Turnastone Garage - anybody ever been? Autoshite meeting/excursion location maybe?

[doubleyeller]

Somewhere in deepest darkest Herefordshire at the foot of the Black mountains, lies this delightfully run down and quaint filling station, still serving fuel from 1950s pumps over the garden wall. I would love to visit some day, has anybody on here ever been? I think it would make a wonderful excursion or a location for an Autoshite get together!

 

[richbraith]

I'd love to see that, but it's a long, long way from me.

[trigger]

Link if anyone wants a location. https://goo.gl/maps/TcPsoxDNG7P2

 

It looks lovely but it's about a million miles away from me.

[doubleyeller]

I'd love to see that, but it's a long, long way from me.

That's my problem too! The owner is 67 and without issue, so it may not be open for very much longer, although happily it is listed, including the pumps! Several garages in affluent areas over the years have bought old Avery Hardoll pumps, and sold fuel at a nostalgia premium to MGB owners and the like. What's great is that there is no nostalgia or attempt at preservation at this garage - it just hasn't changed much over the century or so it has been running! There is a long history associated with this place, the present owner's Grandfather used to refuel the first "string bag" airplanes in the field behind, and in fact I think it was the second petrol station to open in England.

[tooSavvy]

Are those 'old style' pumps described as Head Delivery?

 

Meaning the fuel you buy begins/ends at the pump head (not the nozzle, like Tesco!).

 

Many a garage boy has drained the hose into his lambretta for a 'free' weekends worth, *fighting with greasers optional

 

 

TS

[beko1987]

Would the owner be pre informed about our potential meet up? Or just have a heart attack when 40 assorted chods turn up all 'needing fuel', taking photo's, discussing the finer merits of the fuel pumps and cooking square sausage on a gas camping stove on the bonnet of a volvo?

[steveo3002]

looks very cool ,but not really suited to a meet as no parking etc

[doubleyeller]

Would the owner be pre informed about our potential meet up? Or just have a heart attack when 40 assorted chods turn up all 'needing fuel', taking photo's, discussing the finer merits of the fuel pumps and cooking square sausage on a gas camping stove on the bonnet of a volvo?

Well he does have classic and vintage cars visiting all the time - if he approves of your wheels, apparently he asks you to sign his guest book.

 

The Scotsmen with their Lorne sausages and Volvos? Probably better than Nazis cooking Bratwurst and Sauerkraut on the engine of a Panzer, before rolling on to take Abergavenny - the last threat of invasion this place faced! 😆

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Well he does have classic and vintage cars visiting all the time - if he approves of your wheels, apparently he asks you to sign his guest book.

The Scotsmen with their Lorne sausages and Volvos? Probably better than Nazis cooking Bratwurst and Sauerkraut on the engine of a Panzer, before rolling on to take Abergavenny - the last threat of invasion this place faced!

Don't tell the owner though, he thinks it's 1879, judging by the newspaper headline.

[AMC Rebel]

I found a few of these places in rural Ireland (on both sides of the border) - they don't have the history or the listing but they are pretty cool.

[Spottedlaurel]

I drove by some years ago, that might even be my photo! Lovely area, would like to visit again but a bit far for a day out.

 

I seem to recall it features in the excellent 'Carscapes' book.

[doubleyeller]

Yeah, a meet may not be realistic unfortunately - a shame as filling up here and then perusing other peoples shite would be a great day out for all I'm sure - and no doubt hive the old man more business in a day than he normally gets in a month. Use it or lose it is the way with these places!

[Six-cylinder]

Google says 2 1/2 hours from me, maybe.

[Dirk Diggler]

I found a few of these places in rural Ireland (on both sides of the border) - they don't have the history or the listing but they are pretty cool.

There's very few open small stations open in Ireland; but still plenty with old pumps outside. Google 'Pattersons Garage Delgany Wicklow' a really beautiful one that closed earlier this year; the building beside it you can see is fascinating, was originally a Victorian spa where one could take the waters of Bristol

[Junkman]

Somewhere in deepest darkest Herefordshire at the foot of the Black mountains, lies this delightfully run down and quaint filling station, still serving fuel from 1950s pumps over the garden wall. I would love to visit some day, has anybody on here ever been? I think it would make a wonderful excursion or a location for an Autoshite get together!

 

When?

[Asimo]

 Lunchtime today

7 gallons unleaded, delivered by professional.

 

Electric pump with modern nozzle. Hoped to see a manual pump.

Diesel also available. Cash only, no credit facilities.

WIll use again as it is only a couple of miles out of the way if I go home the pretty way. 

 

[holbeck]

I reckon I could make it if there were a a meet there.

[michael t]

I found a few of these places in rural Ireland (on both sides of the border) - they don't have the history or the listing but they are pretty cool.

 

Could you list a few for me please? I'd love to have a poke around some. There's one about 5 minutes from the border in Jonesborough Co.Armagh

[Angrydicky]

I'm sure I remember reading about this in Practical Classics years ago. Apparently the place was under threat due to EU regulations on having gauges showing imperial measurements only! Glad to see it's still with us, definitely one to visit next time I'm out that way.

[AMC Rebel]

These two were allegedly still going - although neither was open when I was there -

 

Norn Iron

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Liscloon+Post+Office/@54.8789467,-7.2645281,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x485fdf9dfc246605:0x17025f9490e3a7b2!8m2!3d54.8789467!4d-7.2623394

 

 

 

 

The Republic

 

This one's in Donegal - I can't make Google Maps find it - according to the phone the co-ordinates are 

 

55°14'59.7"N7°37'25.6"E

[doubleyeller]

I think there are a number of these small village stations - mostly because they offer an attended service - still open in the UK, however I think Turnastone is head, neck and shoulders above the others, due to it's remote location and total timewarp qualities

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Where are the storage tanks, I wonder?

[tooSavvy]

Where are the storage tanks, I wonder?

 

.... 1/2 buried, next to the Anderson Shelter

 

TS

[Dick Cheeseburger]

.... 1/2 buried, next to the Anderson Shelter

 

TS

Turns out the tanks were refurbed only last year...

 

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/13620887.Golden_Valley_garage_proprietor_is_fuelling_nostalgia_with_revamp/

[Spottedlaurel]

Just unearthed my photos, not the one at the top of the page although the Sierra was still there.

 

Village Shop and Petrol Station, Herefordshire by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Village Shop and Petrol Station, Herefordshire by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Village Shop and Petrol Station, Herefordshire + Ford Sierra by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Mine were from back in 2007.

[doubleyeller]

Sad to report that the owner (and entire workforce) Robert Wilding died on 1st October at 72.

 

Anybody local got any word re whether this fine establishment will be run by anyone else? It had the tank relined only 5 years ago at a cost of £10k plus!

[motorpunk]

Noooooo! 15 minutes ago I sent a book for proof-reading and publishing which contains a hefty section on this very place! 

Which is my way of saying - oh dear, poor chap, rest in peace. (Sorry)

[doubleyeller]

21 minutes ago, motorpunk said:

Noooooo! 15 minutes ago I sent a book for proof-reading and publishing which contains a hefty section on this very place! 

Which is my way of saying - oh dear, poor chap, rest in peace. (Sorry)

I made him promise not to retire until I had completed a photo set of classics being fueled for a Calendar. 

He kept his promise

He died instead 

[Asimo]

This is sad news!  How did you hear?

[Uncle Jimmy]

That is ace; I'd happily pay a premium to have one of my snotters filled up there. Hopefully he had a son/daughter who will take over.