History

Described by his family as a 'real cheeky chap' the late Ted Gardner was hugely popular and respected figure in the world of business, horses and haulage in the Bristol area.

Born in the Dings area of Bristol, Ted's first pony 'Pudgy Pony' a fondly remembered associate, helped start off his career as together they delivered fruit to local customers. Before too long, this enterprising young man who had little regard for a formal education, had progressed onto delivering coal and opening a general trading shop which would sell a wide array of home grown produce. At all times, he used horses for the business and for pleasure, until commercial demands dictated that he turns to Lorries.

Ted was a self confessed workaholic but he was of the old school where everything was kept in his head, not like today with modern technology but this entrepreneurial figure also bred Welsh Cob horses at his farm at Pensford.

He met Alec his son-in-law to be, through his daughter Sally when Alec was 15 years old. He started helping at the farm and then later with the coal deliveries, then when he was old enough Alec started driving. So the lorry side of the business started with just Ted and Alec driving artic Lorries working out of Avonmouth and Bristol docks.

Alec married Sally, Ted & Barbara's only child, they then went on to have two children Craig and Clair, hence the unusual name of E. W. Gardner & Grandson Ltd.

Gradually Alec took over more of the business and Ted gradually retired due to ill health. When Ted died in July 2003 the company had a fleet of about 9 or 10 trucks then Alec took over running the company completely.

Ted's love was really horses which his granddaughter Clair also shares. Ted loved horse and carts where Clair, who is a Veterinary nurse, has the same love as Ted but also likes riding horses.

Craig has been driving Lorries in the yard since he was 7 years old and could not wait to be 21 to drive on the roads. He is now Transport Manager and sharing the running of the company with Alec. Craig has two sons now, Josh and Bradley, so who knows what the next generation name will be!!

Since Ted's death the Company has opened a depot in Newport with a staff of 12.

To date the company now employs over 50 staff and has over 45 Lorries on the road.

Ted Gardner

Baby Lauren Rose
The latest
addition to the fleet