor during the 70s and became a Depot Manager in 1979. I worked at depots in Kidwelly, Caerphilly, Bidford on Avon and then back at Walsall Wood before taking early retirement in 1968/9
Great memories.
Dave (Eddy) Edwards
hi dave long time no see.it brings back great memories mate
Going to school in the ’30’s via Brook lane to the Lichfield Road school, now derelict, in was customary for the braver youths to attempt to take a ‘short cut’ by entering the big side door of the garage, in Brook Lane, to emerge at the main entrance in Lichfield Road. The office was on the Brook Lane side, generally occupied by Sid Collins, who would sight the trespasser, and give chase. This always turned out to be a ‘fiteen yard dash’, with Sid no match for our young legs.
The premises were like a large, gloomy Aladdin’s cave, with goods grouped about in transit.
In my dashes through, I noticed lots of bikes so I think there must have been a contract with Raleigh
of Nottingham.
No, I never knew Sandra, but as an old incurable romantic, I shall follow the story with interest.
Creepy and mildly stalkerish. Potentially embarrassing for the lady involved, too.
Hence I’ve been very careful about contact details.
Bob
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My great uncle started collins parcels early 1900s would like to know more if anyone has info for my family tree