tribunepeople Well into his 70’s, he is often to be seen in the summer, string-vested on his forklift, orders flying, tidying the site and rearranging stock. by Andy Harpist
Spriggs reclaim and environmentalist Passing by the yard this week, for a nice bit of timber to repair the wife’s Northborough greenhouse, I was struck again that this place deserves a mention. Not so much as a yard, actually, but a cornucopia of treasures for the handy man. And deserving not so much a mention, as rather a national-broadcast to alert people again to Mr Dennis Spriggs’ amazing Peterborough Oxney Road establishment.
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haring ground between scrap car-parts and recycled building materials, customers are immediately struck silent, rather like on entering an art gallery . From the Union Jack flag (flying upside down for decades), to a pretty assortment of empty bomb-casings, to a complete Robin Reliant perched on a container, this is no usual reclaim yard. No. It’s a work of art. It’s a true installation! Hundreds of hard-to-matchbricks are stacked in rows next to piles of pre-queensgate paving slabs. Odd-shaped stones (for just that repair job you been looking to do for ever) are piled next to containers of doors, where for less than the cost of few pints you can drive away with a nice new greenhouse door. Complete with house-number and handy letterbox too if you need one. “There’s over 300 to choose from” says Dennis proudly. “ I had someone come from Huddersfield last week for my doors! And we’re doing well on the timber side nowadays, too”. “They keep telling me to retire” he laughs, as he sits in his
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office control-tower overlooking what might be called The Realm. “I’m just like minding the business!” Supported in administration for over a quarter of a century by a hardworking assistant, Chloe comes in each midday with lunch.. “I’ve made you a tray with a nice bit of salmon, today, with new potatoes Den’ “ Well into his 70’s, he is often to be seen in the summer, stringvested on his forklift, orders flying, tidying the site and rearranging stock. Dennis’office over the years has actually become a comfortable recyled-residence by itself, befitting a CEO of long-standing. Nice sofas, TV and fridge make it a cosy office artwork-installation. A whole wall is devoted to memorabilia, thankful-accolades and tributes from grateful customers, Perhaps too the odd cutting of notoriety is hiding somewhere underneath? Downstairs is the probably UKs largest collection of chimney pots. Outside, winter and summer in all weathers, occasionally-grumpy but always devoted, the boys out in the yard stand waiting to help you out.
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“What you arter today? ” asks the outside-boss, dressed snugly in beanie hat, gloves and three recycled-jackets? But like a ritual, and before any negotiations can begin it’s always important to be updated on currant affairs and daily political views. Not that these views have changed for decades (and considering the Union Jack flying proudly over the entrance, they need hardly be re-stated here) but with the experience of real hard-working men, I cannot deny their suspiciousness of authority figures who give them difficulties of all kinds. “….but who are the first to come along begging, when we ‘re needed to clear out or demolish some mess or other??”, they correctly point out! Whilst awards are given out, frequently to the underserving, Dennis Spriggs has nevertheless continued to give happiness to his many customers. Like a true environmentalist, he has saved waste from land fills, recycled materials to be used again and largely without any recognition has lived his own unique life and just minded his own business. Bravo.