Digger

Doug went on to operate a wide variety of machines which included a JCB3, Priestman Cub, and in 1963 Doug took the seat in a Massey Ferguson 450S which was then owned by a subsidiary company of Crossman Developments called North Essex plant.

Over the next decade Doug went on to operate many more machines which included a second hand Hymac supplied by Ernest Doe, a JCB 3CX and a JCB 806 one of JCB's 800 series excavators which were launched in 1973.

In 1984 Doug went on to work for a local groundworks contractor called JWD operating one of the last models that Hymac made the 141C, Doug recalls that these models were great little machines and that it was very sad that Hymac had finally designed a machine that was able to compete with the Japanese and Koreans but unfortunetly it was to little to late for the Hymac company.

It was whilst operating the 141C that Doug caught the attention of the management at Ernest Doe who at that time were the main Hymac dealers, and very shortly after Doug was asked to become their 360 degree excavator demonstrator a position that he is still in to this day.

Doug is seen here demonstrating the Hymac141C at the 1988 SED show at Whipsnade.

Doug has been lucky enough to demonstrate all over the world during his time working with Ernest Doe and Hyundai.

Doug is seen here doing a demonstration in Pierus Greece in May 2006 both on a Hyundai 450-7 and 290-7 for a company called Helma Dimo from Athens, "It was a fantastic quarry show but it was very very hot" said Doug.

Doug is seen here with the Hyundai 450-7 which he describes as a dream to handle!

On another fascinating assignment Doug was called to demonstrate this Hyundai 210-7 with short dipper and narrow tracks on a hot and dusty French Reunion Island for "Caille inc." Doug described the island in the Indian ocean as a wonderfull place full of people of all races and religions living in harmony together.

Another show that Doug has demonstrated at is the the TKD Fair for a company called "Vanderspeck this will probably be a familiar show with members of the Dutch machinery forum that I am also a member of Bouwmachine forum.
Doug said that he had met some very good friends during his time in Holland and I must agree after making some very good Dutch friends through the forum in the past.

Holland is a country where people are passionate about machinery.

Doug describes Bauma as the greatest plant show on earth and has advised me to make a trip to see it one day which I hope to do next time it is on!

Here we see Doug up to his usual tricks at the German event.

And here we see Doug performing his trademark stunt at the Ernest Doe show in 2008 which he affectionately calls his "Eddie the Eagle" this time on a little 140-7

What a wonderful photo this is, Doug is seen here performing for his Grandson Samuel at the same event. The Doe show is an annual event held very early in Febuary which is well worth a visit, next year will be the shows 50th year on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of Feb.

This is an unusual shot with Doug at the Controls of a Volvo EC140B during a demo job at the West Show in Guernsey, the Volvo 14 ton machine belonged to David Lesberil a contractor on the island.

And finally they always say that behind every great man is a great woman and Doug is no exception, Doug is seen here with Wife Glenis at a Bauma after show presentation, Glenis has attended all Dougs shows throughout his career. Hows that for support!