Local Face: Barry Collins

Barry Collins was born in Shoeburyness in Essex in October 1945 and the family moved to Aston Clinton in 1949. He attended Aston Clinton Primary School and then finished off his education at the Grange in Aylesbury. He was a member of the Church Choir in Aston Clinton and played football at the Aston Clinton Football Club.

Barry’s first job after leaving school was at Stirling Moss’ parents house, White Cloud Farm in Tring, breeding rabbits. After that he began working for Harris Motors (an Austin Morris franchise) local garage at Stoke Mandeville, in the parts department. After some years he was approached by a local factory called Mid Bucks Electrical, to be a Sales Parts Representative and after about three years, he moved on to Dutton Forshaw in Aylesbury to work for them also as a Sales Rep. About a year later he was made Sales Manager in the Parts Department closely followed by his becoming Parts Manager in charge of the whole of the Aylesbury Branch.

In the early 1980’s Barry decided to go it alone taking his assistant and sales manager with him and formed a company in Tring called C.H.H. Express delivering parts all around Herts, Beds and Bucks and two years later he sold his shares to go completely on his own starting up Wendover Motor Spares.

He first opened at the corner shop on Perry Street and two years later purchased the house next door and nine months after that sold them both to move the business up to ‘Green Pets’ on the Aylesbury Road.

Barry met his wife, Val, through his best friend, Terry Parker. Terry and his sister Val, lived opposite Barry in Aston Clinton. Barry and Val married in June 1967 and celebrate 41 years of marriage this month. They have two children, Roy and Julie and four grand children with one more on the way.

In the late 1980’s Barry sold Wendover Motor Spares thinking he would like to try something completely different. He opened a toy shop called The Toy Box in Parton Road in Ayesbury but he missed his contact with Wendover and was lucky enough to be able to buy Wendover Motor Spares back within 18 months.

Thereafter, he acquired Red Rose Garage opposite, thus allowing his son, Roy workshop facilities and better parking for customers. This time he decided to make his son a partner and now the business has grown and they have the very large shop of motor spares as well as the workshop for car repairs, MOT, servicing and tyre fitting facilities.

They now work 5 1/2 days a week instead of the 6 1/2 days per week worked at their previous premises. Wendover Motor Spares provides an excellent and personal service to all who visit the store and workshop. Barry is best known for his smile, his pleasant attitude and helpful guidance together with his wealth of knowledge in connection with anything to do with motor spares and much more.

Barry and Val live in Weston Turville. At home Barry finds relaxation in gardening and enjoys playing with his grandchildren.