A Chance to Grab a Piece of Classic Plant History

by Nick Drew | Mon 15 Jul 2019

A Chance to Grab a Piece of Classic Plant History

Hereford based Auctioneers Brightwells have been instructed by the family of David H Jones to sell his life time collection of Classic Plant, giving collectors and enthusiasts alike a chance to own a piece of construction plant and machinery history.

The auction which will take place on the 24^th July at 12 noon at Brightwells Madley Auction Site, amounts to 68 machinery and vehicle lots, along with sundries and other equipment. The collection includes machines from famous manufacturers such as Caterpillar, International, JCB, O&K and of course Hymac, whose machines were historically built in Wales at Rhymney.

David Jones, with his brother Mansel, were the joint owners and managers of J E Jones Civil Engineering Contractors of Blackwood, Monmouthshire during the 1950’s to the early 1980’s. The family firm having been started by his father John (Jack) Jones in 1927, is thought to have had the first excavator in Monmouthshire.

All the plant and equipment included in the sale was once part of the contracting firm and is in the main 1950s to mid-1970s registered. David was always proud of the firm’s plant and thought it reflected the strength and capacity of the whole contracting outfit. Talking about the collection David Jones son Stephen said, “My father used to say that the collection was not just some big machines, but was a whole civil engineering outfit with all equipment and ancillaries”.

Some pictures seen here were taken just before the plant and equipment was moved to Brightwells Madley site and show how it was preserved in dry storage from 1982 to date. In fact, almost all the machines and equipment were driven into the sheds in Blackwood by Mr Albert Williams, who we are pleased to say will be at the sale.

The firm’s work included major water authority contracts in the South East Wales area including large pipelines, pumping stations and storage reservoirs. They also undertook large land reclamation work, as the South Wales Coal Field started to close down in the late 1960's.

All the plant, apart from a 1941 ex-US army Ruston Erie (manufactured in Milwaukee, USA) was bought new and is therefore one owner and in the case of the 1954 registered Scammell usually had one driver, the chief fitter Len Pask, who was a big presence at the yard in every way for many decades. His nephew, Alan was a Welsh international and British Lion Number 8 in the 1960's.

Summarising about the collection and the subsequent sale of the kit Stephen Jones said, “The story of this plant’s preservation is I think unique, but it is only half the story as the other half of the J E Jones Contractors fleet was sold off in 1984, when it was of course working contractor’s plant. Now 35 years later and following my father’s passing it is time for the collection to be dispersed and to be acquired and enjoyed by enthusiastic collectors and users, who wish to become the next owners and custodians of these machines and ancillary items with their unique history and provenance”.

This will be a very interesting auction I'm sure, I'm very tempted to take a trip up to see these old girls on the day myself if I can find the time! For more information on the auction and a full list of the items of plant and machinery that will be available visit brightwells.com or call 01981 250642.

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