|
Name |
John C.A. Meikle |
|
D.O.B. |
17.04.1929 |
|
Marital Status |
Married to Glenda, daughter
Alison, son Andrew |
|
Name of Business |
John Meikle (Contractors) Ltd |
|
Established |
1956 |
|
Address |
Springhill House, Springhill Road,
Barrhead, Glasgow, G78 2SE |
|
Telephone |
0141 881 4269 |
|
Mobile |
07802 474 481 |
|
Services Offered |
All forms of tree works, surgery,
felling, stump removal, site clearance,
timber plant hire, firewood sales, etc. Winching and removal
of
fairground vehicles from wet sites. |
|
Customers |
Private, domestic, construction
industry and public utilities, from Banff
in the north to Leeds in the south. We have
supplied an Italian restaurant
with firewood logs for over 40
years. |
|
Previous to Starting |
School then National Service.
Intended to take up farming. Worked for
4 years on a farm then went to college for 6 months. Started
with an
asphalt company (not for me) then joined George Wimpey and Co.
as
a trainee agent. Posted to Tongue, but grew impatient as I
felt I would
rather be on my own. |
|
 |
|
|
Starting Up |
With £40 in my pocket I bought a tractor
and trailer and a couple of saws. As studying trees was a hobby, I
advertised my services, started a casual labourer and went to work.
|
| Biggest Break |
Site clearance for accommodation blocks
at M.O.D. Faslane, and subcontract work clearing the ground for
the Kilmarnock and Prestwick bypasses and the Maletsheugh to
Dumbreck section (Glasgow), all for the M77
motorway -
protestors and all. |
|
Down Side |
When work slows down and I have to look
for anything to cover the wage bill - especially with loyal
employees. |
|
Worst Moment |
In 1982 a major customer went down owing
me a vast amount of money. However with hard work and by the
grace of God, I got back on my feet and turned the business into a
limited company. |
|
Any Regrets? |
No. I am my own boss. I'm in control and
run it my own way without answering to others and I always respect
my customers. |
|
Relaxation |
Shooting and fishing, meeting people
from other walks of life and motoring. Currently a branch office
bearer of
the
Federation
of Small businesses. |
|
Retirement |
I have now handed the reins to my son
Andrew, who is doing a good job. However I am still pricing domestic
work, running errands and doing odd jobs. I still remain a working
Director. |
|
|
John Meikle Stoves, founded in 1970. A
sole-proprietor business selling wood-burning and multifuel stoves
and perhaps a "weel kent face" on the show circuit. |
|
