Mick’s models carry rich haulage history

A heart attack at 58 forced him to give up driving and find a relaxing way to fill his time.

The hobby started when Mick and his late wife Pam visited Thoresby Sunday Market and spotted a miniature British Road Services eight wheeler truck.

From there he was on a roll. And it is a passtime that Mick says has saved his life.

The couple painstakingly repainted hundreds of Dinky and Corgi models which are all on display in pride of place their Kilton home. Mick reckons he has around 250.

Worksop names like Smiths, Wilkinson, B&Q, Canute, Seafield, Steetley, Laing O’Rourke, WIT and Vaughan Logistics adorn the sides of the modified miniatures.

“I did the mechanics - the construction side of things and Pam did the paint work,” said Mick, now 77.

“She was a perfectionist. She would sand a paint job down three times to get the right finish.”

They are such good replicas and evoke such vivid memories that Tony Wilkinson has bought 23 of the lorries that bear his famous company name.

Said Mick: “Wilkinson’s were brilliant. They sent me a two pint tin of their special red paint which is not available to buy.”

Mick learned to drive aged 14 in a one tonne Morris Commercial truck that belonged to his family business Stone & Sons.

He has fond memories of shifting coal in the early days, later working for Steetley and Smiths, and driving the length of the country on long haul jobs for other companies.

Sadly since Pam died in April Mick has not had the heart to work on any models.

He has decided to sell them to good homes. If you want to buy any contact the Guardian on 01909 500500.