Pictured: Britain's oldest petrol pumps still in service after more than 50 years

 

 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:34 PM on 03rd November 2009

 

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For most passing drivers, these rusty petrol pumps are a pleasant reminder of a bygone motoring age.

But incredibly the vintage pumps, believed to be the oldest working set in the country, are still dispensing petrol after more than 50 years in service.

Owner Bernard White has done everything in his power to keep the old relics at Laurels Garage, in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, working as he battles against competition from modern supermarket forecourts selling fuel for much less than he can.

 

Bernard White 65, with his mother May White 86, in front of the petrol pumps in Ramsbury, Wiltshire. The pumps, though a little faded, have been dispensing fuel since the 1950s

 

The nozzles have been specially adapted to fit modern cars, while seals around the hose have been repeatedly replaced to prevent dangerous leaks.

The pumps have even survived the imperial measure clampdown when the European Union tried to enforce metric-only labelling on all sellable goods.

Mr White, a 64-year-old mechanic, said: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

'Strangers do not realise they are still operational. The site looks a bit long in the tooth so they are surprised to discover we are still selling petrol.'

Mr White's father bought the original yard which the garage is built on in 1951, with the pumps being fitted in the late 1950s.

 

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He said: 'He bought a set of new pumps, but they were troublesome. They had so many problems he purchased a second set of used ones and they performed much better.

'We were told the pumps were believed to be the best ones ever made and they have been there ever since.'

Petrol at the garage will set you back £5.53 per gallon - slightly more expensive than normal because of the garage's remote location.

The old Avery Hardoll pumps are limited to counting a maximum of just 20 gallons at a time. After that, the gallon counter dial goes back to zero.

 

Competition: This picture shows the line of pumps at Laurel's Garage, in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, in the 1970s

 

But while Mr White's pumps run off electric motors - just like their modern-day counterparts - the face resembles a clock with hands telling the motorist how much fuel has been pumped.

Mr White, who lives with his 86-year-old mother May opposite the site, is desperately searching for spare parts so he keep the garage open.

He said: 'We used to get the pumps filled once every few months, now it is getting less and less.

'We have about 10 customers a week. Some are just passing by but others are regulars because they like using the pumps.

'For some people petrol stations are so few and far between they are glad to see us.

 

Survivor: The garage now only has 10 petrol customers a week and its tanks are filled up once every few months due to declining demand

'I will keep going as long as I can. We have no intention of stopping at the moment even though we don't make much money on petrol sales.'

The garage has 500 gallon and 1,000 gallon tanks. Mr White specialises in car restoration, but also runs regular services from Laurels Garage.

 

These pictures were taken by Clare Kendall, who has spent 10 years documenting vintage petrol stations across the country.

She said: 'I've been all over the country and these are definitely the oldest pumps I've come across that are still actually in use.

'I've seen garages which are as old and still working but in all cases the pumps have been upgraded. I've also seen pumps as old as these but only on derelict sites or stuck around the back out of service.'

Many of the garages photographed by Ms Kendall have since closed down due to strong competition from large chains and supermarkets.

Some were forced to shut because suppliers stopped delivering after it became non cost-effective to transport the fuel to more remote petrol stations.

 

Independent petrol stations are currently closing at a rate of more than 600 a year due to EU regulations and stiff competition from supermarkets who sell petrol cheaper than smaller outlets can buy it.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1224941/Pictured-The-vintage-petrol-pumps-dispensing-fuel-50-years.html#ixzz0Vp4QntLB

That light blue clapped out rustheap with the grey finish and the two droopy nozzles looks well fucked. The fuel pumps look knackered as well!

From a bygone age where nearly every village had a local fuel station.