Lep in Goole

I am writing a book at the moment about Goole, using lots of old pictures, dating from the 1930s and 40s. One of the pictures is of the Lep depot down Fifth Avenue and this has led to all sorts of interesting information emerging about what Lep in Goole did during the war.

With the help of local people I have been finding out about the hundreds of Canadian vehicles assembled in the town down South Street and possibly Dutch Riverside. Also about Lep using the old Adelphi warehouse - not quite sure what for yet and about Lep vehicles towing giant recovery trailers called Queen Marys  and going out to pick up crashed planes. These were then put into wooden crates made in a Lep shed off Rawcliffe Road

It is an aspect of Goole's wartime role which has not been much talked about but I hope to find out more

Stanley Oughtibridge of Swinefleet

In the WEA local history class I run in Goole - new members always welcome - we discuss all manner of subjects Goole related. This morning topics included the history of Fisons, once Goole Tillage, the role Lep played in the war assembling military vehicles and Stanley Oughtibridge.

I am not sure how we came to talk of him but he was one of Goole's characters. He was in fact from Swinefleet and began his career looking after lions in a circus. He then spent many years working in the music halls mainly in the north of England.

He was for many years a familiar figure in Goole, usually immaculately dressed and sometimes wearing spats.

This picture of Mr Oughtibridge, taken in 1989, was provided by Gilbert Tawn.

On a different topic Molly the puppy is growing by the day. She is, like most Labradors, keen to eat almost anything including so far a plug off a lamp, a library book cover and any unwary feet. She is not sure whether to chase chickens or run from them but seems to take most new events in her stride. I only wish her day did not start quite so early!!